Friday 12 October 2018

Sri Sathyamurthy Perumal Rock Cut Cave Temple, Thirumayam, Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu.

30th September 2018
The visit to this temple was a part of 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 temple on the south side of the hill, of which one is dedicated to Vishnu. This is one of the 108 Divyadesam 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 cut Cave temple are..
The Cave is facing south with a 5 tier Rajagopuram. This temple is on the east side of Shiva Temple, once shared the open space in front of the caves. Latter during 13th century a separation wall was constructed between these two temples.

PALLIKONDA PERUMAL
Moolavar is in Sayana posture on Adhiseshan. While right hand is stretched back wards with hanging palm, the left hand is stretched on the side of the body. Brahma is on a lotus, came from naval of Perumal. Sridevi is near the chest and Bhudevi is near the feet. On the wall, keeping Brahma at center bas 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, Saptha Rishis are also carved.  The legend of Asuras who came to took captive of Sridevi and Bhudevi are running after frightened from 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 sanctum, antarala, artha mandapam and Sundarapandian Mandapam. In koshtams, various standing postures of Vishnu. An ekathala dravidian style Vimana is over the sanctum. In the sanctum Perumal Sri Sathyamurthy is in 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 prakaram sannadhi for Thirumeyyar Sathyamurthy,  Ujjivana Thayar,  Viswak senar, 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 Kalayukthi year, Thai month 12th day ( in Tamil ). This Tank is called as 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 includes 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 speaks about  Vidael Vidugu Mutharaiyar also called as Vizhuper Adhiyaraisan, Sathan Maran’s mother Perumpidugu Perundevi renovated a temple in this premises and donation of land to sanctum. In addition to this the Sundara Pandyan's period Shiva temple inscription speaks about the dispute between Shiva and Vishnu temples  regarding 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 presence of Hoysala Kings Thandanayakar Appanna Thandanayakar.

From the inscriptions Perumal in Sayana Kolam was called as “KidanthaPiran”, “Pallikondarulina Alwar” and “KaNmalarntharulina Emperuman”. Sri Sathyamurthy Perumal is called as “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 are found in this Rock cut cave. From the available evidences the Sri Sathyamurthy Perumal also called as, Nintraruliya Perumal  existed before 8th century and the rock Cut Cave temple might have been excavated in 8th Century.

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened 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.
Nearest Railway station is Trichy.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE



 Octagonal Tank
 A relief from the pillar

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

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