Tiruvarur

The Small Town of Wonders

The town of Tiruvarur bears testimony to the excellent craftsmanship and architectural skills of the artisans of the Chola age.  The town, which thrives mainly on agriculture, lies along the banks of the Kaveri River.

Tiruvarur can be said to revolve around the Tyagaraja temple and its activities. The temple has witnessed renovations and remodeling at the hands of several empires, each leaving its own mark in the architecture. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple was first built by Aditya Chola in the 9th century, which was later rebuilt by Rajaraja Chola, followed by King Rajendra Chola who further made renovations in stone to the temple. 

Tiruvarur has another feather to its cap - it is the birthplace of the big three of Carnatic Music – Tyagaraja Swamigal, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri.

Tiruvarur was a hub of cultural activities even at the period of the Nayanmars, during the first millennium CE. The town reached the zenith of its glory during the rule of the Cholas, between the 9th and the 12th centuries. There are references of Tiruvarur in the works of Thiruguna Sambanthar and Tirunavakkarasar - the two Saivite saints.  The Vijayanagar Kings and the Marathas successively annexed the town.