| Description:
This Shivastalam (Tirukkaaraivaasal) is regarded as of the 7 SaptaVitanka temples, housing
shrines to Tyagaraja - Somaskandar associated with the Muchukunda Chola legend of
Tiruvarur . Tirukkarayil is located 13 km south of Tiruvarur. The seven Vitankastalams are
Tiruvarur, Tirukkuvalai,
Tirukkaaraivaasal, Tirumaraikkaadu,
Tiru Naagai, Tirunallaaru
and Tiruvaimur. This
shrine is regarded as the 119th in the series of Tevara Stalams in the
Chola Region south of the river Kaveri. Legends:
Indra is said to have worshipped Shiva on a full moon night in the month of Virgo.
It is believed that Kadukkaai Pillaiyaar here, transformed a trader's cargo
of nutmeg into Kadukkaai and then back to Kadukkaai, in a legend similar to that at Tiruppayatrankudi.
The image of Tyagarajar is believed to be one of the 7 from which
Indra is believed to have asked Muchukunda Cholan to pick the original image of
Somaskandar worshipped by Mahavishnu. . Muchukunda Cholan is believed to have picked the
right one, and Indra is believed to have rewarded him with all of the 7 images, which the
latter installed at 7 different places within his territory, and it is these 7 temples
which constitute the 7 Vitankastalams.
The Temple: Tyagarajar here is known as Aadi Vitankar and
is associated with the Kukkuta Natanam dance. The temple covers an area of
about an acre. The Indra Theertham is located to the North of the temple.
Festivals: Six worship services are offered here each day, and the
annual Bhrammotsavam festival is celebrated in the Tamil month of
Vaikasi. |
