Back from the hectic trip.
Thanks to Punarvasu for the link to the book. I browsed thro the 80 odd pages (and most of it went over my head) and chanced upon the detailed description of the idol. I am reproducing the relevant part from the book and for better understanding I am also attaching a photo of the painting I took from the walls for reference. (excuse the poor quality of the photo due to reflection).
A few observations with specific reference to the song.
Pallavi
"
mukhattai kATTiyE dEham muzhumaiyum kATTAmal mUDU mandiram EdayyA"
This line is self explanatory. The Thyagaraja is said to be a Mantra murthy and hence only the face is shown. Descedants of three families who have taken Mantra Deeksha alone can see the full form and they will not talk about the form to anyone.
Anupallavi
"
jagattil adhikamAna ArUril vAsarE shezhitta mEniyil Unam uNDO tyAgEsharE"
This line is also self explanatory though the word " adhikamAna" seems a bit out of place.
C1:
shAyarakSaiyil vandu salikkap-pArppOm enrAl sAntaNinda sevvantit-tOTTaik-kATTi
mayakki mAyAvittanam uLLa manda-hAsattuDanE mAn mazhuvEndiya karattai kUDa maraittu
The Sayarakshai pooja is typical deeparadhanai you can see in most temples. It is a bit elobarate and lasts around 30
mins. The Idol is always bedecked with flowers, mostly sevanti (marigold) and jasmine at times. In addition to the regular garlands two large circular floral ear rings (around 8 inch dia) are used. The word"sevvantit" should be sevvanti" and sevannti-tOTTaik-kATTi" means showing (or diverting my attention to) the ear rings made of sevanti. The words "sAntaNinda" again seem out of place since the idol is made of pure gold and I didn't hear any refernce about any kappu being applied to cover the idol. It could be "sada aninda" (which is worn always).
"mAn mazhuvEndiya karattai kUDa maraittu" - This could be the inference of the poet from general form of Somaskanda idols, since the hands are never shown here.
C2:
"kUttADum pOdangE kunindu pArppOm enrAl kudittu kudittu munpin ODum vidattai utru pArttAl.
pasigaL tIrum paravashamAga sheyyum paNiyAl maraittu koNDoru pAdam kATTuvadallAl"
When the idol is taken out in procession the "Ajapa" dance is enacted. This is refered in the first line.
During Panguni Uthram and Thiruvadirai each of the leg are shown. It seems at that time the Skanda idol can also be
seen.This is refred in the second line. But again the words "paNiyAl" seem out of place.
C3:
"abhiSEka kAlattil arumait-tirumEniyai ati rahasiyamAga tOTTAl maraikkirIr
vibhavam tandu rakSikkum divya mangaLa rUpA-viDanga tyAgarAjarE pApavinAsharE"
Only 6 abishekams are performed in a year for Sri Thyagarajar. Thrikala abishekams are performed to the Maragatha lingam kept in a box near the Thyagaraja idol and to Vanmeehanathar (the main deity of the temple).
During the abishekams the idol is covered with a sheet of metal (sort of kavacham). So the words could be "takatAl maraikkirIr" - Thakadu means a sheet of metal.
