Arulmigu Thiyagaraja Swamy Temple Opening & Closing Time<:
Morning: 5.00 AM to 12.00 Noon
Evening: 4.00 PM to 9.00 PM
Arulmigu Thiyagaraja Swamy Temple rituals are performed six times a day.
1) Ushathkala Pooja at 5.30 AM
2) Kalasandhi Pooja at 9.00 AM
3) Uchikklam Pooja at 12.00 Noon
4) Sayaratchai Pooja at 6.00 PM
5) Irandamkala Pooja at 7.00 PM
6) Ardha Jama Pooja at 8.45 PM
Lords Abishekam:
Abishekam is not performed for Lord Thiagaraja but for Maragatha Linga (the precious Emerald Linga known as Veedhi Vidanga Linga believed to be worshiped by Lord Indira) at 8:30 AM, 11.00 AM. and at 7:00 PM every day.
Once the abishek is finished, the linga would be placed in a silver box filled with flowers and covered with a silver container. It will be blocked in the presence of officials and placed on the right side of Lord Thiagaraja.
Arulmigu Thiyagaraja Swamy Temple Highlights:
Thiyagaraja Temple in Thiruvarur is one of India’s ancient heritage sites and represents the religious and socio-cultural history of the Tamil region for more than a millennium and a half. Little is known about this shrine in much of India. Thiruvarur is an ancient sanctuary filled with mysticism. It is rich in legend, history and tradition.
Thiruvarur Temple History:
Trace the history of Thiruvarur through insights gained from the Tevaram hymns, temple inscriptions and other sources.
Thiruvarur Deities:
Vanmikanathar represents the Moolavar while the shrine dedicated to Thiyagaraja is the better known shrine in the temple.
Vanmikanathar:
The Vanmikanathar Legend relates to Shiva appearing within an anthill in response to prayers from the Gods.
Legend:
Legend has it that the Thiyagaraja (Somaskanda) image at Thiruvarur was created and worshipped by Maha Vishnu. Somaskanda is symbolic of fertility, of royal lineage etc.
Somaskanda Iconography:
Somaskanda refers to a manifestation of Shiva with Skanda and Uma by his side.
Thiyagaraja:
Thiyagaraja represents the Somaskanda manifestation of Shiva at Thiruvarur and at a few other shrines. Thiyagarajar is referred to as Veedhi Vitankar in the Tevaram hymns.
Thiyagaraja Shrine:
The Thiyagaraja Shrine at Thiruvarur is steeped in mysticism. Thiyagaraja is associated with the Ajapaa Natanam.
Ajaba Natanam:
Lord Thiyagaraja is said to have raisen from the navel of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu in his yoga stage breaths, and when Adisesha also breaths, there are waves found in the parkadal, the milky ocean at the vaikuntha, where Lord Vishnu resides.
Mucukunda Chola Legend:
The valorous Chola king brought back from Indra 7 images of Somaskanda.
Sapta Vitanka Shrines:
Sapta Vitanka Shrines refer to seven temples in the Chola kingdom enshrining images of Thiyagaraja brought to earth by Mucukunda Chakravarti.
Ajaba Natanam Cont:
This causes tilting and lord Thiyagaraja is always visualised like doing a rhythmic dance which is known as “Ajaba Natanam”. Whenever, the lord moves from vasantha mandabam to the chariot or to the thousand pillar mandapam to give dharsha to his bhakthas.
Devaram hymns:
Devaram hymns dedicated to Thiruvarur describe festivities in the temple town during the 1st millennium CE. 62 of the Nayanmaar preceding Sundarar are mentioned in Tiruttondattokai.
Temple Miracles:
Miracles associated with the lives of other Saivite Saints at Thiruvarur. Naminandi Adikal, Dandi Adikal and Somaasi Maaranaar are some of the other saints associated with Thiruvarur.
Thiruvarur Temple Layout:
The vast temple complex at Thiruvarur with several shrines has many spacious mandapams and towering gopurams.
Nilothpalambal:
Inside the main temple there is another seperate shrine for Goddess Nilothpalambal. The Goddess,with two hands is Aadi Parasakti.Alongside the Goddess,an assistant is seen carrying on her shoulder Lord Muruga- an interesting feature-and the Goddess is shown touching the head of Lord Muruga.
Chandikesvarar:
In all temples there’s only one Chandikesvarar. At Thiruvarur, there are two Chandikes-varars, one known as Chandikes-varar and the other called as Yama Chandikesvarar, with curles of hair and beard. It is said that all those born at Thiruvarur are Sivaganas and lord Yama does not have any work to do. He complains to Easwara and says he does not have any work.
Manuniti Chola:
There was a Chola king who ruled Thiruvarur by name Manuniti Chola. Once his son, when riding the Chariot, accidentally killed a calf on the road. As per the rules of the kindom, a bell was kept outside the palace and any one wishing to have one’s grievance attended to should ring the bell. The cow mother of the calf, pulled the bell on seeing the dead calf. The king, the just ruller that he was, rode the chariot over his son. Pleased with the king’s sense of justice, the gods are set to have revived.
Tiruvarur Arulmigu Thiyagaraja Temple Important Festivals:
1) Margazhi Tiruvadhirai in December-January
2) Lord Thiagesar granting His Feet darshan – Pada Darshan.
3) 10 day Panguni Uthiraim in March-April with the flag hoisting on the Hastha Star Day of the previous Tamil month Masi.
4) Car festival on the 10th day with the significance of the darshan granted to sage Vyakrapada.
5) 10 day Aadi Pooram in July-August.
6) The Bhoodha Ganas carrying paddy bags to Saint Sundararar on Masi Magam Day in February-March.
7) Chithiria festival in April-May are the important festivals of the temple.
8) Besides the above, the Pradosha Puajas are devotionally performed drawing huge crowds.
9) Deepavali, Pongal the Makar Sankranthi, Tamil and English New Year days are also observed with special pujas.
Tiruvarur Arulmigu Thiyagaraja Temple Chariot Festival:
Kulothunga Chola II (1133–50 CE) enlarged the temple ritual to have fifty six festivals, some of which are followed in modern times. The annual chariot festival of the Thygarajaswamy temple is celebrated during April – May, corresponding to the Tamil month of Chitrai. The chariot is the largest of its kind in Asia and India weighing 300 tonne with a height of 90 feet. The chariot comes around the four main streets surrounding the temple during the festival. The event is attended by lakhs of people from all over Tamil Nadu. The chariot festival is followed by the “Theppam”, meaning float festival.
Tiruvarur Arulmigu Thiyagaraja Temple Address:
The Executive Officer
Arulmigu Thiyagaraja Swamy Temple,
Thiruvarur – 610001,
Tamilnadu.
Phone : 04366-242343
