Welcome to Darasuram, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Tamil Nadu, India. This small village, located near the town of Kumbakonam, is a testament to the architectural brilliance of the Chola dynasty. Darasuram is renowned for its exquisite temple, Airavatesvara Temple, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Steeped in rich history and adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures, Darasuram offers a captivating journey into the past. Join us as we explore the enchanting temple, delve into the local culture, and discover the hidden treasures of Darasuram.
Table of Contents
- Things to do in Darasuram
- More About Darasuram
- How to Plan a trip to Darasuram
- Places to stay in Darasuram
Things to do in Darasuram
Most tourist attractions in the Darasuram world heritage site are close to each other, at a distance of 5 to 10 KM and can be covered within a couple of hours.
Here are some of the best places to visit in Darasuram –
- Visit the Darasuram Temple and Periya Nayaki Amman Temple – Explore the ancient architecture and history of the famous heritage site. The Darasuram temple timings are from 8 AM to 12.30 PM and 4 PM to 7.30 PM, all days of the week.
- Visit the Sarangapani Temple – The temple is considered one of the three major shrines of Bishnu and one of the Divya Desams. The giant temple is 12 stories high and was built in the 15th century by the Nayak Kings.
Darasuram Temples
The Airavateswara temple is a storehouse of classic Dravidian art and architecture. With heavily ornated pillars, columns, and intricately sculpted walls, the temple showcases the Chola art and creativity of artisans of its time.
The vimana, or temple tower, is 85 feet high. The front yard has a mandapam/dais shaped in the form of a huge chariot drawn by horses. The seven swaras or notes can be heard at different points in time. The entrance is flanked by two imposing figures of Dwarapalakas, or doormen, sculpted with vivid expressions.
The main mandapam is called Raja Gambira, with a chariot drawn by elephants. The wheels as they are were added later by the Archeological Society of India. The temple ceilings boast beautiful carvings of Shiva and Parvati inside an open lotus.
Places to visit in Darasuram
Suryanar Koil Temple
About the Place: Situated in the village of Suryanar Koil, the temple is dedicated to the sun god – Surya. Its presiding deity is Suryanar, and his consorts – Ushadevi and Pratyusha Devi. The temple also houses deities associated with each of the nine planets. The temple is famous for hosting a grand celebration of the Ratha Saptami festival.
Timings: 6:00 AM – 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Entry Fee: Free
Best time to visit: Mid-January to mid-February.
How to reach Darasuram: The temple is located 20 KM from Darasuram and takes about 45 minutes via NH36/NH 45C and Chinnammal Kallarai/Kallanai – Poombhuhar Rd. You can use the public buses available from Mayiladuthurai, Aduthurai, Anaikarai and Thirupananthal or book a cab or rent a car from Darasuram to reach Suryanar Koil Temple.
Tiruvidaimarudur Conservation Reserve
About the Place: Located in the Tiruppadaimarathur village in Tirunelveli district near Kumbakonam, this natural avian reserve is a protected bird nesting region. Spanning over a vast area of 2.84 hectares, the reserve is established within a Shiva temple compound.
The enclave boasts aquatic and land birds like egrets, pond herons, spot-billed pelicans, and endangered species of storks. There are about 400 egrets within this reserve. The area is dotted with freshwater ponds and 20 varieties of ancient endemic trees like maruthu, mahwa, neem and illuppai.
Timings: NA
Entry Fee: NA
Best time to visit: October to February
How to reach from Darasuram: The avian reserve is located at 17 Km from Darsuram and takes about 30 minutes to reach via NH 36/NH 45C. The best way to travel is to book a cab or rent a local car from Darasuram.
Places to Eat in Darasuram
- Mangalambika coffee & Tiffin center
- Sathar’s Restaurant
- Sri Balaji Bhavan
- Fayaz Restaurant
- Shamby’s Pizza Cafe
More about Darasuram
Darasuram is a picturesque village located near Kumbakonam in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It is famous for its magnificent Airavatesvara Temple, a remarkable architectural masterpiece built during the reign of the Chola dynasty. This temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is renowned for its intricate carvings, exquisite sculptures, and intricate detailing that showcase the skill and craftsmanship of the artisans of that era. The temple’s stunning vimana (tower), mandapa (hall), and gopuram (gateway) are a sight to behold, captivating visitors with their timeless beauty. Darasuram also offers a serene and peaceful ambience, making it a perfect destination for spiritual seekers and history enthusiasts. Immerse yourself in the divine aura, explore the fascinating temple complex, and witness the grandeur of Darasuram’s rich cultural heritage.
Darasuram History
Darasuram, also called Dharasuram, is an ancient temple town in Tamil Nadu. It is located 3 KM from Kumbakonam in the Thanjavur district. It is also an important cultural heritage site, owing to the historical Airavateswara temple or Airavatesvara mandir and other temples built in a similar time period.
The entire site is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The Darasuram Airavateswara temple, along with the Periya Nayaki Amman temple, form the highlight of the cluster of 18 medieval-era Hindu temples in the Kumbakonam area.
The temples depict the Vaishnavism and Shaktism traditions, along with the folk legends of the Nayanmars – the Bhakti saints of Shaivism. The history of the Darasuram temple is a mix of folklore, mythology, and royal records.
Legend of Dharasuram Temple
The temple legend says that Airavata, the divine white elephant of Indra, worshipped Shiva in this temple, as did Yama, the King of Death. Lore has it that Airavateswara, the presiding deity of the temple, cured Yama himself when he was under a curse of a rishi.
Yama bathed in the sacred tank and got rid of the burning sensation. Since then, the water tank is called Yamateertham (pilgrimage of Yama) and remains sacred for devotees. The tank gets freshwater supply from the Kaveri River and is 228 feet wide. Pilgrims who come here often bathe in this tank. Later, during the Chola rule, the kings were said to worship Shiva Lingam in this temple. The temple walls hold inscriptions by the Chola and the Pandya kings.
Darasuram Architecture
The overall temple structure represents a chariot with major deities mentioned in the Vedas and Puranas like Agni, Varuna, Vayu, Brahma, Surya, Vishnu, Saptamtrikas, Durga, Saraswati, Sri devi (Lakshmi), Ganga, Yamuna, Subrahmanya, Ganesha, Kama, Rati and others.
The walls and pillars showcase Bharatanatyam dancers carved in stone in various dancing poses. They are called Sodasa Upasaras. The sculptures also represent visuals of both mythological stories and contemporary society. There are carvings of women, children, and farmers, along with the likes of Ravana, Buddha, Bhikshatana etc.
The paintings on the temple walls were later updated by the Nayak kings. The premise also houses the Periya Nayaki Amman temple, adjacent to the Airavateswara temple. It is dedicated to Shiva’s consort, Deva Nayaki, which is also the main shrine. It is believed that this temple was once attached to the main temple when the outer courts were complete.
Most parts of the temple, like the gopuram/spire, are in ruins, and the main temple with its shrine stands alone. But whatever remains are within the inside wall of the main courtyard, raised from the ground by afoot. There are two sundials, namely the morning and evening sundials which can be seen as the wheels of the chariot.
The stone carvings on the pillars and exteriors showcase gipsy women in gymnastic poses akin to a circus, entertaining villagers and the royals. The Periya Nayaki Amman temple still attracts large crowds of pilgrims every year during the Hindu month of Magha, when there are special pujas held for Shiva and Durga.
Hidden Facts about Darasuram
Here are some interesting facts about Airavatesvara temple –
- There is also a small mandapam, raised from the ground with seven stone steps. The steps are said to emit different musical sounds when tapped.
- The chariot design of the temple is said to be inspired by the Konark Sun Temple in Orissa.
- The masons/artisans used pure granite for the construction and sculptures of all the figures and forms that are present inside the temple.
Darasuram UNESCO World Heritage Site
Darasuram is an integral part of the Great Living Chola Temples, found at Brihadeeswara Temple, Thanjavur, the Gangaikondacholisvaram, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and the Airavateswara Temple, Darasuram. All these temples were built by the Chola kings between the 10th and 12th centuries.
The architecture of all the temples in these places have a lot of similarities with the classic Dravidian stone and rock architecture and collectively make for a prominent part of Tamil Nadu’s history. The Darasuram sculptures are living evidence of ancient Indian art and Dravidian heritage.
The Great Living Chola Temples, along with Darasuram are managed and maintained by the Archeological Society of India. In 1987, UNESCO declared Darasuram as a World Heritage Site for its significance and contribution to India’s art and cultural legacy on a global scale.
[Also Read: All you Need to Know About Thanjavur | Travel Guide]
How to Plan a Trip to Darasuram
How to Reach Darasuram
Darasuram temple location is easily accessible from Kumbakonam and other major towns within Tamil Nadu. The heritage site with both temples sits at 4 KM southwest of Kumbakonam town.
By Train
Darasuram has its own railway station, which is connected to Kumbakonam and Thanjavur. There are regular trains to these cities from Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, and Bangalore.
By Road
There are buses from Kumbakonam town to Darasuram on a regular basis. There are also state-run and private buses from other cities like Thanjavur and Salem. The best way to travel to Darasuram is to book a cab or rent an outstation car from any major city in Tamil Nadu.
By Flight
The nearest airport is at Trichy, 95.6 KM away. There are regular flights available to Trichy from all major cities in Tamil Nadu and other states. You can book a cab from there for comfortable travel.
Best time to visit Darasuram
The best time to visit Darasuram is between October to March when the weather is pleasant to explore the temples and outdoor sites.
Places to Stay in Darasuram
- Hotel Ark
- Vinayaga by Poppy’s
- Mayapuri Amira Luxury Hotel
- Indeco Hotels Swamimalai
- Cholaa Dynasty
- Hotel Riverside Resort & Spa
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Tamil Nadu is filled with historical places, temples & monuments, and you can access all these places, like Darasuram, from Chennai very easily. Access Savaari’s curated list of such places near Chennai.
Last Updated on February 2, 2024 by
