About Airavatheeswara
Location:
Dharasuram, 34 kms from Thanjavur
Built By: Raja Raja II, 1150- 1173 AD
The Chola architecture, as manifested in the various monuments, came into
full flowering in the district of Tanjore. One such living monument is the
temple of Airavatheeswara located at Dharasuram. The temple, constructed by
Raja Raja II, 1150- 1173 AD, has now been recognised as a world heritage
monument by the UNESCO. The temple is an outstanding creative achievement in
the architectural conception of the pure form of the Dravida type temple.
A Gaze at the Temple
» The Structure
The vimanam of the temple rises to a height of 23 meters. The sanctum
sanctorum is nirandhra- that is, without the circumambulatory passage. There
is an ardha Mandapam, and a 100-pillared Maha Mandapam.
» Sculptural Marvels
The outer walls of the Maha Mandapam and the garba griha have exquisite
sculptures. Apart from these, the inside of the Maha Mandapam, the pillars
supporting the Maha Mandapam as well as the walls of the prakara (enclosure)
have beautifully-carved panels.
For instance, in the south-west corner of the prakara, a lady's acrobatics
have been chiselled out to represent four in one. The statue of Annapoorani
in the ardha Mandapam is a marvellous piece of sculpture, the face aglow in
a smile, the left hand carrying a brass vessel and the right, a lotus. The
ratha-like side projections on the eastern and western sides of the Maha
Mandapam are characteristic of 12 other Chola temples, like in Tiruvarur,
Chidambaram and Melakadambur. The wheels and spokes are very delicately
carved.
» Music Of the Stones
Most enchanting, though, are the musical notes that rise from the tread
stones inside the Nandi enclosure in front of the temple-they are melodious
testimony to the superb engineering skills of master craftsmen of a bygone
era.
