30th September
2018
The visit to this temple was a part of the Pudukottai Heritage visit.
Thirumayam is a corrupted word of Thirumeyyam (A Land of Truth).
This place was ruled by Mutharaiyars, Chozhas, Pandyas, Vijayanagara, Pallavas,
Hoysalas, Thondaimans, and Sethupathis. There are two rock-cut cave temples on
the south side of the hill, of which one is dedicated to Vishnu. This is one of the 108 Divyadesams of Vishnu, and mangalasasanam was done by Thirumangai
Alwar.
Moolavar: Sri Sathyamurthy Perumal
Thayar : Sri Ujjivana
Thayar(உய்யவந்த நாச்சியார் Uyyavantha Nachiyar )
The salient features of this Rock Cave temple are...
The Cave faces south with a 5-tier Rajagopuram. This temple is
on the east side of the Shiva Temple, which once shared the open space in front of the
caves. Later during the 13th century, a separation wall was constructed
between these two temples.
PALLIKONDA PERUMAL
Moolavar is in Sayana posture on Adhiseshan. While the right hand is
stretched backward with a hanging palm, the left hand is stretched on the side
of the body. Brahma is on a lotus and came from the naval of Perumal. Sridevi is near
the chest, and Bhudevi is near the feet. On the wall, keeping Brahma at the center reliefs of Chandran with his wife, Markandeyar, Bonthu munis, Garudan,
Asuras, Devas, Madhu, Kaidabar, and Suryan. In addition to this, there are
bas-reliefs of Thumpuru with his disciples, Naradhar with his disciples,
Thanda Padchar, Kuralar, Vidyadharas, and Saptha Rishis are also carved. The legend of Asuras who came to take captive Sridevi and Bhudevi are running after being frightened by Jwalas which came
from Adhiseshan, is clearly shown in the form of bas-relief. Urchavars are in front.
SRI SATHYAMURTHY
PERUMAL
Sri Sathyamurthy Perumal sanctum sanctorum consists of a sanctum,
antarala, artha mandapam, and Sundarapandian Mandapam. In koshtams, various standing
postures of Vishnu. An eka tala Dravidian-style Vimana is over the sanctum. In
the sanctum, Perumal Sri Sathyamurthy is in a standing posture with Bhudevi, and
on the right, Pururava Chakravarthy,
Sathya Maharishi. Urchavars Thirumeyyar, Sridevi, Bhudevi, and Andal are
in front. Garudan sannidhi is in the
centre of Sundarapandyan Mandapam.
In the praharam sannadhi for Thirumeyyar Sathyamurthy, Ujjivana Thayar, Viswaksenar, Chakkarathalwar, Sri Ramar, Poovaraga
Perumal, Lakshmi Narasimhar, Krishna, and Andal.
On the east side of the Temple premises, there is an octagonal Tank,
which was excavated by Pillayarpatti Murugappa Chettiyar’s son Ramanathan
Chettiar, in the Kalayukthi year, Thai month 12th day (in Tamil). This
Tank is called Chandra Pushkarani. On eight places, bas reliefs with
inscriptions as Indirathuyamana Pandya, Garuda Bhagwan, Anjaneya Murthy,
Adishesha Katsakan Bhagwan, Chandra Bhagwan, Sathya Maharishi, Puroorava
Chakravarthy, and Kamalanayanaraja.
INSCRIPTIONS
There are 30 inscriptions found in this rock-cut cave, which
include Rajarajan-I (the oldest inscription), Mutharaiyar, Sundarapandian, Parakrama
Pandyan Sadaya Varman, Krishnadevaraya, Sethupathis, Thondaimans, etc. The 8th-century inscription, believed to be the
oldest, is guarded by the grill arrangement and speaks about Vidael Vidugu Mutharaiyar, also called Vizhuper Adhiyaraisan, Sathan Maran’s mother. Perumpidugu Perundevi renovated a
temple on these premises and donated land to the sanctum. In addition to this, the Sundara Pandyan period Shiva temple inscription speaks about the dispute between
Shiva and Vishnu temples regarding the sharing
of the temple tank and Land. It was resolved that 3/5 portion of the share was
given to Sri Sathyamurthy Perumal Temple in the presence of Hoysala Kings
Thandanayakar Appanna Thandanayakar.
From the inscriptions, Perumal in Sayana Kolam were called “Kidantha Piran”,
“Pallikondarulina Alwar”, and “KaNmalarntharulina Emperuman”. Sri Sathyamurthy
Perumal is called “Nintrarulina Vishnu Pattaarakar”(Chozha inscription at
Shiva Temple), “Nintrarulia Thevar”, “Meyyaththu Malaialar”, “Azhakiya Meyyar”.
The exact period of excavation of this rock-cut cave was not
known, even though 30 inscriptions were found in this rock-cut cave. From the
available evidence, the Sri Sathyamurthy Perumal, also called Nintraruliya
Perumal, existed before the 8th
century, and the rock-cut cave temple might have been excavated in the 8th
Century.
TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept open between 07.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs, and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.
HOW TO REACH :
Thirumayam is on the way to Pudukottai, Chettinad, from Trichy.
21 km from Pudukkottai and 68 km from Trichy.
The nearest Railway Station is Trichy.
LOCATION OF THE ROCK CUT CAVE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
Octagonal Tank
A relief from the pillar
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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