9/19/07

Fisherman. Dharasuram. Tamil Nadu


On the way to the impressive Airavateswara Siva Temple, you cross the Arasalar River in Dharasuram, 7km Southwest of Kumbakonam, which I covered quite a few times on foot under the hot sun, something I really enjoy when I am in India. Almost three months after taking this picture, I went back there, to the same spot, and there was no more water.At Dharasuram there is one of the finest and most important temples amongst those belonging to the Chola period.Built by Raja Raja II (1146-63) in the 12th century,
this temple has impressive sculptures. The rivers Kaveri (Cauvery) and Arasalar flow on the two sides of Kumbakonam.