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This Sri Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram is under the control of Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI ), maintained by the Thanjavur Palace Devasthanam. Recent renovations are done by the present Prince of Maratha king Babaji Rajah Bhonsle. This temple is declared as a UNESCO monument under Great Living Chozha Temples along with Thanjavur, Sri Rajarajecharam alias Brihadeeswara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram. ASI allowed for the regular pooja to moolavar.
Moolavar : Sri Airavatesvara
Temple complex view.
Consort : Sri Periya Nayaki, Sri Deiva Nayaki
Some of the salient features of this temple are....
The temple is facing east with Balipeedam and Rishaba mandapam outside. The steps of Rishabh mandapam emanate a musical sound when tapped. Dwarapalakas are on both sides of the sanctum sanctorum. Annapoorani, Saraswati without veena, Kannappar, Nagaraja, Nandikeshwara. In Koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Lingothbavar, Arthanareeswarar, Lingothbavar, Ashta Bhuja Bairavar, Vishnu Durgai etc. Sanga nidhi and Padmanidhi are in the mukha mandapam. The Pillars of sobana mandapa have the bas relief of Shiva and Parvati's marriage on all 4 sides of the Pillar.
The Adhistanam has the bas relief sculptures of the 63 Nayanmar stories. In praharam 11 Surya Lingas and Saligrama Lingam, 63var on the wall, Gallary, displays Sri Valli Devasena Murugan, Rajaraja-II.
Ambal is in the separate temple on the left side of the main Temple. Ambal is in standing posture with abhaya varada hastam.
Ambal
ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of Sanctum Sanctorum, antarala, ardha mandapam, maha mandapam and mukha mandapam. The sobana mandapam was built like a chariot pulled by horses. The sanctum sanctorum is on a Upanam. The Vimanam is of 5 tiers. Nayanmar's story is sculpted on the base of the Temple.
The temple is
maintained neat and clean with landscape out side. A lot of relief on the
walls, ceilings, and pillars is found. In one pillar complete story
of Lord Shiva’s marriage was chiseled on all four sides of the pillar.
The Shiva and Ambal images are very beautiful. Different sounds are observed
when tapped on various parts of the image of Annapoorani. It was a wonderful
experience to see the details of the bas reliefs, sculptures, and statues chiseled made out of stone.
Mandapam is like chariot-style construction
Entrance Mandapam
Temple complex view
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
The temple belongs to the 12th Century CE, built by the Chozha King Rajaraja-II.
சாசனம் -561, D. 2728 - உளஉயரு
(ARE No. 21 of 1908) [On the south wall of the
first prakara of the Airavatesvara temple) Record dated in the 3rd year 292nd
day of the reign of the Pandyan king Māravarman alsas Tribhuvana chakravartın
Vira Pandyadeva registering the gift of 20 vēle of land in Ten-Kurukkaı alias
Rajanārāyanapuram, a village in Tiru- naraıyūr-parru as traıyılı (tax-free)
from the month of Panguni of that year to meet the expenses of worship and
repairs to the temple of Udaiyar Rajaraja-Iśvaram-udaiya-Nayanar at Rajaraja-
puram in Melkūrram, a sub-division of Kulōttungas õla-valanādu. The king was
seated on the cot called Kalingarāyan in his bed- chamber in the palace (kōyil)
at Kandıyūr in Pandyakulapatıvalanādu in the Sõla-mandalam at the time of
issuing the order for this grant.சாசனம் -562, D. 2728
A damaged record dated in the 22nd year. day of
the reign of the Chola king Tribhuvana chakaravartın Sri Rajarajadeva
registering the gift of land as tirunāmattukkāni to the god. There are too many
gaps in the text.
சாசனம் 563, D. 2728- வாஉயஎ
(ARE No 23 of 1908)
[On the inner gõpura of the temple, right of entrance] Record dated in the 10th
year, Tai 14, of the reign of the Pandya king Maravarman alias Tirbhuvana
chakravartın Srivallabha deva registering the provision made for repairs and
for celebrating festivals, in the temple of Ira[ja*]rā [ja] iguram
udaıya-Nayanar, by the residents of Uttattür-nadu, a sub-division of
Kulōttunga- (sōla] valanadu.
சாசனம் -564, D. 2728 - உளஉயஅ
Record dated in the
31st year, Makara, ba. dvitīyā, Uttara shada (probably a mistake for
Uttaraphalguna) of the reign of the Chōļa king Tribhuvana chakravartın Sri
Rajarajadeva registering the grant of land (irandu mā mukkānı araıkkanı) of
a vēls to meet the expenses of worship, offerings, etc, to the god by a native
of Peruchchēlipuram, a village in Kılar-kūrram, a sub- division of
Pandyakulapatı-valanādu.
சாசனம் -565, D 2728-உளஉயகூ
இரண்டு வேறு வேறு சாசனஙகளின வாசகம் ஒன்றோடு ஒன்று கலாது ஒரே
சாசனமாகப் பிரதிசெயயப் பட்டிருப்பதாய்த் தோன்றுகிறது.
Record dated in the
12th year day of the reign of the Chōla king Tribhuvana chakravartın
Rajarajadeva with many gaps. Seems to register the gift of land to the Nayanar
of Rārasura. puram. Mentions Vadavālattür ın Kılar kūrram and Vaıganallūr.
சாசனம் – 566, D. 2728-உளங ய
(ARE No. 22 of
1908). [On the inner gõpura of the same temple, right of entrance] Record dated
in Śaka [1408,] Krōdhana, Makara, S'u. ēkādası, registering the tax-free gift
by Ayyan Viramarasar of 23 vēli of wet land of his jīvitam at Rarasuram to meet
the expenses of worship of the god Irajara[jē]suram udaiya Nayanār
In the Śaka date, the figure 10 written in the
original is evidently a mistake for the 100.
Record dated in the
13th year, (month not stated), S'u prathamā Visakha of the reign of the Chōla
king Tribhuvana chakravartın Rajarajadeva-III containing the meykkirttı
beginning with the words, "Puyal vāyttu" etc, registering the grant
of land to meet the expenses of worship in the temple. The lines appear to have
been mixed up.
சாசனம் 568, D. 2728- உளஙயஉ
Record dated in the
22nd year, Makara, ba. trayōdası, Wednesday, Rohini of the reign of the Chola
king Tribhuvana chakravartın Rajarajadeva registering the gift on the
auspicious occasion of ardhodaya of 13 vēls of (dry) land to the temple to
meet the expenses of worship and taking the image of the deity in procession.சாசனம் – 569, D. 2728- உளஙயங
Record dated in the
33rd year, (month not stated), ba. pañchami, Sunday, Ayılya, of the reign of the Chola king
Tribhuvana chakra- vartın Rajarajadeva registering the gift of land to meet the
expenses of taking the image of the deity of Udaıyar Rarasuram udaiya Nayanar
on the vehicle of the sacred bull (vrishabha. vāhana festival).
The following
interesting account from the inscriptions recorded in the temple attribute the
construction of this temple to Kulottunga-III
"By
Sri Rajarajesvara may be meant the Brihadesvara temple at Tanjore which in
ancient times was called Sri Rajarajesvaramudaiyar. As Sri-Rajarajesvara is
mentioned along with other ancient temples which Kulottunga-III could only have
renovated (not built afresh), it is very likely that the Brihadesvara temple at
Tanjore benefitted at the hands of Kulottunga III. But as the location of
Sri Rajarajesvara as not given, and as the Tanjore temple built by the Chola
king Rajaraja-I does not bear any traces of having been repaired in later
times, it is not impossible that the Airavatesvara temple at Dara suram near
Kumbakonam is meant. The latter is called Sri-Rajarajesvara in its inscriptions. In fact it is the name Rajarajesvara that appears to have been corrupted
into Darasuram. The former name was in later times written into two
abbreviations for raja side by side and the syllable suram affixed.
Accordingly, the name became Rarasuram, which occurs in some of the
inscriptions of the place. This form is evidently responsible for the modern
Darasuran. The Airavatesvara temple at Darasuran is built in the style of the
Kampaharesvara temple at Tribhuvanam and both of them seem to have been copied
from the Tanjore temple. It is thus not impossible that the Airavatesvara
temple at Darasuran near Kumbakonam, which is called Sri-Rajarajesvara in its
inscription was either renovated or built by the Chola king Kulottunga-III."
2 of 1915. (Tamil.) On the north wall of the
verandah round the Airavatesvara temple. Consists of 108 sections, each
containing the name and surname of the Saivacharya whose image is sculptured
below.
3 of 1915. (Tamil.) On a pillar of the mandapa
in front of the central shrine of the Somesvarasvamin temple in the same taluk.
A damaged record in the fifth year of the Chola king Rajarajakesarivarman
(Rajaraja-1). Records gift of land for sacred bath, offerings and Sri bali to
the Alvar of Tirusomisvaram at Tirukkudamukku (i.e., Kumbakonam, a devadhana of
Vadagarai-Pambura-nadu).
16 of 1908. (Tamil.) On the walls of the central
shrine in the Airavatesvara temple. Contains the names of Saiva devotees, with
sculptures representing the principal events of their lives. A very interesting
epigraph illustrative of the establishment of Saivaite saint worship by the
tenth century.
17 of 1908.-(Tamil.) On the east wall of the first
prakara of the same temple. A damaged record in the twenty-first year of the
Chola king Tribhuvanachakravartin Sri Rajarajadeva (II?) The temple is called
Rajarajesvaramudaiyar. Arrangements are made for the disposal of fruits grown
on the temple garden. (This seems to be the same as Ins. S. Dts. No. 119, p
248).
18 of 1908. (Tamil). On the same wall. A
fragmentary record of the Chola King Rajadhiraja-II (1171-1186 CE), containing a
portion of the historical introduction beginning with the words kadalsuluda.
19 of 1908. (Tamil). On the same wall. An
unfinished record in the twelfth year of the Chola king Rajakesarivarman alias
Tribhuvanachakravartin Sri Rajadhirajadeva-(II?) (This seems to be the same
as No. 124 in Ins. S. Dts. p. 249, but the regnal year reads thirteenth).
20 of 1908. (Tamil.) On the same wall. A record
in the eighth year of the Chola king Parakesarivarman alias
Tribhuvanachakravartin Sri-Kulottunga Choladeva. The temple is called Rajaraja
Isvaramudaiyar. (The king referred is evidently Kulottunga-III (1178-1216 CE).
21 of 1908. (Tamil.) On the south wall of the
same prakara. A record in the third year of the Pandya king Maravarman
Tribhuvanachakravartin Vira Pandyadeva. Records gift of land for repairs to the
temple of Udaiyar Rajaraja Isvaramudaiyar Nayanar at Rajarajapuram. (Was this
king one of the mediæval Pandyas or identical with Maravarman Vira Pandya
Abhiraman Viramaran Seliyan Kaliyugaraman Tirunelvelip perumal who ascended
the throne between March and July, 1443, and who was joint ruler with
Arikesari, 1422-64? See Ins. S. Dts. p. 248, No. 118).
22 of 1908. (Tamil.) On the inner gopura of the
same temple, right of entrance. Records in S. 1408, expired, Krodhana, gift of
land for providing the requirements of worship in the temple of Irarasuram
(also Rarasuram).
23 of 1908. (Tamil.) In the same place. A record
of the Pandya king Maravarman Tribhuvanachakravartin Sri Vallabhadeva, the date
of which is doubtful. Registers provision made for repairs and for
celebrating festivals in the temple of Irarasuram Udaiya Nayanar. (Was the
king the predecessor of the mediæval Pandya Jatavarman Kulasekhara-I or
identical with the later Irandakalamedutta Srivallabha or the great
Ativirarama? It is evidently the former).
24 of 1908. (Tamil.) Below the image of a
dvarapalaka set up close to the same gopura, left of entrance. A record of
Udaiyar Sri-Vijayarajendradeva. Records that the image was brought from
Kalyanapuram by the king after his capture of the place. (The king was evidently
Rajadhiraja-I, Jayankondachola (1018-52 CE), the anointer of heroes at
Kalyanapura).
25 of 1908.(Tamil.) On the walls of the outer
gopura of the same temple. These are small labels containing the names of Gods,
whose images have, in most cases, since dis- appeared or have been mutilated.
26 of 1908.(Tamil.) On two stones lying in the
courtyard of the same temple. Each of them contains a portion of the historical
introduction of Kulottunga-I.
27 of 1908.-(Tamil.) On a third stone in the
same place. The gopura is called I gaimuvendiraiyar tirukkopuram.
The following inscriptions have been taken from
the Mack. MSS. Their exact places in the temple are not given :-
A grant of half panam by each inhabitant of the
village to the God in the tenth year of Vallabha Raya Mahadeva.
Grant of 2 ma and 3 kani of land for the God by
Rajarajadeva in his thirty-first year.
A grant of 3+ velis of land by the same king in
his second year at "Vayeghanelloor."
A grant of 24 velis of land at "Auyenvama
Raja Poorum" by Pratapadevaraya in S. 1268, Krodhi. The date is wrong.
A grant of 13 velis of land at "Taramala
Varatadi Colla" by Rajarajadeva in his twenty-second year.
A grant of 3 velis and 8 ma of land in
"Paninaralliyoor" to the Vrishabavahana festi val by Rangapati Udaiyan
in the thirty-third year of Rajarajadeva.
A record dated in S. 1199, Bahudhanya, in the
reign of Virapratapa-Devaraya. Records the erection of a mandapam and tank at
Pattisvaram and grant of 4 mas and 3 kanis of land to Pattisvara Nayanar. Ins.
S. Dts. p. 250, No. 127. Date wrong.
A record of Viradeva Maharaya in S. 1137, Dhatu.
Records the erection of a pagoda of God Pattisvara and grant of 9t velis of
land at "Chandole Poorum" for the repair of the temple. Ibid. No.
128. Date wrong."
Ref:
1. A Book on “South
Indian Shrines” by P V Jagadisa Ayyar, Published by Asian Educational
Services.
2. தென்னிந்திய கோயில் சாசானங்கள் பாகம்-II/South Indian Temple Inscriptions – Volume-II, Madras Government Oriental
Series.
The temple was in dilapidated condition during the 1990s and the same was reconstructed by the Thanjavur Palace Devasthanam.
The king Raja Raja II ( 1146 AD ) in the gallery.
Chozha period Tamil inscriptions
LEGENDS
As per the legend, Indra's vahana white elephant Airavata was cursed by Durvasa for destroying the garland to become an ordinary Elephant. The Airavatam came to this place and worshipped Shiva of this temple and got relieved from Durvasa's curse. Hence moolavar is called Airavatesvara.
In Another legend, An Asura / Demon called Daran worshipped Shri Shiva of this temple and obtained the boon of conquering the celestial deities and living without death. Hence this place is called Darasuram.
Arthanareeswarar - see the three heads like Brahma an unusual sculpture..
Annapoorani
Closer look, the face
with sharp nose, a master piece - Annapoorani
See the details of hand,
fingers and nails - observed different sound when tapped on akshaya patra, lotus flower and the head. - Annapoorani
See the details of the
right hand holding the lotus flower - Annapoorani
See the saree foldings
and the design of wearing - Annapoorani
See the beautiful smile
on the face of Annapoorani
Adhikara Nandi
holding a sword 
Lord Shiva is in a sitting
posture holding a Shield (Kedayam ) and sword in a pair of hands and bow &
arrow in a pair of hands.
Bairavar in koshtam - finished like metal
Closer look of
Dhakshinamoorthy see the jadamudi curling and the ear ring on left ear.
Right hands with Chin
mudra and rudraksham in the other hand
Lingothbavar - Vishnu and
Brahma on both sides
Vishnu Durgai - in koshtam
See the smiling face with
abhaya hastham
Kannappar (..?)
Saraswati
Nagaraja
Sri Valli Devasena Sri Subramaniar - in the gallery
63 var on the wall
Lord Shiva and Parvati's marriage relief on the 4 sides of the pillar.
Lord Shiva and Parvati's marriage relief on the 4 sides of the pillar.- Ambal's Dhabas and below, worshiping Lord Shiva
Lord Shiva and Parvati's marriage relief on the 4 sides of the pillar. - Lord Shiva came in the Rishaba vahanam
Lord Shiva and Parvati's marriage relief on the 4 sides of the pillar.- See the Navagrahas attending the marriage with their vahanas.
Lord Shiva as Gaja samhara moorthy. - see the left leg's padam
Oorthava thandavam where Lord Shiva danced at Thiruvalangadu - a relief on the pillar.
Dancer - a relief on the pillar
one of the Relief on the base - dancing to drums - who damaged this sculpture?
Relief also available in the ceiling
Arthanareeswarar and old
painting - on the gallery wall
Old painting - maybe
Thiagarajar - on the gallery wall
Old painting - on the gallery wall
Sandal wood paste-making stones - in the gallery
Rishaba mandapam
Entrance view of the
Darasuram temple with Rishaba mandapam
Temple complex view
Ambal Temple complex view.
Ambal Temple
AIRAVATESVARA TEMPLE - ANOTHER VISIT- DARASURAM
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