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Azhi Ther, Thiruvarur (the great chariot)
Thousands of hands on four ropes, and a wooden temple begins to move
The temple announces the car day at the flag-hoisting, about three weeks ahead; the Thiruvarur collector declares a local holiday about a week before.
The legend
Legend says the Chola king Muchukunda asked Indra for the image of Thyagaraja. Indra made six copies, but the king knew the true one and set it up at Tiruvarur.
Kulothunga Chola II (1133–1150) expanded the temple's year to fifty-six festivals, some of which are still kept.
Tiruvarur is the home town of all three great composers of Carnatic music, and Tyagaraja was named after this temple's deity.
Customs
The great chariot
The chariot, about 29 m tall and some 300 tonnes, is hauled on ropes round the four streets of the temple from dawn till evening.
The god's dance
Thyagaraja "dances" in procession: the ajapa natanam, a dance without chanting, which in fact is danced by the bearers carrying the image.
The float festival
The chariot festival is followed by the Theppam, the float festival on the temple tank.
Where to celebrate
Thiruvarur
Once a year the Azhi Ther, the largest temple chariot in Tamil Nadu, is hauled on four ropes around the four car streets of the Thyagaraja temple, from dawn until evening.