A real storehouse of art and architecture, the Darasuram Airavateshwara temple offers you a wonderful opportunity to have a glimpse into the social conditions of the past. Its exquisite stone carvings depict various scenes and stories from the past times or the epics.

Architecture
The front mandapam of the temple is built in the form of a huge chariot drawn by horses. The main deity here is Periya Nayaki Amma, whose temple is situated adjacent to Airavateshwara temple. The entrance of the temple is adorned by two Dwarapalakas- Sankhanidhi and Padmanidhi- which give vivid anatomical expressions of the exuberance of youth.

Moreover, you will find a small mandapa in front of the temple. Three steps built in the form of a ladder take you to the mandapa. When tapped, these stone steps give different musical sounds. You can hear all the seven 'swaras' (musical notes) at different points on these steps.

Other Prominent Attractions
Almost every wall of the temple is beautifully decorated with paintings or carvings. A few of these are:

• 85 feet high vimana of the temple is an interesting feature which adds more charm to the temple.
• There is a beautiful carving of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi inside an open lotus on the ceiling.
• All the dancing poses of Bharatanatyam (known as Sodasa Upasaras) can be seen carved in the stone.
• The stone image of Ravana carrying Kailash Mountain is an extraordinary specimen of workmanship.
• Sculptures of Buddha, Bhikshatana, Saraswathi (without her Veena), Lord Sarabeshwara (incarnation of Lord Shiva), Ardhanarishwara Brahma and Surya are also a real treat to the eyes and senses.
• A beautiful carving shows the village womenfolk helping in the delivery of another female. The lady has both her hands on the shoulders of the two other females, who are pressing their hands and the abdomen of the lady to help her deliver.

Most of the paintings on the walls were repainted during the Nayak dynasty. Despite of being small and located in an undeveloped area, the temple is frequented for its skillful and artistic works.