The
visit to this temple was a part of the “Trichy Heritage Walk” organized 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 gained popularity after Maha
Siddhar Sri Sivaprakasa Swamigal Atma Peedam and Sunai Murugan temple were established.
Moolavar : Sri Jambunathar Consort : Sri Akilandeswari
Some
of the salient features of this temple are...The
rock-cut cave temple faces west. Stucco images of Ambal and an elephant (Devasena) worshiping Lord Shiva and Jambu Maharishi’s penance under a tree are
on the entrance arch. The main cell has
a Shiva Linga. The depth of the other two cells is less. The cave has a sanctum
and a mandapam. The front mandapa was extended later. The moolavar is on a square
avudayar. Rishabam and balipeedam are in front of the cave temple. Dwarapalakas
are at the entrance of the mukha mandapam. Stucco images of Lord Shiva with Parvati
are on the top of the entrance. Smaller cells have Vinayagar and 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 the
cave. Ambal is in a standing posture with abhaya varada hastham. 
ARCHITECTUREThe
rock-cut cave consists of the sanctum sanctorum, antarala, and artha mandapam. Mukha
mandapam was built at a later 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 the early Chozha 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 hand holds the Snake and deer, and the lower left hand holds the
chuvadi / palm leaves bundle, and the right hand is in Chin mudra. The Banyan tree
behind Dakshinamurthy was sculpted beautifully. Squirrels, snakes, acca mala, and
Pokkanam are shown on the banyan tree,
HISTORY AND
INSCRIPTIONSAs per the inscriptions recorded, this place was called Thiruvellarai, and Lord Shiva was called “Sriyanaikkal Perumanadigal”. The Shiva rock-cut cave was scooped during Nandhivarman. The earliest inscription of Thiruvellarai Shiva (Thiruvaanaikkala Perumanadigal)
- a rock-cut cave temple- belongs to Pallava king Nandhivarman-III, ie, the 9th century.
The Pallava King Nandivarman
III’s 6th reign year 852 CE inscription on the boulder rock in front
of the temple mentions the paridaiyar (parisad) of brahma](deya?) Tiruvellarai
and seems to record (in Tamil verses) the praise of Sellikkōmān Mallava[n],
born in the ancient family of the Pallavas, the uncle (maman) of Mārpidugu
Ilangōvēlān Sattan Se....., the nephew (tirumarumān) of Paraśirāman, a seasoned
warrior (tonmaravan), the chief of the Vēlāļas (Vēlāļaraivar) and the guarantor
(urudiyan) of (the village of?) [Danti]-mangai. It also seems to wish that the
fame of Vilup[pēraraiyan][Śā]ttan, the guarantor (urudiyan) of the above
brahmadēya, should stand. States that this was sung (composed) by (poet)
Peruńkāvidi Śadaiyanpalli. The grantha Sanskrit inscription starts with... (written in Tamil)...
"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 was given by Sembiyan Mazhava nattu KoRRan.
Kovi
Rajakesarivarmar’s 2nd reign year inscription on 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 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 feeds the same to a Brahmin well versed
in the Vedas after pooja at 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 the Chozha King.
The
Koparakesarivarman’s 9th reign year inscription records the
endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for which land was gifted to the temple
after the purchase of 3 Kalanju Gold to God Ambar Nattu Ambar Thirumakalathu
Mahadevar, by Vanarayan Arangan Madevan.
References1. South Indian Inscriptions Volume XII2. ARE 19053. Inscriptions of the Pallavas by T V Mahalingam.
The Pallava King Nandivarman
III’s 6th reign year 852 CE inscription on the boulder rock in front
of the temple mentions the paridaiyar (parisad) of brahma](deya?) Tiruvellarai
and seems to record (in Tamil verses) the praise of Sellikkōmān Mallava[n],
born in the ancient family of the Pallavas, the uncle (maman) of Mārpidugu
Ilangōvēlān Sattan Se....., the nephew (tirumarumān) of Paraśirāman, a seasoned
warrior (tonmaravan), the chief of the Vēlāļas (Vēlāļaraivar) and the guarantor
(urudiyan) of (the village of?) [Danti]-mangai. It also seems to wish that the
fame of Vilup[pēraraiyan][Śā]ttan, the guarantor (urudiyan) of the above
brahmadēya, should stand. States that this was sung (composed) by (poet)
Peruńkāvidi Śadaiyanpalli. The grantha Sanskrit inscription starts with... (written in Tamil)...
"ஸ்வஸ்தி ஶ்ரீ பாரத்வா...லக ப்ரந்மாக்ஷத்ரு குலோத்பவ ப
ல்லவ மஹாராஜ.... ரமேஸ்வரநாகிய ஶ்ரீ தந்தி ந
ந்தி வர்ம..."
Rajakesarivarmar’s
25th reign year (Adithya Chozha) inscription records the endowment
of burning a perpetual lamp for which a gift
of 30 cows was given by Sembiyan Mazhava nattu KoRRan.
Kovi
Rajakesarivarmar’s 2nd reign year inscription on 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 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 feeds the same to a Brahmin well versed
in the Vedas after pooja at 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 the Chozha King.
The
Koparakesarivarman’s 9th reign year inscription records the
endowment of burning a perpetual lamp for which land was gifted to the temple
after the purchase of 3 Kalanju Gold to God Ambar Nattu Ambar Thirumakalathu
Mahadevar, by Vanarayan Arangan Madevan.
References
1. South Indian Inscriptions Volume XII
2. ARE 1905
3. Inscriptions of the Pallavas by T V Mahalingam.
LEGENDSThis
legend is related to Devasena, who wants to have a special place in the heart/chest
of Lord Muruga Peruman, similar to how Mahalakshmi did penance and got a place on
the chest of Maha Vishnu. Also, she was a little upset that the Marriage of Muruga was not celebrated like Valli's marriage with Muruga. So Devasena requested
Muruga Peruman for the way to fulfill her wishes. Lord Muruga said that the best place to do dhabas/penance is a cave where Lord Shiva blesses his devotees in Bhooloka.
So
Devasena came to Bhooloka in the form of an ordinary woman and worshiped Lord Shiva
in many temples. She was not happy till she reached Thiruvanaikaval. There, she
saw Ma Parvati doing milk abhishekam to a Shiva Linga kept in the open
ground. The milk from the cow's udder was flowing freely. Devasena fell at
the feet of Ma Parvati. Ma Parvati blessed her and told her that half of her
penance would be completed if she found out the Devotee, where Lord Shiva wanted
to rest in his heart. So Devasena continued towards the north. When she was taking a bath in Kaveri, she saw a bright light or the jothi, which came 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 fell down at the feet of the Maharishi. The Maharishi immediately realized that she was none other than
Devasena and called her “Athma Nayagi”. The Vennaval Thondan Maharishi fell
down at the feet of Devasena.
The
Maharishi said that, as per Lord Shiva’s instruction, he is doing this penance. The penance will be
completed once he is touched by the shadow of a Uthama Pathni. He further said
that his wish was fulfilled by the consort of Lord Muruga; Devasena’s shadow
touched him. Immediately, Lord Shiva with Parvati, Lord Muruga, and the Devas
appeared before them and blessed Devasena. Lord Muruga gave her a place in his
chest.
The
Maharishi was originally called Vennaval Thondan. After this incident, he
was called “Jambu Maharishi”. Since Jambu Maharishi worshiped Lord Shiva, Lord
Shiva of this rock-cut cave is called Jambukeswarar. Jambu Maharishi did this
penance on Lord Shiva to attain Mukthi. Lord Shiva and Parvati gave darshan
and Mukthi to Jambu Maharishi.
POOJAS AND
CELEBRATIONSApart
from Regular Poojas, special poojas are conducted on Pradosham and Maha Shivaratri
TEMPLE TIMINGSThe
temple will be kept open from 10.00 hrs to 12.00 hrs, and from 16.00 hrs to
18.00 hrs.CONTACT
DETAILS
HOW TO REACHThis
cave temple is about 1 km from the back side of the Thiruvellarai Maha Vishnu
temple and the Swastika Well.The
Rock Cut Cave temple is about 19 km from the Main Guard Gate, 26 km from
Tiruchirappalli, 69 km from Thanjavur, 100 km from Kumbakonam, and 321 km from Chennai.The nearest
Railway Station is Tiruchirappalli.
LOCATION OF
THE TEMPLE: CLICK HERE
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OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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