About Tiruvarur

Tiruvarur is one of the earliest enlightenment ecosystems established by Paramasiva Himself when he sat here as Lord Tyagarajan. It has an unsurpassed continuity of living tradition and spiritual energy.

The presence of rare, ancient musical instruments, inscriptions copper plate inscriptions, artistic bronze and stone sculptures, the dated historical antiquity of the temple car, and the unbroken tradition and power of the temple as a sacred and historical site makes the Tyagaraja Swami temple at Tiruvarur the largest repository of Tamil cultural values and traditions. Tiruvarur has inspired and fostered creative genius over the centuries.

Regent Kings

This temple is the home of the legendary Chola Empire King Manu Neethi Cholan who followed the path of Sage Manu (Son of Surya – the Sun God who codified the Cosmic Principles into ruling laws of a Hindu Kingdom) and dealt even-handed justice according to the Code of Manu. In his palace, there was a Bell of Justice which was rung only in case of injustice done to man or animal. It is said that one day a cow came to the palace and rung the bell. On enquiry, the king learnt that his own son had trampled and killed her calf under his chariot wheels. Immediately, the king himself drove his chariot over his son and crushed him to death at the very spot where the calf was killed. At once Lord Paramasiva appeared before him and bestowed His grace on all of them. This incident is recorded in a stone inscription on the north wall of the second circumambulation path of this temple (a.r. 164 of 1894; SII, V, no. 456).