Darasuram.. a monumental architectural master piece from Raja Raja Cholan period..lots of similarity between Gangai Konda Cholapuram and this temple..

"Airavateswarar Temple at Darasuram near Kumbhakonam”

It is a very small town which has come to eminence due to the famous Siva temple of Airavateswarar, which abounds in architectural and rare sculptural specimens of workmanship.

The name Darasuram is said to be a corruption of the original name Rajarajapuram, and this temple - smaller than the Periya Kovil and Gangai Konda Choleeswaram dates back to Raja Raja II's period (12th century AD). The Periya Nayaki Amman temple stands out as a separate temple because the outer walls of the temple have disappeared with the passage of time, unlike the original Periya Kovil in Thanjavur.

Darasuram is described as a sculptor's dream re-lived in stone. The front mandapam itself is in the form of a huge chariot drawn by horses. Paintings and sculptured panels abound here, causing this shrine to be a veritable storehouse of art. The Vimanam is only about 80 feet in height. In front of the temple are stone panels which produce tones of varying pitches when struck.”

The legend goes to show that Airavata, the white elephant of Indra, worshipped Lord Siva in this temple; so did also the King of Death, Yama. Tradition has it that the presiding deity Airavateswarar cured Yama himself (the God of Death) who was suffering under a Rishi's curse from a burning sensation all over the body. Yama took bath in the sacred tank and got rid of the burning sensation. Since then the tank is known as Yamateertham.

Raja Raja Chola and Karikala Chola worshipped the Siva Lingam in this temple. South Indian Temple Inscriptions deals with a number of endowments of the Pandya Kings … On the temple walls these inscriptions are given, from which it is seen that the temple was known in those days as Raja Rajeswararn and Raja Rajapuram. Two such inscriptions are copied here.

nandi and well mainatined surroundings by ASI 

there are many such beautiful statues..

proportion of this structure only an architect can admire..1200 yrs back..

Yali pillars are unique in this temple..plenty of them

Karacharana kritham vaa..

http://srajahiyer.sulekha.com/blog/post/2007/10/my-spiritual-journey-to-goddess-chamundeeswari-mysore.htm