The Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram

The Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram

It is one of the The Great Living Chola Temples built between 10th and 12th centuries CE. The other two temples are at Thanjavur and Gangaikonda Cholapuram and have a lot of similarities. The legend is that Airavata, the white elephant of Indra, worshipped Lord Siva in this temple; so did also the King of Death, Yama. Tradition has it that the presiding deity Airavateswarar cured Yama himself (the God of Death) who was suffering under a Rishi’s curse from a burning sensation all over the body. Yama took a bath in the sacred tank and was rid of the burning sensation. Since then the tank is known as Yamateertham.

Picture courtesy – Madhu

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