| Description:
This shrine is home to the Tiruvavaduturai Adhinam, the reputed Saiva Matham which manages
several charitable endowments . The annual festival here is of great significance and the
dance of Tyagarajar- Sundaranatanam is enacted (Pandarkatchi); this festival coincides
with the Gurupooja at the Adhinam. Tiruvavaduturai is considered to be
the 36th in the series of Tevara Stalams in the Chola kingdom located
south of the river Kaveri. Legend has it that Parvati
worshipped Shiva in the form of a cow. Shiva is said to have displayed this shrine as
Tiruvarur, and himself as Tyagarajar to Muchukunda Chola (of the famed Tiruvarur
Tyagaraja legend).. The stalavriksham Arasamaram is said to represent the Devas. Yama
is said to have worshipped here. Tirumoolar composed his Tirumantiram (under the arasa
maram) here. Shiva is said to have blessed Sambandar with material resources for the
conduct of religious services. Several Sidhas are said to have been blessed here. The
legends associated with this temple are connected with the legends relating to Shiva's
marriage with Parvati at Tiruvazhundur, .Tirutturutti (Kutralam), Tiruvelvikkudi, Tirumanancheri and Edirkolpadi.
Architecture: This temple with 3 prakarams covers an area of
about 10 acres and its entrance is adorned with a huge Rajagopuram; a gigantic Nandi
and separate temples for Ambal and Tirumular adorn this shrine..There are no Nandis on the
walls of the temple.Shiva is said to have revealed a vision of his Cosmic Dance under the
Arasamaram, hence the name Bodhi Ambalam. Kochenkancholan is associated with this shrine.
Inscriptions from the period of Parantaka Chola I are found here testifying to the
patronage extended. Mention is made in the inscriptions of several of the bronze images
which were donated to the temple then, although these ancient images are not to be seen
now. Based on temple inscriptions it can be inferred that a person by name
Katralippichchan built much of the stone structure of the temple while Parantaka
Chola I, provided for the rest of the construction. Images of several of the donors,
such as Katralippichchan are carved within the temple.
Festivals: Six worship services are offered each day. The
annual Bhrammotsavam is celebrated in the month of Thai (Capricorn), and Rathasaptami
which falls during this time is considered very significant. Also celebrated are Arudra
Darisanam, Aani Tirumanjanam, Skanda Sashti, Aadi pooram and the Saptami in the month of
Cancer. |
