This is thirty first in the series on the rich cultural heritage of temples in India. The ancient temples of India are richly carved and they behold ones attention for their craftsmanship.
In the Chennakesava Temple of Belur there are several beautiful sculptures created in 1175 A.D. Here one can see beautiful carving of Lord Vishnu in a reclining position over the Adi Sesha with Laksmi near the feet on the external wall of the temple. This pose is known as Vishnu Anathashayanam.
A beautiful sculpture in black stone at 12th century Airavateswarar Temple of Darasuram.
A sculpture of Lord Hanuman on the external wall of 13th century Lakshmi Narasimha Temple at Bhadravati. Not so elaborate carving of Vishnu Anathashayanam on a pillar at
Panchalingeshwara Temple in Barkur. A simple carving of 2 people on a animal at Mallikarjuna Temple, Basaralu.
Darasuram is a small town in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is in the Tanjore district just 3 km from the temple town of Kumbakonam. This ancient town originally was known by the name Rajarajapuram.
This place is known for Airavateswarar Temple, which is a rare specimen of architectural and sculptural workmanship.
We visited the place while touring the state of Tamil Nadu along with other cities like Tanjore, Gangaikondacholapuram and Kumbakonam.
This is twenty-third in the series on the rich cultural heritage of temples in India. The ancient temples of India are richly carved and they behold ones attention for their craftsmanship.
Here is a beautiful sculpture on the exterior of the Lakshmana Temple at Khajuraho where a boys help a lady to remove thorn from her feet.
On the back side exterior wall of the Varhai Temple at Chaurasi is the beautiful sculpture of Sun God on a chariot pulled by 7 horses.
At Airavateswarar Temple of Darasuram there is a very unique sculpture of Ardhanareeswarar with three faces and eight arms. If one observes carefully the left half is man and the right half is woman.
In the above the first one is Lord Shiva on sitting pose with sword and shield in pair of hands. This is again from Airavateswarar Temple at Darasuram. The next two are from Chennakesava Temple of Belur. There are many more such beautiful carvings, we will explore some other time.
This is eighteenth in the series on the rich cultural heritage of temples in India. The ancient temples are richly carved and they behold ones attention for their craftsmanship. Most of these temples have carvings of Lord Ganesh in various forms. Each of these sculptures are marvel stone in their own right.
Here is the huge sculpture of Lord Ganesh within the complex of the 12th century Hoysaleswara Temple at Halebid in Karnataka. The crown is a true masterpiece.
Above carving is on the pillar inside the 8th century Hazar Ram Temple of World Heritage Site Hampi in Karnataka.
First one is on the external walls of Airavateswarar Temple at Darasuram. Second one is 12th century sculpture of Lord Ganesha at ASI Museum, Shimoga. Third one is at the Brihadeeshwarar Temple at Gangaikondacholapuram.
There are many more such beautiful carvings, we will explore some other time.
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Darasuram is a small village at a distance of 34 kms from Tanjore or 3 kms from Kumbkonam. Airavateswarar Temple at Darasuram is a architectural and sculptural masterpiece. This temple has been declared as World Heritage Monument.
As per the legend Airavata, the white elephant of Indra, worshiped Lord Siva in this temple. In the 12th century this temple was built by the King Raja Raja Chola II. During the 14th century the large stone statues surrounding the temple were replaced with brick and mortar statues.
The south side of the front sanctum is in the form of a huge chariot with large stone wheels drawn by horses.
Lion hunting an elephant a beautiful sculpture on the steps - made by stacking granite sculpture to one of the shrines in the complex.
Whatever remains of the sculptural part of the temple is on the external wall of inner courtyard. The sculptural extravaganza is unmatched and can only be enjoyed looking yet it in ones own eyes.
There is also a small Vinayagar shrine before the inner tower of the temple.
This is fifteenth in the series on the rich cultural heritage of ancient temples in India. Today we will see sculptures on the external walls or pillars of the temple.
The Brihadeswara Temple of Gangaikondacholapuram built in 1020-1029 AD has magnificent carvings on their external walls. One of the sculpture shown above is the true masterpiece. Here Lord Shiva seated on a throne with Uma Parameswari by his side. Lord in his four arms carries axe and antelope in his upper arms; towards the bottom the Lord is seen crowning Chandesa with a garland of flowers. Chandesa is none other than King Rajendra Chola is the embodiment of devotion and piety and the place he attained is considered the highest, a devotee of Siva is privileged with.
The Airavateswarar Temple at Darasuram, which abounds in architectural and rare sculptural specimens of workmanship. Here is one of the walls of the temple which is beautifully carved.
The Ranganathswamy Temple at Srirangam is beautifully done. The Kalayanmantap with pillars with warriors is exceptionally carved.
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