Thiruvarur

Thiruvarur is a town and municipality in Tiruvarur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. 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 i