In one part of the round wall of this temple, the statue of Agni Deva is very majestically carved with a shield in his hand , a chest shield and a burning plumb of fire behind his head. But the left arm of this Agni Deva is slightly longer and the right arm is slightly shorter. The reason for this is not clear.
In a small area in this temple, the ruined sculptures containing many rare information are scattered here and there in the temple. If these were arranged and a small museum was set up, innumerable things about this temple would have come to the outside world. But it is locked so that no one can see it.
This Darasuram Airavadeswaram temple also contains references to Rajaraja Chola II.
In this temple there are not only idols of gods but also idols of women waving large fans made of feather.When we look at the costumes carved in the sculptures and their beauty, it brings the appearance of the women of that time before our eyes.
Next, the sculpture of Krishna stealing butter from the pot is carved in three dimensions. Although its face is a bit disfigured, I am thrilled when I think of the imagination of the sculptor who carved it.
The development of sculpture in the period between the time of the construction of Tanjore Big Temple and the time of construction of this temple can be clearly seen through the sculptures in this temple.
There have been changes in dress , ornaments , and facial expressions in carving sculptures . The same method is followed in temple constructions. For example, yalis , dancing maiden statues , decorative arches , vastu turtles etc. have not made any changes. In this temple they have used a new technique to carve small and large scale sculptures. They did not make any changes in the temple constructions.
Why the Cholas were more active in building Shiva temples than dams and lakes ? It would have been very useful if the Chola kings who came after them had done the same, like Karikala Chola built Kallanai and Rajaraja Chola cut Veeranarayana Lake. But instead they were fully engaged in building grand temples.
But while reading theses about the Cholas, it is said that the Cholas, who killed many lives in the battlefields, were told building temples will atone for their sins.
The temple has long stone windows which are not seen anywhere else. These stone windows are arranged to provide light and ventilation within the inner temple complex. These stone windows are decorated with beautiful carvings.
Innumerable innovative sculptures can be seen in this temple. For example, there are mythological sculptures carved on temple roofs. It is seen as innovative.
There are several Shiva Lingams lined up in the temple complex. There is also a ruined statue of Perumal. Around the gopuram of the temple is a statue of Nataraja dancing with lime mixture , huge idols , a statue of Rama visiting Sita with Hanuman , a statue of Lord Brahma , a statue of Vedar Kannapar who stopped the blood dripping from the eyes of Shiva with his foot and took out his own eye with an arrow . Beside it is a six-armed goddess statue that looks quite terrifying. Next to the statue another statue is decorated with garlands similar to the one in Tirupati Venkatachalapati statue.
An information board was put up in English to explain the rules on which the Cholas built the temple. Which direction should a temple face? It contained the information about where the sculptures carved in the temples should be based on the rules of Agama. Apart from that, photographs of many known sculptures are also kept.