!!........Tiruvarur Shiva Temple built in 7th–8th century CE........!!!!!

!!........Tiruvarur Shiva Temple built in 7th–8th century CE........!!!!!

The origin of the shrine at Tiruvarur is steeped in antiquity. Of the two major shrines in the temple, dedicated to Vanmikanathar and Tyagarajar the Vanmikanathar shrine is the older one. It enshrines a Shivalingam - prithvi lingam made of earth.

Two of the major legends surrounding the temple are associated with Manu Needi Cholan and Muchukunda Cholan respectively. Anecdotes referring to the lives of these legendary rulers (not attributable directly to any of the Cholas of the Sangam period or the Vijayalaya line of Cholas) are referred to in ancient Tamil literature such as Manimekalai and Silappadikaram.

The vibrant tradition of worship that was present at this shrine during the period of the Nayanmars, is evident from the wealth of the Tevaram hymns that are dedicated to Vanmikanathar (Purtidamkondaar) and Tyagaraja (Veedhi Vitankar).
Both Tirugnanasambandar and Tirunavukkarasar of the 7th century CE have sung of the glory of Tiruvarur. These hymns describe the grandeur of the town, the music and dance that filled the city. Tirunavukkarasar's hymns refer to Aaruran, Tirumoolattaanamudaiyaar and Veedhi Vitankar (Tyagaraja) and describe the grandeur of the Margazhi Tiruvadirai and Panguni Utthiram celebrations at Tiruvarur.

Royal patronage meted out to this shrine is evident from the abundant stone inscriptions that are seen in the temple complex.
Several literary works such as the Tiruvarur Puranam came to be written after the 15th century.

The Maratha ruler Serfoji Maharaja of Thanjavur was devoted to the shrine at Tiruvarur and he performed the renovation and the Kumbhabhishekam of the shrine in the year 1717. The great Karnatic music composer Mutthuswamy Deekshitar composed several kritis in praise of Tyagaraja, Kamalambika and other deities housed in the temple complex.