This is the 122nd
Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and the 5th Sthalam on the south side
of the river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. During the 6th to 7th century, this place was called Mukkeecharam and is now called Uraiyur, also spelt as Woraiyur, a part of Tiruchirappalli and the capital for the Chozhas.
Pukazh Chozha ruled this place, and all three Kings (Chera, Chozha, &
Pandyas) worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple. There is a proverb stating that
– “Oorenappaduvathu Woraiyur – ஊரெனப்படுவது உறையூர்”. This place is also called Uranthai.
In Periya Puranam, Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came
to this temple after worshipping Lord Shiva of Karkudi.
கற்குடி மாமலை மேல்எழுந்து கனகக் கொழுந்தினையைக் கால்வளையப்
Thirugnanasambandar and
Vallalar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
சாந்தம் வெண்ணீறெனப் பூசி
வெள்ளஞ்சடைவைத்தவர் ---சிற்சுகத்தார் பிற்சநந மில்லாப்
பெருமைதரும் உறையூர்ச்சற்சனர்சேர் மூக்கீச் சரத்தணியே………. திரு அருட்பாMoolavar : Sri Panchavarneswarar Consort : Sri GandhimathiSthalaviruksham :
Vilvam.
Some of the important
features of this temple are...The temple faces east with a mandapam/Rajagopuram base at the entrance. A three-tier
Rajagopuram is at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum. Rishabam, under a mandapa
and balipeedam, is before the Rajagopuram. In addition to this, a Rishaba mandapam
with Dwajasthambam and balipeedam is after the Rajagopuram. Dwarapalakas at
the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum, ie, ardha mandapam, may belong to the Pandya
period, 8th century. In the sanctum, Moolavar is of swayambhu and very small in size. In kostam
Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu in place of Lingothbavar, Brahma, and
Durgai.
In praharam Chandikeswarar,
Uthanga Mamunivar, Pukazh Chozha Nayanar, 63var with Santhana Kuravas, Karpaga
Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Gajalakshmi, Bhairavar, Nalvar, Uchishta Ganapathy, Nagars, Thanthondreeswarar, Mahavishnu, Suryan, Kala
Bhairavar, and Shaniswarar,
Ambal Gandhimathi is
holding Angusam & Lotus in a
separate sannadhi in the maha mandapam and facing North.
A lot of sculptures are
on the Mandapa stone pillars. Among which, the Elephant of Chozha King was defeated by a Cock/fowl in a fight relief (Uraiyur also called கோழியூர்), 5 ladies form a horse, Ladies
form as Elephant, Manmathan on the elephant with sugarcane bow & arrow; Kali’s dance, Bhairavar, Rishabnthigar; Vyaghrapada; Pathanjali; Mahavishnu,
Pichadanar; Thiripuranthagar; Oorthuva Thandavar; Maha Vishnu worship Lord
Shiva, etc are worth seeing. The temple structure/pillars are beautifully chiselled. (Nattukottai Nagarathar's thirupani).
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSSince
Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the
original temple might have existed before the 7th century and believed that
the same was rebuilt by Varaguna Pandya II. The same was reconstructed/renovated/extended during the Chozhas, Vijayanagaras and Nattukottai Nagarathars.
Most of the inscriptions recorded belong to Chozhas. Most of the
inscriptions record the burning of Perpetual lamps, poojas, and Naivedyam for
which land, Money, Land, Cow, and Sheep were gifted/donated to this temple.
As per the inscriptions, this place was under Keralanthaka valanattu, Uraiyur Kootrathu, Uraiyur, Rajakambeeravalanattu Uraiyur. The place was also called Rjasraya
Chaturvedi Mangalam, and Lord Shiva was called Uraiyur Mahadevar,
Thiruuadaithalai Mahadevar.
Parakesari Varman’s period inscription records the endowment of
Daily poojas. The Rajendran period
inscription records that the village Karpaga Nallur was gifted to this temple.
Kovi Rajakesari Varmar’s
2nd reign year inscription records the endowment of supplying one
ulakku ghee for burning a perpetual lamp by Kavuniyan Neri…. Of Uraiyur
Kootrathu Uraiyur. Brahmadeya Village, for which land was gifted to this
temple.
Gandaradithya’s 3rd
reign year inscription records a gift
of land by a certain Kaviniyan Kirttima(r)ttanda Brahmadharajan alias Se…… Kunjaramallan for
offering to the deity during the early morning Service in the temple of
Udaitalaipperumal of the Village. Mention is made of two fields, one called
Kunjaramalla Vayakkal and the other Velkula Bhima Vayakkal. By Velkula –Bhima
is perhaps meant the eastern Chalukya Bhima-II: more probably it might be a
title of Parantaka-I, assumed after his overthrow of Sitpuli (Nadu..?) in
Nellore, which formed part of the eastern Chalukya dominion (M.E.R 1913 p 94).
Kirttimarttanda was a probable surname of the Rashtrakuta King Krishna-III (MER 1936- 37 page 20). This should be a record of Gandaradithya
The 885 CE, Varaguna
Pandya-II, inscription records the donation of gold coins to the Village sabha
for performing Poojas,
The inscription Varaguna
Pandya at Tiruchirappalli Thayumanavar temple records the donations made to
this temple.
This is a
damaged inscription (A. R. No. 183 of 1907) on the south
wall of the sanctum sanctorum, probably assignable to the 16th reign year of
Uttama-Chola. It registers an endowment of 2 ma of land after bringing it under
cultivation by Tāyan Ariñjigai alias Tiruvudaitalai Ottuvattil Pichchi, a
Vellāļa lady residing at Uraiyūr, for the supply of water (from the river) for
the sacred bath of God Tiru-vudaittalai-Perumal and for offerings of certain
specified preparations on the day of Uttarāyana-sankranti every year, in the
temple at Uraiyūr in Uraiyūr-kūrram.
This is a fragment of an
inscription on the south wall of the central shrine dated in the 11th year of
some king whose name is lost. The writing is of about the 10th Century C. E.
Reference is made to an organisation of a district by name Aha-nādu, and also
to the ugachchar and pattudaiyār of the Temple.
This inscription (A. R. No. 185 of 1907) on the west wall of the central
shrine consists of a number of disconnected pieces of an inscription. A few
words of the historical introduction of the Chōļa king Rajendradeva are
traceable in one of them, which is dated in the 3+ Ist year of the king,
expressed definitely as the 319th day of the year. The inscription registers
the grant of tax-free land measuring 29 vēli and odd in extent, in two
villages under the name Atiguņakarpakanallür, for the expenses of worship in
the temple of Mahadeva at Uraiyür in Uraiyūr-kūrram, a subdivision of Keraļāntaka-vaļanādu.
The pieces give elaborate details of the requirements of daily worship and of
those on special festival days of the year, like the Uttaram-ayana-Sankranti,
Kārttigai lights, etc. Mention is made of a certain Anukkiyār Appi
Madu-rāntakiyār under whose instruction the inscription is said to have been
engraved. Reference is made to a temple of Villiśvara within the boundaries of
the land granted.Subsidiary deities to whom separate offerings
were made daily were Chandra-śēkhara, Gaņapati, Lōkavițańka and Urandai-Nāyaka.
The Rajaraja II’s 7th year of reign (1152 CE) (A. R. No. 186 of 1907) inscriptions on the north wall of the central shrine and the details
of date are given as 7th year, Makara, śu. 14, Monday, Uttiram. Makara, śu. 14
can never combine with Uttiram. The intended date was probably A. D. 1152,
January 21, f. d. t. 80, the Nakshatra on this day being Punarvasu. The
inscription is damaged, with portions lost. It seems to register a grant of land
by the assembly of Rājāśraya-chaturvēdimangalam in Uraiyūr-kūrram for the
expenses of daily worship and of a festival in the month of Vaigāsi in the
temple of Tiru-Udaitalai-Mahādeva at Tiru-Uraiyür.
The inscriptions (A. R. No. 187 of 1907)on the north wall of the
central shrine register a tax-free gift of two plots of land, one at
Atiguņakalpakanallūr and the other at Ulagarvidanganallür, for the expenses of
offerings and worship in the temple of Vendan Mukkiśvaram-udaiya-Nāyanār at
Uraiyür in Rājagambhira-vaļanādu by order of the king under the title
Kōnērinmaikoņdān, issued in the 32nd year of his reign.
Ref:
South Indian Inscriptions Volume 19
South Indian Inscriptions Volume 13
South Indian Inscriptions Volume 23
The temple was renovated
in 2002, and the Maha kumbhabhishekam was also conducted.
Inscriptions
LEGENDSIt is believed that Brahma,
Garuda, Kasyapa Muni, Karkodakan, Uthanga Muni, Pukazh Chozha Nayanar, and Ko
Chengat–Chozha worshipped Lord Shiva of this temple. Those who are suffering from Naga dosha and
Garudan may get relieved after worshipping Karkodakan and Garuda of this temple.
It is believed that worshipping Lord Shiva of this temple is equivalent to worshipping
Lord Shiva of all the Pancha Bhoota Sthalas: Chidambaram, Thiruvanaikaval, Kanchipuram, Kalahasti and Thiruvannamalai.
Lord Shiva gave darshan
to Uthangamuni in 5 different colours. In the daytime, the moolavar changes his colour
once in 6 Nazhigai times. First 6 Nazhigai – 6 hrs to 8.24 Hrs in Thamiram /
Copper, 2nd 6 nazhigai ie 6-12 ie 8.25 hrs to 10.48 hrs in
Ilam sivappu / light red in colour, next 12 – 18 Nazhigai ie 10.49 hrs
to 13.12 hrs in molten Gold Colour, next 18 to 24 nazhigai ie 13.13 hrs to 15.36 hrs in
Navarathna Green, next 23 – 30 nazhigai ie 15.37 hrs to 18.00 hrs in a colour
could not be identified.
In another legend, when
the Chozha King Veeravathithan (somebody claims it was Karikal Chozha) was in procession on an Elephant, a Cock
killed the king’s elephant. Hence, this place was called “Kozhiyur – கோழியூர்“. Depicting this
sthala purana, many sculptures are on the pillars of the mandapa, like cock
fighting with an elephant (may be done during Nattukottai Nagarathar’s thirupani).
As per another
legend, a person from Thirupparaithurai
came to this temple and worshipped Lord Shiva. He incurred the sin of blowing Vibhuthi through his mouth. Due to this, he was born as a wild pig in his next birth and wandered many places. Finally, he came to a place and started destroying the Vilvavana. The hunters chased the pig, and in
the process of running, the pig fell into the temple tank and attained mukti.
A bas-relief is in the temple tank depicting this legend. 
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
TEMPLE TIMINGSThe temple will be kept
open from 06.00 hrs to 12.30 hrs, and from 16.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS: The landline +91 431 276 8546 and mobile numbers
+91 94439 19091 and +91 97918 06457 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH : This temple is located
in the Woraiyur / Uraiyur market area, and Woraiyur / Uraiyur is part
of Tiruchirappalli City. Town buses are available from both the Central Bus Stand and the Chatram Bus Stand. The temple is 3.7 km from
Uyyakondan Thirumalai Temple, 16 km from Thirupparaithurai and 325 km from
Chennai. The nearest Railway Station
is Tiruchirappalli.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
கற்குடி மாமலை மேல்எழுந்து கனகக் கொழுந்தினையைக் கால்வளையப்
சாந்தம் வெண்ணீறெனப் பூசி
வெள்ளஞ்சடைவைத்தவர்
---சிற்சுகத்தார்
Moolavar : Sri Panchavarneswarar
Since
Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the
original temple might have existed before the 7th century and believed that
the same was rebuilt by Varaguna Pandya II. The same was reconstructed/renovated/extended during the Chozhas, Vijayanagaras and Nattukottai Nagarathars.
The inscription Varaguna
Pandya at Tiruchirappalli Thayumanavar temple records the donations made to
this temple.
This is a
damaged inscription (A. R. No. 183 of 1907) on the south
wall of the sanctum sanctorum, probably assignable to the 16th reign year of
Uttama-Chola. It registers an endowment of 2 ma of land after bringing it under
cultivation by Tāyan Ariñjigai alias Tiruvudaitalai Ottuvattil Pichchi, a
Vellāļa lady residing at Uraiyūr, for the supply of water (from the river) for
the sacred bath of God Tiru-vudaittalai-Perumal and for offerings of certain
specified preparations on the day of Uttarāyana-sankranti every year, in the
temple at Uraiyūr in Uraiyūr-kūrram.
This is a fragment of an
inscription on the south wall of the central shrine dated in the 11th year of
some king whose name is lost. The writing is of about the 10th Century C. E.
Reference is made to an organisation of a district by name Aha-nādu, and also
to the ugachchar and pattudaiyār of the Temple.
This inscription (A. R. No. 185 of 1907) on the west wall of the central
shrine consists of a number of disconnected pieces of an inscription. A few
words of the historical introduction of the Chōļa king Rajendradeva are
traceable in one of them, which is dated in the 3+ Ist year of the king,
expressed definitely as the 319th day of the year. The inscription registers
the grant of tax-free land measuring 29 vēli and odd in extent, in two
villages under the name Atiguņakarpakanallür, for the expenses of worship in
the temple of Mahadeva at Uraiyür in Uraiyūr-kūrram, a subdivision of Keraļāntaka-vaļanādu.
The pieces give elaborate details of the requirements of daily worship and of
those on special festival days of the year, like the Uttaram-ayana-Sankranti,
Kārttigai lights, etc. Mention is made of a certain Anukkiyār Appi
Madu-rāntakiyār under whose instruction the inscription is said to have been
engraved. Reference is made to a temple of Villiśvara within the boundaries of
the land granted.
Subsidiary deities to whom separate offerings
were made daily were Chandra-śēkhara, Gaņapati, Lōkavițańka and Urandai-Nāyaka.
The Rajaraja II’s 7th year of reign (1152 CE) (A. R. No. 186 of 1907) inscriptions on the north wall of the central shrine and the details
of date are given as 7th year, Makara, śu. 14, Monday, Uttiram. Makara, śu. 14
can never combine with Uttiram. The intended date was probably A. D. 1152,
January 21, f. d. t. 80, the Nakshatra on this day being Punarvasu. The
inscription is damaged, with portions lost. It seems to register a grant of land
by the assembly of Rājāśraya-chaturvēdimangalam in Uraiyūr-kūrram for the
expenses of daily worship and of a festival in the month of Vaigāsi in the
temple of Tiru-Udaitalai-Mahādeva at Tiru-Uraiyür.
The inscriptions (A. R. No. 187 of 1907)on the north wall of the
central shrine register a tax-free gift of two plots of land, one at
Atiguņakalpakanallūr and the other at Ulagarvidanganallür, for the expenses of
offerings and worship in the temple of Vendan Mukkiśvaram-udaiya-Nāyanār at
Uraiyür in Rājagambhira-vaļanādu by order of the king under the title
Kōnērinmaikoņdān, issued in the 32nd year of his reign.
Ref:
South Indian Inscriptions Volume 19
South Indian Inscriptions Volume 13
South Indian Inscriptions Volume 23
Inscriptions
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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