Tuesday 8 December 2020

Sri Matrurai Varadeeswarar Temple / Sri Maatrurai Varadeeswarar Temple / திருவாசி மாற்றுரைவரதீசுவரர் கோயில்,, ( Thirupachilachiramam )- Thiruvasi –Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu.

This temple is the 116th Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 62nd Sthalam on the north side of river Kaveri of Chozha Nadu. The temple is on the north banks of river Kollidam. During 6th to 7th Century this place was called as Pachilachiramam, latter as Thiruchiraman, which was corrupted to the present name of Thiruvasi.
  

In Periyapuranam Sekkizhar records that, after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thirumanthurai, Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple. Thirugnanasambandar did a miracle in this temple also, where he cured the Local King Kolli Mazhavan’s daughter, who was suffering from the decease muyalagan, through the Thevara hymns.     

அணிகிளர் தாரவன் சொன்ன
மாற்றம் அருளொடும்கேட்டு அந்நிலையில் நின்றே
பணிவளர் செஞ்சடைப் பாச்சின் மேய
பரம்பொருள் ஆயினாரைப் பணிந்து

மணிவளர் கண்டரோ மங்கையை
வாடமயல் செய்வதோ இவர் மாண்பது என்று
தணிவுஇல் பிணிதவிர்க்கும் பதிகத்தண்டமிழ்
பாடினார் சண்பை நாதர்

Thirugnanasambandar, Sundarar, Ayadigal Kadavarkon and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.  Sundarar asked Lord Shiva of this temple to give him gold. Also in the hymn he mentions that he will not be happy if he gives or will not  be sad and angry on Lord Shiva, if don’t give.  

துணிவளர் திங்களர் துளங்கி விளங்கச் சுடர்ச்சுடை சுற்றி முடித்துப்
பணிவளர் கொள்கையர் பாரிடம் சூழ ஆரிடமும் பலி தேர்வர்
அணிவளர் கோலம் எலாம் செய்து பாச்சில் ஆச்சிரா த்துஉறை கின்ற
மணிவளர் கண்டரோ மங்கையை வாட மயல் செல்வ தோஇவர் மாண்பே.   
.......... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்
உற்றபோது அல்லல் உறுதியை உணரேன் உள்ளமே அமையும்என்று இருந்தேன்
செற்றவர் புரமூன்று எரிஎழச் செற்ற செஞ்சடை நஞ்சடை கண்டர்
அற்றவர்க்கு அருள்செய் பாச்சிலாச் சிராமத்து அடிகள் தாம் யாதுசொன் னாலும்
பெற்றபோது உகந்து பெறாவிடில் இகழில் இவரலாது இல்லையோ பிரானார்.
........ சுந்தரர்
இட்ட குடிநீர் இருநாழி ஓர் உழக்காச்
சட்ட ஒருமுட்டை நெய்தான் கலந்- தட்ட
அருவாச்சா ரென்றங் கழாமுன்னம் பாச்சிற்
றிருவாச்சி ராமமே சேர்
.......... ஐயடிகள் காடவர்கோன்
                                       -“எஞ்ஞான்றும்
ஏச்சிராமங் கலத்டோடின்பந் தரும்பாச்சி
லாச்சிராமஞ்சேர் அருள்நிலையே
........... திரு அருட்பா
Moolavar  : Sri Matrurai Nathar, Sri Sameevaneswarar
                ( Vanni Trees), Sri Bimmapureeswarar.
Consort    : Sri Balambigai, Sri Bala Soundari.
Sthala Vruksham : Vanni Tree.

Some of the important features of this temple are...
The temple is facing east with two 5 tier Rajagopuras. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam and Rishabam are immediately after the Rajagopuram. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Arthanareeswarar, Brahma and Durgai. Arthanareeswarar is in place of Lingothbavar. 

In the prakaram Ambal sannathi is on the left side entrance. In addition to this, in prakaram  Selva Vinayakar, Sahasra Linga, Navagrahas, 63var,  Chandikeswarar, Saptamatrikas, Bhairavar, Moola Vinayagar, Suryan, Chandran, and Gajalakshmi. In Navagrahas, Suryan is with his consorts Usha and Pratyusha, in sitting posture. All other planets are facing Suryan.

In Sabha Mandapam Sri Nataraja is dancing on snake instead of Muyalagan, hence called as “Sarpa Nadanamurthy“. ( Muyalagan – is  a decease called epilepsy / valippu ). In urchava murtis, the image of Sundarar is in singing posture with thalam in his hands.   

ARCHITECTURE
The temple consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala, artha mandapam and a mukka mandapam. The sanctum is on a raised upana. A 2 tier vesara Vimana is over the sanctum.


HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS
It is believed that the original temple existed before 7th Century. Latter renovated by Hoysalas, Chozhas and Pandyas. This place was called as “Pachil Kootrathu Achiramam during period and the same changed as Pachilachiramam. As per the inscriptions this place was under Pachil Kootram and latter Thiruchiraman, which was corrupted to the present name of Thiruvasi.  Lord Shiva was called as Rajasriya Valanattu Pachilthiruvasriramudaya Mahadevar.

Rajaraja Chozha-I’s 11th reign year inscription records the endowment of burning Sandhi lamp and Naivedyam to RajaVidangar by Avanamudayan Kandan Uththaman. For the same he obtained a small portion of lands from VaNNakkar, Kusavar, Thachar / Carpenter /Kammalar and Navithar / Barbar, out of the land, 142 kalane thooni pathakku paddy  earned was given to this Rajavidangar for naivedyam.

Rajaraja-I's 11th reign year ( 996 CE ) 297 line inscription, records that The royal servant maid of Periyavelathu Nakkan Karpagavalli, who lived like a daughter of  Lord Shiva of this temple, has given gift of 201 Kalanju gold from her savings and lands which yeilds 16 kalam paddy per year. It was arranged that the 201 Kalanju has to be shared by the 28 artists and servants of This temple and Pachil Amaleeswaram ( Thiruvasi is also called as Thirupachilachiramam, whether the Pachil Amaleeswaram is the same or not is known ). In turn they have to pay 1 Kalam paddy as an interest to be be supplied to the treasury. With this 217 ( 201 + 16 ) Kalam Paddy, nakkan Karpagavalli established 5 endowments. Through these endowments, 1. Naivedyam for early morning pooja was arranged for moolavar and Utsavars established in the name of Rajaraja Vidangar.  2. Arrangements were made Every year Karthigai month Karthigai nakshatra day  ( Nakkan Karpagavalli's birth star day ), abhishekam for Moolavar and Utsavars will be brought to Thiruvolakka Mandapam with poojas and Appam naivedyam. The required Paddy was calculated and given. 3. One portion of the paddy was given for celebrating the Thaipoosam day with naivedyam to Lord shiva and feeding to 50 Shiva Yogis and 50 Thavasis. 5. One portion of the paddy was given for the maintenance of the Maha mandapam maintenance, where annual functions are held. The inscription also records the salary distributed to the person who worked for the functions and celebrations. The 5 persons names of the Amaleeswarar temples who got benefits for the above endowment.  This inscription was recently discovered and announced by Dr Ma Rajamanickanar with Pof Nalini and Prof Akila. 

Rajaraja Chozha-I’s 13th reign year inscription  records the endowment of burning two perpetual lamps by Udayar Rajaraja devar Peruntharathu Innattu Kalar Kootrathu Chembiyam Brahmarayar   to Mazha Nadu Rajasriya Valanattu Pachi Kootrathu MipilaRRu Brahmadeya Thudaiyur Sabha  to Lord Pachilthiruvaasriramudaya Mahadevar. For which 30 kalanju was gifted and a land through which bought with periphery limits are given,

Kulothunga Chozha’s 27th reign year inscription records the endowment of Thirumanjanam / sacred bath and Naivedyam , for the same some gifts were made.

The Pandya’s 5th reign year inscription ( The inscription found near the 2nd Rajagopuram entrance right side – the name portion was found damaged ), records that Coconut farm grove was damaged by the Muslim invaders. Some Taxes were levied to recreate the coconut farm grove and Naivedyam to Lord Shiva of this temple. 

The Hoysala King Veera Someswaran ( 1253 CE - who ruled keeping Samayapuram as capital ), period inscription mentions the temple received 10000 Kalam paddy was received.

Kulothunga Period inscription records the endowment of burning perpetual lamp for which donations was made to this temple.   

Maha Kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 14th June, 2017.



LEGENDS
As per the legend This place Thiruvasi was belonging to Pandu Mazha Nadu and Kolli Mazhavan ruling as King. His daughter was suffering from a decease Muyalagan ( epilepsy ). When the King couldn’t  Cure her decease with medicine, he brought his daughter. Knowing that Thirugnanasambandar is on the way to this temple after worshiping Thirumanthurai. Thirugnanasambandar circumambulate the temple and asked the King what is this ?. The King explained that his daughter is suffering from the decease muyalakan. The King fell down on his feet and prayed to help his daughter.

கன்னி இளங்கொடி உணர்வு கழிந்துநிலன்  சேர்ந்ததனைக் கண்டு நோக்கி
என்இது என்று அருள்செய்ய மழவன்தான் எதிர் இறைஞ்சி அடியேன் பெற்ற
பொன்இவளை முயலகனாம் பொருஇல் அரும் பிணி பொருந்தப் புனிதர் கோயில்
முன்அனையக் கொணர்வித்தேன் இதுபுகுந்த படிஎன்று மொழிந்து நின்றான்
....... சேக்கிழார் பெரிய புராணம்
Thirugnanasambandar has sung a hymns on Lord Shiva.

மணிவளர் கண்டரோ மங்கையை வாட
மயல் செல்வ தோஇவர் மாண்பே
....... திருஞானசம்பந்தர்.   
Lord Shiva   transformed the Muyalagan decease in to Serpent and danced on it as “Sarpa Nataraja”, also relieved the King’s daughter from the decease.

Sundarar after worshiping Lord Shiva of Thiruvanaikoil came to this place. He praised Lord Shiva seeking gold for annadhanam to the Devotees. Lord Shiva kept mum. Angered Sundarar sung the hymns loudly mentioning whether Lord Shiva is here or Not. Pleased by the hymn, Lord Shiva gave him a bag of Gold. Sundarar suspected and started checking it’s purity. While he was examining two persons has come and confirmed it’s purity after scratching and disappeared. Sundarar has sung again, in that he mentions that he didn’t meant to insult him or suspect the purity of the Gold, which was given by Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva appeared before him and told that the assessors are himself and Maha  Vishnu. Hence Lord Shiva is called as “Matru Urai Nathar”    

During ancient times this place was in the midst of vanni tree Forest, called Samee vanam.  Since Brahma worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple, hence praised as Sri Brahmapureeswarar.

Ambal Balambika’s hands are in kadaka hastham, which is unique. It is believed that consuming Ambal’s abhishekam milk for 3 consecutive Sundays by the children who are born with Balarishta dosha will be relieved. Devotees prays Ambal of this temple for Child boon.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on 11 days brahmotsavam in the month Vaikasi ( May – June  ), Thirukarthigai in the month Karthigai ( Nov – Dec ), Arudra darshan in the month Margazhi ( Dec – Jan ), Thai Poosam in the month Thai ( Jan – Feb ), Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi ( Feb – March ) and monthly pradoshams.   

TEMPLE TIMINGS
The temple will be kept opened between 08.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 17.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS : 
Mobile number is +91 94436 92138.
The Gurukkal Vijayakumar may be contacted on his mobile +91 98656 64870 for further details.

HOW TO REACH : 
From Tiruchirapalli Town bus route Nos 60 & 40 are passing through this village. From bus stop one has to walk to the temple on the dusty road.
Thiruvasi is on the enroute  to Musiri on the north river side.
The temple is 5 KM from Uttamarkovil, 9 Km from Thiruvanaikoil, 20 KM from Tiruchirappalli, 68 KM from Thanjavur and 323 KM from Chennai.
Nearest Railway station UttamarKovil / Junction is Tiruchirappalli.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE




The second Visit to this temple was a part of “Trichy Heritage Walk” organised by “Yaaooyakay – யாஊயாகே- Group”, to the Historical Chozha period temples, in and around Trichy aka Tiruchirappalli, scheduled on 20th & 21st March 2021. Even after the damages done by the Muslim invaders, they still stands majestically with 1000 and odd years old history, Heritage and culture values. Even-though they were contributed by the Pallava, Chozha, Pandya, Vijayanagara Kings and the present Nattukottai Nagarathars, they are less popular. Up loading some of the Photographs taken during the second Visit.




















--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA ---

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