Aranyam means forest, being the cradle of four vedahas it was called vedaraniam. There stands a Temple of vedaranyeswara built by King Rajarajachola more than 900 years ago.It stands as a testimony to chola architecture and sculpture.
Goddess saraswathi is without veena following a contest between Amman and Saraswathi on music. we can find saraswathi there.Amman defeated Saraswathi in contest which made saraswathi take oath against holding veena. In the past period veena recital is not performed in the Temple that continues now also..Vedaraniyam is 100 kms away from Tanjore.
Its a beautiful temple.... Adding to what cholasforum has said.The navagraha's stand in a straight line their instead of the usual square base.We can see the Thayagarajar in this temple, before which we can find the bronze nandi to be in standing position.Vedaranam is one among the temples where shiva and paravati has shown their kalyana kollam to agasithiyar so you have find shivan paravati in the sitting posture behind the lingam. It looks amazing.It the place where navukarasar and gnanasambhandhar has sung songs to open and close the temple's door.and the ponniyin selvan famous "kodikarai" is very near to this place. Regards,Annapoorna
".....In the Thanjavur Rajarajeswarem temple (Periya Koyil presently also known as Birahatheeswarem Temple) built by him, - had forty-eight "Othuvaar" who sung Thevara Thiruppathikamkal accompanied by a "Udukkai Vaasippavan" and "Kotti Matthalam Vaasippavan" as per this temple inscriptions.
However it is now known that the practice of singing Tamil Thevara Thiruppathikamkal in Siva Temples existed as early as A.D.852 from an inscription of the Pallava king the Nanthivarman - 3 in the Thiruvalam Temple. (Refer the book titled "Kapilakkal" by Kudavaayil Balasubramanian - page 92)........."