Temple that has singing steps - "Airavatesvara Temple"

"Airavatesvara Temple" is a 12th-century Hindu Temple of  Dravidian architecture, located 3 Kilometers away from Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India and recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

The temple is one among a cluster of eighteen medieval-era large Hindu temples in the Kumbakonam area and is dedicated to Lord Shiva, was built by King Rajaraja Chola II in the 12^th century CE. Raja Raja Chola worshipped Lord Siva Lingam here. 

This magnificent temple is a classic example of Chola art and architecture. It was shaped like a chariot structure of ancient times. The two wheels of the chariot work as sundials of morning and evening.

The ceiling of this temple has a beautiful carving of Shiva and Parvathi inside an open lotus. Different poses of Bharatanatyam (Indian classical dance) are carved in the stone stunningly. The carvings contain different poses of gymnastics also.

Story behind

According to ancient tales, Indra’s, Airavata (elephant with four tusks and seven trunks), was cursed by Sage (Muni) Durvasa for disrespecting him. Due to the curse spotless white elephant ended up with skin discolouration, and it will be cured only after Airavata took a dip in the sacred waters of this temple. 

It is a belief that after this incident the temple and the presiding deity named it “Airavatesvara Temple”.

Along with this, there is another story, according that, “Yama” the King of Death, was suffering under a Rishi's curse from a burning sensation all over his body, and was only cured by the presiding deity Airavatesvarar. Yama took bath in this sacred tank and got rid of the burning sensation. 

Since then the tank has been known as Yamateertham too. This 228 feet in width tank gets its supply of fresh water from the Kaveri river.

Mystery of “Swaras” steps or singing steps

There is an interesting fact related to the temple, that it has singing steps. Well, they don't actually sing, but they make a wonderful sound.

The Agra mandapa has an attached square porch of 7 metres (23 ft) side, that has ornately carved steps which go from east to west. On its east side, outside the main podium, is the bali-pitham. When one walks or steps on them, they produce a musical note. They are therefore called the “singing steps”.