The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Renovation over at Darasuram temple, kumbabishekam on July 5

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 09, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Renovation over at Darasuram temple, kumbabishekam on July 5

By Our Staff Reporter

THANJAVUR, JUNE 8. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has completed renovation works in the Irawatheeswaraswamy temple at Darasuram, near Kumbakonam. Kumbabishekam is scheduled for July 5.

The sanctum sanctorum, the artha mandapam, the maha mandapam and the agra mandapam have been renovated, T. Satyamurthy, superintending archaeologist, said yesterday.

The ASI is planning to introduce a sound and light programme on Chola history in the temple. Tourism departments of both the Central and State Governments have approved the project.

The Centre allotted Rs. 24 lakhs for illumination of the temple.

Babaji Rajah Bhonsle, senior prince of Thanjavur and hereditary trustee of Irawatheeswaraswamy temple, said yagasala pujas would start on July 3.

Mr. Satyamurthy said the Darasuram temple was different from others of its kind at Thanjavur, Gangaikondacholapuram and Thirupuvanam in its ``uniformity in planning'' and ``apt measurement.'' The temple sculpture depicting a car for the Sun God driven by a horse, indicating that those who built the Sun temple at Konark in Orissa could have drawn inspiration from here. The ``Suddha vimana'' of the Darasuram temple was made of stone from base to the top. The temple has sculptures depicting Periyapuranam of Sekkizhar, Matta Vilasam, a Sanskrit classical drama in which the principal deity, Irawatheeswaraswamy, is the hero.

The temple was built by Raja Raja-II during 1146-1163 AD. Legend has it that Irawatheeswaraswamy removed the curse on Iravatham. There is a separate temple for goddess Deivanayagi.

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