Airavatesvara Temple: UNESCO Heritage Great Chola Temple

Temples in Thanjavur date back over a thousand years,  and are marvels of architecture and craftsmanship. One of the most iconic is the Brihadeeswarar Temple, built by the Chola dynasty in the 11th century. 

It is known for its towering vimana (temple tower) and intricate sculptures. Another notable temple is the Thanjavur Big Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. 

These temples are not just places of worship but also hold significant cultural and historical importance, attracting visitors worldwide to admire their beauty and spirituality.

Thus, making Thanjavur one of the best places to visit in Tamil Nadu.

One such temple in Thanjavur is the Airavatesvara Temple; it is a stunning example of Dravidian architecture. Built by the Chola dynasty in the 12th century, it is dedicated to Lord Shiva.  So let’s take a deeper look at the Airavatesvara Temple history and its architecture.

Temple Darshan & Aarti Timings: 8:00 am – 8:00  pm

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Airavatesvara Temple History

Ruins of towers and other buildings nearby show that the site was damaged at some point, similar to other Chola-era temples and cities, including Gangaikonda Cholapuram. This tells us about the Airavatesvara Temple history and the challenges it has faced over time.

The reasons behind this destruction are not clear. Vasanthi suggests that the Pandyas, who defeated the Cholas in the late 13th century, might have destroyed the city of GangaikondaCholapuram to get back at the Cholas for earlier battles. This could also have affected nearby places like the Airavatesvara Temple in Thanjavur.

In 2004, the Airavatesvara Temple became part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list, along with other Great Living Chola Temples. 

These temples include the Brihadeeswara Temple in Thanjavur, the Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram in Gangaikonda Cholapuram, and the Airavatesvara Temple in Kumbakonam. 

This recognition highlights the significance of the Airavatesvara Temple, Thanjavur as a cultural and historical treasure. Thus visiting the Airavatesvara temple is one of the best things to do in Tamilnadu.