It is one of the towns in Thanjāvūr district situated on the banks of the river Kāveri. Thiruvaiyāru is more renowned for its association with Saint Thyāgarāja, who, along with Muthuswāmi Dikṣhithar and Śhyāma Śhāstri, comprises the Trinity of Carnātic music. The Thyāgarāja Ārādhanā festival (the death anniversary of Thyāgarāja) is held in January every year when most of the leading exponents of Carnatic music come to perform and are watched by thousands of ardent fans of classical music.