Thiruvaiyaru has been, and still is, home to many enlightened siddhas and ascetics. The 18th century saint-composer, Sri Thyagaraja, whose life was characterised by the ceaseless and divine music that flowed from him, was a resident of Thiruvaiyaru. His samadhi on the banks of the Cauvery is one of the reasons why people visit the place today.
Thyagaraja's family lived all his life in a house in Tirumanjana Veedhi (a kilometre south of the samadhi), given to the family by the Maratha royal family of Thanjavur. It is preserved for the public to visit even today (a good time to visit is around 11 am; the house is not kept open right through the day). The worship of Rama became the keynote of the boy's life, and he composed his first kriti, Namo namo Raghavaya' when he was 13, spontaneously, while worshipping the deity. Bhakti and music thereafter became his only interests in life. Thyagaraja composed more than 800 songs on Rama alone, apart from kritis praising other deities, including Aiyarappar. Saint Thyagaraja's music was a true example of nadopasana, worship through music.
The samadhi of Thyagaraja is housed in a small shrine in the middle of a shady stretch of land on the river banks. The view from here, of the river, the ghats (there are 24 in the town), and the many mansions built along the river by the Marathas, is pretty. There is something peaceful about this shrine, a feeling worth experiencing.
Every year the death anniversary of Saint Thyagaraja is commemorated on Bahula Panchami (mid-Jan) at his samadhi in Thiruvaiyaru with, appropriately, a music festival, the Thyagaraja Aradhanai. The best known Carnatic musicians join lesser known voices in singing the pancharatna kritis, the five compositions that are considered Thyagaraja's gems or ratnas. Listening to their voices soar in unison is a spiritual and emotional experience.
*Location 2 km north of the Panchanatheesvarar Temple Timings 7 am-noon, 4-8.30 pm Nearby Thingalur (the Navagraha Sthala for Moon or Thingal) is 6 km north-east
Thyagaraja's family lived all his life in a house in Tirumanjana Veedhi (a kilometre south of the samadhi), given to the family by the Maratha royal family of Thanjavur. It is preserved for the public to visit even today (a good time to visit is around 11 am; the house is not kept open right through the day). The worship of Rama became the keynote of the boy's life, and he composed his first kriti, Namo namo Raghavaya' when he was 13, spontaneously, while worshipping the deity. Bhakti and music thereafter became his only interests in life. Thyagaraja composed more than 800 songs on Rama alone, apart from kritis praising other deities, including Aiyarappar. Saint Thyagaraja's music was a true example of nadopasana, worship through music.
The samadhi of Thyagaraja is housed in a small shrine in the middle of a shady stretch of land on the river banks. The view from here, of the river, the ghats (there are 24 in the town), and the many mansions built along the river by the Marathas, is pretty. There is something peaceful about this shrine, a feeling worth experiencing.
Every year the death anniversary of Saint Thyagaraja is commemorated on Bahula Panchami (mid-Jan) at his samadhi in Thiruvaiyaru with, appropriately, a music festival, the Thyagaraja Aradhanai. The best known Carnatic musicians join lesser known voices in singing the pancharatna kritis, the five compositions that are considered Thyagaraja's gems or ratnas. Listening to their voices soar in unison is a spiritual and emotional experience.
*Location 2 km north of the Panchanatheesvarar Temple Timings 7 am-noon, 4-8.30 pm Nearby Thingalur (the Navagraha Sthala for Moon or Thingal) is 6 km north-east
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