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

Woraiyur Nachiyar

Woraiyur is about 4 kms from Trichy. There are a few Perumal temples in this small town and the one we visited is locally referred to as the Nachiyar temple - also the second of 108 Divya Desam.

The main deities of this temple are Azhagiya Manavaala Perumal and Kamalavalli Nachiyaar. The Perumal is in the Nindran pose and in Kalyana Kolam with the Thayar in the same Sannidhi. The Perumal's chakram is in the ready-to-use position and hence there is no Utsava murthy for this Perumal.

People born in the stars Aayilyam, Kaettai and Moolam having difficulty in getting married can perform Archanai for the Thayar in this Sthalam as Pariharam. Couples are supposed to obtain marital happiness by praying to the Thayar in this temple. On Vaikunta Ekadasi, only the Utsava Murthy of the Thayar crosses the Swarga Vaasal. 

The temple timings are from 6.45 am - 12 pm and from 5 pm - 8 pm.

Koviladi Appakudathan

Location:

The town of Koviladi is about 12 kms from Lalgudi in the direction of Anbil. The town of Koviladi can also be accessed from Trichy on the route to Kallanai. Koviladi is about 8 kms from Kallanai. On the drive to the temple in Koviladi, one can see farmlands and banana plantations making the scenery very picturesque. The temple is in Thirupernagar in the town of Koviladi.

Appakudathan Temple:

The main deity of this ancient temple is Appalaranganathar (or Appakudathan) and his consort Kamalavalli Thayar. This temple is said to have been established even before the Srirangam temple and hence called Adirangam. Praises of this deity have been sung by Nammazhwar about 5500 years ago and by Thirumazhisaiazhwar in Dwaparayuga.

The Perumal is in the Kidandhan (lying down) pose on Adiseshan with left hand blessing Lord Indra and Chandra. The right hand blesses Markandeya Maharishi. Bhoomi Devi is seated at the feet of Perumal. Saligramam garland adorns the deity. There is a Kudam (Pot) near the right hand of the deity in which the Neivedyam of Appam (Sweet) is offered every evening around 5 pm. The Perumal is supposed to have protected all the oceans, lands and universe in his stomach during the Pralaya  Kaalam. The Utsava murthy and Santhana Gopala murthy are also in the Garba griham itself.

Five temples are said to constitute "Pancharangam". Appalaranganathar temple is called the Madhyarangam. Panguni Uthram festival is special for this deity as Appakudathan is said to have originated in Uthram star. Similarly, Sri Ranganathar arose in Revathi star, Parimala Ranganathar in Uthram star and Saranganathar in Chitra star.

The temple timings are from 7.30 am - 1 pm and from 4 pm - 8.15 pm. Eating the Appam that was offered as Neivedyam to Appakudathan is said to be beneficial for those seeking to have children.

Appakudathan Temple Entrance

Gunaseelam Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal

Location:

Gunaseelam is a town located about 27 kms from Trichy on the route to Musiri. Musiri is 15 kms from Gunaseelam. 

Perumal Temple:

The main deity in the temple at Gunaseelam is Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal and this temple itself was established in early times by a Rishi. The name of the temple lake is PapaVinasa Theertham. There is no separate Sannidhi for Thayar in this temple - just like in Tirupathi temple. Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal has "Sengol" in His hand to protect the mental health and well being of His devotees. The main shrine is also adorned with 108 Saligramam garland. It is believed that any Moolavar Perumal shrine's powers are increased by adorning

with a Saligramam garland.

In the South, there are two temples very famous for helping devotees seek mental well being - Chotanikarai Bhagawathi Amman temple in Kerala and Gunaseelam temple in Tamil Nadu.

There are welfare houses for the mentally ill devotees just outside the Gunaseelam temple itself.

View of the Temple Entrance

Tiruvanaikoil Jambukeswarar

Tiruvanaikoil is a small town across the river Cauvery from Trichy and adjacent to Srirangam. The town houses the famous temple of Jambukeswarar and Akhilandeswari. This temple also has big Praharams and many Sannidhis.

The temple is considered to be "Appu Sthalam" as the Lingam was created from water by Ambal herself. According to legend, the lingam situated underneath a "Ven Naaval" tree was worshipped by Ambal, an elephant, a spider and Jambu Muni. Since the Lingam was worshipped by Ambal, even today, the Gurukkal of the Ambal’s Sannidhi dresses up as a lady during the Uchchi Kaala Pooja for Jambukeswarar.

Paintings in the temple stress the benefits of Go Pooja (Cow Pooja).

This temple is also supposed to be of special significance for Bharani Nakshatra people.

Srirangam Ranganathar

Location:

The town of Srirangam is across the city of Trichy separated by the Cauvery River. 

Ranganathar Temple:

The famous temple has Perumal in the Kidandhan(lying) pose. The temple is huge with big Praharams and many Sannidhis. One of the Gopurams of this ancient temple had to be recently repaired/ reconstructed. This temple is also considered to be "Sukra Sthalam". From the Car Parking area, one can enter the temple through the Karthigai Gopuram.

On entering the main temple, one can see an enormous Garuda sannidhi. Garudar is also known as Periya Thiruvadi and Pakshi Raja. People with Naga Dosham or Pakshi Dosham can get relief by praying  to Lord Garuda. The body of Lord Garudar is adorned by eight snakes.

Name of the Snake.	Body part of Garudar
Ananthan	Left Arm
Vasuki	Poonal/ Sacred Thread
Dakshagan	Aranal/ Hip Chain
Karkotakam	Garland
Padman	Right Ear Ring
Mahapadman	Left Ear Ring
Sangan	Hair
Kuligan	Chest

Adjacent to the Garuda Sannidhi, is also the Lakshmi Hayagriva Sannidhi, Varahar and Saraswathi. Varahar is the third avatar who rescued Bhoomi Devi from the clutches of Hiranyaksha. People wishing to regain lost wealth can get good results by praying to Lord Varahar.

Other Sannidhis include those of Senkamala Thayar, Vasudevar, Pattabhiramar, Danvanthri, Kothandaramar, Chakrathazhwar and Maetu Azhagiya Singar. Ranganayaki Thayar Sannidhi can be accessed from the outer Praharam of Perumal Sannidhi.

There is also a Vasantha Mandapam dedicated to Saint Ramanujar who attained salvation at this very place at the age of 120. The 1000th birth anniversary of Saint Ramanujar will be celebrated in 2017. He is considered to be an incarnation of Adisesha. Once in 6 months, a paste of "Pachchai Karpooram" and Saffron is applied to the murthi of Ramanujar. One can also see the Perumal idol worshipped by Saint Ramanujar in addition to the murthi of His Guru in this place.

Sthala Puranam:

According to legend, Vibheeshana carried an idol of Perumal from India to Lanka. On the way he rested on the banks of Cauvery to finish his prayers. However when he tried to take the Perumal idol again, he was not able to even move it. It was the wish of Lord Perumal to rest on the banks of River Cauvery itself and He has remained here ever since to protect his devotees.

Tirupattur Brahmapureeswarar

Location:

The town of Tirupattur can be reached from Padalur which is about 25 kms from Perambalur on the route from Chennai to Trichy. After crossing Padalur and Nedungur, take a right at the junction (about a couple of kms from Nedungur) for M. R. Paalayam and Sirugur.  In about 5 kms, one can reach the temple of Bramhapureeswarar. A visit to this temple is said to guarantee not only removal of obstacles but also rewriting of one’s fate. The temple is famous as Bramha himself worshipped the Siva Lingams in this temple.

Brahmapureeswarar Temple Entrance

Sthala Puranam:  

Bramha is entrusted with duties of creation. As a five headed member of the divine trinity (others being Shiva and Vishnu), Lord Bramha became vain. Hence, He lost one of His heads and was cursed by Shiva to lose His Creation powers. As penance, Lord Bramha roamed the lands, established Siva Lingams for worship. On reaching Tirupaatur, Lord Shiva in the form of Bramhapureeswarar, pleased with Bramha’s penance, returned Bramha’s Creation powers to Him. Ambal in the form of Bramha Sampath Nayaki or Bramhanayaki returned Bramha’s lost lustre. Lord Brahma was also blessed with the powers of rewriting the fortunes of those who worshipped Him in this temple.

The 12 Lingams worshipped by Bramha are in this temple and are: Bramhapureeswarar, Pazhamalainathar,

Pathala Eswarar, Suddha Rathna Eswarar, Thayumanavar, Saptharishi Eswarar, Kalahatheeswarar, Jambukeswarar, Kailasanathar, Arunachaleswarar, Ekambreswarar and Mandookanathar.

Special Features:

The Jeeva Samadhi of Patanjali Munivar is in this temple on the Southern front. Apparently a temple which has Patala Eswarar (in the North front of the temple), will also have a Jeeva Samadhi.  Patanjali Munivar is credited with developing the Patanjali Yoga Sutra and is considered by some to be a form of Adisesha - other instances of  Adisesha forms being Lakshmana and Ramanujar.

On 3 days in the year, sun’ s rays fall directly on the Lingam. Although the Garba Griham is about 100 mts from the Temple entrance, the Garba Griham still enjoys natural lighting. Additional details can be accessed from http://www.brahmatemple.org.in/ .

Bramha

There is also a Kasi Viswanathar temple in the town of Tirupattur with the samadhi of Vyagrapadhar Sidhar . The Sidhar established a tank in this temple. It is supposed to be very benenficial to perform Upanayanam in this town.

Siruvachur Madurakaliamman

Siruvachur is a small town on the road from Chennai to Trichy near Perambalur. The temple for Madurakaliamman is very famous in this place.

Madurakaliamman temple is open only on Mondays and Fridays of a week. The main deity of this temple used to be Chelliamman who gave away the position/honour to MaduraKaliamman, her guest. Even today, the arathi is first shown for Chelliamman before the arathi for Madurakaliamman. 

Devotees offer prayers at this temple by preparing "Maavilakku Maavu" (lamp is lit in rice flour mixed with jaggery, milk and ghee). The flour Is however freshly prepared only using mortar and pestles available at the temple.

Madurakaliamman Temple Gopuram