The
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-though they were contributed by the
Pallava, Chozha, Pandya, Vijayanagara Kings and the present Nattukottai
Nagarathars, they are less popular. This temple gains its popularity after Maha
Siddhar Sri Sivaprakasa Swamigal atma peedam and sunai Murugan temple are established.
Moolavar : Sri Jambunathar Consort : Sri Akilandeswari
Some
of the salient features of this temple are....The
Rock cut cave temple is facing west. Stucco image of Ambal and an elephant (
Devasena ) worshiping Lord Shiva and Jambu Maharishi’s penance under a tree are
on the entrance arch. Main cell is with
a Shiva Linga. The depth of the other two cells less. The cave is with Sanctum
and a mandapam. The front mandapa was extended latter. Moolavar is on a square
avudayar. Rishabam and Balipeedam are in front of the cave temple. Dwarapalakas
are at the entrance of Mukha mandapam. Stucco image of Lord Shiva with Parvathi
are on the top of the entrance. Smaller cells has Vinayagar, Jambukeswarar in
the form of bas-relief and Jamburishi. In another cell, Vinayagar, Maha Vishnu
and Dakshinamurthy. Navagrahas, Suriyan and Chandran are in the mandapam. Vinayagar
and Sri Valli Subramaniyar, Athmanayaki ( Devasena ) Sannidhis, are in front of
the cave temple. Ambal Akilandeswari is in a small shrine just opposite to the
cave. Ambal is in standing posture with Abhaya varada hastham. 
ARCHITECTUREThe
Rock Cut cave consists of sanctum sanctorum, antarala and artha mandapam. Mukha
mandapam was built at a latter date. Dwarapalakas are in front of the mukha
mandapam entrance. 2 smaller cells are also scooped on both sides of the
sanctum. A Stucco nagara Vimana was built on the rock just above the Sanctum
sanctorum.
The
Dakshinamurthy belongs to early Chozhas’ period. Dakshinamurthy is with
Jadabaram and sitting in Veerasana posture on a simhasana wearing pathra
kundala, Rudraksha mala and Yagnopaveetha. A Crescent moon is shown on the
Jadabaram. The upper hands hold Snake and deer and lower left hand hold the
chuvadi / palm leaves bundle and right hand is in Chin mudra. The Banyan tree
behind Dakshinamurthy was sculptured beautifully. Squirrel, snake, akkamala and
Pokkanam are shown on the banyan tree,
HISTORY AND
INSCRIPTIONSAs per the inscriptions recorded, this place was called as
Thiruvellarai and Lord Shiva was called as “Sriyanaikkal Perumanadigal”. The Shiva rock cut cave was scooped during Nandhivarman.
Earliest inscription of Thiruvellarai Shiva ( Thiruvaanaikkala Perumanadigal )
- rock cut cave temple belongs to Pallava king Nandhivarman-III ie 9th century.
"ஸ்வஸ்தி ஶ்ரீ
பாரத்வா...லக ப்ரந்மாக்ஷத்ரு குலோத்பவ பல்லவ மஹாராஜ....
ரமேஸ்வரநாகிய ஶ்ரீ தந்தி நந்தி வர்ம..."
Rajakesarivarmar’s
25th reign year ( Adithya Chozha ) inscription records the endowment
of burning a perpetual lamp for which a gift
of 30 cows were gifted by Sembiyan Mazhava nattu KoRRan.
Kovi
Rajakesarivarmar’s 2nd reign year inscription of the wall of the
cave records the endowment of burning a perpetual lamp at Thiruvanaikalil
Bhattarakar 25 kalanju Gold was endowed by Marudan Achchan of Sankarapadi
Village Thiruvellarai.
Parantaka-I’s
period inscription records the gift of a land purchased from a Brahmadeya
Village by an individual to Lord Thiruvanaikal Perumanadigal of Thiruvellarai
for prayer and offerings.
Another
Kovi Rajakesarivaraman’s period inscription records the endowment of Naivedyam and to feed the same to a Brahmin well versed
in Vedas after pooja on every noon by Sathuvay Kanjan Damodharan for which 70
Kalanju Gold was gifted.
The
Pandya King Maranjadayan period inscription records the endowment of the king
by himself for burning 2 perpetual lamps for which 120 Kalanju Gold was gifted
to this temple.
The
Koparakesarivarman’s 9th reign year inscription records the
endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for which 25 Kalanju Gold was gifted to
this temple by Kumaran Kon of Idaikattur in Kiranur Nadu a
division of Pandya nadu, who was an officer under Chozha King.
The
Koparakesarivarman’s 9th reign year inscription records the
endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for which a land was gifted to the temple
after purchase for 3 Kalanju Gold to God Ambar Nattu Ambar Thirumakalathu
Mahadevar, by Vanarayan Arangan Madevan.
LEGENDSThis
legend is related to Devasena, wants to have special place in the heart / Chest
of Lord Muruga Peruman, similar to Mahalakshmi did a penance and got a place on
the chest of Maha Vishnu. Also She was little upset over the Marriage of her with
Muruga is not celebrated like Valli marriage with Muruga. So Devasena requested
Muruga peruman the way to fulfil her wishes. Lord Muruga told that the best place to do
Thabas / Penance is a cave where Lord Shiva blesses his devotees in Bhooloka.
So
Devasena came to Bhooloka in the form of ordinary woman and worshiped Lord Shiva
of many temples. She was not happy till She reached Thiruvanaikaval. There She
had seen Ma Parvati was doing milk abhishekam to a Shiva Linga kept in the open
ground. The milk from cows udder was flowing freely. Devasena fallen down at
the feet of ma Parvati. Ma Parvati blessed her and told that her half of her
penance will be completed if She found out the Devotee, where Lord Shiva wants
to rest in his heart. So Devasena continued towards north. When She was taking
bath in Kaveri, had seen a bright light or the jothi which comes from a cave.
On reaching there She found a Maharishi was doing a Penance. When She was about
to wake him, the maharishi opened his eyes. Devasena fallen down at the feet of
maharishi. The Maharishi immediately realised that she is none other than
Devasena and called her as “Athma Nayagi”. The Vennaval Thondan Maharishi fallen
down at the feet of Devasena.
The
Maharishi told that as per Lord Shiva’s instruction, he is doing this penance. The penance will be
completed once he was touched by shadow of an Uthama Pathni. He further told
that his wish was fulfilled by the consort of Lord Muruga Devasena’s shadow
touched him. Immediately Lord Shiva with Parvati, Lord Muruga and Devas
appeared before them and blessed Devasena. Lord Muruga gave her a place in his
chest.
The
Maharishi was originally called as Vennaval Thondan. After this incidence he
was called as “Jambu Maharishi”. Since Jambu Maharishi worshiped Lord Shiva, Lord
Shiva of this rock cut cave is called as Jambukeswarar. Jambu maharishi did this
penance on Lord Shiva to attain Mukthi. Lord Shiva and Parvathi gave darshan
and Mukthi to the Jambu Maharishi.
POOJAS AND
CELEBRATIONSApart
from Regular Poojas special poojas are conducted on Pradosham, Maha Shivaratri
TEMPLE TIMINGSThe
temple will be kept opened between 10.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs and 16.00 Hrs to
18.00 hrs.CONTACT
DETAILS
HOW TO REACHThis
cave Temple is about 1 KM and just back side of the Thiruvellarai Maha Vishnu
temple and the Swastika Well.The
Rock Cut cave temple is about 19 KM from Main Guard Gate, 26 KM from
Tiruchirappalli, 69 Km from Thanjavur,
100 KM from Kumbakonam and 321 KM from Chennai.Nearest
Railway station is Tiruchirappalli.
LOCATION OF
THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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