Madurai

Shree Meenakshi Sundareshwara Temple 

Vehicle Parking accessible on North Avani Moola Street corner (old blossoms market) and West Avani Moola Street (opp: YMCA). Vehicles and Vans can be Parked. Expansive mentors ought to be stopped at Ellis Nagar Parking. Also, Take nearby transport or contract autorikshaw to the sanctuary. 

You can enter through all the Five passages. By and by section through East gppuram is shut. 

Things not permitted inside the Temple are: Photo and camcorders, cell phones, batteries, cigarettes, coordinate boxes, biting gum, burn light, blade, PCs, tab telephone, satchels, back sacks, any sorts of splashes, container, tobacco items, dolls, umbrellas, abandon them in the vehicle before hand or leave at safe storage situated at shoe care. Cell phones storage offices excessively accessible. 

Clothing standard - Long jeans and sleeve shirt. Ladies may convey shawl in the event that they wear Tshirt.  wearing socks certainly not permitted. the individuals who wear stocking, must advise the security staff at the passage. 

Sanctuary opening times 6.00am - 12.30pm and 4.00pm to 10.00pm. Passageway tickets for Foreigners Rs.50/ - per individual. 

On the off chance that you have an arrangement to perform Archana, purchase the plates at the passageway itself. Furthermore, purchase archana tickets at the sanctuary counter. 

Free darshan and extraordinary darshan accessible. Purchase every one of the tickets from the sanctuary counter straightforwardly. Try not to request that anyone purchase tickets in the interest of you. There is no alternate ways to Dharahan... Utilize just appropriate line. Try not to confide in any individual who take you without further ado. 

Sanitized water accessible practically close to all gopurams. 

Can - open pay and utilize accessible at 1.North avanimoola road stopping, 2.North East corner of the sanctuary (western can abl. For the most part bolted. Request that the individual open) and 3. opp to South Tower. 

By a long shot, the most widely recognized purpose behind visiting the city is the Meenakshi Temple, committed to the goddess Meenakshi (thought about a type of Parvati) with a sanctum for her partner, Sundareshwarar (or Siva). As a matter of fact, verifiably, the Sundereshwar holy place is the bigger and more seasoned of the two sanctuary edifices. The mind boggling itself is a marvelous case of the south Indian Dravida compositional colloquialism. Four tremendous gopurams or sanctuary towers crown the portals at every cardinal heading, effectively noticeable from a separation. Each pinnacle is encrusted with in excess of a thousand splendidly painted figures delineating a variety of legendary and promising subjects. It is customary to enter through the south gopuram and, uncommonly, love the Goddess before her associate. Inside the sanctuary for shoe-stockpiling, offering bushels of coconuts, bananas and incense are accessible notwithstanding pictures of the Goddess for home special raised areas. Numerous explorers - especially the men dressed in dark or orange sarongs who are lovers of the god Ayyappan - circumambulate the fundamental sanctuary itself in the prakara or space between the external divider and principle sanctuary. What's more, wind places of worship and a grouping of workplaces and study halls of religious establishments are found here. 

Inside the sanctuary, aficionados line up for darshan or review of the divinities. If it's not too much trouble note, in any case, that non-Hindus are not allowed into the internal sancta of Meenakshi or Sundareshwarar; any individual who looks suspicious can and will be hauled out of line by orderlies. Be that as it may, there is a plenitude of figure and painting open to all. What's more, the means of the Pottramaraikulam or Golden Lotus Pond is available to all and is a typical gathering place for occupants of the city, notwithstanding explorers and sightseers. In antiquated occasions, the sangam or get together of writers was said to accumulate at this pool to pass judgment on the benefits of new creations, frequently by tossing the original copies into the pool itself. Those that sank were second rate while those that skimmed were deserving of acclaim and engendering. 

There are numerous shops inside the east entryway, offering everything from plastic toys to bronze pictures of the Goddess. Make certain to deal hard. 

NOTE: One can purchase the uncommon tickets at the counter Rs.20 per person] to get an exceptional darshan in one sanctum, need to purchase another 20 Rs. ticket for the second sanctum. There is one increasingly exceptional Ticket, is Rs.100/ - per individual, which is only stopping the line by somewhere around a half. Do purchase these tickets in the event that you can see the line in the wake of getting inside. After the primary passageway there is another passageway and after that the passageway to the internal sanctum and after that the inward sanctum itself. You won't almost certainly observe it however the line would be 2 hours in length on the off chance that you are in the general line. 

Timings : The sanctuary is normally open somewhere in the range of 12.30hrs and again between 1600 hrs and 21.30 hrs. 

Cautioning: Beware of aides, a large number of whom are or guarantee to be tailors, who offer to take you to vantage indicates outside the sanctuary show signs of improvement see. You will be tricked into shops that have an exceptionally hard sell.. 

Different sanctuaries 

Koodal Alagar Temple. Significant Vaishnav Temple magnificient, has three stairs of the ruler pose. Sitting stance of the master (Main moola divinity), one dimension up is a standing stance of the ruler, and the third dimension up is the resting stance of the master. The sanctuary is a dynamite one. It is situated in the core of the city, one of the Divya Desams ( 108). Venerated by "Alwars - Vasihnav Saints ". Worth to see and love. 

Thiruparankundram. One of the significant old Temple committed to Lord Muruga - Karthikeya situated on a hillock around 8 km from the city. First Arupadai Veedu. References to this antiquated sanctuary are accessible in sacred writings from sixth century AD (Paripadal). The sanctuary inside is a tremendous rectangular chamber cut out of the slope, with side chambers lodging different gods of Hindu religion drew closer through limited entries. There is additionally a little Shiva sanctuary and a mosque over the slope which is behind the sanctuary. Perspectives are extremely wonderful from that point. The Thiruparankundram sanctuary is available by means of street from Madurai and has a railroad station 1 km away. Most express trains don't stop there however. 

You can likewise get a transport from Periyar transport remain (close railroad station). It takes 10 minutes to achieve sanctuary, ticket 9 rupees for each individual. 

Alagar Temple. Another Vaishnav sanctuary Alagar Koil,20 km far from the city situated in the adjacent slopes. At the highest point of the slope is a characteristic stream from where the water is conveyed crisp day by day by the sanctuary cleric for the Lord. Well known for Chittrai Festival(First Tamil month)/9April-May)- Summer Festival. The Lord is viewed as the sibling of Meenakshi (Lordes Paravathi) given in wedding with Sundareshwar (Lord Shiva). 

Pazhamudhir Solai. Close to Alagar Koil, significant Temple for Lord Karthikeya on the slopes , obviously within Solai - wilderness. One of the six significant sanctuary for Lord Muruga - Karthikeya. This is an extremely expansive and delightful sanctuary. You can take an Auto rickshaw from the Meenakshi sanctuary to visit this sanctuary for a charge of around Rs 100 (2007). Ordinary transport administration is offered by the Transport Corporation. There is an utsavam of the god on a brilliant chariot at 7PM. 

Different Sites 

Thirumalai Nayak Palace, East Market Street (Less than 2km south east of the Sri Meenakshi Temple). Open on All Days (no occasion consistently) from 9am-1pm and 1.30pm-5pm. The remaining parts of the royal residence of the seventeenth century ruler Thirumalai Nayak who contributed widely to the Meenakshi Temple. Just a little part of the first structure which was multiple times as bigger remains. There were initially two sections Swargavilasa eminent structure, implied for the King's array of mistresses and lodging the darbar court, and the ranka vilasa, which was for his sibling. Passage to the rooftop is denied forever. There is a sound and light show at night (Both English and Tamil Version of the show). There is additionally an exhibition hall, which houses the first pictures of Thirumalai naicker, yet in addition uncovered stone carvings of the seventeenth century, alongside numerous figures of Hindu Gods like Brahma, Nataraja, Saraswati. There is one uncommon painting on one of the columns, which the Archeological Department guarantee to have uncovered from one of the columns. There is a work of art covered up in each column, clearly. The other bit of the royal residence, Rankavilasam was devastated by Thirumalai Nayak's Grandson. Be that as it may, a little structure still stays known as "Ten columns" or "Pathu Thoon" in Tamil. Unfortunately, these ten mainstays of ageless excellence in Thirumalai Nayak are presently encompassed by shops and private houses. 50 Rs. for outsiders and 10 Rs. for Indians. alter 

Thirupparankundram. An Islamic Durgah (sanctum) is situated at the highest point of the slope, where the grave of an Islamic holy person Hazrat Sultan Sikandhar Badushah shaheed Radiyallah Ta'al anhu, who originated from Jeddah alongside Hazrat Sulthan Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Badushah of Madinah (presently in Erwadi, Ramanathapuram locale) amid the mid thirteenth century, is found. Regardless of religion, individuals from all pieces of Tamil Nadu and from Kerala visit this durgah. Individuals who visit the Ervadi Durgah in Ramanathapuram locale should visit this durgah. Numerous lyrics were written in recognition of Hazrat Sultan Sikandhar Badhusha, by Syed Abdussalam Ibrahim Saalim Hazrat,the third in the rundown of Madurai Hazrats and his Maternal grandson Syed Abdus Salaam Ibrahim Saahib Hazrat. It is seen that individuals who come here with a desire see it replied in an extremely brief time, thus He is additionally called Mustajab advertisement Du'aa Sikandhar Badhushah. Mustajab Ad Du'aa in Arabic methods A holy person whose Supplications are quickly replied by Allah. The Anniversary urus celebration of Hazrat Sulthan Sikandar badusha Shaheed is commomerated on seventeenth Night of the islamic Month of Rajab each Hijri year 

Gandhi Museum, (North side of the waterway in the royal residence of Rani Mangammal). 10:00am - 13:00pm and 14:00pm - 18:00pm. This exhibition hall houses Gandhi's bloodstained dhoti and little else by method for ancient rarities. Those intrigued by the opportunity battle, however, will be keen on the broad content housed here. Tamil speakers and long-ter

The Airavatesvara Temple

Location
The Airavatesvara Temple is located in Darasuram,
about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) southwest of Kumbakonam,
310 kilometres (190 mi) southwest of Chennai and
90 kilometres (56 mi) from Chidambaram.
It is about 40 kilometres (25 mi) to the northeast to the Brihadeeswarar Temple in Thanjavur,
and about 30 kilometres (19 mi) to the southwest of Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple.
All three are a part of the UNESCO world heritage site.
The nearest airport with regular services is Tiruchirappalli International Airport (IATA: TRZ),
about 90 kilometres (56 mi) away. The temple is on highway 22 connecting Tiruchirappalli, and highway 36 connecting it to Thanjavur. The nearby cities of Tiruchirapalli and Chidambaram are connected daily to other major cities by the network of Indian Railways and Tamil Nadu bus services.
The temple though inland, is near the Kollidam River, within the Cauveri River delta with access to the Bay of Bengal and through it to the Indian Ocean.
Darasuram or Dharasuram is a panchayat town located 3 kilometres from Kumbakonam in Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu, India. According to the 2001 census, the town had a population of 13,027. The town is known for the Airavateswara temple constructed by the Rajaraja Chola II in the 12th century AD. The temple is a recognised UNESCO World Heritage monument.
Demographics
As of 2001 India census, Darasuram had a population of 13,027. Males constitute 50% of the population and females 50%. Dharasuram has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 77% and, female literacy is 63%. In Dharasuram, 11% of the population is under six years of age.
Darasuram temple
This temple is a storehouse of art and architecture. The vimana is 85 feet high. The front mandapam itself is in the form of a huge chariot drawn by horses. The temple has some exquisite stone carvings.
The main deity's consort Periya Nayaki Amman temple is situated adjacent to Airavateshwarar temple.
Periya Nayaki Amman temple
Airavateshwarar temple gopuram
The Great Living Chola Temples. (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) at Thanjavur, Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Darasuram were built by the Cholas between the 10th and 12th centuries CE and have a lot of similarities.
Legend
The legend is that Airavata, the white elephant of Indran (Mallas) now pallar, worshipped Lord Siva in this temple; so did also the King of Death, Yama. Tradition has it that the presiding deity Airavateswarar cured Yama himself (the God of Death) who was suffering under a Rishi's curse from a burning sensation all over the body. Yama took a bath in the sacred tank and was rid of the burning sensation. Since then the tank is known as Yamateertham. It gets its supply of fresh water from the river Kaveri and is 228 feet in width. Pilgrims make a point to bathe in the tank. In the recent past Raja Raja Chola worshipped the Siva Lingam in this temple. Volume II of the South Indian Temple Inscriptions deals with a number of endowments of the Pandya Kings also (see pages 556 to 562). On the temple walls these inscriptions are given, from which it is seen that the temple was known in those days as Raja Rajeswararen and Raja Rajapuram. Two such inscriptions are copied here.
Airavateshwarar temple
Inscription No. 563 at page 557. No. 23 of 1908 on the inner Gopura of the temple, right of entrance. Record dated in the 10th Year, Tai 11, of the reign of the Pandya King Maravarman alias T ribhuvana Chakravartin Srivallabhadeva registering the provision made for repairs and for celebrating festivals in the temple of XXXI Ra (ja) ra (ja) isuram Udaiyanayanar, by the residents of Uttattur-nadu, a sub-division of Kulottunga-valanadu.

Inscription No. 564 at page 558. Record dated in the 31st Year, Makara, Ba. Dvitiya, Uttarashada (probably a mistake for Uttaraphalguna) of the reign of the Chola king Tribhuvana Ghakravartin Sri RAJARAJADEVA registering the grant of land (Irandu Ma mukkani araikkani) 23/160 of a veli to meet the expenses of worship, offerings, etc., to the God by a native of Peruchchalipuram, a village in Kilar-kurram, a sub-division of Pandyakulapati-valanadu.
As originally Airavata worshipped the Lingam, the Lingam is named after him as Airavateswara. The Goddess in this temple is known as Deva Nayaki. Whatever remains of the sculptural part of the temple is on the inside wall of the outer prakaram(outer courtyard), about a foot from floor level. 'The carvings contain different poses of gymnastic feats seen in the modern circus, shown by females keeping their head at the centre and legs interwoven in such a skillful way as to form the circumference of a circle. It may be a depiction of the present-day gypsy tribe entertaining villagers with gymnastic shows and dancing poses. Such gypsies are still to be seen visiting the interior villages of the country. Very many styles of physical feats shown by both men and women have been carved in the stone.
Architecture
With heavily ornamented pillars accurate in detail and richly sculpted walls, the Airavateswara temple at Darasuram is a classic example of Chola art and architecture
The main mantapa is called Raja Gambira as the elephant draws the chariot. The wheels were put back by the ASI at a later date. The ceiling has a beautiful carving of Shiva and Parvathi inside an open lotus. All the dancing poses of Bharatanatyam are carved in the stone. They are referred to as the Sodasa Upasaras. There is a carving showing the village womenfolk helping in the delivery of another female, who has both her hands on the shoulders of the two ladies, who are pressing their hands and the abdomen of the lady to help her deliver. 'These are very skillful and artistic works of superb style. This may give a glimpse into the social conditions of the past. The stone image of Ravana carrying Kailas is a fine specimen of workmanship. One finds sculptures of Buddha, Bhikshatana, Saraswathi without her Venna, and a sculpture of Ardhanarishvara, Brahma and Surya.
It was during this time that Shaivism took a very drastic step and lord Sarabheshwara would seem to have come into existence. Many reasons have been cited for this incarnation of Lord Shiva. Sarabha has the face of a lion and the body of a bird and has placed on his lap the mighty Lord Narasimha. A mantapa has been specially built for lord Sarabha, and thereafter has been installed in temples.
The paintings on the walls have been repainted during the Nayak periods.
At the very entrance to the temple two Dwarapalakas, Sankhanidhi and Padmanidhi, are imposing figures, giving vivid anatomical expressions of the exuberance of youth. In front of the temple, there is a small mandapa, which can be reached by three steps in the form of a ladder. The steps are stones, which give different musical sounds when tapped. All the seven swaras can be had at different points. It is feared that if proper care is not taken soon, village children will damage the stones. Now these stone steps have been completely covered with metal grills to save them from deterioration. Meanwhile Archeology department has taken many steps to prevent this monument from public viewers and local villagers.
Airavatesvara Temple is a Hindu temple of Tamil architecture located in the town of Darasuram, near Kumbakonam in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This temple, built by Rajaraja Chola II in the 12th century CE is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur, the Gangaikondacholisvaram Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram that are referred to as the Great Living Chola Temples.]
The Airavatesvarar temple is one among a cluster of eighteen medieval era large Hindu temples in the Kumbakonam area. The temple is dedicated to Shiva. It also reverentially displays Vaishnavism and Shaktism traditions of Hinduism, along with the legends associated with Nayanars – the Bhakti movement saints of Shaivism.
The stone temple incorporates a chariot structure, and includes major Vedic and Puranic deities such as Indra, Agni, Varuna, Vayu, Brahma, Surya, Vishnu, Saptamtrikas, Durga, Saraswati, Sri devi (Lakshmi), Ganga, Yamuna, Subrahmanya, Ganesha, Kama, Rati and others. Shiva's consort has a dedicated shrine called the Periya Nayaki Amman temple. This is a detached temple situated to the north of the Airavateshvarar temple. This might have been a part of the main temple when the outer courts were complete. At present, parts of the temple such as the gopuram is in ruins, and the main temple and associated shrines stand alone. The temple continues to attract large gatherings of Hindu pilgrims every year during Magha, while some of the images such as those of Durga and Shiva are part of special pujas
Nomenclature
The Airavatesvara Shiva temple has a water tank. This tank has a connected channel that brings in Cauveri River water where Hindus gather annually to take a dip. The local mythology narrates how Airavata, or Indra's (malla) white elephant was restored with clean, white skin after he took a dip in this tank. This legend is carved in stone in the inner shrine, and this Indra's elephant gives this temple its name.
Description
The Cholas built hundreds of Hindu temples across their empire. Of these four were vast complexes with all stone vimanas. The Airavatesvara temple is one of these four. The other three are the temples found in Thanjavur built by Rajaraja I, in Gangaikonda Cholapuram built by Rajendra I, and in Tribuvanam by the later era Chola king Kulottunga II.
The Airavatesvara temple is another square plan structure completed in 1166 CE. The surviving inner courtyard is almost six stacked squares of 35 metres (115 ft) side, measuring a total of about 107 metres (351 ft) by 70 metres (230 ft). The Nandi mandapa and the stambha are found outside of this main temple courtyard and they are aligned with the main temple's east-west axis.
The chariot-shaped agra-mandapam, with pillars and Nandi on top.
The chariot wheel, the horse's head and body is ruined.
Chariot detail, Airavatesvara temple, Tamil Nadu
It is classified as Karakkoil, a temple fashioned after temple chariots which are taken in procession around the temple during festivals. The temple sanctum is a 12-metre-sided (39 ft) square, have thick walls on which the vimana superstructure rises to a height of 24 m (79 ft). The circumambulatory path is not provided immediately around the sanctum, as is found in the Thanjuvur big temple and the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple. Rather, this path is outside in the courtyard. The sanctum garbha griya is connected to the mukha-mandapa through the ardha-mandapa supported on pillars and flanked by two massive dvarapalas. The maha-mandapa is a rectangle of about 24 metres (79 ft) by 18 metres (59 ft), with six rows of right pillars (forty-eight total). These have reliefs and intricate carvings. Towards the east of the maha-mandapa is the agra-mandapa also called the Rajagambhiran-tiru-mandapam after the king. This hall is shaped like a chariot, provided with stone horses and wheels. The design is similar to the Nritta-sabha (community dance hall) of the Chidambaram temple and the Konark Sun Temple near Puri, Odisha.
Singing steps
The agra mandapa has an attached square porch of 7 metres (23 ft) side. It has ornately carved steps that go from east to west. On its east, outside the main podium, is the bali-pitham. It is unusual, in that it is produced as intricately carved balustraded steps. When one walks or steps on them, they produce a musical note. They are therefore called the "singing steps".
Sculpture
This temple is a storehouse of art and architecture and has some exquisite stone carvings. Although this temple is much smaller than the Brihadeesvara Temple or the Gangaikondacholapuram Temple, it is more exquisite in detail. The elevation and proportions of all the units is elegant with sculptures dominating the architecture. The pedestal of the Balipitha adjoins a small shrine which contains an image of Ganesha.
The reliefs all along the base of the main temple narrate the stories of the sixty three Shaiva Bhakti saints called Nayanars. These stories are found in the Periya Purana by Sekkilar.
Periya Nayaki, a smaller shrine
On the outer walls of the main sanctum are sculpture niches, five on each side, with the middle one larger than others. They show various Hindu deities, with the middle one of each side showing Shiva in different aspects.
Other shrines
In the south-west corner of the court is a mandapam having 4 shrines. One of these has an image of Yama. Adjoining this shrine are large stone slabs sculptured with images of the sapthamathas (seven celestial nymphs). The construction of a separate temple for Devi, slightly later than the main temple, indicates the emergence of the Amman shrine as an essential component of the South Indian temple complex.
Inscription in Airavatesvara Temple
There are various inscriptions in the temple. One of these records the renovation of the shrines by Kulottunga Chola III. The north wall of the verandah consists of 108 sections of inscriptions, each containing the name and description and image of the 63 Saivacharya (Saivite saints) listing the principal events in their life. This reflects the deep roots of Saivism in this region. Other important sculptures of the temple are the 108 Devara Othuvars who sung in the temple during the time of Raja Raja II. There are sculptures for river goddesses like Cauvery, Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari and Narmada. Another inscription close to the gopura, records that an image was brought from Kalyani, then known as Kalyanapura by emperor Rajadhiraja Chola I after his defeat of the Western Chalukya king Someshwara I, his sons Vikramaditya VI and Someshwara II his capture of the Chalukyan capital.
The inscriptions are also important in identifying the sculptures that once were a part of various ruined monuments. For example, the eastern gopurum has niches with inscriptions that label the sculpture therein. Most of these sculptures are now broken or missing. The inscriptions indicate that it had the following sculptures:
Northern face: Adi Chandesvara, Gangadevi, Tumburu Nardar, Vaisravana, Chandra, Maha Sata, Nagaraja, Vayu
West: Devi, Rudrani, Vaishnavi, Brahmi, Varunani, Nandidevar, Periyadevar, Santyatita Sakti, Santa devi, Vidya Sakti, Pratishta Sakti, Nivarti Sakti
Southern face: Daksha Prajapati, Yamuna devi, Rati, Kamadeva
East: Agni deva, Agastya, Sri devi, Durga devi, Devendran, Padma Nidhi, Surya, Subrahmanya, Kshetrapala, Sarasvati, Visvakarma, Isana
History
The temple was built by king Rajaraja II. He ruled the Chola Empire between 1146 and 1172 CE. The established capital for his predecessors was Gangapuri, also referred in some inscriptions as Gangaikonda Cholapuram, named after the holy north Indian Ganges River and goddess. Rajaraja II, however, spent most of his time in the secondary capital city of Ayirattali, also called Palaiyarai and Rajarajapuri. This urban complex included Darasuram, the site of Airavatesvara Temple. He was a patron of Tamil literature and sponsored new Hindu temples in the empire, instead of enhancements and expansions supported by his father and grandfather. The temple at Ayirattali, which came to be known as Airavatesvarar temple in inscriptions is one of his legacy.

The Airavatesvara temple was much larger than it is now. It had sapta veedhis (seven streets) and seven courts, similar to the Srirangam temple, according to the inscriptions. All are gone, except the one court with the main temple that survives. There are ruins of gopuram and some structures at some distance from the current visitor premises confirming that the site was badly damaged at some point like the other major Chola era temples and various Chola cities including the capital Gangaikonda Cholapuram.
Bull and Elephant relief at Thanjavur Airavatesvara Temple.
The reasons for this destruction are unclear. According to Vasanthi, the Pandyas who defeated the Cholas during the later part of 13th century "may have raged the city [Gangaikonda Cholapuram] to ground" to avenge their previous defeats. However, it is unclear why other temples were destroyed and this temple was spared, as well as why there are around 20 inscriptions from later Cholas, Pandyas and Vijayanagar Empire indicating various gifts and grants to this temple. An alternate theory links the destruction to the raids, plunder and wars, particularly with the invasion of the capital city and the territories that were earlier a part by the Chola Empire along with Madurai by the armies of Delhi Sultanate led by the Muslim commander Malik Kafur in 1311, followed by Khusrau Khan in 1314 and Muhammad bin Tughlaq in 1327. The period that followed saw wars between the Hindu kings and the Muslim Sultans who seceded the Delhi Sultanate and carved out new polity such as the nearby Madurai Sultanate (1335–1378). The Vijayanagara Empire defeated the Madurai Sultanate in 1378 and this temple along with other Chola era temples thereafter came under Hindu kings again who repaired and restored many of them.
World Heritage Site
Airavatesvara Temple was added to UNESCO's World Heritage Site list of Great Living Chola Temples in the year 2004. The Great Living Chola Temples includes the Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur, the Temple of Gangaikondacholisvaram at Gangaikonda Cholapuram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram. All of these temples were built by the Cholas between the 10th and 12th centuries CE and have a lot of similarities.
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