Thyagaraja Temple, Thiruvarur

Chola temple famed for the massive Aroor Ther chariot.

दर्शन महत्व: Temple-car festival videos travel far each year.

यात्रा का सर्वश्रेष्ठ समय: Mar–Apr festival; Nov–Feb otherwise

History

The Thyagaraja (Vanmikanathar) temple at Thiruvarur is a great Chola shrine, famous for one of the largest temple chariots in the world. Thyagaraja is Shiva as the dancing lord of the delta; Kamalamba is the Goddess.

Legends

• The ajapa natanam (unstruck dance) of Thyagaraja is a Chola-era mystery of music and silence.
• The Aroor Ther festival moves the Lord through the town as living royalty.