THIRUVARUR From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tiruvarur is a city and a municipality in Tiruvarur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Tiruvarur is the administrative headquarters of Tiruvarur district. Tiruvarur is one of the oldest towns which has been popular as cultural head quarters for many centuries. This ancient town in Chola heartland is famous for its Sri Tyagaraja temple, as well as the annual chariot festival held in the month of April. Tiruvarur also happens to be the birth place of the Carnatic Music Trinity of Tyāgarāja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri.

Contents

1 History
2 Geography
3 Economy
4 Education
5 Tyagaraja temple
6 Top Officials
7 References
8 External links
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History
According to myth, the central temple in Tiruvarur was installed by Muchukanta Chola.[2] Tiruvarur is also associated with another legendary king, Manuneedhi Cholan.
Tiruvarur is mentioned in the works of Thirugnana Sambanthar and Tirunavukkarasar, the foremost Saivite saints of 7th century CE.[3] Tirunavukkarasar mentions several Tiruvarur temple traditions, such as Marghazhi Aathirai Vizha, Panguni Uttirai Perunaal and Veedhivitakanin Veedhi Panni. The granite structure of the Tyagarajaswami temple was first constructed by Aditya Chola I in 9th century and revamped during the reign of Rajaraja Chola I. The temple was upgraded and rebuilt with stone by Rajendra Chola I.[2] The royal patronage continued and the town flourished as a cultural centre during the rule of the Nayaks, Vijayanagar kings and Marathas. The current Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Dr. M.Karunanidhi, was born in the village of Thirukuvalai, near Tiruvarur, and spent his childhood here.
Tiruvaur was part of the Thanjavur District until 1991 and Nagapattinam District until 1997. Tiruvarur was made the headquarters of Tiruvarur District when it was carved out of Nagapattinam in 1997.
A region inside the town called Kodikkal Palayam forms a major Muslim dominated area.

Geography
Tiruvarur is located to the east of Tamil Nadu, roughly halfway between the northern and southern borders. It has an average elevation of 3 metres (9 feet). Tiruvarur is situated at a distance of 24 km from the closest major town,Nagapattinam, 56 km from Thanjavur, 40 km from Kumbakonam, 40 km from Mayavaram, 27 km from Mannargudi and 28 km from Thiruthuraipoondi.

Economy
Tiruvarur lies in the Kaveri River basin and the main occupation of the inhabitants of Tiruvarur and surrounding areas is agriculture.
As of the 2001 India census[4], Tiruvarur had a population of 56,280. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Tiruvarur has an average literacy rate of 81%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 76%. 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.

The Great Thiruvarur Car. This picture was taken by N.Raja, Koodur.

Education
A Government medical college and health care centre is coming up in Tiruvarur shortly. The State Government is setting this up at a cost of Rs 100 crore. The Local Administration Minister, M.K. Stalin, laid the foundation stone on 6th of August, 2007.
Colleges in and around Tiruvarur are as follows:
Arts and Science
M.R. Govt. Arts College, Mannargudi
Nethaji Subash Chendra Bose College, Thiruvarur
Rabiammal Ahamed Maideen College for Women, Thiruvarur
Semgamala Thaayar Educational Trust Women's College, Mannargudi
Sulthana Adbullah Rowther College for Women, Thiruvarur
Thiru-Vi-Ka Govt. Arts College, Thiruvarur
Engineering Colleges
A.R.J. College of Engineering and Technology, Mannargudi
Anjalai Ammal Mahalingam Engineering College, Kovilvenni

Tyagaraja temple
The ancient Sri Tyagaraja temple at Tiruvarur is dedicated to the Somaskanda aspect of Shiva. The temple complex has shrines dedicated to Vanmikanathar, Tyagarajar and the Kamalaamba, and covers an area of over 20 acres. The Kamalalayam temple tank covers around 25 acres,[5] is one of the largest in the country.[2] The temple chariot is the largest of its kind in Tamil Nadu.[6] The annual car festival is celebrated in the month of Chitrai (April/May). Every year after the car festival, the Theppam festival is celebrated. The temple Kumbabishekam is performed every twelve years, most recently in 2001.

Top Officials
DIG of Police..Mr Abhash Kumar IPS.
District Collector..Mr Shambhu Kallolikar IAS

References
^ The Hindu dated 29 October 2006
^ a b c Aravind & Soumya Sitaraman. Timeless Thiruvarur. Retrieved on 2006-11-11.
^ History of Tiruvarur. Retrieved on 2006-11-11.
^ Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns. (Provisional). Census Commission of India. Retrieved on 2007-09-03.
^ Tiruvarur Temple Layout. Retrieved on 2006-11-11.
^ Thiruvarur at Tamil Nadu tourism website. Retrieved on 2006-11-11.

External links
Tiruvarur district official website
Official website of Sri Thiyagaraja Temple
Tiruvarur at templenet.com
KodikkalPalayam at a glance
Gateway to அடியக்கமங்கலம்
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiruvarur"
Category: Cities and towns in Tamil Nadu

Sri Thiyagaraja Temple - History, Importance, Gods and Goddess and Location

Thiruvarur is located 290 kms away from Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu and is positioned between Nagapattinam (24 kms) and Thanjavur (56 kms). Thiruvarur District is famous for its evergreen paddy fields and temples with sky-high towers. This town is situated in the southeast of Tamil Nadu, The Arulmighu Shri Thiyagarajar temple located in Thiruvarur town has many distinctions. It has the largest chariot or temple car among the temples in Tamil Nadu. The enormous Kamalalayam and the golden calm water in the temple tank are the glory of the town. The Arulmighu Shri Rajagopalaswamy temple in Mannargudy, Shri Subramanyaswamy shrine in Enkan, Arulmighu Shri Saraswathy temple at Koothanur and the Guru temple, one of the important Navagrahas at Alangudi are some of the prominent places of worship in Thiruvarur District. The mangrove forests in Muthuppettai, occupies an important place among the nature’s beauty of this district, besides the sprawling paddy fields on both sides of rivers, canals and roads. The Birds’ sanctuary in Udhayamarthandapuram and Vaduvoor are wonderful places that attract tourists. Other famous historical temples are located in Thiruveezhimalai, Thirupamparam, Thirumeichur, Shrivanchiyam, Thillaivilagam and Thirukkannamangai. At Jambavanodai near Muthuppetai there is an ancient and glorified dargah. The triumvirate of Carnatic music, Shri Thiyagaraja Brahmam, Shri Muthuswamy Dheekshathar and Shyma Shastri were born here and this adds admiration, dignity and glory to this district. The Arulmighu Thiyagaraja swamy temple in Thiruvarur is famous in many aspects. This is the most revered and glorified of all Attaveeratta temples of Lord Shiva. Inside this temple, there is an art gallery depicting the greatness of the judicious king Manuneethi Cholan. The striking features of this temple are the Arulmighu Shri Kamalamba shrine and the sacred temple tank containing a small temple in miniature in the middle of it. The Shri Kamalambal shrine is one of the seats of the great mother, the goddess Shakti. This holy town has the glory of being eulogized in the Thevaram. The ancient musical instruments the Panchamuga and the Pari Nadaswaram were made here and it is interesting to note that these ancient musical instruments are used till today in this town.
Temple GopuramThe gopuram Temple tower and entrance of the eastern entryway stands out with its seven levels. The lower part, in grey stone, is ornamented with statues in wall niches. Above that is a curious level with false statues, drawn on the walls. There follow several levels with a large number of statues in bright,clashing colors. On one and the other side of this gopuram are two small shrines, with Ganesh on the left, and Murugan on the right. Passing under the gopuram, Ganesh is also seated in wall niches, to the left and right.The temple is huge. The area between the first and the second enclosure is scattered throughout with little sanctuaries. There is a temple to the goddess Kamalambal, with a Nandi White bull of Shiva before the entrance. The goddess is seated in meditation on a lotus. Under the mandapa Sous le mandapa Pillared hall of this temple one notices a small shrine to Ganesh accompanied by his Shakti Feminine counterpart of a God.Close by, there is a museum. One navigates the central part of the temple by the south courtyard where the mandapa of the Achaleshvar temple (12th century) with twenty columns and ancient paintings, show, among others, two Ganeshas together, which is not often seen.Coming back to the east side, a mandapa and a good Djavastambha Flag pole of a temple decorated at the base with brass panels depicting Shiva God of Transformation and Pârvati Shiva's wife, Ganesh Elephant-headed God, Kârtikeya Ganesh brother, etc, precede the entrance to the third enclosure, guarded by a another sanctuary with Ganesh and his Shakti.One enters into the interior enclosure. In a cella off to the side, a superb Lingam Symbol of Shiva is placed on a Nâga Serpent of the underground world pedestal in golden brass, surmounted by a hood of snake heads. In front is a big golden plaque with a Nandi. Another enclosure has a series of Planets, and the chapel has pillars encased in golden brass. It is normal to make an offering of nine small butter votive lamps. Continuing, one sees a lovely bronze Shiva supported by a Nandi, accompanied by Pârvatî (a form of Shiva called Vribhashana). On the south side, there is a classic series of 63 saints in a gallery.Finally one reaches the temple center. The cella (garbhagriha) of Shiva Thiyagaraja, dates from 1030. The standing Nandi placed in the vestibule and looking at the cella is a bronze, which is curious because most of the Nandi in temples are stone and are seated. A small gallery just to the side has a rare set of 63 saints in bronze. In a niche almost at ground level there is a ravishing dancing Ganesh, with five upright cobras at his feet which is, again, another rare representation!Parallel to the cella of Sri Thiyagaraja, can be found that of Sri Valmikeshvar, another form of Shiva. Between the two is a seated stone Ganesh painted gold

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