Sri Thiyagaraja Temple at Thiruvarur is an incredible ancient temple with unsurpassed continuity of living tradition and spiritual energy.

Sri Thiyagaraja Temple - History, Importance, Gods and Goddess and Location

Thiruvarur is located 290 kms away from Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu and is positioned between Nagapattinam (24 kms) and Thanjavur (56 kms). Thiruvarur District is famous for its evergreen paddy fields and temples with sky-high towers. This town is situated in the southeast of Tamil Nadu, The Arulmighu Shri Thiyagarajar temple located in Thiruvarur town has many distinctions. It has the largest chariot or temple car among the temples in Tamil Nadu. The enormous Kamalalayam and the golden calm water in the temple tank are the glory of the town. The Arulmighu Shri Rajagopalaswamy temple in Mannargudy, Shri Subramanyaswamy shrine in Enkan, Arulmighu Shri Saraswathy temple at Koothanur and the Guru temple, one of the important Navagrahas at Alangudi are some of the prominent places of worship in Thiruvarur District.

The mangrove forests in Muthuppettai, occupies an important place among the nature’s beauty of this district, besides the sprawling paddy fields on both sides of rivers, canals and roads. The Birds’ sanctuary in Udhayamarthandapuram and Vaduvoor are wonderful places that attract tourists.

Other famous historical temples are located in Thiruveezhimalai, Thirupamparam, Thirumeichur, Shrivanchiyam, Thillaivilagam and Thirukkannamangai. At Jambavanodai near Muthuppetai there is an ancient and glorified dargah. The triumvirate of Carnatic music, Shri Thiyagaraja Brahmam, Shri Muthuswamy Dheekshathar and Shyma Shastri were born here and this adds admiration, dignity and glory to this district.

The Arulmighu Thiyagaraja swamy temple in Thiruvarur is famous in many aspects. This is the most revered and glorified of all Attaveeratta temples of Lord Shiva. Inside this temple, there is an art gallery depicting the greatness of the judicious king Manuneethi Cholan. The striking features of this temple are the Arulmighu Shri Kamalamba shrine and the sacred temple tank containing a small temple in miniature in the middle of it. The Shri Kamalambal shrine is one of the seats of the great mother, the goddess Shakti. This holy town has the glory of being eulogized in the Thevaram. The ancient musical instruments the Panchamuga and the Pari Nadaswaram were made here and it is interesting to note that these ancient musical instruments are used till today in this town.

Temple Gopuram

The gopuram Temple tower and entrance of the eastern entryway stands out with its seven levels. The lower part, in grey stone, is ornamented with statues in wall niches. Above that is a curious level with false statues, drawn on the walls. There follow several levels with a large number of statues in bright,clashing colors. On one and the other side of this gopuram are two small shrines, with Ganesh on the left, and Murugan on the right. Passing under the gopuram, Ganesh is also seated in wall niches, to the left and right.

The temple is huge. The area between the first and the second enclosure is scattered throughout with little sanctuaries. There is a temple to the goddess Kamalambal, with a Nandi White bull of Shiva before the entrance. The goddess is seated in meditation on a lotus. Under the mandapa Sous le mandapa Pillared hall of this temple one notices a small shrine to Ganesh accompanied by his Shakti Feminine counterpart of a God.

Close by, there is a museum. One navigates the central part of the temple by the south courtyard where the mandapa of the Achaleshvar temple (12th century) with twenty columns and ancient paintings, show, among others, two Ganeshas together, which is not often seen.

Coming back to the east side, a mandapa and a good Djavastambha Flag pole of a temple decorated at the base with brass panels depicting Shiva God of Transformation and Pârvati Shiva's wife, Ganesh Elephant-headed God, Kârtikeya Ganesh brother, etc, precede the entrance to the third enclosure, guarded by a another sanctuary with Ganesh and his Shakti.

One enters into the interior enclosure. In a cella off to the side, a superb Lingam Symbol of Shiva is placed on a Nâga Serpent of the underground world pedestal in golden brass, surmounted by a hood of snake heads. In front is a big golden plaque with a Nandi. Another enclosure has a series of Planets, and the chapel has pillars encased in golden brass. It is normal to make an offering of nine small butter votive lamps. Continuing, one sees a lovely bronze Shiva supported by a Nandi, accompanied by Pârvatî (a form of Shiva called Vribhashana). On the south side, there is a classic series of 63 saints in a gallery.

Finally one reaches the temple center. The cella (garbhagriha) of Shiva Thiyagaraja, dates from 1030. The standing Nandi placed in the vestibule and looking at the cella is a bronze, which is curious because most of the Nandi in temples are stone and are seated. A small gallery just to the side has a rare set of 63 saints in bronze. In a niche almost at ground level there is a ravishing dancing Ganesh, with five upright cobras at his feet which is, again, another rare representation!

Parallel to the cella of Sri Thiyagaraja, can be found that of Sri Valmikeshvar, another form of Shiva. Between the two is a seated stone Ganesh painted gold.