My Journeys In India: Mannargudi Thiruvarur Nachiarkoil Oothukadu and Nearby Places

As usual, some interesting facts first .....

Thiruvarur Temple chariot is Asia's largest with 300 tonne weight and 96 ft high, completely made of wood. Annual chariot festival happens during the month of April - May (Tamil month Chithirai). Look at my Chennai Blog, where you can see the picture of Large and Huge Stone chariot - inspired by the design of this Wooden chariot. Everywhere in Shiva temple, Nandi will be sitting but here Nandi is in standing position. Navagraha in all temples will be placed not facing each other and in each direction, but here all standing together in a line facing the Lord Thiyagarajar. The Theppam (float) here is 50 feet by 50 feet with 30 feet high and 800 people can sit inside it. This is very unique and very large in the world. Google search for "Thiruvarur Theppam" to see this float festival. This temple has the maximum number of shrines in India.

Saranatha Perumal temple listed below, has a shrine dedicated to Goddess Cauvery which is unique and is also one of 108 Divya Desams. Built around the 8th century, the main god Saranatha Perumal is about 12 feet tall.

Kal Garuda (Stone Garuda) at Nachiar Koil is very unique in the whole of the world. During the festival time, they carry Garuda from the main sanctum to outside through various gates, the weight keep increasing. So initially 4 people carry, after some point 8 need to carry the same, again after crossing another gate it needs to be carried by 16, 32, 64 and finally 128. And again when they carry it back to the main sanctum, it goes reverse. Google search in Youtube for "Kal Garudan" to see this. Even sweat is observed on Kal Garuda during the procession.

Nachiar Koil temple is built around 3rd century, in the main sanctum, you could see 5 deities in standing position attending the wedding. Lord Brahma, Pradyumna, Anirudha, Sankarshana, Vishnu with Sridevi, Bhudevi are seen in main sanctum which is very unique.

The Mannargudi Rajagopuram is 154 feet high. The main deity is 13 feet tall. Built around the 1st century, Also from the top of the tower, you could see Srirangam temple on a clear day. The temple tank is the largest in India. There are 16 towers in total in this temple.

154 Feet high Tower, Sculptures seen only from 7th stage

Very tall Stone pillar in front of the main tower

It was around the Christmas holidays time and as usual, we decided to continue our visit to Kumbakonam temples. This I guess is our 5th trip around Kumbakonam and still lot many temples are there which we have not seen yet. It is really amazing to see all these temples and know the story, architecture, history, significance of the temple...etc.

Since there are too many temples in and around Kumbakonam, one blog may not be enough to cover all. So I have covered my each of my visits in separate blogs as shown below.

Though we mentioned about Thiruvarur in earlier blog "Chidambaram and Nearby Places", we got a chance to visit the temple only this time and covered details and photos in this blog.

Note: This is not all and we have not visited multiple temples. As we visit them, will update these blogs in future. We hope, these are useful and handy with Google map links, route details. Share your comments below.

Here, in this Blog, we have taken the route that we wanted to cover in one full day. See below the route map with the Google Link. You may skip Vaduvur birds sanctuary, as the Season is only from November to February or plan this separately.

Route map and directions

You can start from Kumbakonam and cover these places in this order. Change your plans, skip as needed and according to your needs.

Note: Each temple listed below has the Google Map link, just click it to go to the temple in Google map

1. 108 Divya Desam - Nachiarkoil Sri Thirunaraiyur Nambi Temple or Kal Garudan Temple
2. 108 Divya Desam - Sri Saranatha Perumal Temple, Thirucherai
3. Sri Veezhinathasamy Temple, Thiruveezhimizhalai
4. Maha Saraswathi Temple Koothanur
5. Arulmigu Thiyaagaraaja Swaamy Temple, Thiruvarur
6. Sri Rajagopalaswamy Temple, Mannargudi
7. Vaduvur Birds Sanctuary, Vaduvur
8. Sri Garbarakshambigai Temple, Thirukarukavur
9. Oothukadu Kalinga Narthana Perumal, Oothukkadu
10. Sri Thenupureeswarar Thirukovil, Patteeswaram

Hope this gives you all an Idea of these temples in a map. Google has restrictions on number of points, hence not included Kumbakonam which is a starting point

Click this link to see the route map with all these stops in Google map.

1. Mannargudi Rajagopalaswamy Temple

It is so beautiful to see Lord Krishna as a Shepherd boy with a whip on one hand and a turban. Holding a ball of butter on his right hand, Child ornaments around the hip and a key bunch, bracelet on other hand, Jewels all around, he is so beautiful. There is also a cow and two calves by his side. He also wears an earring on his left ear. Goddess Sengamala Thayar has a separate shrine. Utsava moorthy is a bronze idol made in 11th century during Chola period.

The temple complex has 16 towers on all sides, 7 Prakarams. The temple tank is very huge covering 23 acres. This is one of the largest temple tank in India. Build during 10th century. The main tower is built around 15th century.

Morning at around 7.00AM, you get Pongal as a Prasadam inside the temple. For breakfast, Lunch or Dinner, you have Aariyas and Aanandas opposite to the main tower. You can walk as well from the temple to these restaurants.

Beautiful 1000 pillar mandapam

Do you see Lord Ganesha and Murugan? (on the left bottom corner of the tower)

Huge Prakaram and more than 20+ feet high compound walls

Inner temple tower

Useful board on all the Vishnu temples nearby from here

2. Thiruvarur Thyagaraja Temple

30 Acres of temple complex with 9 towers and 12 festivals throughout the year. During Kulothunga Chola period in 11th century, they had around 56 festivals in this temple. After you worship the face of Lord Shiva here in the form of Thyagesa you need to visit Vilamal village (click this Google map link) which is 3 Kms from here to worship his feet.

Another thing is that, the Nandi is in standing position unlike in any other temple, where Nandi will be in sitting posture. The chariot festival and the Theppam (float) are the famous festivals that attracts lakhs of people. This happens during the month of Chithirai or between March and April. The huge wooden chariot weighs 300 tonne and 96 feet height. Also the Theppam can carry around 800 people at a time. The stone chariot you see in Valluvar Kottam chennai is based on this chariot design. Visit my Chennai blog to see the photo of the stone chariot.

There is a huge temple tank and in middle there are Yogambal and Naganathar temple. You need to take boat to visit. Boat service is available only in evening I heard.

To see the entire temple with all details, you need the at least 3 to 4 hours. Once you enter the temple from the main tower, on left side you will see multiple stone pillars. They seem to be the Sun dial to see, follow the stars.

There are around 86 Vinayaka idols, Dakshinamoorthy, Hayagriswarar, Saraswathi, Murugan, Anjaneya, Kamalambal, Navagrahas in single line, ......etc...etc. Close to 100 shrines inside this temple and hence the unique temple in India with so many shrines.

Main Temple Tower - Raja Gopuram on East

The place where Lord Shiva appeared before Thandi Adigal, Sundaramoorthy Nayanar and Manu Needhi Cholan, near the huge temple tank

Do you see the temple in Middle? It is Yogambal and Naganadhar Temple and you need to go by Boat

Huge wooden door, this seem to be closed, but enter through the small opening

On the Rajagopuram you can see beautiful sculptures

Rajagopuram and beautiful sculptures

Information Board (in Tamil)

This the drawing of Theppam (float). This board says, 50 feet length and 50 feet wide with 30 feet height. Approximately 800 people can sit in this Theppam.

Information Board in Tamil

View of the Towers from Inner Prakaram

Information Board in Tamil

Main entrance and beautiful sculptures

Thiruvarur Thyagaraja Temple Inscriptions

Inscriptions on the temple wall

The huge 300 tonne wooden chariot .... Sorry we could not take a better picture. But we are sure to see this chariot once in lifetime during the festival and update this blog again....

3. Thiruveezhimizhalai Veezhinathar Temple

This is very ancient temple built around Chola period in 10th century. When there was a severe drought in this area, Sambandar and Thirunavukarasar visited this temple and worshipped Lord Shiva to save people. Lord Shiva offered daily-allowance coins ("Padi-Kaasu" in tamil) daily to both of them. Using these gold coins they offered food to needy people. Even now, the math where they offered food is located in Vadakku Therodum Veedhi or North car street.

This is also the temple where Lord Vishnu worshiped Shiva with 1000 Lotus flowers. When he was short of 1 flower, he offered his own eye to Lord Shiva as a flower. The eye offered is seen at the feet of Shiva here. The main sanctum Vimana is brought from heaven by Lord Vishnu.

Another interesting thing is that, there is a parrot that worships the lord daily using a hole in the wall. See below the picture. There is a Paathala Nandi (Paathala means underground), see below the pictures.

Temple Tower

View of the Temple Tank and the Temple

Thiruveezhimizhalai Veezhinathar Temple Prakaram

Huge walls and the Inner Prakaram

Saint Appar received daily allowance or Padikasu from Lord Shiva here

This looks very similar to Darasuram temple

Padhala Nandi

Inner view of the Temple and the Vimana you see in middle is brought from heaven by Lord Vishnu,.

You can Google for Elephant, Snake, Monkey worshiping various Gods, here in this temple Parrot goes through this hole and worship the Lord.

Jackfruit tree is the Sthala Virutcham here

4. Saranathan Perumal temple Thirucherai

One of the 108 Divya Desams. Lord Saranatha Perumal appeared for Goddess Cauvery when she did penance here. There is a shrine for Goddess Cauvery. The inscriptions in the temple are from 906 to 946 A.D. The Perumal is in standing posture and of 12 feet high. Unique thing about this temple is that, you get to worship Sridevi, Bhoodevi, Mahalakshmi, Saranayaki and Neeladevi here all in main shrine.

Main Temple Tower

Inner Tower

Inner View of the temple and the towers

This is the Horse that is installed on the Chariot

5. Srinivasa Perumal Temple (or) Kal Garudan Temple Nachiyar Koil

More than the main Srinivasa Perumal, Kal Garuda is very famous in this temple. Kal means stone in Tamil. Generally wooden or metal idols are used for procession, but here Kal Garuda is made of Saligrama stone(???) and they use for procession.

During the festival time, they carry Garuda from the shrine via all the gates for the procession. First they need just 4 people to carry, once they come out of the main sanctum, you need 8 people to carry as the weight increased. Then later when you come out from the next gate from temple, you need 16, 32, 64 and 128 to carry. The weight keep increasing as they carry it outside. Also one can see the sweat on Garuda's face as well. And same happens reverse as they carry Garuda inside the temple. This temple believed to be built around 3rd century.

Another interesting thing is that you get to worship Lord Brahma, Pradyumna, Anirudha, Sankarshana, and Purushothama. All in main sanctum.

Again this is also one of the 108 Divya Desams.

Main Temple Tower

16 Pillared Mandapam and the view of the tower from inside

View of the Mandapam inside the temple

Information Board in Tamil

6. Koothanur Maha Saraswathi Amman Temple

Many visit for their success in education, career. Along with Coconut, Banana, there are multiple shops who sells Notebooks, pens and pencils. People who visit the temple buy these and present in front of Goddess Saraswathi and start writing or reading. Some buy notebooks, pens and pencils in large quantity and distribute to other students who visit the temple.

Famous tamil poets Ottakoothar and Kambar wrote wrote songs on this goddess. this temple seem to be 1000 years old.

Main Temple Tower

7. Garbharakshambigai temple, Thirukarukavur

This is an ancient temple of God Shiva dedicated to Sri Mullaivananathar and Sri Garbarakshambigai Amman. Appar, Sundarar and Sambandhar, the three famous Nayanmaars have celebrated the glory of this temple in verses. Sri Mullaivananathar swamy is worshipped for better health and well being.

Sri Mullaivananathar Swamy is worshiped for better health. The God Shiva here is swayambhu (self manifested). Even today we can see the impression of mullai creeper over him. He is made up of hardened mud and there is no Abhishegam for this God. We have not got a chance to visit this temple, will add photos after our visit in future.

7. Oothukadu Kalinga Narthanar Temple

The main deity is Lord Veda Narayanar with Sridevi and Bhudevi. The temple gained
popularity after they found Panchaloga idol of Kalinga Narthana Perumal in Temple Tank. It is also believed that sage Naradha witnessed this Kalinga Narthanam here and prayed to Lord Krishna to remain here in this village.

You may need to notice this special thing carefully. It is so intricately sculpted that one can insert a thin piece of paper between the Lord's left leg and the head of the serpent. According to the temple Bhattachaarya, the beauty is that the weight of the Lord's body rests on the left hand that holds the serpent's tail. One can also see the scars on the right leg of Lord Krishna formed due to the violent beating from Kaalinga's tail.

We went late in evening and could not take any photos of the temple. It was a very small and beautiful village.

8. Sri Thenupureeswarar Thirukovil, Patteeswaram

I have covered this with photos and details in my main Kumbakonam blog itself. Visit my main blog.

Hope you like the details, photos and links. Wish it is useful, share with your friends and family. Visit and get blessings. Read my other blogs and know all the beautiful places in India. Click the links below to read them.