Dharasuram - A slideshow

Though this temple at Dharasuram is smaller when compared to the ones at Tanjore and Gangai Konda Cholapuram but in no means it is simpler to them in terms of the fine sculptures. Its complexity is not in its size but in its fine architecture. This temple is located in the outskirts of the temple city Kumbakonam, it took just 10-15 mins bus travel to reach out here.

I have been to kumbakonam earlier, some 10 years back (thanks to maddy for his hospitality last time :-)) but I havent got a chance to drop by. On gazing this fine carved statues, I was just surpised how I havent heard of this temple before. I have just came to know about this temple when I browsed for Big temple in wiki where these three temples were grouped as World heritage centres. I should thank our tourism dept for their effort in highlighting our great cultural centers.

To tell the truth, there were more foreigners paid a visit and appreciated its beauty, than our locals. Do we lack the sense of appreciating fine arts and architecture ?

A couple of shots below for you :-)



On seeing this Main gopuram itself one can say that is the minitaraised verison of the great big temp at tanjore.


The temple was built like a ratha(chariot) pulled by horses and elephants on either sides. It was so natural like that time has frozen the crouching horse's and running elephant's motion.


A close view of the scenes at a pillar's base. Its like the scene of a "antha-puram" where Queen is adjoined along with her subordinates.


Another scene where two beauties at dancing posture .. These fine carvings were made against grainte, the hardest one to work with.


Look at this, the penciled eyebrows, pointed nose and dwelling smile around the edges of lips ... awesome ... whom I should appreciate more the beauty who posed or the craftman ? I still wonder whether our ancestor were that much beautiful or its just the imaginary portion of our craftman's brain did the trick here ....


Managed to get a picture of the Godess there.


I always like that color ... dark red, just clicked :-)


In my childhood I used to ask my grandpa what are those creatures with lion head, elephant trunk and horse legs. He will tell a big story for that and it’s really fun to remember those…


Its fun to capture yourself .. atleast the shadow in your frame. I tried similar photo in the philae temple,luxor but it came good this time also :-)


Durga statue at the usual place.


Its a old paradox, See an Ox or the elephant ?

I have seen similar sculptures in most of the cholas temple. I think its like the "hello world" kindof stuff to the newbies with the stone at that time ;-)


"Arthanaareeshwarar" Even god is ok for 50% to women, It is just we are making a big fuss for 30% in the big house at Delhi