New Delhi: There are some structures which just take our breath away at the first sight with their grandeur and majestic brilliance. The Airavatesvara Temple is unarguably one such structure. Located in Tamil Nadu, this temple is one of the majestic representations of the Chola architecture and shows the engineering marvel of the ancient and medieval India. In this article, we will know more about the temple which is also a UNESCO Heritage Site.
Airavatesvara Temple: A splendid example of Chola architecture
Airavatesvara Temple is located in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur district. Along with the Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur and the Gangaikondacholisvaram Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram, it is a UNESCO Heritage Site as the Great Living Chola Temples. The temple is one of the most important medieval era large Hindu temples in the Thanjavur district.
It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and also displays Shaktism and Vaishnavism traditions. The temple reflects the Chola dynasty’s rich cultural heritage in its architecture, sculptures, paintings and bronze casting. It is named after ‘Airavat’, Lord Indra’s majestic white elephant.
Who constructed the Airavatesvara Temple?
The Chola Emperor Rajaraja Chola II built the temple in the 12th century. While Gangaikonda Cholapuram was his main capital, he mostly lived in Ayirattali, his secondary capital. This urban complex included Darasuram, the site of Airavatesvara Temple in Kumbakonam. The Airavatesvarar temple is one of the lasting legacies of Rajaraja Chola II. The size of the Airavatesvara Temple was bigger than what we see now and it has faced destructions and decay over the years.
The enchanting architecture of the Airavatesvara Temple
Airavatesvara Temple has intricate and detailed artwork which can make anyone spellbound and it can be called poetry on stone. The temple was constructed following the Dravidian architectural style and the building’s main stone work looks like a chariot. There are rich carvings in the temple complex and there are also inscriptions which tell the tale of ancient Indian Puranas. The temple has the fascinating musical steps which are 7 singing steps leading to the altar. These steps are intricately carved and represent seven musical notes.
Located in Tamil Nadu, the Airavatesvara Temple is one of the majestic representations of the Chola architecture and shows the engineering marvel of the ancient and medieval India. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
