A short taxi ride from Kumbakonam, you will find the Airavatesvara temple in Dharasuram. The temple built in the 12th century is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur, (which we visited later in the trip) and the Gangaikondacholisvaram Temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram (which we missed) together they are referred to as the Great Living Chola Temples.
The carvings in the inner halls are exquisite. (For another view in the hall, see Paul's photo hereunder).