Thiruvarur Thiyagaraja

Thiyagaraja temple is one of the biggest temples in the town of Thiruvarur in South India.
The chief deity Shiva assumes the name Thiyagaraja. ‘Raja’ denotes a king.
The lion is called ‘mruga raja’ as it is the supreme among animals. Garuda is ‘Pakshi raja’ as it is the chief among birds. A supreme artist is honoured with a title, ‘panditha raja’. Likewise, Lord Parameshwara, has the title, ‘Thiyagaraja’ — the supreme among sacrifices.
What did He sacrifice? He sacrificed the ’self’. Thus, sacrifice of the ’self’ is the supreme sacrifice.
The Navagrahas in this temple are not positioned in a block as usually in temples. They are all in a straight line! More over, as they are in the court of the king – King Thiyagaraja, they appear submissive and obedient.