Thyagaraja Temple / Sri Putridangondar Temple / Arulmigu Thiyagaraja Swamy Temple / தியாகராஜர் கோயில், திருவாரூர் புற்றிடங்கொண்டார் கோயில், திருவாரூர் / Thiruvarur, Thiruvarur District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 204^th Thevaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 87^th  Stalam on south side of river Kaveri in Chozha Naadu. This is one of the saptha vidanga sthalam. The place Thiruvarur was called in 11 different names. They are Kshethrapuram, Adakesurapuram, Devayagapuram, Musukundapuram, Kalisela nagaram, Antharakesupuram, Vanmikanathapuram, Devasiriyapuram, Samarkaarapuram, Moolaatharapuram and Kamalalayapuram. Even-though this is a Paadal Petra shiva temple, but popularly known as “Thiyagesar temple”.

In Periyapuranam Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thiruvilamar. Sekkizhar records that Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal also joined with him at Thiruvarur and Sambandar was very happy to know more about the functions held. Also Sambandar had written the ThirukkuraL on Lord Shiva of this temple.

பொங்கிய சிந்தை விருப்பின் வெள்ளம் பொழிந்து புவிமேல் பொலிவது என்ன

எங்கும்குளிர் ஒளிவீசும் முத்தின் இலங்கு சிவிகை இழிந்தருளிச்

செங்கை நிறைமலர் கொண்டு தூவித் திருஇருக்குறள் பாடி ஏத்திக்

தங்கள் பிரான் அரசாளும் ஆரூர் தனைப்பணி வுற்றார் தமிழ்விரகர்

........ திருஞானசம்பந்தர் புராணம்

நீடு புகழ்த் திருவாரூர் நிலவு மணிப்புற்று இடம் கொள் நிருத்தர் தம்மைக்

கூடிய அன்பொடு காலங்களில் அணைந்து கும்பிட்டு கோதுஇல் வாய்மைப்’

பாடினம் பூதத்தினான் எனும் பதிகம் முதலான பலவும் பாடி

நாடிய ஆர்வம் பெருக நைந்து மனம் கரைந்து உருகி நயந்து செவ்வார்

....... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் புராணம்

Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Sundarar and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal records the burning of Lamp with water by Naminandhi Adigal and Panguni Uthiram Thiruvizha. Sundarar has sung the 60 Nayanmars Thiruthondar Thogai, as Lord Shiva has given the first line as “தில்லைவாழ் அந்தணர் தம் அடியார்க்கும் அடியேன்”, Latter Sekkizhar had written the Periyapuranam including Sundarar, His father and Mother as Nayanmars. Vallalar has sung hymns combining Thiruvarur, Thiruvarur Araneri and Thiruvarur Paravaiyunmandali.

பாடல னான்மறையன் படிபட்ட கோலத்தன் திங்கள்

சூடலன் மூவிலைய சூலம் வலன்ஏந்திக்

கூடலர் மூவெயிலும் மெரியுண்ணக் கூரெரிகொண்டு எல்லி

ஆடலன் ஆதிரையன் ஆரூர் அமர்ந்தானே

........ திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

சித்தம் தெளிவீர்கள் காள் அந்தன் ஆரூரைப்

பத்தி மலர்தூவ முத்தி யாகுமே

.........திருஞானசம்பந்தர் திருக்குறள்

ஆராய்ந்து அடித்தொண்டர் ஆணிப்பொன் ஆரூர் அகத்தடக்கிப்

பாரூர் பரிபந்தம் பங்குனி உத்திரம் பாற்படுத்தான்

நாரூர் நறுமலர் நாதன் அடித்தொண்டன் நம்பிநந்தி

நீரால் திருவிளக்கு இட்டமை நீள்நாடு அறியுமன்றே

...... திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

தில்லைவாழ் அந்தணர்தம் அடியார்க்கும் அடியேன்

        திருநீல கண்டத்துக் குயவனார்க்கு அடியேன்

இல்லையே என்னாத இயற்பகைக்கும் அடியேன்

        இளையான்தன் குடிமாறன் அடியார்க்கும் அடியேன்

வெல்லுமா மிகவல்ல மெய்ப்பொருளுக்கு அடியேன்

        விரிபொழில்சூழ் குன்றையார் விறன்மிண்டற்கு அடியேன்

அல்லிமென் முல்லையந்தார் அமர்நீதிக்கு அடியேன்

        ஆரூரன் ஆரூரில் அம்மானுக்கு ஆளே

...... சுந்தரர்

காளைவடி வொழிந்து கையுறவோடை யுறவாய்

நாளும் அணுகி நலியாமுன் – பாளை

அவிழ் கமும் பூஞ்சோலை ஆரூரற்காளாய்க்

கவிழ்கமுகம் கூம்புக என் கை

........ ஐயடிகள் காடவர்கோன்

                                                        -“தக்கநெடும்

தேரூர் அணிவீதிச் சீரூர் மணிமாட

ஆரூரில் எங்கள் அரு மருந்தே – நீரூர்ந்த

காரூர் பொழிலுங் கனியீந்திளைப்பகற்றும்

ஆரூர் அரனெறி வேளாண்மையே – ஏரார்ந்த

மண்மண்டலிகர் மருவும் ஆரூர்ப்பரவை

யுன்மண்டலியெம் உடைமையே”

..... திருஅருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Thyagaraja Swamy, Sri Putridangondar,

                  Sri Vanmika Nathar.

Consort    : Sri Kamalmbigai, Sri Alliagothai,  

                  Sri Neelothbaalambal.

Some of the salient features of this temple are.....

The temple has 5 prakarams and seven Rajagopuras. Important deity is Thiagarajar and the dance is Ajaba dance. The moolavar is of PUTRU / Ant hill and abhishekam is not performed.

வன்மீகநாதர்

பூமேவு திருமடந்தை பொன்முகத்தா மரைமலரப் புவிவிளங்க

நாமேவு சுருதியிசை முனிஞிமிறு ஞானமண நனியுண் டார்ப்பக்

காமேவு தமனியநாட் டமரர்மனக் கவலையிருட் கங்குல் நீங்கத்

தேமேவு பொழிலாரூர்ப் புற்றிங்கொண் டெழுசுடரைச் சிந்தை செய்வாம்

( The practice of worshiping ant hill started around 5000 to 8000 years before ). On the left side of sanctum is Thiyagesar Sannadhi. Somaskandar is worshiped as Thiyagesar. Only the faces of Shiva and Ambal can be seen and the rest are covered completely with flowers and Kandar will not be visible always. A Special parivattam cloth is being weaved by the local community especially for Thiagarajar.

   

This temple is one of the saptha Vidanga sthalam ( The Maragatha Lingam was given to this temple by Musukuntha Chakravarthy which he got it from Indran ). Since Lord Shiva’s visit to out side is unpredictable, Nandhi is always ready to accompany with him in standing posture.

On the opposite to Thiyagesar, sannadhi for  Sundarar with Paravai Nachiyar and Cheraman Peruman.  Poojas are conducted by a community called Nainars, who are only authorised to touch and do pooja. The Dwarapalakas are made of bronze looks cute.

It was pointed out that the space behind Thiyagesar, may be a room to keep the jewellery or may be a Sannadhi for Vishnu...?.  

From East rajagopuram. The Murugan and Vinayagar sannathi are at the entrance of  east Rajagopuram, Veethi Vidanga vinayagar, Brahma Nandhi, Akasa Vinayagar, Ucchista Vinayagar,  Shanmugar, Balasubramaniar, Saraswati, Shiva Lingas worshiped by  maharishis, Parpatheecharam, ( Theertha well is called  as moorthy kinaru which has got corrupted to the present name of Mookkuthikinaru. Ottu Thyagar sannathi ( Viranminda Nayanar stopped Sundarar entering in to the temple. Lord Shiva  gave way to Sundarar’s darshan – this Sundarar mentions in his hymns as ஒட்டி ஆட்கொண்டு போய் ஒளித்திட்ட ) and Viranmindar Nayanar.

Vinayagar, Durgai, Jurahareswarar, Ekadasa Rudra worshiped Shiva Linga, Musukunda Chakravarthi, Indra Linga, Daksheswarar, Manuchakreswarar, Bagiratheswarar, Kailasa Thiyagar, Pandyanathar, Saptamatrikas, Saptharisheeswarar, Cheranathar, Adakechuvarar, is an appu Sthalam with Nagabilam Thala Vruksham Pathiri, Vishwamitra Eswarar, Pururvachakreswarar, Mahabaliswarar, Raudra Durgai, Arunachaleswarar, Varuneswara Vinayagar and Varuneswarar. The Navagrahas are in single line.

Anandeswarar established by Mangana Munivar, Viswakarmesam, a stone temple with beautiful kodungais with Dakshinamurthy, Vinayagar, Durgai, Brahma in koshtam, Siddheeswaram sannathi facing west and Dakshinamurthy Sannathi. Vallabha Ganapati, Kodimarathu Vinayagar as Porkamba Vinayagar and Vanmikinathar Sannadhi.  Stucco dwarapalakas are at the entrance of inner prakaram.

 

In the inner prakaram Pradosha nayagar, Chandrasekar, Chozha King, Manickavasagar, Tripura samhara and Aigalakasu Vinayagar ( as per the hear say the Vinayagar was made out of 5 Kalam gold coins ). In artha mandapam Soma Kujambigai,Thiyarajar Sannathi, Moolathara Ganapathy, Nalvar, Panchamukha vadyam, 63 var Utsava idols and Moola idols. Thiagarajar is on the Rathna simhasanam, called Selva Thiyagar.

Ammai Kondi is adjacent to Thiyagarajar, and on the right side Veethi Vidangar Maragatha Shiva Linga Murti ( believed to be given by Musukunda Chakravarthi ), Abhishekam is done during morning and evening, Vatapi Ganapati ( a Chozha Bronze ), Vatapi Ganapati otherwise known as Kolukattai Pillayar ( Brought from Vatapi, in memory of Kalinga Victory by Chozhas ) and every one has their own story, Sahasralinga, Pichadanar, Mahalakshmi, Durgai, Lakshmi, Saraswati and utsava murthis. Ranavimosanaa is north prakara.  There are two Chandeswaras, Yamachandar  ( Yama as Chandar ) and Adhichandar ( Chandeswarar / Chandikeswarar ). Chandrasekar and Bhairavar sannidhi.

Vatapi Ganapati

Kamalambal sannathi ( One of the Parasakthi Peedam, Ambal blesses in Sitting penance posture. Ambal is with 4 hands Lotus, holding Pasam, Akkamala. Adi Poora thiruvizha  will be a special one in this sannathi. On the west corner Akshara peeda. Only peeda with 57 letters written with a Thiruvasi is there.    Kamalambal Sannathi is like a Temple. The temple is a latter addition, facing north east direction, may be built during Vijayanagara Period with a Dwajasthambam and balipeedam. Ambal is in sitting  Sukhasana or the swastika asana posture. In the mandapam Uchishta Ganapathy Keeping Ambal on his left thigh..

அறந்தழையக் கலைத்தெரிவை வனப்பெய்தச் சசியெனும்பேர் அரிவை வாழ

நிறங்கெழுபூ மடந்தையொடு நீலமங்கை மங்கலத்தின் நிறைந்து மல்கப்

பிறங்குமுயிர்த் தொகையனைத்தும் களிகூரத் தவம்புரியும் பீடு சான்ற

சிரந்தகம லாலயநா யகி செம்பொற் சேவடிகள் சென்னி சேர்ப்பாம்

Nilothpalambal temple also called as Alliangothai, is in a separate temple. Ambal is with 4 hands. Of which left hand is touching Murugan’s head sitting on the hip of her friend. The paintings drawn during Maratha period are on the walls of maha mandapam.

தொல்லைமா ஞாலமாதித் தொகையிலா அண்டம் நல்கிச்

செல்வமாண் கருணையாகுஞ் சிறகால் அணைத்துப் போற்றும்

மல்லலஞ் செழுநீர் வாவி வண்கம லாலயத்துள்

அல்லியங்கோதை என்னும் அன்னத்தை அகத்துள் வைப்பாம்

The temple tank Kamalalayam area is equal to  the  area ( 5 veli ) of the temple and has a temple at the centre. It has 64 bathing ghats. Maatruraitha Vinayagar and Katchi Kodutha Shiva Temples are on the banks of this tank.

The 15^th Century saint Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Muruga of this temple. Kshethra Kovai Pillai Thamizh also praises Lord Muruga of this temple.

நீதானித் தனையாலும்         - நீடூழி க்ருபையாகி

மாதானத் தனமான                – மாஞானக் கழல்தாராய்

வேதாமைத் துனவேளே      – வீராசற் குணசீலா

ஆதாரத் தொளியானே         - ஆரூரிற் பெருமாளே

.... திருபுகழ்

தென்கமல நகர்மேவு தேவாதி தேவனே

செங்கீரை யாடியருளே

தியாகேசனுமை தவசி நடனஞ் செய்கந்தனே

செங்கீரை யாடியருவே

........க்ஷேத்திரக் கோவை பிள்ளைத்தமிழ்

ARCHITECTURE

The temple complex is very large with many sannathis. There is a saying that temple is 5 veli area, Temple tank is 5 Veli and Nandhavanam / flower garden is also 5 veli area. There are two Padal petra sthalangal ( Thiyagesar and Araneri ) inside the one temple premises.  Hope during 6^th to 7^th century most of the present shrines may not be there. The  Temples chariot - "Azhi Ther" is one of the biggest in Asia, weighing around 300 Ton. Under stand that the wheel, axle and driving mechanism are maintained by Tiruchirappalli BHEL * Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited ).

 

The temple is with 5 Rajagopuras and 5 prakaras. The east Rajagopuram is 118 feet. There are three important mandapams, Chitra sabha mandapam, Maha mandapam and 1000 pillar mandapam. The other mandapas are... Bhakthakatchi mandapam ( Lord Shiva as Thiagarajar in Natana  posture will be kept after Panguni Uthiram Thiruvizha ), Oonjal mandapam, ( Chandrasekara’s Oonjal utsavam will be conducted here ), Thulapara mandapam, Chitra sabha mandapam ( big one ), on the side small one is Purana mandapam, Maha mandapam, Devasiriyam alias 1000 Pillar mandapam ( Selva Thyagar  will be kept for Maha Abhishekam after Azhi ther Thiruvizha  with sengol ) also called as Rajathani mandapam, in front of 1000 pillar mandapa pillars are erected  for pandal / kottakai to signify Sekkizhar’s words – தேவாசிரியன் எனும் திருக்காவணம்”. Rajanarayana mandapam, ( also called as Ennai kappu mandapam, since On last day of Panguni Uthiram thiruvizha oil will be applied to Lord Shiva, in this mandapa. Built by the Chozha king Rajanarayanan ) and Thattachutri mandapam.

Pillars to erect Kottakai

“Kal ther / Chariot”  Stone chariot- made of stone ( entry ticket is Rs 10.00.) The sculptures depicts the story of Manuneethi Chozha who killed his son under the wheel of Chariot, since his son killed a calf of a cow.  Gopurams architecture is amazing with single stone pillars at the entrance of Rajagopuras.

Lot of murals are painted on the ceilings around the Sanctum sanctorum and 1000 pillar mandapa ceiling, are worth to see. ( It will take at least a day to see all the important features.)

1000 PILLAR MANDAPA & PAINTINGS

PAINTING ON THE CEILING- AROUND SANCTUM SANCTORUM

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

The east  Rajagopuram built by the Chozha King Kulothunga –III. It was believed that the two statues in the Rajagopuram are Kulothunga-III and his guru.  It is believed that the temple exists even before Nalvar ( Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Sundarar and Manickavasagar ).  Sundarar in one of his hymn asks Thiyagesar, when did he came to Thiruvarur. 

It is believed that these sculptures are Kulothunga Chozha -III and His Guru

The west side Rajagopuram is also of 5 tiers. A mandapam is immediately after the Rajagopuram which functions as museum. It was told that during Muslims invasion Chidambaram Natarajar was brought to this temple twice for safety reasons and kept in this front mandapam. It was told that a fire accident happened to the “Aazhi ther” in the year 1926 CE. In that Murugan Achari tied Thiyagesar and jumped to save Thiagesar. Thiagesar was saved but Murugan lost his life in the process. 

Some of the inscriptions belongs to Rajendra Chozha-I, of which one of the inscription speaks about the golden lamp gifted to this temple on his birth day of Adi Thiruvathirai.

Konerimeikondan gifted a land for celebrating his birth day and daily worship.  

During Rajathi Rajan period Poondikoothan Sembiyan Moovenda Velalan had gifted jewellery to Veethi Vidanga Thevar ( Thiagarajar).

Rajendra Chozha-I’s 2^nd son Vijaya Rajendran had given an order to Velakoothan alias Sembiyan Mooventhavelan, to pave  gold plating of Veethividanga Peruman sanctum and artha mandapam.

13^th year 202day reign ( The King's name is not known) records the gift of land to Poongoil Nambi who had composed/written the book “Veera anukka Vijayam” in honour of Veerachozha anukkar patronized as our sons ( nam makkal ) by the god Thiruvarudayar, Veethividanga thevar, when he was witness the dance by Pungoil Nayaka-ttalaikoli at Devasiriyan ( mandapam ), The grant is stated to have been made by the deity, at the instant of Tyagavinoda-kkadigaimarayan who acted as Kelvi. Muttirattan figures as signatory.

During his period, Uyyakondar valanattu Ambar nattu Purakudi Udaiyan suttri Adithan alias Chozha Vichathara Vezhupparaiyan gave a gift of gold for Musician and oil for burning lamps.

Kulothunga Chozha-I’s 44^th reign year inscription (1113-14 CE) records that Village sabha assembled at Devasiriyan Mandapam and had carried out the sale of land and made tax free of various pieces of lands with all the rights of irrigation to Thiribhuvanamudaiyan Rajendra Chozhan alias Kulothunga Chozha malaiyarajapanmar, a panimagan a resident in the village, who paid 24 ¼ kalanju gold and donated the land for daily worship and offering to the deity Umai nagai set up at the Ulakuyyakonda Kamakottam. The treasury was called as Tyagavinodan and the standard weight of stone is stated to be equivalent to Tygavinodan madai. 

Kulothunga Chozha-II’s 12^th reign year inscription records the gift of land made tax free, purchased from Brahmanas in Nadappur alias Uttamachozhamangalam in Panaiyur nadu, in the Kulothunga Chozha valanadu, in Edirilichozha nallur a tax free devathana by Andapillai Andar. Th produce to be utilized for 1. Burning 3 perpetual lamps, 2. To bring water for sacred bath from Kaduvay 3.Servants in the garden PuRRidamkondan in Nandipura alias Karunakaranallur a devadhana, 4. Servants working in Sengazhuneer garden at Nadapur alias Uttama Chozhan mangalam, in Panaiyur nadu,  5. The servant supplying  hay for the cows ( Gosalasurabhis). The Chozha Kings name Sungamthavirtha Chozhan was referred for Kulothunga Chozha-I, during his period the lands were measured. 

Koluthunga Chozha-II’s  period inscription of the 2^nd prahara wall records the naivedyam to be offered to Thiyagarajar of  this temple..

அவலமுது ("திருக்கார்த்திகைத் திருநாளைக்கு அவலமுது" அவலால் செய்த உணவு), புளியமுது (புளி சோறு), மிளகமுது (மிளகு சோறு), அடைக்காயமுது (வெற்றிலை பாக்கு), சீரகம், கரும்பு, சற்கரை, கருவாழைப்பழம், மாங்காய்வற்றல், உப்பிஞ்சி (உப்பு + இஞ்சி), சிரைத்தேங்காய், உப்பமுது.. (Thanks to Anbu Vandhiyadevan )

Kulothunga Chozha-III, period inscription records the endowment of land to carryout the renovation of  Vinayagar temple which was on the way to water channel which carries fresh water.

Kulothunga Chozha’s 7^th reign year inscription records the endowment of pooja, naivedyam to Aludainambi ( Sundarar ) with Paravai Nachiyar and Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, from the same a land was gifted to this temple as irayili. This inscription gives the detailed functions to be held, different Naivedyams, materials ( which includes salt pepper, tamarind etc ), quantity, fire wood for preparation.

Rajendran-III had constructed the Thirumaligai Vinayagar temple on the opposite to the main temple.

An inscription records Sundarar’s mother’s name as Isai Gnaniyar, daughter of Gnanasivachariyar of Gautama kothra was belongs to Thiruvarur. This was latter mentioned in Sekkizhar’s periyapuranam.

Vikrama Chozha’s 5^th reign year ( SII Vol 5- 456 ) inscription records the confirmation Manuneethi Chozha’s action ( full story is inscribed – how the calf of a cow Killed under his Son’s Chariot, the Cow how informed to the king by ringing the bell, and how Manuneethi chozhan killed his son etc ), which was mentioned in the Periya Puranam. Also it confirms that Upayakulaamalan was a minister under Manuneethi Chozha. He belongs to Chozhamandalam Inganattu Palaiyur. His descendant Palaiyur Udayan Chandrasekaranaathi Veethi Vidangan alias Kulothunga Chozha Mahabali Vanarayan belongs to Vikrama Chozha Period and as per his request the king for feeding the Devotees at his ancestors palace. The King also accepted the same.

On of the inscription engraved in characters of ( Grantha ), 12^th Century defines the social status, rights and duties of Rathakaras or kammalar based on the scriptures, agamas and Puranas, which were examined in detail by the brahmana residents of Pandikulantaka chaturvedi mangalam. 

The Pandya King Srimaran Srivallaban 1342 CE inscription records the purchase of land and gifted to this temple as tax free for reciting Vedic hymns.

The Vijayanagara King Achuthappa nayakas’ 1564 CE inscription records the grant of income from the tax levies such as aranmanai sodi, Adhikarai and sodi puravagai as sarvamanya for the merit of his father Sevvappa nayaka of Nedungundram by Achuthappa Nayaka.

The maratha king Maha Mandaleswara Saraboji Maharaja’s 1717 CE inscription records the renovation and Ashtapandanam / ( Kumbhabhishekam )

Vijayanagara Nayaka King Devaraya-II, 1440 CE, inscription both in Tamil and Kannada records the construction of Gopuram to God Valmikinatha by Nagarasar son of Siddarasar of Vasishta gotra and Asvalayana sutra for the merit of Lakkanna Dananayaka.

Some stone inscriptions are inscribed in the form tablets and erected on the banks of the Temple tank on each padithurai, where pilgrims takes bath. The inscriptions records the benefit of taking bath in the temple tank.

This inscription details are known

The above inscription was found on the wall towards Sri Kamalambal Temple. It was concluded that this inscriptions may belongs to 17th Century Musical notes compared with Nayakas inscriptions of Tirunelveli. For full details please refer Dr Arunkumar Pankaj's FB page. 

LEGENDS

Shri Shiva of this temple is called in different names like, Veethi Vidangar, Devarakandapperuman, Thiyagaraja Peruman, Sengazhuneer Azhagar, Sevvanthithodalagar, Kambikathazakar, Thiyagavinothar, Karunakara thondaiman, Adaravak kinkinikkalazhakar, Asainthadum Appar, Adikayiram Pon Vazhangiyavar, Kamalesar, Sempon Thyagar, Deva Chinthamani, Thyaga Chinthamani, and much more. 5 Nayanmars, Thandiadigal, Kazharchingar, Seruthunaiyar, Viranmindar and Naminandhiadigal had done service / thirupani in this temple.

Matruraitha Vinayagar sannathi is on the banks of temple tank. The story goes like this. Sundarar got his gold coins from Lord Shiva Sri Virudhagireeswarar of Virudhachalam ( Thirumuthukundram ) left it in the river and had taken from this Thiruvarur temple tank ( South east corner Padithurai ). He suspected the purity of the gold that the same as the one he dropped at Virudhachalam Manimuktha River. Vinayagar came and certified the gold coins purity. 

Katchi koduthar Sannathi is also on the banks of temple tank next to Matruraitha Vinayagar sannathi. Lord Shiva gave darshan to Thandi Adikal, Sundarar and Manuneethi Chozhan 

It is believed that Indra used to worship Lord Shiva during Evening Pooja. Hence the priest will do the pooja wearing turban, and coat / angi.

This is one of the saptha Vidanga sthalam and the others are 1. Nagai karonam, 2. Thirunallar, 3. Thirumaraikadu, Thirukarayil 5. Thiruvaimur and Thirukolili ( Thirukkuvalai ). Abhishekam is done during Morning and Evening. Believed that this Maragatha Shiva Linga was given by Musukunda Chakravarthi, which was originally worshiped by Indra. The Veethi Vidangar is kept under a safe custody. A song on the above is...

சீரார் திருவாரூர் தென்நாகை நள்ளாறு

காரார் மறைக்காடு காறாயில் – பேரான

ஒத்த திருவாய்மூர் உவந்த திருக்கோளிலி

சப்த்த விடங்கத் தலம்

Thiagarajar is on a Rathna Simhasanam called Selva Thiyagar with a flower chendu and two vatpadai. Usually Thiyagarajar’s face will be visible. It is believed that it will be auspicious to worship Thiyagaraja's left leg/ pada om Margazhi Athirai nakshatra day and right leg on Panguni Uthiram day. The rest of the parts of Thiagarajar is believed to be secret.

கார்பொருவும் கருங்கூந்தல் செவ்வாய் வெண்ணகைப் பச்சைக் கன்னியோடும்

தார்கமழ்பூங் காந்தளந்தோட் குமரனொடு மணிச்சிங்கா தனத்து மேவிச்

சீர்பரவு வான் புலவர் நினைந்தனயா வையும் நல்கிச் சிறப்பின் வைகும்

வார்புனல்சூழ் வயற்கமலைத் தேவர்கள்சிந் தாமணியை மனத்துள் வைப்பாம்

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Annual Chariot festival, Evening pooja and Maragatha Linga abhishekam are special in this temple.

Apart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Thiruvathirai in the month Margazhi ( Dec- Jan ), Pongal, Makar Sankranti and English new Year in the month Thai ( Jan – Feb ). Maha Shivaratri, The Bhoota Ganas carrying paddy bags  to saint Sundarar on Masi maham day in the month Masi ( Feb – March ), 10 days Panguni Uthiram in the month Panguni ( March – April ) with flag hoisting on Hastha nakshatra day of the previous Tamil Month Masi and Car festival on 10^th day with the significance of darshan to Vyaghrapada, Chithra festival in the month Chithirai ( April-  May ), 10 days Aadi pooram festival in the month Aadi ( July – August ), Navaratri in the month Purattasi ( Sept – Oct ), Deepavali in the month ( Oct – Nov ), Important Festivals, Vinayagar Chathurthi in the month Vinayagar Chathurthi in the month Avani ( Aug – Sept ), Thirukarthigai in the month Karthigai ( Nov – Dec ) and on every month pradosham days.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 05.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 21.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS  

The land line number is +91 4366 - 242 343. 

The temple web site: http://thiyagarajaswamytemple.tnhrce.in/

HOW TO REACH 

There are lot of buses available from cities like Chennai, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, Thanjavur etc.  The temple is at the center of the city.

The temple is 26 KM from Nagapattinam, 28 KM from Mannargudi, 28 KM from Thiruthuraipoondi, 40 KM from Kumbakonam, 40 KM from Mayiladuthurai, 40 KM from Karaikal and 296 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway station is Thiruvarur.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---