ஐராவதீசுவரர் திருக்கோயில் தாராசுரம்
One of the three Chola era Sivan temples known as the Great Living Chola Temples with a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation, this temple was built more than a century after the grand temple at Gangaikondacholapuram. It was built by Raja Rajan II (CE 1143-1173). It took 20 years to build. This was a period of great turmoil in the Chola empire. The peripheral territories were getting restless. The unraveling of the empire had begun. The empire was constantly at war. Yet they managed to build a grand temple in the intervening periods of relative peace. It is named Airavatesvarar in honour of Indra's while elephant, the Airavatham (ஐராவதம்). It is an inactive temple with nominal worship. It is under the care of the ASI - the Archeological Survey of India.
Here also the the central feature is the vimanam. At 92 feet it is much shorter than the other two and it is a smaller temple. However the architecture and sculptures here are thought to be some of the finest from the Chola era. Some of the sculptures have been transferred to museums. But what remains here is quite stunning. There is a small staircase that has seven steps that each make different musical notes when stepped upon. Today it is fenced off to protect it from damage. The front mandapam known as the Rajagambiran Mandapam is unique in that it is designed like a chariot with wheels, Rajagambiran was on of the titles of Raja Rajan II. The mandapam has many ornate pillars. The entire complex is made of granite. It is located near Kumbakonam, 36 km or an hour drive east of Thanjavur.
We visited in July 2012. We were based in Thanjavur.
Credits: Google Maps
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