Thyagaraja Temple

About Thyagaraja Temple

Thyagaraja Temple (also called as Vadivudai Amman Temple) is a Hindu temple dedicated to Hindu god Shiva. It is located in Tiruvottiyur in the northern part of Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The temple is revered by the Tevaram hymns of Saiva nayanars, the 7th century Tamil saint poets and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. All the Three of Thevaram Moovar (Appar, Samandar and Sundarar) has rendered Thevaram songs in this temple. The temple is closely associated with the saint poet Sundarar and Pattinathar.

Legend

Brahma is the Hindu god of creation and one of the three primary gods of Hinduism, the other two being Vishnu, god of preservation and Shiva, god of destruction . He created the Devas(Gods) and Asuras (Demons) and Daityas - both these groups fight against each other. While the antigods, called asuras use muscle power, the Gods called devas use the power of Veda, the sacred texts. Once, two asuras, Madhu and Kaithaba tricked the gods to steal the Veda, chopped it to pieces and hid it in the bottom of the sea. Vishnu fought the demons, but could not defeat them.

History

The temple was the centre of learning, with the halls inside the temple acting as venue for religious discourses in subjects like vyakarna (translation), Somasiddantha (philosophy) and Panini's grammar. There was a hermitage attached to the temple during the 9th century, presided over by Caturananas Pandithar. The temple also had philosophical discourses and expositions on grammar. There are references to recital of Prabhakara, Rudra, Yamala, Purana, Sivadharma, Panchanga and Bharata. Lands were granted to learned scholars and their generation like Vedavritti, Bhattavriti, Vaidyavritti and Archanavritti.

There are a number of inscriptions inside the temple dating back to Pallava period. Sankaracharya, the 8th century scholar in the advaita school of Hinduism is believed to have visited the temple to put down the power of evil. The temple was originally built by Pallavas and later rebuilt by Rajendra Chola I. The inscription dating 954 CE, the fifth year of the Chola king Gandaraditya indicates 90 sheep for burning lamps and ilavilaku, a lamp made in Sri Lanka). The inscriptions dating from 1046 CE reveal that 64 bronze nayanmar statues were installed in the temple.

Architecture and layout

The presiding deity is Aadhipureeswarar is in the form of a mud mound covered by armour. On the day of the full moon of the Tamil month karthigai, the armour is removed and the representation of the god is visible to devotees. The Lord is anointed with punugu, javvadhu, and sampirani oils. There is a Durga shrine in the northern side of the temple. Inside the main temple complex, opposite the main shrine, is Nataraja shrine and in the koshta is the Ganapati shrine.

The name of the goddess at this temple is Vadivudaiamman alias Tripurasundari. The goddess is housed in a separate shrine inside the Temple complex. The temple with Vadivudai Amman as its chief goddess is the third of the Sakthi temple triad in the region of the Tondaimandalam, namely, Thiruvudai Amman (also known as Ichchaa Sakthi, the goddess who fulfills devotees' wishes), Vadivudai Amman (also known as Gnaana Shakti, the goddess who blesses with gnana or knowledge), and Kodiyidai Ammam (also known as Kriya Shakti, the goddess who assists in all actions). The Kodiyidai Amman shrine is at Thirumullaivoyal while the Thiruvudai Amman shrine is at Melur (Minjur).

Background adapted from Wikipedia, “Thyagaraja Temple, Tiruvottiyur”, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Edited for length; verify details locally.

Plan your visit

How to reach

Thyagaraja Temple is roughly 9 km from Chennai, about 10 min by road. The nearest airport is Chennai (MAA), about 23 km away. Most visitors base themselves in Chennai, which has the rail links and hotels, and make this a day trip. Open directions in Google Maps →

Timings: like most Tamil Nadu temples, expect an early-morning opening around 6 am, a midday closure from roughly noon to 4 pm, and evening darshan until about 8–9 pm. Festival days change everything, so confirm locally.

Festival days to plan around

This temple's own festivals: Maasi Bramotsavam, Vasantha urchavam, Shivarathiri, Thai poosam, Navarathiri, Skandashashti, Aadi pooram, Arudhra darshan, Vattaparaiamman urchavam, Navarathiri and Pournami days.

• Maha Shivaratri — February–March
• Pradosham — twice a month, evening
• Arudra Darshan — December–January
• Karthigai Deepam — November–December

Exact dates move with the lunar calendar every year; the festival calendar lists them to 2031, and the daily panchangam shows the tithi and nakshatra for any date.

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Quick facts

Visiting

Most temples in Tamil Nadu open early morning and again in the evening, closing through the midday hours — plan darshan before noon or after 4pm and confirm timings locally, since festival days change everything. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered), leave footwear at the stands provided, and note that some sanctums admit Hindus only while towers and outer courtyards welcome everyone. Photography rules vary; ask before shooting inside.

Timing a visit? Check today’s panchangam for auspicious windows and festival days, and use our free itinerary builder to slot temples, food and rest into your day.

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