Thiruvarur

Situated between Nagapattinam and Thanjavur, Thiruvarur is at distance of 290 km from Chennai and lies in the Cauvery river basin, in the state of Tamil Nadu. Popular for its green paddy fields and huge temple towers, Thiruvarur is one of the oldest temple towns in the state.  

The Sri Tyagaraja Temple and the annual chariot festival in April have made Thiruvarur an important pilgrim centre. Thiruvarur is also the birth place of Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri, who are known as the trinity of Carnatic music.

The Arulmighu Sri Tyagaraja Temple is dedicated to the Somaskanda aspect which represents Shiva with his consort Uma, and Skanda as a child. The temple complex is spread around an area of over 20 acres and has shrines specially made for Vanmikanathar, Tyagarajar and Kamalaamba worshipped as Goddess Shakti.

The Thiruvarur Temple has the largest chariot or temple car in the state. Equally attractive is the Kamalalayam temple tank. Covering an area of 25 acres this temple tank is one of the largest in the country. Another important feature of this temple is the ‘Panchamuga Vadyam’, an unique musical instrument with five faces. It is believed that Nanchi Devi played on this instrument as Lord Shiva danced.

Panchamuga and another ancient musical instrument Pari Nadaswaram is still used in this temple town. The Thiruvarur Temple also has an art gallery inside the temple premises which houses several antique articles that are of historical importance.

Other important temples in and around Thiruvarur are the Arulmighu Shri Rajagopalaswamy Temple in Mannargudy, Shri Subramanyaswamy shrine in Enkan, Arulmighu Shri Saraswathy Temple at Koothanur and the Guru Temple. Popular tourist places near Thiruvarur are the birds’ sanctuary in Udhayamarthandapuram and Vaduvoor and the mangrove forests in Muthuppettai.

With NH 67 passing through Thiruvarur, this town is well connected with Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirapalli and Nagapattinam. The nearest railway station is at Nagapattinam which is 24 km away. The closest airport is at Trichy, at a distance of 150 km.

Thiruvarur can be visited any time of the year. However, visiting this place during the chariot festival is an ideal way to understand the culture and rituals followed at the Shri Tyagaraja Temple.