Trichy Uchchi Pillayar and Thayumanavar

One of the famous landmarks in the city of Trichy is the Rockfort temple. There are two famous temples in the same place.

As one climbs up the staircase carved out in the hill, one crosses the samadhi of the Mouna Guru and then reaches the Thayumanavar Swamy. The Lingam in the temple is Swayambu. The name of the Ambal is Maettuvar Kuzhalamman.

According to Sthala Varalaru, Ratnavati was a pregnant devotee who was awaiting the arrival of her mother at the time of delivery. However, due to the swelling of waters in the River Cauvery, Ratnavati's mother was unable to make it on time to assist her daughter. Thayumanavar Swamy appeared beside Ratnavati in the form of her mother with the required medicines to ease the delivery of pregnant Ratnavati. This fact came to light after Ratnavati's mother finally managed to cross the river to reach her daughter. To this day, pregnant mothers and loved ones on their behalf pray to Thayumanavar Swamy for safe

delivery.

Verses 1 - 49 of Soundarya Lahari are apparently inscribed in the Grantam script in the temple.

On climbing some more steps from the Thayumanavar temple, one reaches the Uchchi Pillayar temple. The view of the city, Cauvery, Kollidam and the Srirangam temple from the top of the hill is fantastic.

Sloka for pregnant women  - to be chanted 3 times daily before namaskaaram:
Hey Sankara Smarahara Pramaadhi Naatha
Mannadha Saamba SashiSooda Hara Trishoolin
Shambho SukhaPrasavakrut BhavaMe Dayaalo
Shri MaathruBhootha Shiva Paalayamaam Namaste