Architectural Historiography of the Airavatesvara Temple: Revisiting Chola Heritage through Epigraphic and Cultural Narratives

The Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram is revealed as more than just a static monument—it was a dynamic cultural institution that integrated religion, administration, economy, literature, music, sculpture, and social life during the Chola period (12th century CE). This study challenges traditional historiography by shifting focus from monumental architecture to ritual continuity, sacred geography, inscriptional traditions, and cultural memory. Through epigraphic analysis, iconographic interpretation, and mythological friezes, researchers Kumar and Thangaraju demonstrate that Darasuram reflects the maturity of Chola artistic traditions and religious patronage while contributing to broader debates on Tamil heritage, sacred kingship, and UNESCO heritage discourse.

Kumar, K. S., & Thangaraju, Dr. S. (2026). Architectural Historiography of the Airavatesvara Temple: Revisiting Chola Heritage through Epigraphic and Cultural Narratives. International Journal of Arts Architecture & Design, 4(2), 40–57. https://doi.org/10.62030/2026julypaper3