Airavatveshara temple, Darasuram

 We included this temple visit thanks to Shim Srinath. A  UNESCO listed world heritage temple. Almost a thousand years old. Understand there were many more temples in this area, unfortunately destroyed. Luckily this one survived. 

One needs immense patience to work on such massive monuments! I was told the Chola kings paid their workers well! I guess the skills remained in the genes of their progeny and the reason why Tamil Nadu has the most manufacturing units.

The temple had just us and a few more visitors. I had lots of time to look around in detail. Thank god they allowed phones inside. We were a bit lucky to walk under the shade.

 Even though it was nice and quiet, the devotees were missed! Devotees add a feeling of sanctity to a temple! It is not easy to manage the many magnificent temples that we have inherited! It is a very complicated subject!


As we entered!




Tara enjoyed the guided tour. 

I would have liked to  join him in a nap !




He said no photo of the deity. 


Symbols of modern times. The clock and hundi for donations. 












                                                                                  







The girl dancer had a great time. 










The World Heritage List includes 1223 properties forming part of the cultural and natural heritage which the World Heritage Committee considers as having outstanding universal value.

These include 952 cultural, 231 natural and 40 mixed properties in 168 States Parties. As of October 2024, 196 States Parties have ratified the World Heritage Convention.

43 Indian Properties inscribed on the World Heritage list!

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