Thiruvarur
How to Reach
Air
The nearest International Airport from Thiruvarur is Tiruchirapalli International Airport, Tamil Nadu, roughly two and a half hour drive from Thiruvarur (110 Km). It is well connected to a spectrum of cities in India and abroad such as Bangalore, Chennai, Singapore, and Malaysia etc. through Air India, Spice Jet and Jet Airways etc.
Train
Thiruvarur railway junction is a four way junction connecting Thanjavur in the west, Mayiladuthurai in the north, Nagapattinam in the east and Thiruthuraipoondi in the south.
Road
Thiruvarur is linked by rail and road from important places of the state. Thiruvarur is connected by National highways, NH 45A to Villupuram, NH 67 to Coimbatore. Thiruvarur is well connected with all major Districts / Cities of Tamil Nadu.
I Square Taxi in Thiruvarur
Discover the Rich Heritage of Thiruvarur with I Square Taxi
At I Square Taxi, we offer convenient transportation options, including One-way Drop Taxi, Drop Taxi, and Round Trip services. Our ideal customers are those seeking Outstation Taxi, Drop Taxi, Intercity Taxi, and One-way Taxi for their travel requirements.
History of Thiruvarur
Thiruvarur, once one of the five traditional capitals of the Chola Empire, is renowned as “the Granary of South India.” Initially attributed to the composite Thanjavur district, it is situated in the fertile delta region of the revered Cauvery River. Known as “Mother Cauvery,” this river nourishes the land, which is abundant in paddy fields, towering coconut groves, and lush greenery.
Thiruvarur is referenced in the Tevaram, a sacred text by prominent Saivite saints such as Thirugnana Sambanthar, Tirunavukkarasar, and Sundarar from the 7th and 8th centuries. The temple is classified as Padalpetrastalam and hosts various traditions, including the Marghazhi Aathirai Vizha and Panguni Uttirai Perunaal. The granite temple structure was originally constructed by Aditya Chola I in the 9th century and later renovated by Rajaraja Chola I and Rajendra Chola I, who also added inscriptions marking the temple’s historical significance.
Inscriptions reveal that Thiruvarur served as the capital of Kulothunga Chola I, solidifying its status as a center of Saivism. Following the decline of the Cholas in the 13th century, the region witnessed a power struggle between the Pandyas and Hoysalas. The Nayaks, Vijayanagar kings, and Marathas continued to support the area’s cultural flourishing. During the Maratha rule, the Nataraja from the Chidambaram temple temporarily resided here. The district faced brief occupation by French troops in 1759, during which the Thyagarajar Temple was vandalized in a failed search for treasure, resulting in the death of six Brahmins.
Post-independence, Thiruvarur remained part of the Thanjavur and Nagapattinam districts until it was established as a separate district on January 1, 1997.
Thiruvarur is historically recognized for its prominent figures in religion, arts, and science, featuring celebrated temples in places like Thiruveezhimalai, Thirupamparam, and Thirukkannamangai. The area is also the birthplace of the Carnatic music triumvirate: Shri Thiyagaraja Brahmam, Shri Muthuswamy Dheekshathar, and Shyama Shastri, adding to the district’s cultural prestige.
Agriculture is the mainstay of Thiruvarur’s economy, with over 70% of the workforce engaged in this sector. Paddy is the primary crop, contributing significantly to Tamil Nadu’s rice production, thanks to the fertile alluvial soil enriched by the Cauvery and its tributaries.
The Muthuppettai mangrove forests contribute to the district’s natural beauty and were designated as revenue forest in February 1937. These forests are now managed by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department.
Today, Thiruvarur district encompasses two revenue divisions, nine taluks, ten blocks, and 573 revenue villages, with the town of Thiruvarur serving as its headquarters.
Explore the beauty and heritage of Thiruvarur with I Square Taxi, your reliable travel companion for all your journey needs.
Tourism with I Square One Way Drop Taxi in Thiruvarur
Discover the Cultural and Spiritual Landmarks with I Square Taxi
At I Square Taxi, we provide One-way Drop Taxi, Drop Taxi, and Round Trip services, ideal for customers seeking Outstation Taxi, Drop Taxi, Intercity Taxi, or One-way Taxi options for their travel needs.
Places of Interest
Alangudi
Alangudi is famous for being a sacred site for worshipping Guru Bhagawan, one of the nine planets (Navagrahas). The temple dedicated to Guru is part of the Arulmighu Abthasahayeswarar Temple. Located along the Kumbakonam-Valangaiman road, Alangudi is 8 km from Valangaiman and 16 km from Kumbakonam. According to Hindu mythology, great sages like Aghasthiar and Adi Shankara worshipped Guru Bhagawan here. During the annual Guru Peyarchi festival, when Guru (Jupiter) shifts its zodiac sign, devotees from all over come to this temple.
Koothanur
Situated 21 km from Thiruvarur, Koothanur is a significant stop on the Mayiladuthurai-Thiruvarur road. It is famous for the Arulmighu Maha Saraswathy Amman Temple, dedicated solely to Saraswathi, the goddess of learning. This is the only temple in Tamil Nadu built specifically for Saraswathi. The temple has been visited by great poets such as Kavichakravarthy Kamban and Ottakkoothan. During the Navarathiri festival, devotees from across India flock to the temple to offer their prayers.
Mannargudi
Known for the majestic Shri Raja Gopalaswamy Temple, Mannargudi is often referred to as a town built around this grand temple and its temple tank. This shrine, also known as Kulothunga Cholan Vinnagaram, is renowned for its impressive Rajagopuram (main tower), which stands 154 feet tall. The temple complex includes 16 towers, 7 halls, 24 sanctuaries, and 18 vimanas, making it one of the most celebrated temples in the region. Festivals are held year-round, attracting a steady stream of visitors.
Enkan
Located along the Thiruvarur-Thanjavur road, Enkan is home to the Arulmighu Subramanya Swamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Subramanya. Raja Raja Cholan I established permanent endowments for daily worship and festivals. The temple is famous for its intricate sculpture of Lord Subramanya seated on his peacock, a stunning piece of ancient artistry. Devotees visit in large numbers during the Thaipoosam festival in January to witness the temple’s grandeur.
Valangaiman
The Varatharajan Pettai Maha Mariamman Temple in Valangaiman is situated 9 km from Kumbakonam on the Mannargudi road. Known locally as Paadaikavadi Mariamman, this temple celebrates its main festivals during the Tamil months of Avani (August-September) and Panguni (September-October), drawing large crowds of worshippers.
Muthupettai Dargah
The ancient Muthupettai Dargah (also known as Andavar Shahul Dawood Khamil Oliyullah Dargah) is over 700 years old and features remarkable Maratha architecture. This spiritual site attracts people from all religions and backgrounds, highlighting the unity in diversity that this holy place represents.
With I Square Taxi, you can explore these rich historical and cultural landmarks with ease and comfort. Let us be your trusted travel partner as you experience the spiritual heritage of Tamil Nadu.
Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary is a protected area located in Thiruvarur District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is declared as a protected area in December 1999. It is home to a variety of birds. Geographical position of Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary is 10°26’59’N 79°27’58’E. The Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary covers an area of around 0.45 sq km and is fed by an irrigation tank that receives water from the Mettur Dam and also by the northeast monsoon from the months of August till December. The tank remains dry between the months of April and August.
During the months of February and March, purple-moorhen and openbill storks can be seen here. Other migratory birds in the sanctuary include the white-ibis, Indian reef heron, white-necked stork, grey-heron, coot, night heron, purple-heron, little cormorant, spoonbill and darter
From September through December, the bird population inhabiting the sanctuary rises to around 10,000 birds. The ideal season to visit this sanctuary is during the months of November and December.
Flora
The Sanctuary’s diverse habitat includes lily patches, reed brakes, aquatic grass, etc.
Fauna
Several types of birds can be seen here from September onwards. A large number of Purple Moorhen and Open bill storks can be seen during the months of February and March. Many migratory birds also visit the sanctuary like Coot, Grey Heron, Black headed Ibis, Night Heron, Purple Heron, Little cormorant, Darter, Spoonbill, Indian Reef Heron and White necked stork. About 10000 birds congregate here during peak season from November- December.
A notable aspect of the sanctuary is the large number of purple moorhen and openbill storks during February and March. Birds start arriving sanctuary from September onwards. Bird population peaks during November- December up to 10000 birds congregate during peak season. A notable aspect of the Sanctuary is regular congregation of a large number of Openbill storks during February – March.
Tourists can visit the sanctuary throughout the year. However, the best time to visit the sanctuary in during the month of November. Two public observation towers have been built for the tourists inside the sanctuary. There are accommodation facilities available in PWD Rest House and private lodges in Muthupet and Thiruthuraipoondi. The sanctuary is open to visitors throughout the year. There are two watch towers inside the sanctuary for visitors
Wildlife Viewing: The best time to visit the sanctuary is during November
The sanctuary is open to visitors throughout the year.
The marshy land in Muthupet is the main tourist attraction in this area. This scenic spot is always evergreen with mangrove forest trees, in a sprawling area of 120 square kms. It is a wonderful sight for the tourists to see the wide expanse of backwater and the mangrove forests dotting over the entire area. Along with the deep rooted mangrove trees the other kinds of trees like Thandal, Thillai, Narikanthal, Neermulli also grow and add to the beauty of the lagoon. This lagoon has seventy-three colourful varieties of fish. Tourists can reach the Thalaimunai Mangrove Forest in a motorboat. It is an hour’s from the Jambavanodai point near Muthupettai.
A wooden pathway 162 mtrs long has been built for the benefit of the tourists to enjoying the mangrove forest. During the monsoon season November-January, a large number of birds migrate here from all over the world. Eighty different species of migratory birds congregate here having travelled a long distances. The birds come from Siberia, Russia, Iran, and Europe. Among them the notable species of birds are the heron, egret, flamingo, the painted stork, pelican, teal and tern. The migration of these birds is an extraordinary sight that adds to the beauty of this district.
Festivals, Culture & Heritage
Chariot festival : Kulothunga Chola II (1133–50 CE) enlarged the temple ritual to have fifty six festivals, some of which are followed in modern times. The annual chariot festival of the Thygarajaswamy temple is celebrated during April – May, corresponding to the Tamil month of Chitrai. The chariot is the largest of its kind in Asia and India weighing 300 tonne with a height of 90 feet. The chariot comes around the four main streets surrounding the temple during the festival. The event is attended by lakhs of people from all over Tamil Nadu. The chariot festival is followed by the “Theppam”, meaning float festival.
Thaipoosam festival in Arulmighu Subramanya Swamy temple at Enkan is celebrated in the middle of January.
During the Tamil months of Avani(Aug-Sep) and Panguni (Sep-Oct)Varatharajan Pettai Maha Mariyamman temple festival is celebrated.
Navarathri festival is celebrated in Arulmighu Maha Saraswathi Amman Temple at Koothanur.
Places of religious, historical or archelogical importance in villages and places of tourist interest in the towns of Thiruvarur district.
The district is having many places of tourist interest and pilgrim centers, which attract the tourists and pilgrims from all parts of the country and abroad for its historical, architectural and ecological importance. Following are the important centers in this district.
Thiruvarur is located 290 kms away from Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu and is positioned between Nagapattinam (24 kms) and Thanjavur (56 kms). Thiruvarur district is famous for its evergreen paddy fields and temples with sky-high towers. This town is situated in the south east of Tamil Nadu. The Arulmighu Shri Thiyagarajar temple located in Thiruvarur town has many distinctions. It has the largest chariot or temple car among the temples in Tamil Nadu. The enormous Kamalalayam and the golden calm water in the temple tank are the glory of the town. The Arulmighu Shri Rajagopalaswamy temple in Mannargudi, Shri Subramanyaswamy shrine in Enkan, Arulmighu Shri Saraswathy temple at Koothanur and the Guru temple, one of the important Navagrahas at Alangudi are some of the prominent places of worship in Thiruvarur district.
The mangrove forests in Muthuppettai, occupies an important place among the nature’s beauty of this district, besides the sprawling paddy fields on both sides of rivers, canals and roads. The Birds’ sanctuary in Udhayamarthandapuram and Vaduvoor are wonderful places that attract tourists.
Other famous historical temples are located in Thiruveezhimalai, Thirupamparam, Thirumeichur, Shrivanchiyam, Thillaivilagam and Thirukkannamangai. At Jambavanodai near Muthuppettai there is an ancient and glorified dargah. The triumvirate of Carnatic music, Shri Thiyagaraja Brahmam, Shri Muthuswamy Dheekshathar and Shyma Shastri were born here and this adds admiration, dignity and glory to this district.
The Arulmighu Thiyagarasaswamy temple in Thiruvarur is famous in many aspects . This is the most revered and glorified of all Attaveeratta temples of Lord Shiva. Inside this temple, there is an art gallery depicting the greatness of the judicious king Manuneethi Cholan. The striking features of this temple are the Arulmighu Shri Kamalambal shrine and the sacred temple tank containing a small temple in miniature in the middle of it. The Shri Kamalambal shrine is one of the seats of the great mother, the goddess Shakti. This holy town has the glory of being eulogized in the Thevaram. The ancient musical instruments the Panchamuga and the PariNadaswaram were made here and it is interesting to note that these ancient musical instruments are used till today in this town.
The Carnatic music festival celebrated every year also garners large audience. The town has 10 parks, with the Somasundaram Park at Panagal Road and Municipal Park at Thendral Nagar being the most prominent of them.
Historically Thiruvarur has been a centre of eminent people in religion, arts and science. Sundarar, an 8th-century Saivite saint, mentions “I am the slave of all those born in Thiruvarur” in his works in Tevaram. Two of the 63 nayanmars of Saivite tradition namely, Kalarsinga Nayanar and Tandiyadigal Nayanar were born in Thiruvarur. The Periyapuranam, a 12th century Saiva canonical by Sekkizhar, dedicates a chapter to those born in Thiruvarur including these two saints.
The town was a traditional centre of music and dance–the inscriptions from Rajaraja Chola associates a large body of dancers associated with the temple. Thiruvarur is home to Trinity of Carnatic music namely Thyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Shyama Shastri. Muthuswami Dikshitar has sung eulogies of the temple deities of the Thyagarajaswami temple. There was large influx of the acumen of South Indian culture to the town during the 17th century due to the political unrest in Thanjavur and increased patronage of the Maratha kings to Thiruvarur, resulting in developments in music and dance. A unique musical instrument called Panchamuga Vadyam with each of its five ends ornamented differently is used in the temple. A type of nadaswaram (pipe instrument) called Barinayanam is also a unique instrument found only in Thiruvarur.