About Airavatheeswara Temple Kumbakonam :
The Vimana (tower) of the temple rises to a height of 23 meters. The sanctum sanctorum of the temple is nirandhra i.e. without the circumambulatory passage. There is an ardha Mandapam, and a 100-pillared Maha Mandapam in the temple.The outer walls of the Maha Mandapam and the garba griha have finely carved sculptures. Besides these, the pillars supporting the Maha Mandapam, the inside of the Maha Mandapam and the walls of the prakara (enclosure) have beautifully carved panels.In the southwest part of the prakara, a lady's acrobatics have been chiseled out to symbolize four in one. The statue of Annapoorani in the ardha Mandapam is a wonderful piece of sculpture, the face glowing in smile, the left hand carrying a brass vessel and the right holding a lotus. The eastern and western sides of the Maha Mandapam contain Ratha-like side projections that are characteristic of 12 other Chola temples at Chidambaram, Tiruvarur and Melakadambur.