Arulmigu Thiyagarajaswamy Temple

Description

Thyagaraja Temple( also called as Vadivudai Amman Temple ) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Hindu god Shiva. It is located in Tiruvottiyurin the northern part of Chennai,Tamil Nadu,India. The temple is revered by the Tevaramhymns of Saivanayanars, the 7th century Tamil saint poets and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. The temple is closely associated with the saint poet Sundararand Pattinathar. The temple has been in vogue from the Pallavatimes of 7th century and widely expanded by Cholakings during the 11th century. The temple has a seven tiered gateway tower, a tank, with the overall temple area covering 1 acre. The temple is administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The temple draws parallel with the Thygaraja temple in Tiruvaruras both the temples were expanded by Rajendra Chola Iand both have the same dance poses of Shiva.

History

The temple was the centre of learning, with the halls inside the temple acting as venue for religious discourses in subjects like vyakarna (translation), Somasiddantha (philosophy) and Panini's grammar. There was a hermitage attached to the temple during 9th century, presided over by Caturananas Pandithar. The temple also had philosophical discourses and expositions on grammar. There are references to recital of Prabhakara, Rudra,Yamala, Purana, Sivadharma, Panchangaand Bharata. Lands were granted to learned scholars and their generation like Vedavritti, Bhattavriti,Vaidyavrittiand Archanavritti. There are a number of inscriptions inside the temple dating back to Pallava period. Sankaracharya, the 8th century scholar in the advaita school of Hinduismis believed to have visited the temple to put down the power of evil. The temple was originally built by Pallavasand later rebuilt by Rajendra Chola I. The inscription dating 954 CE, the fifth year of the Chola king Gandaradityaindicates 90 sheep for burning lamps andilavilaku, a lamp made in Sri Lanka). The inscriptions dating from 1046 CE reveal that 64 bronze nayanmar statues were installed in the temple. There were equal number of dancing girls called Devadasiin the temple, who were divided into two groups – the valankai dasisdanced for Thyagaraja, while the idangai dasisdanced for Vadivudaiamman. During the reign of the Malik Kafur, much of the temple was destroyed and the bronze idols present now in the temple were installed during the Vijayanagara period of 15th century. 13th-century inscription indicates the practise of animal sacrifice to the goddess, which continued along with offering intoxicating drink till the early 2000s. Famous saints like Pattinathar, Topeswamigal and Ramalinga Swamigal lived in this town and prayed Thyagaraja in this temple. This place is also home to Thiruvottiyur Thyagayyar who is a carnatic composer and poet.

Full Address

Sannathi St, Gopal Nagar, Tiruvottiyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600019

 

Type of Place

• Temple

Prefered For

• Family
• Friends
• Senior Citizen

Transportation

• Meenambakkam, Chennai.
• Thiruvottriyur. Any trains that move towards Gummidipoondi and Sulurpet can be boarded to get down at Thiruvottiyur.
• Theradi, Thiruvottriyur.

Important Information

• Timing – 5:30 to 12 AM, and 5 to 8 PM. On Fridays the temple is open from 5 Am TO 9 PM.

Attraction

• Aadhipureeswarar is in the form of a mud mound covered by an armour. On the day of the full moon of the Tamil month karthigai, the armour is removed and the representation of the god is visible to devotees. The Lord is anointed withpunugu, javvadhu, andsampiranioils. There is a Durgashrine in the northern side of the temple. Inside the main temple complex - Just opposite to the main shrine we find theNatarajashrine and in the koshta is the Ganapati Shrine. The Ganapati is known as Gunalaya Ganapati ( abode of bliss) and as we circumbulate the shrine we find the idol of Adi Shankara-just behind the main Shrine inside the Complex. We also find deities like Subrahmanya installed there. The Dakshinamurthy statue is in the Northern Koshta facing south and we come to the Sub complex Shrine of Kali. Adi Shankara is said to have installed a chakra to calm down the Devi and to make her Sowmya roopi (Calm and resplendent). To this day - a select group of Nampoothiri Families perform the pooja and aradhana to this Lord and Goddess as desired by Adi Shankara.

Things to Buy

• Tamil Nadu, a land of great heritage, offers exciting shopping opportunities experiences to the visitors. Tamil Nadu is well known for its rich cultural heritage, which is so very well represented in its exquisite arts and crafts. The arts and crafts of the state are world-famous for their uniqueness and style. This unique heritage is seen all over the state. Traditional items like silk of Kanchipuram, Pattamara mats and the leaf, Tirunellveli's Palmyra-fiber handicrafts, bronze and brass castings and traditional jewelry from Kumbakonam, Tanjore's metal works and stone sculptures from Mahabalipuram are famous all over.

Things to Eat

• Uttappam with toppings, Banana Bonda, Dosa, Muruku, Sambar, Coconut chutney, Idli and vada, Lemon Rice, Paruppu Payasam.

Things to enjoy

• The prime festival is performed in the Tamilmonth of Masi (February–March) and historically draws large crowd. On the eighth day, an additional function called Mahiladisevai is performed. The Durga devi shrine in the northern side of the temple is associated with Kannagi, the protagonist of Silappadikaram, a 2nd-century Tamil epic. Each year a 15-day festival is celebrated in honour of Durga Devi and on the last day, the thatch roof of the event is burnt to symbolize Kannagi burning Madurai at the end of the epic.