This temple is located at Trichy, also known as Thiruchirapalli. This place was earlier known as Thirisirapuram as a demon Thirisiran worshiped Lord Shiva at this place. The place was also known as Thirisikharapuram as Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati and Lord Ganesha occupied three peaks (shikhars) of rockfort hill. The rockfort hill is believed to have been formed several thousands of years ago. This place was also known as Sirapalli, Rishabhacharam and Dakshin Kailas during ancient days. The temple is believed to have been built during the third century by Pallava kings. Later it was occupied by Jain saints. King Mahendra Varman who was following Jainism converted to Hinduism. He destroyed the original temple and rebuilt the Shiva temple. Thiruchirapalli was a part of Chola kingdom, hence Chola kings built a number of Temples and fortresses of which Rockfort temple is at the center. There are a number of caves in the hill believed to have been built by Jain saints. The present structure is the one which was reconstructed by Madurai Nayaks and Vijayanagar Kings. There are a number of stone inscriptions in the temple which give details of various endowments made by various kings. The major temple complex is believed to have been built by Pallava kings in the 8th century. The fort has witnessed fierce fighting between Madurai Nayaks and Vijapur sultan and between Karnatic rulers and Maratha forces.
This is a Padal Pethra sthalam on the southern bank of Kaveri revered by Shaiva saints Sambandhar, Appar, Manikavachagar, Ayyadigal Kadvarkon Nayanar and Vallalar. Saint Arunagirinathar has praised Lord Muruga of this temple in his sacred hymn.
Moolavar: Shri Thayumanavar, Shri Matrubhuteshwarar, Shri Thayumanaswami, Shri SevvanthiNathar
Devi: Shri Sugandhakundalambika, Shri MattuvarKuzhali
Sacred Vruksha: Bilva
Sacred Teertha: Brahma teertha and river Kaveri
Puranik Name: Sirapuram, Malaikottai
Present Name: Trichy
Kshetra Purana:
1. We have mentioned in our earlier blogs about the trial of strength between Vayu and Adishesha. This resulted in a number of small peaks and rocks being blown away from mount meru. At that time a small part of a peak fell at this place and became a hill. On the top of the hill an asura with three heads named Thirisiran did penance on Lord Shiva. Even after a long time (more than 1000 years) he could not get darshan of Lord Shiva. Hence he cut off two of his heads and offered it to Lord Shiva in Agni Kunda. When he was about to cut his third head Lord Shiva gave him darshan, blessed him and restored the other two heads. Thirisiran stayed at this place, hence Lord Shiva is praised as Thirisiranathar. And the place got the name Thirisiramalai which later became Thiruchirapalli and finally Thrichy.
2. A chola king was ruling in this area with Woraiyur as his capital. At that time a Sage named Sarama Muni was worshiping Lord Shiva daily with Shevanti flowers from his own garden. Once a merchant saw these beautiful flowers and stole them. He gave it to the king who was attracted to the flower because of his beauty and fragrance. The king asked the merchant to supply these flowers daily. The merchant stole the flowers daily and gave it to the king. When the shiva puja of Sarama Muni was discontinued due to non availability of flowers, he complained to the king. The king did not pay any heed to the complaint. Then the muni complained to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva saw in the direction of the King's court in anger for the sake of Sage. At that very instant there was a dust and mud storm over that place. Immediately the king realized his mistake and begged for pardon for Lord Shiva. Hence Lord Shiva is considered to be punishing anyone who commits a crime or a mistake in this place. As Lord Shiva was worshiped with Shevanti flowers he is praised as Shevantinathar. The original temple was facing the east. As Lord Shiva turned towards the west to punish the king, the main entrance of the sanctum also turned to the west. And the dhwajastambha remained at the same place and hence dhwajastambha is behind the temple.
3. Another sthala purana is about the merchant named DhanaKantan and his wife Ratnavati. They lived at this place. Ratnavati was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva (Thyumanavar). At the time of her pregnancy she had requested her mother to come for her assistance. When the mother reached the bank of Kaveri the river was in spate. So her mother could not come to her assistance. Meanwhile Ratnavati went into labor pain. She requested Lord Shiva to help her as her mother was not there. Lord Shiva came to her help in the disguise of her mother. He stayed with her and performed the delivery. After a week when floods in Kaveri subsided, mother came to her house. At that time both Ratnavati and her mother were shocked to find Lord Shiva in the guise of her mother. Then Lord Shiva gave her darshan in his true form. Since Lord Shiva acted as mother and helped in the delivery he is praised as Thayum -Anavar (Thay in tamil means mother, anavar means who became).
4. Ucchi Pillayar: There is connection of this sthala purana with Ramayana. When Vibhishan was returning to Lanka from Ayodhya, Lord Shriram gave him an idol of Lord Ranganatha whom he was worshiping. Lord Rama put a condition that the idol should not be placed on the ground till he reached Shri Lanka. On his way Vibhishana wanted to worship Lord Sheventinathar at this place, hence he gave an idol to a small boy who was nearby (the boy was none other than Lord Vinayaka) and went to take bath in sacred teertha. Before Vibhishana returned from his bath Lord Vinayaka kept the idol on the ground. Vibhishana in anger chased the small boy who ran to the top of the hill. When Vibhishsna reached top of him Lord Vinayaka showed his true form. Hence Lord Vinayaka is praised at this place as Ucchi Pillayar (Ucchi in Tamil means top).
5. According to sthala purana there was a king named Vijayaraghunathchokkar who ruled this place. He had a minister named Kedilyappar who was looking after his accounts. Kedilyappar was a staunch devotee of Lord Shiva. By Lord Shiva’s grace he got a son whom he named as Thayumanavar. The son was very intelligent and became highly educated. The king appointed Thayumanavar in his service. He served Lord Shiva for a long time with high devotion. Lord Shiva graced him and gave him upadesha as Guru Dakshinamurti.
Those who worshiped at this place:
Sage Agastya, Arjuna, Hanuman, Ratnavati, Lord Shriram, Sapta Matrika, Sapta Rishis, Sarama Muni, Demon Thirisiran, Kedaliyaappar Pillayar, Lord Brahma, Jatayu, Mauna Guru.
Special Features:
1. Shiva linga is very large.
2. Sun’s rays fall on shiva linga on three days in the month of Panguni.
3. This kshetra is praised as Dakshin Kailas.
4. In the Navagraha Mandap all the planets face Lord Surya. He is present with his wives.
5. Dhwajastambha is behind the shrine of Lord Shiva which is very unique.
6. The main entrance of Lord Shiva’s shrine was earlier facing the east. Now it is behind and it is believed that the temple turned towards the west but the dhwajastambha remained in the same position.
7. Idol of Lord Dakshinamurti is sitting on Darbhasan with eight disciples instead of the usual four.
8. The idols of Goddess Mahalakshmi and Goddess Vishnudurga are made of wood.
9. There are a number of mandaps having very beautiful and attractive sculptures and paintings.
10. When this hill is viewed from different direction it appears like a Nandi (mount of Lord Shiva), a lion (mount of Goddess Parvati) and that of Lord Vinayaka in sitting position with extended trunk.
11. The shrine of Lord Shiva is two storeyed.
12. Nandi is in a mandap on the bank of Brahmateerth and is very huge.
13. There is stone deepastambha of about 35 feet in height.
About the temple:
This temple is built on the Rockfort complex in the city of Trichy. There are three shrines in the complex of which two are for Lord Vinayaka and one of Lord Shiva praised as Shri Thayumanavar. One large Ganesha temple is at the top of the hill and is known as UcchiPillayar Kovil and one at the foot of the hill is praised as Manikka Vinayakar. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati’s temple is in between these two temples and is the largest. The fort stands on the top of a 273 feet tall hillock and there are 417 steps to reach the top. When the hill is viewed from different directions it appears like Nandi, like a lion and trunk of Lord Vinayakar. At 258th step there are Dhramapura Adhinam, 100 pillared mandap and Pallava period caves cut on the rocks. The temple faces west. At the entrance to the shrine we come across Lord Vinayaka praised as Kambathadi Vinayakar and Lord Arumaga (Shanmukha). At the entrance Balipeetham, Dhawajastambha and Nandi are present. There are two prakarams, known as Melveedi (west street), Keezhveedi (east street). Shiva linga is a swayambhu linga about four feet tall facing west.
Koshtha murtis are: Lord Vinayaka, Lord Dakshinamurti, Lingodbhavar, Lord Brahma, Surya, Somaskanda, Lord Natraja, and Goddess Durga.
Lord Dakshinamurti is seated on a Dharbhasan with 8 disciples which include Sage Patanjali, Sage Vyaghrapad, four Sanakadi munis, Shiva Yoga Muni, and Thirumular. As the hill is personified as Nandi, a big Nandi is on the bank of the temple tank (Brahma Teertha) in a Mandap. This Nandi is worshiped as Pradosha Nandi. There is a Deepa Stambha of about 35 feet in height. In 100 pillared mandap we find beautiful paintings and scriptures. 64 faces of Lord Shiva which are known as Shiva Murthams are in the mandap which includes Lord Shiva as Gangal murti. The central shrine houses Lord Shiva's shrine while Ambika shrine is at a level below. Lord Shiva’s shrine is two tiered with a prakaram below and one prakaram above. The rays of the Sun fall on the Shiva linga for three days in the month of Panguni. The dhawajastambha is behind the sanctum sanctorum in the temple. It is believed that the shrine was originally facing the east. During puja music and Thevaram recitals are done from the east side (behind the shrine). Ambika is in a separate shrine. There are shrines of Lord Vinayakar, Navagrahas and Lord Veerabhadra at lower level. Lord Surya in Navagraha shrine is along with his wives Usha and Pratiusha. All the other planets in the Navagraha shrine face Lord Surya. Lord Muruga is praised as Lord MuttuKumar swamy. Lord Ayyanar is in a pit near Ambika’s shrine. In the prakaram of Lord Shiva, we come across idols and shrines of Sage Agastya, Lord Indra, Jatayu, Sage Atri, Dhumaketu, Thirisiran, Arjuna, Lord Rama, Lord Anjaneya, Vibhishana, Naga Kannikas, Sarama Muni, Mauna Guru Swamy and Ratnawati. In inner prakaram we come across idols and shrines of 63 Nayanmars with their Utsav murtis, Sevanthi Vinayakar, MuttukumaraSwamy with Valli and Deivanai, Lord Kalabhairav, Lord Chandikeshwar, Jwarahareshwarar (he has three heads, three legs and three hands), Goddess Mahalakshmi in seating position, Lord Meenakshi Sundareshwarar, Sahasra Lingeshwarar, Dharalinga, Sapta Matrikas and Sattainathar. In the prakaram of Ambika’s shrine we find idols of Arul Shaktis. Goddess Mahalakshmi’s idol is made of wood and she is in a standing position. Goddess Durga graces from another shrine and this idol is also of wood. There is an idol of Sage Sarama Muni in Ambika’s shrine. He is depicted as worshiping Goddess Vishnu Durga who has eight hands. There is an idol of Shiva Gana praised as Changu (shankha) Swamy. He is in between the Balipeeth and Dhwajastambha. He is depicted as blowing a shankha (conch). He is also praised as ShankhaNathar. The brilliance of Architecture and sculpture are exhibited in a hanging stone chain, a stone ball in the mouth of Lion, parrots drinking nectar from a hanging lotus flower, sculptures on the pillars, 25 Shiva Murthams, and a special puja of Lord Thayumanavar. There are seven mandaps in this temple namely 1000 pillar mandap, Vahan mandap, Meenakshi Sundarehwarar Mandap, 100 pillar Mandap, sahasra linga mandap, chitra Mandap, Mani Mandap and a sixteen pillar mandap.
Prayers:
1. Devotees worshiped here for safe delivery.
2. Devotees who have lost their mother worship Lord Shiva at this place with the firm belief that he will protect them like a mother.
3. Devotees believe that worshiping Goddess Sugandha Kundalambika will result in normal delivery. For this purpose someone from the family of a pregnant lady comes to this place. He worships Goddess Parvati with 21 modaks and 21 sweet appams. They perform archana with Turmeric powder, Kunku and betel leaves.
4. Devotees worship Goddess Mahalakshmi for prosperity and wealth. They offer her a mixture of milk, honey and saffron. They light a lamp with ghee.
5. Devotees worship Goddess Vishnudurga during Rahu Kaal with a garland of red Kanher flower for the eradication of Mangalya dosha. They offer sweet pudding as naivedya.
Pujas:
1. Daily six rituals from the 5.30 am to 10 pm
Special weekly puja on Monday and Friday.
2. Pradosha puja and special puja on new moon and full moon days.
Some important festivals:
Chitrai (Apr-May): 15 days brahmotsavam and chaitra purnima
Panguni (Mar-April): Float festival, 3 days of surya puja when the Sun’s rays fall on Shiva Linga
Aadi (July-August): Aadi Puram
Aipassi (Oct-Nov): Annabhishek
Karthigai (Nov-Dec): Thiru Karthigai
Thai (Jan-Feb): Pongal, Makar sankranti, Thayumanavar Guru puja on Vishakha nakshatra, procession of pancha murtis
Maasi (Feb-Mar): Mahashivaratri
Timing: 6 am to 12 noon and 4 pm to 8.30 pm
Address: Shri Thayumana Swamy Temple, Malaikottai (Rockfort), Trichy, TN 620002
Phone: +91-4312704621, +91-4312710484, +91-4312700971
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