Ucchi Pillayar Temple / Uchi Pillayar Temple / Arulmigu Uchi Pillaiyar Temple/ அருள்மிகு ஸ்ரீ உச்சிப்பிள்ளையார் கோவில், Tiruchirappalli, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu.

The visit to this Sri Ucchi Pillayar Temple at Tiruchirapalli Rock Fort was a part of structural and Rock Cut cave  Shiva and Vishnu temples visit in Tiruchirappalli, Pudukkottai and Sivagangai Districts, on 21^st November 2021. As per the legend this Pillayar was the main reason for the establishing of Srirangam, Sri Ranganathar temple and land mark of Tiruchirappalli.

   

Moolavar  : Sri Uchi Pillayar

Some of the salient features of this temple are…

The temple is facing east with sanctum sanctorum, ardha mandapam and a mukha mandapam. No sub shrines in the praharam. An eka thala nagara Vimana is over the sanctum sanctorum. Balipeedam and Vahana Moonchuru are in the Mukha mandapam.

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

This temple is on the top of the hill ( 273 feet ) also called as Rock Fort – திருச்சி மலைக் கோட்டை with a flight of 437 steps. This hill was mentioned in sangam literature as a mud on the potter wheel.

வேட்கோச் சிறாஅர் தேர்க் கால் வைத்த

பசு மண் குரூஉத் திரள் போல, அவன்

கொண்ட குடுமித்து, இத் தண் பணை நாடே. 10

திணை பாடாண்திணை; துறை இயன்மொழி.

சோழன் நலங்கிள்ளியைக் கோவூர் கிழார் பாடியது.

புறநானூறு 32

The small regional king Narayana Vembaiyyar Kon period inscription records this place as “Chiramalai” , Rajaraja Chozha’s inscription as “Chitrambar”, Thayumanavar and Arunagirinathar as “Chiragiri”.

Since there is no direct evidence  available, it is believed that this temple may be constructed by Pallavas during 7^th Century along with Rock Cut Cave Temple at top and bottom of this fort. As per the architectural style, this temple was reconstructed during Madurai Vijayanagara Nayaks period. Fixing of granite slabs on the walls and laying of granite flooring are done during recent years.

Walls and floors are paved with granite tiles

LEGENDS

As per the legend, Rama presented a Maha Vishnu’s reclining posture idol to Vibhishana, as a gratitude for winning over Ravana at Sri Lanka. Since Vibhishana was an asura king, the Devas do not like Vibhishana to take Ranganathar to his Kingdom. So they sought the help of Vinayagar to Stop Vibhishana. On the way to Sri Lanka Vibhishana, wish to take bath in Kaveri before performing his daily rituals.  

Vibhishana was in search of somebody to hold Ranganathar. As planned Lord Vinayagar appeared there as a Brahmin boy and agreed to hold. While Vibhishana was in water Vinayaga placed Ranganathar on the sand on the banks of river Kaveri. By seeing this Vibhishana got angry, chased him and hit on his head. Still we can see the marking on Vinayagar’s head. Vinayagar ran on the Hill and disappeared. Realized,  the play of Ganesha, Vibhishana prayed to forgive him. Lord Ganesha blessed Vibhishana and Ranganathar remained at Srirangam itself. This Story is very much similar to Gokarneswara Temple also. Latter a temple was built for Vinayagar during Pallava period, on the top ( Ucchi- உச்சி), of the hill and called as Ucchi Pillayar.

To decide who is great, between Adhiseshan and Vayu, leads the formation of this Hill. While Adhiseshan holds the Mount Meru, Vayu tried to blew it from Adhiseshan’s hold. A piece of the Mount Meru had fallen down on this place and formed this Hill.

POOJA AND CELEBRATIONS

Apart from regular poojas, special poojas are conducted on Sankatahara Chaturthi days, Vinayagar Chathurthi, Tamil and English new year days,.

TEMPLE TIMINGS

The temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 20.00 hrs.

CONTACT DETAILS

The following land line number +91 431 270 4621, may be contacted for further details.

Temple web site : http://trichyrockfort.tnhrce.in/history.html

HOW TO REACH

The temple is on the top of the Rock Fort.

The Uchi Pillayar temple is about

The Uchi Pillayar Temple is 2.2 KM from Chatram Bus Stand, 6 KM from Central Bus Stand and Trichy Railway Junction, 324 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Tiruchirappalli Junction

LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE  : CLICK HERE

PC: Web site

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---