The Thiyagaraja(Thiruvarur Periya Kovil) temple at Thiruvarur is one of the ancient heritage sites of India.
The actual history of Thiruvarur Periya Kovil (Thiyarajar Temple) goes back more than 30th Century BC. The chola kings just renovated the Thiyarajar temple and built few extra shrines inside the temples. The known foremost devotee Tirunavukkarasar on 7th Century CE itself has said in his pasurams that the real existence of this cultural heritage is unknown and the temple is in existence for many centuries.
The annual chariot festival is celebrated in the month of Chitrai (April/May). Every year after the chariot festival, the Theppam festival is celebrated. The temple Kumbabishekam is performed every twelve years, most recently in 2001.
In this temple there is an excellent and unique musical instrument called "Panchamuga Vadyam" with five faces. Each face is ornamented; one with a snake, another with lotus and another one is plain without decorations. One has a Swastik sign. Over each face leather is spread and over the central one Deerskin is spread. It is said that Nanchi Devi played on this instrument when Lord Shiva danced.
