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ஐராவதேஸ்வரர் கோயில்
Darasuram, Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu · 10.9484°, 79.3567°
The third of the Great Living Chola Temples, built by Rajaraja II — a jewel-box of late-Chola sculpture whose front mandapa is carved as a stone chariot drawn by horses. Famous for musical steps and miniature narrative friezes.
What follows is the temple’s own traditional account, transmitted through liturgy and local memory. It is recorded here as tradition, not as attested history.
Named for Airavata, Indra's white elephant, who worshipped Shiva here to be cured of a curse; Yama too is said to have bathed in the tank to escape a rishi's curse.
Darasuram has its own railway station roughly 1 km from the temple, and Kumbakonam bus stand is about 5 km away. The nearest airport is Tiruchirappalli International, some 90 km off.
coordinates: wikipedia-2026-08-26 · sources retrieved 2026-08-26 · dynasty page: Chola
Answers only from cited records
Opening the line…