Devara Paadal Petra Sthalam | 123rd Shiva Sthalams(One of the Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam) |
Region | Chola Naadu - South |
Chola Naadu - South | 6th Shiva Sthalam |
Pathigam | Saint Thirugnanasambanthar, Saint Thirunavukarasar (Appar) |
HISTORY:
Trichy
is the short name of Tiruchirappalli city; it is one of the main cities of
Tamil Nadu state in South India. The Rock Fort is the most popular landmark in
Trichy city. It is a hill fort constructed on 273 feet high hill. There are
three Hindu temples located here. The Uchchi Pillayar temple located on top of
the hill is an important temple of Ganesha in the entire country.
The
Rock Fort popularly called as 'Malai Kottai' in Tamil language has three main
temples and multiple sub-shrines. At the foot hill, Manicka Vinayakar temple is
located. This is the first main temple in this fort.
After taking few steps, you can find a shrine for Ganesha on your left side and
Mouna Guru Swamy math on your right side. If you go further, you can find the
100 pillared mandapa full of sculptures. In the opposite direction of the
mandapa, there is a shrine for Meenakshi and Sundareshwarar (Shiva Linga).
After you take up further steps, you can reach the temple of Sahasra Lingam
along with the sub-shrines of Ganesha and Kartikeya with his consorts. Take few
more steps to reach the Siddhi Vinayaka shrine which faces you.
From
Siddhi Vinayaka shrine if you take left and take few steps up, you will reach
the large temple of Thayumanava Swamy. The sanctum sanctorum has a very large
Shiva Linga (Thayumanavar). It is very rare to find such a huge Linga. The
shrine has the golden vimana. At the entrance of the Ardha Mandapa as well as
at the entrance of the inner prakara the Dwarapalaks are found. A small Nandi
is found at the entrance of the Ardha Mandapa facing the sanctum sanctorum.
There is a very big mandapa found before entering into the entrance of the
inner prakara. The wall around the sanctum sanctorum has the beautiful statues
of Ganesha, Dakshinamurthy, Bhikshadanaar, Brahma and Durga as the Koshta
idols. Usually, such Koshta images are in the form of relief images; however,
here they are in the form of complete statues.
The
inner prakara which surrounds the sanctum has the sub shrines of Chevvandhi
Vinayaka and Subramanya-Valli-Devasena. The idols of Surya, Chandra, Bhairava,
Chandikeshwara and Nalvar are also located in this prakara. There are three
sub-shrines where the big bronze idols of Nataraja-Sivakami, Chandrasekhar and
his consort and Somaskanda murtis are placed. All 63 nayanmars in the form of
bronze utsava idols are placed in this prakara. Sura Deva, the deity made up of
sandal wood having three arms and three legs is a unique feature of this
temple. Many more utsava idols are also found here. Pataala Ayyanar with his
two consorts is located in an underground sub-shrine.
The
shrine of the Goddess Mattuvar Kuzhali is located in a corner almost near the
main entrance of the temple. The Goddess' idol is very tall and attractive.
There are five Amman relief images found in the form of Koshta images around the
shrine. Chandikeshwari idol is also found in the prakara of this shrine. A
separate flag staff, bali peetha and Nandi are located facing the Amman shrine.
In between the Amman shrine and the main shrine which can be reached by taking
few steps, there is a separate shrine for Mahalakshmi.
The big Nandi idol and the long flag staff with the bali peetha are located at
the main entrance. The sub-shrines of Shanmukha-Valli-Devasena,
Jalakandeshwarar, Kambattu Vinayaka, Sapta Matas, Sundareshwarar, Navagraha and
63 Nayanmars are all found in the area near the Nandi Mandapa. Among the
Navagraha idols, only Surya is found along with his consorts; all other eight planets
are facing towards Surya.
It
is believed that the original Thayumanavar temple was constructed by the
Pallavas. Later it was converted into a Jain temple. It was Mahendravarma
Pallava who reconstructed the Shiva temple here. I am not sure if there are any
historical records to prove this. The temple tank is located in the middle of
the city and not on this hill. Another 200 steps take you to the hilltop Uchchi
Pillaiyar temple. On the way up to the temple, you can find the cave temple of
Lalitankura which was constructed by Mahendravarma Pallava.
Uchchi Pillaiyar temple is a simple one with one deity and a single prakara
around the shrine. From this shrine, you can get an aerial view of almost the
entire city of Trichy.
Tirisirapuram:
A
demon named Tirisira worshipped Lord Shiva in this site; hence, the place was
called as Tirisirapuram, which later became Tirichirappalli. It was also called
as Dakshina Kailash in the olden days.
Aadi Sesha and Vaayu:
There
was a fight between Aadi Sesha and Vaayu. Sesha encircled the Meru mountain and
challenged Vaayu to take it off his clutches. Vaayu could not do that and
admitted his defeat. However, three pieces of the mountain broke and flew down
to three places. One site was Rock Fort in Trichy and the other two were
Kalahasti and Triconamalee.
Ratnavati:
A
woman named Ratnavati, who lived on the other side of the river Cauvery in the
olden days; she was a great devotee of Lord Shiva of Rock Fort temple. She used
to cross the river and visit the temple daily. She became pregnant but was
still visiting the temple as usual. One day while returning back to home, the
river Cauvery was flooded and she also got labor pain. She thought of her
mother. All of a sudden, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of her mother and attended
her; she delivered her baby safely. As the Lord appeared as the mother of a
devotee, he got this name - Thaayumanavar which means the Lord who is also a
mother.
Sarama Rishi:
Sarama
Rishi worshiped Lord Shiva with Chevandi flowers brought from Naga Lok, the
Lord is also called as Chevvandi Nathar.
Sarama Munivar:
The
region was ruled by a Chola king having Worayur as his capital. During this
time, Sarama Munivar created a flower garden here and was worshiping Lord with
Sevvandhi flowers. A trader stole the flowers from this garden and gave them to
the king. As the king became very fond of these flowers, he asked the trader to
supply them to him daily.
The
trader continued his theft business. This caused disturbance to the Shiva Puja
of Sarama Munivar. His appeal to the king was in vain. Munivar appealed to Lord
Shiva who looked at the direction of the court of the king and caused sand rain
in the place. The king realized his wrong doing, prayed to Lord Shiva and was
pardoned.
The
flag post (kodimaram) is traditionally opposite the Lord’s shrine. It is behind
the shrine in this temple. The shrine was previously facing east. As Lord
turned west to punish the king who stole the sevvandhi flowers and caused
disturbance to the puja of Sarama Munivar, the shrine stood permanently facing
west leaving the flag post behind. During the puja times, the music and
Thevaram recitals are followed only from eastern side behind the shrine.
Trichy:
Trichy
too devotees, mean first the Uchi Pillayar temple-Lord Vinayaka. He is the
first deity in the place. After attending the Coronation of Lord Sri Rama in
Ayodhya, Vibishana was returning to Lanka with the gift of Lord Sri Ranganatha
worshiped by Lord Rama. The condition was that he should not place the idol on
earth till he reached Lanka.
To
perform puja to Perumal on the way, he gave the idol to a boy there and went
for a bath. But the boy had placed the idol on ground before Vibishana
returned. He chased the boy to the top of the hill, where the boy showed who He
was. He was none other than Lord Vinayaka. Hence, He is called Uchi (hill top)
Pillayar. Vinayaka Chaturthi festival is celebrated grandly for 10 days in the
temple.
King Vijaya Ragunatha Chokkar:
One
Kediliappa Pillai was the treasurer –accountant of King Vijaya Ragunatha
Chokkar during his rule of the region. Pillai was a staunch Shiva devotee and
was gifted with a handsome son. Pillai named him Thayuimanavan after the name
of the Lord. The boy showed all signs of brilliance in education and
characters. The king retained him in his services.
He served the king for a long time, while his
heart was with the Lord. Lord Shiva as Lord Dakshinamurthy graced Thayumanavar
with Upadesas (spiritual teaching). He is seated on a mat of Dharba grass along
with four Sanakathi sages, Sivayoga Munivar, Patanjali, Vykrapadhar and
Tirumoolar – 8 disciples. Saint Arunagiriar praises the Lord as Darba Asana
Vedhian-Brahmin on a Darba seat.
Changanathar:
There
is a sub-deity (Shiva Gana) between the flag post and the Balipeeta blowing a
conch called Changusami (changu-conch). It is said that he is always speaking
the glory of Lord Shiva blowing the conch. He is also called Changanathar. It
is said that he announces the procession of Lord Shiva during festivals.
Three separate shrines:
There
are three separate shrines on this hill for Lord Uchi Pillayar, Lord Shiva and
Mother Mattuvar Kuzhali. The hill is 273 feet tall with 417 steps. When people
view the hill from different directions, it appears as a Nandhi the vehicle of
Shiva, Simha the Lion vahan of Ambica and Vinayaka’s trunk – in three shapes, a
miracle in Kaliyuga.
Lord Thayumanavar:
Lord
Thayumanavar shrine is of a two tier type with a prakara in deep ground
(padala). Lord Brahma, Sage Agasthya, Indira, Jatayu, Sage Athri, Dhoomaketu,
Tirisira, Arujuna, Lord Sri Rama, Sri Anjaneya, Vibishana, Thayumana Adigal and
Sekkizhar are in a line in the same place. Traditionally Nandhi is installed
opposite Lord Shiva shrine. Here, as the hill itself is personified as Lord
Shiva, Nandhi in a big size is installed on the banks of Brahma Theetham in a
separate temple. Special pujas are performed here on Pradosha days. There is
also a 35 feet tall light post-Deepa Sthamba.
SALIENT
FEATURE:
·
Manickavasagar,
Sambhandar and Appar have revered the temple in their verses in Tevaram.
·
Thayumana
Swamigal belonging to18th century CE has also revered the temple in his verses.
·
One of the most
popular temples of Lord Ganesha.
·
Constructed on
top of 273 feet high hill.
·
Three temples
located on the hill.
·
Originally a
military fortification by Vijayanagara kings and later by the British.
·
417 steps to
reach the hilltop temple.
·
Manikka
vinayakar sannadhi at the base of the hill temple. The main shrine is 258 steps
from the base.
·
While climbing
up we can see a Pallava period rock cut cave on the left side.
TEMPLE INFORMATION:
|
Moolavar |
Sri Mathrubootheswarar, Sri Thayumaneswarar, Sri
Thayumanavar |
|
Ambal |
Sri Mattuvar Kuzhali, Sri Sukunthakundhalambigai |
|
Theertham |
Brahma Theertham |
|
Sthala
Vriksham |
Vilwa Tree |
BELIEF:
Mother
Mattuvar Kuzhali blesses the devotees from Her shrine. Relations of pregnant
women come to the temple to pray for their safe delivery. They offer 21
puddings-Kozhukattai and 21 Appams along with betel leaves with turmeric and
kumkum tied in a small cloth to Ambika for her blessings.
The following sloka is
chanted 3 times a day by believers for a happy result:
Hey Shankara, Smarahara, Pramadhaadhi nadha
Mannaadha, Shamba, Ha, Trishoolin
Shambo Sukha prasava krutha bhava Dhayalo
Sri Mathrubhudha Shiva balaya maam Namaste
Devotees
usually offer some rice preparation or sweet pudding as nivedhana to Lord in
temples. People here offer bunches of plantain fruits to Lord Thayumanavar. The
philosophy is that Plantain trees grow automatically with the mother plant
successively and it is one crop largely cultivated. As the plantain grows side
by side automatically and successively, it is believed that dynasties would
continue with the grace of the Lord. This is first placed in the sanctum
sanctorum for puja and then distributed to the visitors.
Mother Mahalakshmi graces the devotees from the prakara of Lord Shiva shrine.
The idol is made of wood. Devotees light ghee lamps here offering a preparation
made of milk, honey, saffron praying for prosperity in families. Sri Veda Sukta
Mantra Homa is performed in the shrine each Friday. Mother Durga graces the
devotees from another shrine. This idol is also made of wood. Sage Sarama
Munivar in worshiping form is in the shrine of Mother Vishnu Durga gracing with
8 hands. Those facing Mangal Sutra doshas pray here during Rahu Kalams with red
flowers offering porridge (payasam) nivedhana.
Lord
Thayumanava as His very name suggests, is the Mother of all those helpless in
life. Those who had lost their mothers pray here for His grace hoping that He
would guide them throughout their life. Majority of devotees pray for safe
delivery of the child and welfare of mother and child.
The
event of Lord Shiva servicing Ratnavathi during her labour moments is
celebrated on the 5th day of Chithirai Brahmmotsavam in April-May. Curtain is
downed during this event. They decorate Ratnavathi with child on her lap. The
curtain is then lifted for darshan offering light puja- Deepa Aradhana. After
the puja, the oil and the maternity medicine given to mothers after delivery
are given to the devotees as Prasad. It is believed that pregnant women
consuming this will be blessed with safe delivery.
|
Tamil Month |
English Month |
Festival Name |
|
Chithirai |
Apr-May |
5th day of Chithirai
Brahmmotsavam |
|
Vaikasi |
May-June |
Vaikasi Visakam |
|
Aadi |
July-Aug |
Aadi Pooram |
|
Avani |
Aug-Sept |
Vinayakar
Chaturthi |
|
Purattasi |
Sep-Oct |
Navarathri |
|
Maasi |
Feb-Mar |
Maha Shivrathri |
|
Panguni |
Mar-Apr |
Panguni Uthiram |
HOW
TO REACH:
This
temple is centrally located in Tiruchirapalli on a small hillock known as
Rockfort. Trichy is well connected by ample trains and buses from Chennai and
other parts of India. Buses also ply from both Central & Chathram bus
stands of Trichy. One can alight at Main Guard Gate or Theppakulam to reach the
temple.
TEMPLE
ADDRESS:
Sri Thayumanava Swami
Temple,
RockFort (Malai Kottai),
Trichy,
Tamil Nadu – 620002.
LOCATION:
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