Tiruvarur
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
|
Tiruvarur
Tamil Nadu • India |
|
 |
|
| District(s) | Tiruvarur |
| Coordinates | |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Area • Elevation |
• 3 m (10 ft) |
| Population | 56,280 (2001) |
| Municipal Chairperson | K. Thennan[1] |
Tiruvarur is a city and a municipality in Tiruvarur district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Tiruvarur is the administrative headquarters of Tiruvarur district. This ancient town in Chola heartland is famous for Sri Tyagaraja temple and the annual chariot festival held in the month of April. Tiruvarur also happens to be the birth place of Carnatic music trinity.
Contents |
[edit] History
According to mythical sources, the central temple in Tiruvarur was installed by Muchukanta Chola.[2] Tiruvarur is also associated with another legendary king Manuneedhi Cholan.
Tiruvarur finds a mention in the works of Thirugnana Sambanthar and Tirunavukkarasar, the foremost Saivite saints of 7th century CE.[3] Tirunavukkarasar mentions about the Tiruvarur temple traditions like Marghazhi Aathirai Vizha, Panguni Uttirai Perunaal, Veedhivitakanin Veedhi Panni. The granite structure of Tyagarajaswami temple was first constructed by Aditya Chola I in 9th century and revamped during the reign of Rajaraja Chola I. The temple was upgraded and rebuilt with stone by Rajendra Chola I.[2] The royal patronage continued and the town flourished as a cultural centre during the rule of Nayaks, Vijayanagar kings and Marathas. The three great Carnatic musicians of 18th century, Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Shastri were born in Tiruvarur.
Tiruvaur was part of the Thanjavur District till 1981 and Nagapattinam District till 1997. Tiruvarur was made the headquarters of Tiruvarur District when it was carved out of Nagapattinam in 1997.
A region inside the town called Kodikkal Palayam forms a major muslim dominated area where we can see the social harmonics and good hospitality.
[edit] Geography
Tiruvarur is located at [4]. It has an average elevation of 3 metres (9 feet). Tiruvarur is situated at a distance of 24 km from Nagapattinam and 56 km from Thanjavur.
[edit] Economy
Tiruvarur lies in the Kaveri River river basin and the main occupation of people in Tiruvarur and surrounding areas is agriculture.
[edit] Demographics
As of 2001 India censusGRIndia, Tiruvarur had a population of 56,280. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Tiruvarur has an average literacy rate of 81%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 85%, and female literacy is 76%. In Tiruvarur, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age.
[edit] Tyagaraja temple
The ancient Sri Thiyagaraja temple at Tiruvarur is dedicated to Somaskanda aspect of Shiva. The temple complex has shrines dedicated to Vanmikanathar, Tyagarajar and the Kamalaamba. The temple complex covers an area of over 20 acres and the Kamalalayam temple tank covers around 25 acres.[5] The temple tank is one of the largest in the country,[2] and the temple chariot is the largest of its kind in Tamil Nadu.[6] The annual car festival is celebrated in the month of Chitrai (April/May). Every year after the car festival, the theppam festival is celebrated. The temple kumbabishekam is performed every twelve years, the last of which occurred in 2001.
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ The Hindu dated 29 October 2006
- ^ a b c Aravind & Soumya Sitaraman. Timeless Thiruvarur. Retrieved on November 11, 2006.
- ^ History of Tiruvarur. Retrieved on November 11, 2006.
- ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Thiruvarur
- ^ Tiruvarur Temple Layout. Retrieved on November 11, 2006.
- ^ Thiruvarur at Tamil Nadu tourism website. Retrieved on November 11, 2006.
