Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam is one of the most important Hindu temples in India. The temple has great significance due to its history and architecture. Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The fantastic architecture of Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam is mesmerising and beautiful, increasing your respect for the creator and designer of the temple. The beautiful stone paintings of Hindu Gods and Goddesses craft the temple.
This temple is an excellent example of ancient Indian architecture which adds the temple to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Also, the spiritual and divine energy filling the temple gives the Devotes a positive attitude.
In this article, we will discuss the history, timing, and significance of Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam.
Significance of Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam:
The Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam has a huge significance for the devotees of Lord Shiva. Every year lakhs of devotees visit the temple of Airavatesvara to get the blessing of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva blesses his true devotees with health and prosperity.
Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam is one of the great and largest 8 ancient temples of Hindus. The temple has idols and statues of almost all Hindu gods and goddesses. The temple gets its name from Airavata, the elephant of heaven belonging to King Lord Indra, which has an interesting story behind it.
Lord Shiva named the temple after the elephant Airavata because he was impressed by Airavata’s worship and devotion to Lord Shiva at this temple. Many devotees believe that bathing in the temple tank cures all curses and diseases, and blesses them with health, wealth, and prosperity, which is why they take baths in it.
History of Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam:
The Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam has a fascinating history. The temple was built by the Chola emperor Rajaraja 2nd in the 12th century. Rajaraja was a great devotee of Lord Shiva.
Rajaraja Chola was a big supporter of South Indian art and architecture so he ordered to build the temple in South India or Dravadian style architecture. The invaders later destroyed many other buildings and architecture in the temple, including Gopuramsa, towers, halls, and shrines.
Rest is what we see today which is now controlled and maintained by the government to save this fantastic architectural example. The temple is named for the elephant Airavata who worshipped Lord Shiva to remove the curse of Losing his White colour; Lord Shiva invited Airavata to bathe in the temple tank to get his original colour back.
Architecture of Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam:
The Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam has stunning and mesmerizing architecture. The temple has many handcrafted paintings of Hindu Gods and Goddesses on the pillars and walls of the temple, which reflect the fantastic architectural brilliance and knowledge of the Chola dynasty.
The Mandapa in the Airavatesvara Temple is a big hall where devotees gather and perform dance and music rituals for Lord Shiva. Craftsmen have decorated the walls of Mandapa with pictures of Hindu deities and sacred animals.
The temple has a tower called Vimana which rises over the sanctum of the Temple. The Tower is also crafted with many elegant pictures and symbols that show the amazing craftsmanship of workers and artisans. The fantastic architecture of the temple increases the significance of the temple which made the temple an attractive site for both devotees and tourists.
Where is Airavatesvara Temple?
The Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam, located in Darasuram town near Kumbakonam city in Valaiyapettai district, Tamil Nadu, stands in active brilliance. Kumbakonam city is 310 km away from Chennai and 90 km from Chidambaram.
Kumbakonam, also known as Temple Town, has plenty of Hindu temples. Every year lakhs of devotees come to Kumbakonam city to visit the Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam to get the blessing of Lord Shiva and to witness the amazing architecture of the Airavatesvara Temple.
Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam Pooja and Darshan Timing
The Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam darshan timing is 8:00 am to 12:30 pm, and the Evening Timing: is 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm. The temple Darshan timing is the same for the seven days of the week. However, it may change according to any special occasion or festival.
The Pooja and Arti timing is 8:15 am for the morning Pooja, noon for the noon Pooja, 5:00 pm for the evening Pooja, and 8:15 pm for the night Pooja.
It is suggested to check the temple opening hours before visiting the temple. You can ask about the temple’s timing and opening hours to the temple’s official.
Cost and Dress code to enter the temple:
There is no charge or fee to enter the Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam. The temple entry is free of cost; anyone with a pure heart and feeling of devotion and love toward God can enter the temple to get the blessing of Lord Shiva to flourish his life and fill it with wealth and prosperity.
Devotees should wear simple and traditional Indian clothes before entering the temple. Please avoid wearing modern-fashioned or Western garments as it can harm the religious sentiments of Hindus. Males can wear normal dhoti kurta or Kurta pyjamas and girls can wear a Saree or any other Hindu traditional clothes. Remove your shoes or footwear before entering the temple.
Best time to visit the Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam:
It is recommended to visit the Airavatesvara Temple in Kumbakonam at any time according to your preference. However, visiting the temple between November and February is suggested because this period is considered the best time to visit. The weather, climate, and temperature are ideal for visiting during this time.
From November to March, the weather is primarily cold, so you can enjoy the Darshan and Pooja. But if you visit the temple in another month, the atmospheric temperature and scorching sunlight will ruin your whole trip.
How to reach the Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam?
The Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam is located in the southern part of India, so it is a little tricky for the Northern region devotees to visit the temple but quite convenient for the south devotees of Lord Shiva. Devotees come to see the Airavatesvara temple from all over India.
You can choose different modes of transport according to your distance and preference to visit the temple from any part of India.
Here are some modes of Transportation to reach Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam:
By Air:
You can visit the Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam by booking a flight from your nearest Airport to Tiruchirapalli International Airport. After reaching there, you can book a cab or taxi to reach Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam, which is 87 km from Tiruchirapalli.
By Train:
Kumbakonam railway station has good connectivity with some major cities, so you can book a train from your nearest railway station to Kumbakonam railway, which is quite an affordable mode of transport.
After reaching Kumbakonam railway station you can book an auto or go with a public bus because the Airavatesvara Temple is 5 km away from the Kumbakonam railway.
By Road:
There are pilgrim service buses that go to the destination of the Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam from many major cities of Southern India. Finding a bus from any north Indian region is quite difficult for you because buses rarely go for highly long routes.
Nearby Attraction to the Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam:
There are many nearby attractions to the Airavatesvaras Temple Kumbakonam you can visit if you come for a multiple-day trip. Kumbakonam is known as Temple Town because of its abundance of Hindu temples. You can visit the other temples and sacred places with the Airavatesvara Temple.
Follow are some nearby attractions to the Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam:
Thanjavur Art Gallery Tourism:
Thanjavur Art Gallery is located within the Vijayanagara Fort complex, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. If you are an art lover, you must visit this site which has a collection of ancient scripture and weapons of the Chola dynasty. It is about 33 km from the Airavatesvaras Temple Kumbakonam.
The Brihadeeswara Temple:
The Temple, also known as Peruvudaiyar Kovil, is located in Thanjavur, approximately 34 km from the Airavatesvaras Temple in Kumbakonam. The Brihadeeswara temple is a marvellous example of Chola architecture.
Patteeswaram Temple:
Patteeswaram Temple Patteeswaram is an unrecognized village, located some 8 kilometres from the town of Kumbakonam. The villagers named the village after Patti, the calf of the holy cow Kamadhenu, who Hindus worship as a goddess. Scholars believe that Patti worshipped Lord Shiva at this place, so they named the village Patteeswaram.
Thanjavur Palace:
Maratha Complex is an architectural masterpiece located in Thanjavur city. Thanjavur Palace was the residence of Marathas after the fall of Thanjavur Nayak kingdom.
Conclusion:
India is full of many architecturally amazing and beautiful temples; the Airavatesvaras Temple Kumbakonam is one of them, which is located in Darasuram town, near Kumbakonam city in Valaiyapettai district, Tamil Nadu. The temple has fascinating stories behind its name.
The Chola emperor Rajaraja built the Airavatesvaras Temple in Kumbakonam in the 12th century to honour Lord Shiva. The mesmerizing temple architect crafted its walls, pillars, and roof with depictions of many Hindu gods, goddesses, and sacred animals.
You can reach the Airavatesvaras Temple Kumbakonam by flight, train, or bus, depending on your preference. Airavatesvaras Temple Kumbakonam has many nearby attractions which you can visit. Hope this article helps you to understand a brief about the Airavatesvaras Temple Kumbakonam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lord Shiva is worshiped in the Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam.
The Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam was built by the Chola emperor Rajaraja in the 12th century.
The Kumbakonam temple is called by the name of Airavatesvara because Airavata the elephant, worshiped Lord Shiva to remove the curse of his faded color, which was cured by a bath in the tank of Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam.
The best time to visit the Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam is from November to February because of the pleasant weather conditions during these months.
The Darshan timing of the Airavatesvara Temple Kumbakonam is 8:00 am to 12:30 pm, and the Evening Timing: is 4:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
The Airavatesvara Temple is situated in Darasuram town, near Kumbakonam city in Valaiyapettai district, Tamil Nadu.