Musical Steps
Darasuram Temple
Majestic Nandi
The temple at Darasuram, about 3 kms from the town of Kumbakonam, was built by Chola dynasty in 1150 A.D. We visited this unique temple on our trip to Kumbakonam. This is a world heritage monument under the control of Archaeological Survey of India.
This temple is one of the four temples built by Cholas,in which the tower above the sanctum sanatorium is taller than the entry tower( Raja Gopuram). This tower will be of a pyramid shape. This is some what similar to the towers of north Indian temple. Perhaps the chola king, after conquering north India, wanted to build temple differing from the regular dravidian style.The other three temples are at Gangai konda cholapuram, Tribuvanam, and Thanjavur. Darasuram temple is the smallest one , but with lot of sculptures- photographer delight. Another unique thing is the musical steps, These stone steps produce different swaras when struck . [The temples of Pandyas ( Madurai , tirunelveli districts) have musical pillars.] . This temple is a Must Visit for its uniqueness.
This temple is one of the four temples built by Cholas,in which the tower above the sanctum sanatorium is taller than the entry tower( Raja Gopuram). This tower will be of a pyramid shape. This is some what similar to the towers of north Indian temple. Perhaps the chola king, after conquering north India, wanted to build temple differing from the regular dravidian style.The other three temples are at Gangai konda cholapuram, Tribuvanam, and Thanjavur. Darasuram temple is the smallest one , but with lot of sculptures- photographer delight. Another unique thing is the musical steps, These stone steps produce different swaras when struck . [The temples of Pandyas ( Madurai , tirunelveli districts) have musical pillars.] . This temple is a Must Visit for its uniqueness.
I am not writing the legendary story of the temple.
Amazing, how centuries' old temples have such unique architectural wonders without modern technology!
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