In the vidanga temples there will be a muurthi called Thyagarajar. It is the Saha Umaa Skandha (generally called Soomaaskandha) form of Lord Shiva. Initially this muurthi was prayed by Mahaa VishNu, and he got a beautiful son Manmadha. Later he gave it to Brahma and he gave it to Indra. Indra prayed the muurthi for a long time. The Chola king Muchukunda, who had the face of monkey, was a king known for his valor. He helped once Indra for defeating demons. Indra wanted to present something and asked Muchukunda what he wanted. Muchukunda being a devotee of Lord Shiva and impressed by the Thyagarajar asked for that muurthi. Indra didn't want to give that to Muchukund. So he ordered to make six similar muurthis and asked Muchukunda to find out the one he wanted. Muchukunda prayed God and found the original muutrthi. So Indra gave him all the seven muurthis to Muchukunda. Muchukunda kept those muurthis in seven temples which are called Seven vidanga temples. (all these temples are in Tamil Nadu and situated around Thanjavuur.)

1. ThiruvArUr - vIdhi viDaNgar - ajapA naTanam
2. Nagaik kArOnam - sundhara viDangar - vIci naTanam
3. Thiruk kOLili - avani viDangar - brunga naTanam
4. Thiru naLLARu - nagara viDaNgar - unmaththa naTanam
5. Thiruk kArAyil - Adhi viDangar - kukkuTa naTanam
6. Thiru vAymUr - nIla viDangar - kamalanaTanam
7. Thiru maRaikkAdu - buvaniviDangar - hamsapAda naTanam