Airavatesvara Temple, Kumbakonam

Airateswara Temple is a Hindu temple of Dravidian 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, along with the Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur, the Gangaikondacholisvaram Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram are a UNESCO World Heritage Site referred to as the Great Living Chola Temples.

The Airateswara temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Shiva is here known as Airavateshwara, because he was worshipped at this temple by Airavata, the white elephant of the king of the gods, Indra.

This temple is a storehouse of art and architecture and has some exquisite stone carvings. The main deity's consort Periya Nayaki Amman temple is a detached temple situated to the north of the Airavateshwarar temple.

Web : http://www.bharatonline.com/tamilnadu/travel/thanjavur/airavatheeswara.html