Thyagaraja Temple, Thiruvarur – Vanmikanathar Shrine
Presiding Lord Vanmeega Nathar appears gracefully
wearing the crescent moon on his head. Vanmikinathar, Lord of the Anthill, is
still the moolavar, the main deity revered at Thiruvarur. Vanmikinathar’s
consort Bhoga Amman cast for eternity in bronze sits in the tribhanga pose with
her hand on Prithvi, Earth. Her contact with the earth anchors
Tiruvarur as the Bhoomi Kshetram of the Pancha Bhoota Kshetrams. She is also
known as Somakula Amman, Padi Thanda Pathini or Piriyaa Vidai Amman
Vanmikanathar as an anthill is bedecked with flowers and holy ash. Appar, the 7th-century poet saint, refers to the main deity
in his hymn as Puttritrukondan (one who resides in the ant hill). The
Sthala Vriksham is Pathiri (trumpet flower tree).
