Darasuram Airavateswarar Shivan Temple built
by the Rajaraja II is 5km southwest of Kumbakonam.
The temple's musical pillars, chariot mandapam,
sculptures and the 5 storey 85 feet tall
Vimanam is said to be a 'Sculptor's dream
in stone'. Darasuram has the finest Chola
sculptures of black basalt images on the
shrine walls. Darasuram was known as Rajarajapuram.
Airavateswarar Shivan is smaller than the
Periya Kovil and Gangai Konda Choleeswaram.
The Periya Nayaki Amman temple was once
a part of the complex, but with the outer
wall of the temple being destroyed over
the years, it looks as if it is a separate
temple.
