THIRUVARUR

The principal deity at this shrine is Sri vanmikanathar, a Swayambu Lingam enshrined in an ant-hill. His consort is Somakulambigai. She is never taken out of the temple precincts. To the right of the sanctum is the shrine of Sri Thyagaraja.

The idol of Thyagaraja and that of His consort kondi on an artistic Ratna simhasan are very impressive. The processional deity is known to perform Asaba Natanam. The Spatika Lingam is kept in a golden box inside the shrine. The Nandi is in standing posture.

The image of saint sundarar, his wife Paravai Nachiyar and Cheraman Peruman are installed here.

Navagrahas are palced in a row in a shrine opposite to the sanctum. The Rudra Durga shrine in the second prakaram attracts a large number of devotees, particularly for the Rahukala Puja.

The Sthala Vinayaka in the innermost prakaram is called Vathapi Ganapathi, brought from Vathapi.

The image of Goddess Nilothpalambika in standing posture is in a separate shrine. She is depicted as blessing child Muruga with Her left hand. In another shrine, Sri kamalambal, the virgin form of parvati, is doing penance to merry the Lord.

There is an inscription and sculptural representation of the story of King Manu Neethi Chola, who ordered his son crushed under the wheels of a ratha because he killed a calf by driving his carriage negligently over it. Lord Siva is said to have intervened and revived the boy and the calf.

On the western side of the temple is the celebrated tank, Kamalalayam, with the shrine of Sri Naganathaswamy in the middle. Here is a rare musical instrument called Panchamukha vadyam and a siva lingam made of sapphire known as Maragatha Lingam.

Thiruvarur is the birthplace of the great musical trinity. Sri Thyagaraja Sri Shyama Sastri and Sri Muthuswamy Dikshitar.

During the festivel, Sri Thyagaraja is taken round the streets in a mammoth ratha called Azhi Ther.