Tamilnadu Tourism: Thyagaraja Temple, Thiruvottriyur

Thyagaraja Temple, Thiruvottriyur – The Temple

The temple has a seven-tiered gateway tower, a tank, with the overall temple area covering 1 acre. There are three Dwajastambams, one each before the shrine of Aadhipureeswarar, Vadivudai Amman and Vattapparai Amman. There are two spacious shrines for the presiding deities and several small shrines also. The unpaved ground gives a natural look and takes one back to the olden times itself. The temple is one among the Saptha Vidanga Sthalas. Lord Thyagaraja is the main deity of the temple.

The temple has the halls inside for learning, acting as a venue for religious discourses in subjects like Vyakarna, Somasiddantha and Panini’s grammar. There was a sanctum attached to the temple during 9th century, presided over by Caturananas Pandithar. There are references to recital of Prabhakara, Rudra, Yamala, Purana, Sivadharma, Panchanga and Bharata. Lands were granted to learned scholars and their generation like Vedavritti, Bhattavriti, Vaidyavritti and Archanavritti.

The Thyagarajaswami temple is a masterpiece of South Indian temple Architecture. The awe-inspiring Raja gopura, the Gajabrushta Vimana, the Vasantha Mandapa, the Thyagaraja shrine, the Ornate doorways and the Nandipeeta vidana are some of the rare masterpieces of fine art. The Nandhi, the mount of Lord Siva is seen soon after the entrance and is kept on a high pedestal which is reached by a flight of steps. One can see the youngsters climbing up the steps and reaching the Nandhi to whisper their wishes into its ears for fulfillment.

By the side of the Siva’s shrine, is the Devi Vatta Parai Amman. There is a circular stone alter before the Devi where Adi Shankaracharya, worshiped and installed a Sri Chakram to pacify the once aggressive Kali Devi here. There is a separate entrance at the northern side of the main shrine for Vatta Parai Amman with a Dwajastambams. There is a Durga shrine in the northern side of the temple.

Inside the main temple complex - Just opposite to the main shrine we find the Nataraja shrine 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. The Dakshinamurthy statue is in the Northern Koshta facing south.

Apart from the main shrines, there are a lot of shrines in this temple. Some of the notable shrines are 27 star Shiva shrines and Tiruvotteeswarar shrine. The other shrines within the complex are: Thiruptheeswarar, Kuzhandhai Eesar, Jaganadhar, Annamalayar, Jambukeswarar, Nagalingar, Meenakshi, Sundareswarar, Gowleeswarar (Lizard God), Murugan, Akasha Lingam, Nava Grahas, Sahasralingam, Amirthakandeesar, Gowrieeswarar, and Ekabaadhar (God with one foot).

Another unique feature of this temple is the 27 small shrines in a row for all the 27 Nakshatras or Stars in the form of Lingams of various sizes. All Lingams are facing north. Pujas are performed to these Lingas on Shivarathri day. Those facing adverse planetary effects, pray here with pujas and abisheks on their star days. They offer sweet pudding-Sarkarai Pongal Nivedhana and donate paddy for relief. It is a common sight to see people coming here on their birth days and special occasions for performing archana on their behalf. All these 27 shrines are on the Southern side in the temple complex.

The Sthala Vrikshams are Athi tree and Magizha Tree. The wishing tree of Gods, Magizha tree became the sacred tree of the temple. There is a famous story associated with this Magizha tree. This tree is visible even from outside the temple, through the entrance. Lord praised as Kauleeswarar is blessing the devotees from a separate shrine. He appears in a Yoga form holding a bowl on his left upper hand and the lower hand on the chest. His right hand shows the Chin Mudra promising protection and wisdom to devotees. Children are advised to pray here for shining in education.

Lord Vinayaka in the mandapa before the shrine of Padampakka Nathar is praised as Gunalaya Heramba Vinayaka. People pray here to develop noble habits. Lord Shiva as Truptheeswar – Lord of Satisfaction – graces from a square stone. People not satisfied with the going in their lives light ghee lamps here. Presiding deity is under the Gajabrushta Vimana. Nandhi in the prakara is on a high peeta. Akasha Linga shrine is also in the prakara.

Lord Muruga here is praised by Saint Arunagiriar. Those suffering from stomach pain worship here for relief. Pujas are also performed at Sundarar-Sangiliar shrine on Poornima days. Those seeking child boon pray at Lord Kuzhandeeswarar shrine. Saint Pattinathar temple, a little far from Lord Thyagaraja temple is on the shores of Bay of Bengal. Lord Bhairava graces the temple without his dog vaahana. Brahmma and Nandhi Theerthams are the Theerthams associated with this Temple.