Airavatesvara Temple Darasuram

Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram, about 40 km from Thanjavur near Kumbakonam, is one of the three Great Living Chola Temples and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by Raja Raja Chola II in the 12th century, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and named after Airavata, Indra's celestial elephant. Its most distinctive feature is a grand stone chariot with spinning stone wheels at the front, and a set of seven musical steps that produce different notes when struck. The carvings here are considered the most intricate of all three Chola World Heritage temples.