The interior wonders of Airavateswara temple

One of the rare temples which have found mention in the UNESCO World Heritage List, Airavateswara temple at Tanjore, Tamil Nadu is home to many exquisite Dravidian sculptures. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and according to myths, Airavata, the legendary elephant, worshipped Lord Shiva here.

Paintings and sculptured panels abound here, causing this shrine to be a veritable storehouse of art. In front of the temple are stone panels which produce tones of varying pitches when struck. The shrine of Periya Nayaki Amman, the consort of the presiding deity is near to the temple.