7 Sapta Vidanga Stala Kritis
Dr. Rukmini Ramani has composed kritis on all seven Sapta Vidanga Stalams of Lord Shiva. These kritis beautifully depict the names of natanams and vidangars. The kritis are as follows:
- Ajapa Natanam in Ragam Vagadheeshwari
- Paara Vaara Tharanga Natanam in Ragam Lathangi
- Unmatha Natanam in Karaharapriya
- Hamsa Natanam in Mayamalavagowlai
- Kukkuda Nadanam in Aabhogi
- Kamala Natanam in Ragam Saaranga
- Bringa Natanam in Kedaragaulai.
Stala Puranam: There are seven temples where Vidanga Murtis are worshipped, known as Saptha Vidanga Sthalams, located near Thanjavur. Thyagaraja or Somaskanda Murti is the processional deity in these temples. Each Murti has a special name and performs a unique dance during processions. Legend has it that a Chola king named Muchkunda Chakravarty helped Indra win a battle and requested the Thyagaraja idol as a gift. Indra, unwilling to part with the idol, created six more similar images and asked the king to choose one from them. With divine help, the king chose the original image. Pleased with the king, Indra gave him all seven Thyagaraja idols, which were later installed in Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Thirunallar, Thirukkuvalai, Thiruvoimur, Vedaranyam, and Thirukarayil.
- Thiruvarur: The idol of Thyagaraja (Veedhi Vidangar) and His consort Kondi on an artistic Ratna Simhasan are highly impressive. The processional deity performs Ajapa Natanam.
- Nagapattinam: The temple here is dedicated to Karayoganaswami and Neelayadakshi, hailed as one of the Shakti Peetams. Lord Thyagaraja is known as Sundara Vidangar here, and He performs Paaraavaara Tharanga Natanam.
- Thirunallar: Known for the temple dedicated to Darbharanyeswarar, the processional deity, Somaskandar, is also known as Nagara Vidangar, and His dance is Unmatha Natanam.
- Thirukkolili: The processional deity of Lord Thyagaraja is known as Avani Vidangar, and His dance is Bringa Natanam.
- Thiruvoimur: This is where Sri Thyagarajaswami is known as Neela Vidangar, and His dance is Kamala Natanam. Neelothpalambika is the Goddess.
- Vedaranyam: Also known as Thirumaraikadu, the temple of Thyagesar is adjacent to that of Vedaranyeswara. The Maragatha Lingam enshrined near the Thyagesar shrine is known as Bhuvani Vidangar, and His dance is Hamsa Paada Natanam.
- Thirukarayil: The seventh Saptha Vidanga Sthalam dedicated to Thyagarajaswami or Adi Vidangar. His dance is Kukkuda Natanam.