Tyagarajar Temple at
Tiruvarur is one of the most sacred temples in the
Shaivites traditions, dating back to over 1300 years. This highly revered
Shivasthalam is situated near
Kumbakonam, in
Tiruvarur District of
Tamil Nadu.
The temple houses the deities, Tyagaraja, Kamalamba and Vanmikanathar. The temple contains many inscriptions and representations of musical and dance traditions of the Chola period. There is a Kamalalayam tank to the west of the temple complex. The idol of Tyagaraja is kept in a separate sanctum with its own vimana. The specialty of the image is that only the faces of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are visible and the rest is covered with decorative cloth, flowers and jewelry. Only during festivals are their feet uncovered.
The main festival is the annual Brahmotsavam in the month of Panguni when the image is taken out in procession in a chariot. Arudra Darisanam is another festival of this temple.
