The historic name of Thiruvarur was Aaroor (Arur) and it finds mention in the 7th century saiva canonical work, Tevaram.The term Thiru is added to all temple cities that are mostly revered by the verses of Tevaram, which is the case of Arur becoming Thiruvarur. Another name of Thiruvarur is Kamalayaksetra, meaning the "holy place that is an abode of lotuses"; the town is also referred so due to the presence of the Kamalayayam tank and the temple deity, Kamalambigai.
The temple complex covers 30 acres which is one of the largest in India. It houses four gateway towers known as gopurams. The tallest is the eastern tower with four stories and a height of 30 metres (98 ft). The temple has numerous shrines, with those of Thyagaragar (Veethi Vidangar) and Neelothbalambal (Alliyankothai) being the most prominent.
An inscripition which was dated in the 20th year of the Rajendra I (1012–1044) beginning with the introduction "Tirumanni valara" is found on the north and west walls of the Thyagaraja shrine.There is a list of gifts including a number of the jewels and lamps to the Lord Vidividanka Devar(Thygarajar).
The temple complex has a numerous shrines and mandapas (Halls) in the three spacious enclosures.The two main shrines of the temple are for Sri Vanmikinathar (Lord Shiva) and Sri Thyagarajar. Of the two, the former is the most ancient, and derives its name from tea anthill(putru), which takes the place of Linga in the main shrine,
The temple is famous for the ajapa thanam that is executed by the deity itself. According to the legends,a Chola king named Mucukunta obtained a boon from Indra(a celestial deity) and wished to receive an image of Thyagaraja Swamy reposing on the chest of the reclining Lord Vishnu. God Indra tried to misguide the King and had six other images made, but the king chose the right image at Tiruvarur. The other six images were installed in Thirukkuvalai, Nagapattinam, Tirukarayil, Tirukolili, Thirukkuvalai and Tirumaraikadu.
The temple is famous for the ajapa thanam that is executed by the deity itself. According to the legends,a Chola king named Mucukunta obtained a boon from Indra(a celestial deity) and wished to receive an image of Thyagaraja Swamy reposing on the chest of the reclining Lord Vishnu. God Indra tried to misguide the King and had six other images made, but the king chose the right image at Tiruvarur. The other six images were installed in Thirukkuvalai, Nagapattinam, Tirukarayil, Tirukolili, Thirukkuvalai and Tirumaraikadu.
The annual chariot festival of the Thygarajaswamy temple is celebrated during April – May, correspondong 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.
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