Airavateswarar Temple The name Darasuram is said to be a corruption of the original name Rajarajapuram, and this temple - smaller than the Periya Kovil and Gangai Konda Choleeswaram dates back to Raja Raja II's period (12th century AD). The Periya Nayaki Amman temple stands out as a separate temple because the outer walls of the temple have disappeared with the passage of time, unlike the original Periya Kovil in Thanjavur. Darasuram is described as a sculptor's dream re-lived in stone. The front mandapam itself is i... more details

Arunachaleswara Temple When we observe the general structure of the temple, we notice that there are five small gopurams on the inner boundary and four big gopurams on the outer boundary. The inner gopurams are known as Kitti gopurams. There are two gopurams in the East and one gopuram each for the other three directions. The first of the two Eastern gopurams is called Kili gopuram. There are indications that this was built in the 11th century. The gopurams built during this period have no more than five stories. Th... more details

Avinashi Eswarar Temple Description: The word Avinashi means that which is indestructible. This is one of the 7 Shivastalams in Kongu Nadu; however this temple is better known as Karunaiyaaththaal temple. Avinashi is also referred to in inscriptions as Dakshina Varanasi, Tiruppukkozhiyur etc. Tirumular's Tirumantiram, Arunagirinathar's Tiruppugazh & Manikkavacakar's Tiruvacakam refer to this shrine. This temple is regarded as the 1st of the 7 Tevara Stalams in the Kongu Region of Tamilnadu. ... more details

Gangaikonda Choleswarar Temple King Rajendra Chola built this temple and dedicated it to Siva as a monument to commemorate his conquests in the North. Sri Choleswarar temple looks similar to the Brihadeeswarar shirne of Thanjavur. The Lingam is more than four metres high and the peetam is 18.5 metres in circumference. Here is a monolithic representation of Navagrahas in the shape of a chariot. The sculptures of Chandeswarar and Gnanasaraswathi are of very fine workmanship. The annual Annabhishekam around November draws thousa... more details

Madurai Meenakshi amman Temple The Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple (twin temples) is one of the biggest temples in India. The original temple built by Kulasekara Pandyan was in ruins. The plan for the current temple structure was laid by Viswanath Naik and was completed by Tirumalai Nayakar. The Aadi, Chittirai and the Maasi, and Veli streets surround the temple. Both temples are adorned with exquisite carvings & sculptures and gold plated vimanams. There are 12 massive gopurams in the temple, the four tallest gopurams at... more details

Patteeswaram Temple This Shivastalam is a shrine patronized ardently by the Cholas who had Pazhiyarai (Patteeswaram) as one of their capitals. It is virtually next door to Darasuram, a storehouse of Chola art. Satthi Muttam is another shrine that is closely tied to Patteeswaram. The entire area around Pazhaiyarai Vadatali abounds in monuments and remains of monuments from the Chola period. Patteeswaram is considered to be the 23rd in the series of Tevara Stalams in the Chola kingdom located south of the river Kav... more details

Pazhayaarai Vadatali Temple Description: There are several temples in the vicinity of Pazhayaarai - Patteeswaram, Darasuram, Satthi Mutham. The Vadatali temple houses Dharmapureeswarar & Vimalanayaki, while Pazhayarai houses the grand Somanathar temple now in ruins. Vadatali is also known as Vallalaar Kovil. Patteeswaram is considered to be the 24th in the series of Tevara Stalams in the Chola kingdom located south of the river Kaveri. ... more details

Rameshwaram Temple This Shivastalam is considered to be one of the holiest shrines in India. It represents the southernmost of the 12 Jyotirlingams of India and has been a time honored pilgirmage center held on par with Banaras. The island-temple town is located off of the Sethu coast of Tamilnadu (south eastern). This shrine is regarded as the 8th of the Tevara Stalams in the Pandya region of Tamilnadu. This temple is assocated closely with the Ramayana and Rama's victorious return from Sri Lanka. ... more details

Tanjore Pragathiswarar Temple Templenet focuses this week on the glorious temples attributedto the reign of Raja Raja Chola and his successors in the Thanjavur Cauvery belt of South India.... more details

The Kampahareswarar temple Tribhuvanam in Tamilnadu, South India, is about 8km from Kumbakonam and 45 km from Thanjavur. The Kampahareswarar temple dedicated to Shiva was built by the Chola King Tribhuvana Chakravarti as a memorial to his conquest in the North and is ranked as one of the Chola masterpieces. It was also built by Kulattunga III (1178 – 1216AD). The shrine resembles the Iravateswara temple at Darasuram, especially the wheeled porch and is known for the rich beauty of its sculptures. ... more details

Thiruvarur The origin of the shrine at Tiruvarur is steeped in antiquity. Of the two major shrines in the temple, dedicated to Vanmikanathar and Tyagarajar the Vanmikanathar shrine is the older one. It enshrines a Shivalingam - prithvi lingam made of earth. Two of the major legends surrounding the temple are associated with Manu Needi Cholan and Muchukunda Cholan respectively. Anecdotes referring to the lives of these legendary rulers (not attributable directly to any of the Cholas of the Sangam period ... more details

Tiruvidaimarudur Temple Of great religious significance, this Shivastalam in the vicinity of Kumbhakonam is known as Madhyarjunam and is said to be on par with Benares. Its sprawling campus is bejewelled with lofty towers and ornate mandapams. Several inscriptions are found here. This shrine is dedicated to Mahalingeswarar or Madhyarjunar. The collossal Nandi here merits mention. This temple is associated with Kulottunga Chola I, Varaguna Pandyan etc. Tiruvidaimarudur is considered to be the 30th in the series of Tevar... more details