Thayumanavar Temple / Thaymanaswami Temple / ஸ்ரீ தாயுமானசுவாமி திருக்கோயில். மலைக்கோட்டை, Rockfort, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu.

This is the 123^rd Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 6^th Sthalam on the South banks of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. This temple is believed to be Bhooloka Kailasam / Kailash.  

ஒருதலம் இறந்தவர்க்கு உறுதி நல்கும்

ஒருதலம் பிறந்தவர்க்கு உதவும் நற்கதி

இருதலம் தம்மினும் எய்தும் யாவையும் தருதலம்

………. செவ்வந்தி புராணம் பாடல் 220

In PeriyaPuranam Sekkizhar Records Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Mukkeecharam (Woraiyur ).

செம்மணி வாரி அருவிதூங்கும் சிராப்பள்ளி மேய செழுஞ்சுடரைக்

கைம்மலை ஈர்உரி போர்வை சாத்தும் கண்நுதலாரைக் கழல்பணிந்து

மெய்ம்மகிழ்வு எய்தி உளம் குளிர விளங்கிய சொல்தமிழ்மாலை வேய்ந்து

மைம்மலர் கண்டர்தம் ஆனைக்காவை வணங்கும் விருப்பொடு வந்து அணைந்தார்

In Periya Puranam Sekkizhar also records that Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal Visited this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of  ThiruVerumbur.

சிலந்திக்கு அருளும் கழல்வணங்கக் செஞ்சொல் மாலை பலபாடி

இலங்கு சடையார் எறும்பியூர் மாலையும் இறைஞ்சிப் பாடியபின்

மலர்ந்த சோதித் திருச்சிராப் பள்ளி மலையும் கற்குடியும்

நலங்கொள் செல்வத் திருப்பராய்த் துறையும் தொழுவான் நண்ணினார்

……… திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள் புராணம்

Thirugnanasambandar, Thirunavukkarasu Swamigal, Manickavasagar, Ayyadikal Kadavarkon, and Vallalar have sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple

நன்றுடையானைத் தீயதிலானை நரைவெள்ளே(று)

ஒன்றுடையானை உமையொருபாகம் உடையானைச்

சென்றடையாத திருவுடையானைச் சிராப்பள்ளிக்

குன்றுடையானைக் கூறஎன் உள்ளங்குளிருமே

…….. திருஞானசம்பந்தர்

தாயுமாய் எனக்கேதலை கண்ணுமாய்

யேய னேனையும் ஆண்ட பெருந்தகை

தேய நாதன் சிராப் பள்ளி மேவிய

நாயனார் என நம்வினை நாசமே

…….. திருநாவுக்கரசு சுவாமிகள்

சிராப்பள்ளி மேவிய சிவனே போற்றி

……… மாணிக்கவாசகர்

கழிந்தது நென்னற்று கட்டுவிட்டு நாறி

ஒழிந்தது உடல் இராவண்ணம் – அழிந்தது

இராமல் ஐயா! கொண்டு போ என்னா முன் நெஞ்சே

சிராமலையான் பாதமே சேர்

………. ஐயடிகள் காடவர்கோன்

                                                            --- மற்செய்

அராப்பள்ளிமேவுமவனின்று வாழ்த்துஞ்

சிராப்பள்ளி ஞானத் தெளிவே

………. திரு அருட்பா

Moolavar  : Sri Thayumanavar.Sri Mathrubootheswarar,

                 Sri Thayumanaswami, Chevvanthi Nathar.

Consorts  : Sri Mattuvar Kuzhali, Sri Sukunthakundhalambigai.

Some of the important features of this temple are ...

Manicka Vinayagar sannathi at the base of the hill temple. The main shrine is 258 steps from the base. Uchi Pillayar is on the top of the hill. On the way to Thayumanavar temple, there is Dharmapuram Adheenam, a 100-pillar mandapa, and Pallava Period Rock Cut Cave on the left.  Thayumanavar Temple is in the middle of the Hill facing west. Kambathadi Vinayagar and Arumugar are at the entrance. Balipeedam, Dwajasthambam, and Rishabam are after the entrance. Moolavar is big in size (believed to be the 4^th biggest Shiva Linga) and faces west. In Koshtam, Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy is in dharbasana with 8 disciples, which includes Vyagrapadar and Patanjali, Lingothbavar, Brahma, and Durgai. 

   

In the inner praharam 63var, 63var Urchava murtis, Chevvanthi Vinayagar, Muthukumaraswamy with Valli Devasena, Kala Bhairavar, Chandikeswarar, Navagrahas (All the Grahas are facing Suryan and Surya is with his consorts Usha and Pratyusha), Jurahareswarar (with 3 head, 3 legs and 3 hands), Mahalakshmi is in standing posture, Pathala Ayyanar, Meenakshi Sundareswarar, Sahasrara Lingeswarar, Dhara Lingam, Saptamatrikas and Sattainathar. Ambal Mattuvarkuzhali is in a separate sannadhi in standing posture. Arut Sakthi murtis are in the prakaram. 

The special sculpture and architecture are, the hanging stone Chain, the rolling stone ball in the mouth of a Lion, The parrots drinking nectar from the hanging lotus flower, sculptures on the pillars and painting of 25 Shiva’s forms, the legend of Thayumanavar destroying the Uraiyur, etc on the ceilings. There are 7 Mandapas namely, 1000 Pillar mandapam, Vahana mandapa, Meenakshi Sundareswarar mandapa, 100 pillar mandapam, Sahasrara Linga mandapa, Chithra mandapam, Mani mandapa and 16 pillar mandapa. 

The 15^th Century Arunagirinathar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Muruga of this Chirappalli hill temple.

அரவமெதிர் கண்டு நடுநடுந டுங்க

        அடலிடுப்ர சண்ட                                       மயில்வீரா

அமரர்முத லன்பர் முனிவர்கள்வ ணங்கி

        அடிதொழவி ளங்கு                                    வயலூரா

திருவையொரு பங்கர் கமலமலர் வந்த

        திசைமுகன்ம கிழ்ந்த                               பெருமானார்

திகுதகுதி யென்று நடமிட முழங்கு

        த்ரிசிரகிரி வந்த                                           பெருமாளே 

HISTORY & INSCRIPTIONS

The Temple is constructed on a 273 (83 meters) feet high rock. There are two Hindu temples on this rock. The required stones are brought from Kodumbalur. The Vinayagar Shrine is on the top of the hill as Uchi Pillayar and Lord Shiva as Thayumanavar (Pallava period) is a little below the top, at the base of the fort, built during the Nayaka period. The fort witnessed the fierce fighting between, Madurai Nayaks & Bijapur Sultans,  Carnatic & Maratha forces. The fort played a main role during the Carnatic wars and helped as a foundation for British rule in India. 

The Shiva temple was built by Mahendravarman-I, in the early 7^th Century CE, and later renovated and maintained during Chozhas, Pandyas, Vijayanagars, and Marathas.  This temple was occupied by Jain Saints and later was destroyed by Mahendravarman-I, who then constructed this Shiva Temple in the same place.

As per the inscriptions, This hill was called Chirappalli malai, Thirumalai, and Lord Shiva was called Thirumalai Perumanadigal, Mathrubhootheswarar, Thirumalai Bhattara and Sevvanthiswara (17^th Century Vijayanagara Period). Rajarajan & Varaguna Pandya period inscriptions mention this place as ”Chitrambar”. and the Temple was called Chirappalli. The 16^th to 18^th CE inscription mentions this place as “Thirichirapuram”

One of the inscriptions records that Mahendravarman-I converted back to Saivam from Jainism. Kodi Mandapam was built during Pandya King Sundara Pandyan.

Rajaraja-I’s 16^th reign year inscription starts with his mei keerthi records that uncultivated land was sold at a cheaper rate. After making the land cultivable, those who bought the land had to feed to Brahmins and Sivayogis on Chithirai Thiruvizha for 9 days. For the same 5 Kalanju gold was deposited in the treasury.

Maravarman Sundara Pandya’s 4^th reign year inscription records a gift of Land to the temple. In that inscription, Lord Shiva was called Thirumalai Perumanadigal.

Pandya King Maravarman Sadayan’s (also called Pandyadhiraja Varaguna) 4^th  reign year & 2501st-day inscription records the gift of 125 Kalanju gold to this temple and Lord Shiva was called Thirumalai Bhattara. It mentions that he destroyed the fort at Vembil (VembaRRur near Kumbakonam) and issued this order when he was staying at Niyamam and he is described as an ornament of Surya / Sun (Chozha) and Lunar /Chandra (Pandya) dynasties.  Another damaged 9th-year inscription records the gift of 537 kalanju gold, which includes ornaments like Pattam and Golden flowers to this temple.

During the Nayak period Venkadadeva Maharayar saka 1351, ie 1429 CE inscription records the gift of Land to the benefit of Veerappa Nayaka.  

Vijayanagara Nayak’s Saka1581 ie 1659 CE, Visvanatha Nayaka- Chokkanatha Nayak period inscription records that it allows using Elephants, double Chowrys, White umbrella, Palanquin, and tent, etc when they were going out of Madurai and Tiruchirapalli Desam by the 5 divisions of Kammalars (5 castes -5 Varnathars).

The Vijayanagara King Venkatadeva Maharaya saka 1599 ie 1677 CE inscription records the gift of Land to meet the expenses of sacred bath and Poojas on Malai Thirunal / festival to Sevvanthiswara.

Ref

1. South Indian Inscriptions Volume

2. Thennintiya Koil Sasanangal

LEGENDS

Brahma, Indra, Jadayu, Hanuman, Sapta Rishis, Thirisiran, Saramamunivar, Maunaguru, and Thayumanavar worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple.

It is believed that an Asura called Thirisiran –திரிசிரன் – worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple, Hence this place obtained the name of Thirichirappalli and corrupted to the present name of Tiruchirapalli. This place is also called Dakshina Kailash. 

According to the legend, Rathnaguptan of Pattinapakkam a part of Poompuhar, had a daughter called Rathnavathi. After marriage to Thanagupthan of Tiruchirappalli, she used to worship Lord Shiva Chevvanthi Nathar daily. With the blessings of Lord Shiva Chevvanthi Nathar, Rathnavathi became pregnant and the same was informed to her mother at Poompuhar. Her mother was on the way, Tiruchirappalli, from Poompuhar with medicines, oil, etc. She couldn’t cross the river Kaveri due to the flood. But Rathnavathi was waiting for her mother to arrive in Tiruchirappalli for her delivery. Since her mother’s arrival was delayed, Rathnavathi worshiped Lord Shiva Chevvanthi Nathar. When the delivery time approached, Lord Shiva took the form of Rathavathi’s old mother and came to her house along with two ladies for assistance. Rathnavathi was very happy and greeted Lord Shiva. With Lord Shiva’s grace, Rathnavathi gave birth to a male Child. The following song describes the Lord Shiva helped his Bhathai for delivery.

குழவி ஈன்றவட்கு அருமருந்து எண்ணெயும் கொடுத்தே

எழு தினத்து அளவு இழைத்திடும் செயல் எலாம் இயற்றி

அழகு தொட்டிலுள் துயிற்றி அங்கு ஒரு மதி அளவாம்

மழ களிற்றினை முருகவேள் எனும்படி வளர்த்தாள்

…. செவ்வந்தி புராணம்

After the flood in the Kaveri subsided, Rathnavathi’s actual mother came. Rathnavathi was confused to identify her actual mother. Lord Shiva disappeared.  Lord Shiva with Ambal gave darshan to Rathnavathi. As Lord Shiva himself served his devotee as her mother, the main deity is called "Thayumanavar" ( God, who is also the "Mother"). This incident is also celebrated as a special event called "Chettipen Maruthuvam" on the fifth day of the Chithirai Festival. On that day Prasava legiyam will be supplied through donors.

Pregnant women and their husbands pray to Lord Thayumanavar for a safe delivery and offer plantain fruits to God after delivering a healthy baby. One can see people carrying "Vazhaithar" all the way up to the temple and after offering it to Thayumanavar, they distribute it among other devotees in the temple.

On Three days ie 23^rd to 25^th in the month of Panguni, evening sun rays fall on the moolavar. During that time Shiva linga will be visible in golden colour.

POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Vinayagar Chathurthi in the month Avani, Theppotsavam in the month Panguni, Car festival in the month Chithirai, Aadi Pooram in the month Aadi, Navratri festival in the month Purattasi, Kandar Sashti in the month Aippasi, Somavara Sangu abhishekam in the month Karthigai and Summer Festival, Maha Shivaratri in the month Masi and monthly pradosam.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept open between 06.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The landline numbers are  +91 431 2704621 and  +91 431 2710484 

The temple website: http://www.trichyrockfort.tnhrce.in/

HOW TO REACH :

Tiruchirappalli  is well connected by ample trains and buses from Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu. 

The Temple is 3.8 km from Woraiyur, 7 km from Uyyakondan Thirumalai, 11.6 km from Thiruverumbur, 18 km from Thirupparaithurai, and 326 KM from Chennai.  

Nearest Railway station is Tiruchirappalli.

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE

Rock Cut Cave - Pallava period 

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---