Although this temple is much smaller than the Brihadeeswara Temple or the Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple, it is more exquisite in detail. This is because this temple is said to have been built with nitya-vinoda, “perpetual entertainment�, in mind. No tall gopura greets one at the entrance but the Vimana over the sanctum is an excellent substitute.
Airavateshwara Temple
Temple Layout:
This is one of the World Heritage site in India, which is comes under The Great Living Chola Temples category. This temple was added to the list of Great Living Chola Temples in the year 2004. The Great Living Chola Temples includes the Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur, the Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram at Gangaikonda Cholapuram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram. All of these temples were built by the Cholas between the 10th and 12th centuries CE and have a lot of similarities.
Corridor
Natya Mandapa Vilva tree well
Mandapa
Nandi Maha mandapa
m
uter Prakara
100 pillared hall
Entrance Gopuram
Muha Mandapa
Corridor
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