The ancient town of Tiruvarur is one of the important pilgrim centers in Tamil Nadu, lying at about 24 km from Nagapattinam and 56 km from Thanjavur. Flanked by the river Kaveri, Tiruvarur is a town rich in legend, history and tradition. It is one of the ancient heritage sites of India, evocative of the religio-socio-cultural history of the Tamil region during the 9th to 12th centuries.
Tiruvarur is greatly revered for the Sri Tyagaraja temple, the annual chariot festival and other tourist attractions in Tiruvarur. The town is also greatly revered as the birth place of Saint Tyagaraja – one of the trinity of Carnatic music.
Tiruvarur is admired as one of the seven most sacred places dedicated to Lord Shiva, and the major tourist attractions in Tiruvarur are:
- Tyagaraja Temple
Famous for the largest temple chariot in Tamil Nadu, Tyagaraja Temple – dedicated to ‘Somaskanda’ aspect of Shiva – is a vast temple complex, taking immense pride in its centuries’ old history and tradition. The temple also has shrines dedicated to Vanmikanathar, Tyagaraja and the Kamalaamba. The Kamalalayam temple tank covers around 25 acres and is famous as one of the largest of its kind in the country.
Within the temple complex, there is a unique musical instrument called “Panchamuga Vadyam”, having five faces. Legend has it that Nanchi Devi played this instrument while Lord Shiva danced.
One of the most important tourist attractions in Tiruvarur, Tyagaraja temple draws thousands of devotees during the annual car festival “Azhazhi Ther”, celebrated in the month of April.
- Sri Rajagopalaswamy Temple
- Sri Rajagopalaswamy Temple in Mannargudi, is another holey temple located about 28 Kms from Tiruvarur.
- Sri Subramanyaswamy Shrine
This temple is situated in Engan, which is about 13 km from Tiruvarur.
Shri Saraswathy temple at Koothanur and the Sivan Temple or Guru temple at Alangudi – noted as one of the important Navagrahas, are some other tourist attractions in Tiruvarur.
