The most ancient temple patronized by almost all the kings reigning the south is the Thyagarajaswami shrine of Tiruvarur. The Thiyagaraja temple at Thiruvarur is one of the ancient heritage sites of India and is a representation of the religio-socio-cultural history of the Tamil region for a period spanning over a millennium and a half. Little is known about this shrine to much of India. The vast temple complex today is truly a standing monument to centuries of history and tradition.
This temple is associated with the legend of Sundarar to whom the God served as a messenger of love and arranged his marriage with Paravai and Sangili Nachiars. Thyagaraja like Nataraja dances he performs the Ajapa dance here. Hence, He is known as 'Ajaba Natesar’. However, the presiding deity is Lord Vanmikanatha.
This temple is associated with the legend of Sundarar to whom the God served as a messenger of love and arranged his marriage with Paravai and Sangili Nachiars. Thyagaraja like Nataraja dances he performs the Ajapa dance here. Hence, He is known as 'Ajaba Natesar’. However, the presiding deity is Lord Vanmikanatha.
The temple complex is spread over 20 acres with the eastern gopuram dominating. In front of the western gopuram is the Kamalalaya Tank covering an area of 25 acres with an Island temple in the centre. Vanmikanatha shrine is the earliest edifice, Akileswari a coming next and Thyagaraja the last. Many mandapams crowd the temple. The biggest one is the Devasiriya Mandapam. The Akileswara shrine contains beautiful sculptures of Ardhanareeswara, Durga, Karkalamurthi and Agastya in its niches. Paintings of Vijayanagar period adorn the ceiling of Devasiriya mandapam.
Outside the temple is a beautiful sculptural representation of Manuneedhi Chola who ran his chariot on his own son to mete out justice to the cow whose calf was killed by his son, caught under the chariot. The temple car here is a beautiful structure and the biggest on which model is the Valluvar Kottam in Chennai built. The car festival is famous and attracts large crowd. The original car was burnt in 1922 in an accident and is now replaced in all its original grandeur. As in srirangam, here the goddess piriyavidai Amman is called 'Padi Thandal’ (one who never goes out of the portals) and is never taken out in procession. The Nandhi in this temple, unlike the other Nandhis in sitting pose, is seen standing before Thyagaraja. The deity is on Ratna Simhasana (throne made of precious stones). In the southwest corner of the inner prakara Nilotpalambigai is seen blessing her child Muruga sitting on a maid’s shoulder. Goddess Kamalambigai is in yogasana pose during penance in another sanctum. Navagrahas are not as usual in a circle around the sun but standing in a row.
Tiruvarur is the birthplace of musical trinity Thyagaiah, Shyama Sastri and Muthusamy Dikshithar. Rare musical instruments Panchamuga vadyam with five heads representing the five heads of Siva and a nadaswaram called Barinayanam could also be seen in this temple. The temple of Thiyagaraja became all the more famous by the visit to a galaxy of Gods and Angels from heaven, like Brahma, Dasharatha, Rama, Arjuna, Dharmaputra, Kings Nala and Harichandra, and Maharishis like Vashishtha and Vishwamitra. A Big temple was constructed at Thiruvarur by Viswakarma. Then the King installed a Siva Lingam in a portion of the temple and worshipped it for many years. The peculiar feature about this Lingam is that its shadow can be seen only in the eastern direction and it is also said that this shadow will not be visible to a man who is going to die within a period of six months. Every year the Panguni Uttara peruvizha ends with Thepporchavam, which is celebrated in Kamalalaya Kulam in front of the temple. At the time of Theppa viza hundreds of people will get into the theppam with god then the theppam will go continuously round the Kamalalaya kulam for 3 days.
Architecture of Thiyagaraja Temple
Thiruvarur is very famous for the shrine of Thiyagaraja. The temple is gigantic in structure. From a distance of miles the gopurams are visible. There are four gopurams on four sides. The tower on the west is particularly noteworthy for the fine sculpture in brick and mortar. The colossal structure of the temple could be well imagined from its length of 846 feet with breadth of 666 feet. There are several tanks attached as an adjunct to the temple wherein devout pilgrims take their bath before entering into the precincts of the temple. On the western side of the temple there is a famous tank known as Kamalalayam where Goddess Kamala (Lakshmi) took her birth. It is considered to be biggest tank in the whole of South India, having an island temple in the middle dedicated to the Goddess. She was born with the nectar during the course of churning of the Milky Ocean by the Devas and the Asuras. Varuna, the God of Water brought up Kamala, and after devoted penance she was married to Vishnu at Thiruvarur. Hence the name kamalalayam. Besides the tank, a peculiar musical instrument called Panchamukha Vadya and Sivalingam made of sapphire and called Marakatalingam are worth seeing. The musical instrument has got five faces and is ornamented with the snake, the swastika and the lotus on three. The fourth face is plain without decorations. The central face shows the face of a deer. It is said that Nandi played on this when Siva danced. The circumference of the instrument is fifty-six inches. Thiruvarur is one of the seven sacred places of Lord Thiyagaraja. The others are Tirumaraikkadu (Vedaranyam), Tirunagai (Nagapattinam), Tirukkolili, Tirukkaaraivaasal, Tiruvanmiyoor and Tirunallar. In this temple where Thiyagaraja’s idol is worshipped, the Navagrahas are placed in a line looking at the shrine. It is peculiar feature.
Temple History
Lord Vishnu was holding Lord Thiagesa in his chest and was worshipping him. He then passed Thiagesa to Indira. Indira approached Emperor Mushukunda to destroy the demon named Valan. The emperor killed the demon and restored Indira to his position. Indira gave many gifts to the emperor and asked him what else he wanted. Muhukunda asked for Thiagesar, which Indira was hesitant to part with as it was gifted to him by Lord Vishnu. He said that he cannot give it without the consent of Lord Vishnu. Mushukunda went to the Ocean of Milk, met Lord Vishnu and obtained his consent. Yet, as Indira was not willing to part with Thiagesa, he called Viswakarma the divine sculptor and asked him to make six such Thiagesa and gave Mushukunda one by one. Mushukunda returned them as his conscience did not accept them as true and original. Indira finally gave the real Thiagesa to the Emperor which he accepted along with the other six also.
Emperor Mushukunda called the divine sculptor Viswakarma and asked him to choose the right place to install Original Thiagesar on Earth. Vishwakarma placed Tiruvarur on one side and other places together on the side of a scale and found Tiruvarur heavier than the total of all other places and informed Mushukumda. Thus Lord Thiagesa was installed in Tiruvarur by emperor Mushukunda.' The other six idols of Thiagesa were installed in Nagapattinam, Tirunallaru, Tirukaravasal, Tirukuvalai, Tiruvaimur and Vedaranyam. All these places where Thiagesa is installed are known as Sapthvidasthalas.
Greatness Of Temple
Mahalaksmi born to Varuna the God of Rain, destroyed the demons Madhu and Kaidaba and performed penance to have Shiva as her Lord. As She wished, the place is called Tiruvarur (Thiru – Mahalakshmi) and Kamalalayam.
Many Chola Kings had their coronation in Tiruvarur and this is the place where the history of Manuneedhi Chola took place. Tiruvarur is one of the five capitals of the chola kings. The Chola king Abayakulasekaran who got the Thevaram and Thiruvasagam and other hymns known as Panniruthirumuraigal in copper plates ruled this place. Also Mushukunda Chakravarthi, Chola King Sankarasevakan ruled this place and appealed to Thiagesa that He rule this place.
Those born in Tiruvarur are assured of salvation.Tiruvarur is the body of the Virat Purusha, a form of Vishnu.Mahalakshmi performed penance here. Of the five substances making this world (Panchabhudas), Tiruvarur belongs to Prithvi the Earth. Of the 64 Shakti Peetas, Tiruvarur is the base. Paravai Nachiar, wife of Sundaramurthy Nayanar and author of the 7th Tirumurai of Thevaram hyms was born here. Sage Manickavasagar gained enlightenment here. Tiruvarur is the place where Sundarar sung the Thiruthondathogai, the basic scripture for the elaborate epic of Periapuranam authored by Arulmozhi Thevar, known as Sekkizhar the Minister of Chola King.
Thiruvarur also has the reputation of having the largest number of Thevaram hyms – 34 Pathigams - sung by all the three great saivite saints Gnansambadar, Tirunavukkarasar and Sundarar. (Sambandar 5 pathigams with 55 songs; Thirunavukkarasar 21 with 208 and Sundarar 8 with 87 songs and Manickavasagar’s Thiruvasagam 3). Following the plan of this temple only, the Pragadeeswarar temple was built by Rajaraja Chola, it is said.
Navagrahas – (9 planets): Though the transits and aspects of planets have their own impact on individuals, they are graceful to the devotees under the control of the Lord. Lighting ghee lamps to planets help reducing any adverse effects. Evils disappear leaving way to benefits. King Nala and Planet Saturn worshipped the Lord here.
Lalithambiga: Goddess Lalithambika set out to destroy demon Pandasura, holding rope (Pasam) in one hand, Rudraksha in the other and Lotus in the third representing her performing the five activitity (Panchakrutya), wisdom, and her status as the consort of the Lord. Rudraksha represents her penance on the Lord. The change of legs during the Mahathandavam (the great dance) of Lord Shiva represents the Pranayama principle of inhaling and exhaling the breath to bring out the Kundalini shakthi. This is represented in her sitting form.
Thiagesa Peruman: Thiagesaperuman is seen sitting on a throne of precious stone under a pearl roof. A new moon and Ganga adore His head on both sides. He is wearing the best clothes. Kondiammai, his consort is on the left with Lord Muruga sitting between them. This form is known as Somaskandamurtham. A cosmetic paste called Krishnagandham prepared with 18 herbals and sandal is also used in his dressing and His Tilak is made of saffron and ghee. A chain of lamps hang by the side of the throne representing the nine planets. There is a Shivalinga made of Emerald by his side. Abishek is performed thrice a day. This abishek Prasad is considered an effective medicine to cure prolonged diseases.
Temple's Speciality
Generally Pradosha puja (on the 13th day from new moon or full moon day) is performed during the twilight time – 4.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. in all Shiva temples. In Tiruvarur Thiagesa temple this puja is performed only after the usual evening pujas. It is believed that all the Devas (communities belonging to the upper world) would be worshipping Lord Shiva in all Shiva temples during this time. The form of Thiagaraja is one to emphasize that one can attain bliss even while being a family man with wife enjoying marital pleasures in a righteous way. The body of Thiagesa is united with an energy called Kondi which is not separable from the Lord. Excepting the face, all parts of the idol are hidden with flowers. The darshan of the feet of Lord would be available to devotees only twice in a year, the left feet on the Aadhirai day in Margazhi (December-January) worshipped by sage Patanjali and the right on Panguni Uthiram (March-April) worshipped by Vyakrapada the tiger legged sage. Thiagaraja would come out only during the car festival day.
Festival
Every festival in the temple has a significance. In Margazhi (December-January) Thirvadhirai, Thiagesa’s feet is offered for Darshan to Patanjali. Panguni (March-April) Uthiram begins in Masi (February-March) Aslesha star day with flag hoisting and goes for 10days with car festival. The greatest festival of the temple. 10 day Aadi Pooram (July-August); Masi Magam representing the episode of the Lord’s Boodhaganas (security guards of Lord Shiva) carrying paddy to Sundarar’s house, is a celebration of great festivity. Monthly Pradosham is very devotionally followed in the temple. Deepavali, Pongal, Tamil and English New Year days are very splendidly celebrated.
Timings:
The temple is open from 5.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
Outside the temple is a beautiful sculptural representation of Manuneedhi Chola who ran his chariot on his own son to mete out justice to the cow whose calf was killed by his son, caught under the chariot. The temple car here is a beautiful structure and the biggest on which model is the Valluvar Kottam in Chennai built. The car festival is famous and attracts large crowd. The original car was burnt in 1922 in an accident and is now replaced in all its original grandeur. As in srirangam, here the goddess piriyavidai Amman is called 'Padi Thandal’ (one who never goes out of the portals) and is never taken out in procession. The Nandhi in this temple, unlike the other Nandhis in sitting pose, is seen standing before Thyagaraja. The deity is on Ratna Simhasana (throne made of precious stones). In the southwest corner of the inner prakara Nilotpalambigai is seen blessing her child Muruga sitting on a maid’s shoulder. Goddess Kamalambigai is in yogasana pose during penance in another sanctum. Navagrahas are not as usual in a circle around the sun but standing in a row.
Tiruvarur is the birthplace of musical trinity Thyagaiah, Shyama Sastri and Muthusamy Dikshithar. Rare musical instruments Panchamuga vadyam with five heads representing the five heads of Siva and a nadaswaram called Barinayanam could also be seen in this temple. The temple of Thiyagaraja became all the more famous by the visit to a galaxy of Gods and Angels from heaven, like Brahma, Dasharatha, Rama, Arjuna, Dharmaputra, Kings Nala and Harichandra, and Maharishis like Vashishtha and Vishwamitra. A Big temple was constructed at Thiruvarur by Viswakarma. Then the King installed a Siva Lingam in a portion of the temple and worshipped it for many years. The peculiar feature about this Lingam is that its shadow can be seen only in the eastern direction and it is also said that this shadow will not be visible to a man who is going to die within a period of six months. Every year the Panguni Uttara peruvizha ends with Thepporchavam, which is celebrated in Kamalalaya Kulam in front of the temple. At the time of Theppa viza hundreds of people will get into the theppam with god then the theppam will go continuously round the Kamalalaya kulam for 3 days.
Architecture of Thiyagaraja Temple
Thiruvarur is very famous for the shrine of Thiyagaraja. The temple is gigantic in structure. From a distance of miles the gopurams are visible. There are four gopurams on four sides. The tower on the west is particularly noteworthy for the fine sculpture in brick and mortar. The colossal structure of the temple could be well imagined from its length of 846 feet with breadth of 666 feet. There are several tanks attached as an adjunct to the temple wherein devout pilgrims take their bath before entering into the precincts of the temple. On the western side of the temple there is a famous tank known as Kamalalayam where Goddess Kamala (Lakshmi) took her birth. It is considered to be biggest tank in the whole of South India, having an island temple in the middle dedicated to the Goddess. She was born with the nectar during the course of churning of the Milky Ocean by the Devas and the Asuras. Varuna, the God of Water brought up Kamala, and after devoted penance she was married to Vishnu at Thiruvarur. Hence the name kamalalayam. Besides the tank, a peculiar musical instrument called Panchamukha Vadya and Sivalingam made of sapphire and called Marakatalingam are worth seeing. The musical instrument has got five faces and is ornamented with the snake, the swastika and the lotus on three. The fourth face is plain without decorations. The central face shows the face of a deer. It is said that Nandi played on this when Siva danced. The circumference of the instrument is fifty-six inches. Thiruvarur is one of the seven sacred places of Lord Thiyagaraja. The others are Tirumaraikkadu (Vedaranyam), Tirunagai (Nagapattinam), Tirukkolili, Tirukkaaraivaasal, Tiruvanmiyoor and Tirunallar. In this temple where Thiyagaraja’s idol is worshipped, the Navagrahas are placed in a line looking at the shrine. It is peculiar feature.
Temple History
Lord Vishnu was holding Lord Thiagesa in his chest and was worshipping him. He then passed Thiagesa to Indira. Indira approached Emperor Mushukunda to destroy the demon named Valan. The emperor killed the demon and restored Indira to his position. Indira gave many gifts to the emperor and asked him what else he wanted. Muhukunda asked for Thiagesar, which Indira was hesitant to part with as it was gifted to him by Lord Vishnu. He said that he cannot give it without the consent of Lord Vishnu. Mushukunda went to the Ocean of Milk, met Lord Vishnu and obtained his consent. Yet, as Indira was not willing to part with Thiagesa, he called Viswakarma the divine sculptor and asked him to make six such Thiagesa and gave Mushukunda one by one. Mushukunda returned them as his conscience did not accept them as true and original. Indira finally gave the real Thiagesa to the Emperor which he accepted along with the other six also.
Emperor Mushukunda called the divine sculptor Viswakarma and asked him to choose the right place to install Original Thiagesar on Earth. Vishwakarma placed Tiruvarur on one side and other places together on the side of a scale and found Tiruvarur heavier than the total of all other places and informed Mushukumda. Thus Lord Thiagesa was installed in Tiruvarur by emperor Mushukunda.' The other six idols of Thiagesa were installed in Nagapattinam, Tirunallaru, Tirukaravasal, Tirukuvalai, Tiruvaimur and Vedaranyam. All these places where Thiagesa is installed are known as Sapthvidasthalas.
Greatness Of Temple
Mahalaksmi born to Varuna the God of Rain, destroyed the demons Madhu and Kaidaba and performed penance to have Shiva as her Lord. As She wished, the place is called Tiruvarur (Thiru – Mahalakshmi) and Kamalalayam.
Many Chola Kings had their coronation in Tiruvarur and this is the place where the history of Manuneedhi Chola took place. Tiruvarur is one of the five capitals of the chola kings. The Chola king Abayakulasekaran who got the Thevaram and Thiruvasagam and other hymns known as Panniruthirumuraigal in copper plates ruled this place. Also Mushukunda Chakravarthi, Chola King Sankarasevakan ruled this place and appealed to Thiagesa that He rule this place.
Those born in Tiruvarur are assured of salvation.Tiruvarur is the body of the Virat Purusha, a form of Vishnu.Mahalakshmi performed penance here. Of the five substances making this world (Panchabhudas), Tiruvarur belongs to Prithvi the Earth. Of the 64 Shakti Peetas, Tiruvarur is the base. Paravai Nachiar, wife of Sundaramurthy Nayanar and author of the 7th Tirumurai of Thevaram hyms was born here. Sage Manickavasagar gained enlightenment here. Tiruvarur is the place where Sundarar sung the Thiruthondathogai, the basic scripture for the elaborate epic of Periapuranam authored by Arulmozhi Thevar, known as Sekkizhar the Minister of Chola King.
Thiruvarur also has the reputation of having the largest number of Thevaram hyms – 34 Pathigams - sung by all the three great saivite saints Gnansambadar, Tirunavukkarasar and Sundarar. (Sambandar 5 pathigams with 55 songs; Thirunavukkarasar 21 with 208 and Sundarar 8 with 87 songs and Manickavasagar’s Thiruvasagam 3). Following the plan of this temple only, the Pragadeeswarar temple was built by Rajaraja Chola, it is said.
Navagrahas – (9 planets): Though the transits and aspects of planets have their own impact on individuals, they are graceful to the devotees under the control of the Lord. Lighting ghee lamps to planets help reducing any adverse effects. Evils disappear leaving way to benefits. King Nala and Planet Saturn worshipped the Lord here.
Lalithambiga: Goddess Lalithambika set out to destroy demon Pandasura, holding rope (Pasam) in one hand, Rudraksha in the other and Lotus in the third representing her performing the five activitity (Panchakrutya), wisdom, and her status as the consort of the Lord. Rudraksha represents her penance on the Lord. The change of legs during the Mahathandavam (the great dance) of Lord Shiva represents the Pranayama principle of inhaling and exhaling the breath to bring out the Kundalini shakthi. This is represented in her sitting form.
Thiagesa Peruman: Thiagesaperuman is seen sitting on a throne of precious stone under a pearl roof. A new moon and Ganga adore His head on both sides. He is wearing the best clothes. Kondiammai, his consort is on the left with Lord Muruga sitting between them. This form is known as Somaskandamurtham. A cosmetic paste called Krishnagandham prepared with 18 herbals and sandal is also used in his dressing and His Tilak is made of saffron and ghee. A chain of lamps hang by the side of the throne representing the nine planets. There is a Shivalinga made of Emerald by his side. Abishek is performed thrice a day. This abishek Prasad is considered an effective medicine to cure prolonged diseases.
Temple's Speciality
Generally Pradosha puja (on the 13th day from new moon or full moon day) is performed during the twilight time – 4.30 p.m. to 6.30 p.m. in all Shiva temples. In Tiruvarur Thiagesa temple this puja is performed only after the usual evening pujas. It is believed that all the Devas (communities belonging to the upper world) would be worshipping Lord Shiva in all Shiva temples during this time. The form of Thiagaraja is one to emphasize that one can attain bliss even while being a family man with wife enjoying marital pleasures in a righteous way. The body of Thiagesa is united with an energy called Kondi which is not separable from the Lord. Excepting the face, all parts of the idol are hidden with flowers. The darshan of the feet of Lord would be available to devotees only twice in a year, the left feet on the Aadhirai day in Margazhi (December-January) worshipped by sage Patanjali and the right on Panguni Uthiram (March-April) worshipped by Vyakrapada the tiger legged sage. Thiagaraja would come out only during the car festival day.
Festival
Every festival in the temple has a significance. In Margazhi (December-January) Thirvadhirai, Thiagesa’s feet is offered for Darshan to Patanjali. Panguni (March-April) Uthiram begins in Masi (February-March) Aslesha star day with flag hoisting and goes for 10days with car festival. The greatest festival of the temple. 10 day Aadi Pooram (July-August); Masi Magam representing the episode of the Lord’s Boodhaganas (security guards of Lord Shiva) carrying paddy to Sundarar’s house, is a celebration of great festivity. Monthly Pradosham is very devotionally followed in the temple. Deepavali, Pongal, Tamil and English New Year days are very splendidly celebrated.
Timings:
The temple is open from 5.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.
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