Malaikottai, Thiruvanaikaval, Thirupattore, and Utratoore temple. Trichy.

Trichy:


This time our tour was to Thirchirappalli for four days from january 9- 2008. The place is one of the important junction, well connected to Airways, Railways and Roadways.


We stayed at Mayavaram Lodge, 87, Vanappattarai Street, Teppakulam Post, Thiruchirappalli-620002. Phone number-0431-2704089, 0431-2722400. The accommodation was reasonable and service rendered was good . It was homely. They have car for rents also. The car driver Kuzandhaivelu was very coperative and helpful.


Our trip is mainly to visit Old important temples of Siva, Vishnu, and few temples on the way. We were unable complete all temples of our choice due to temple timings.

1. Naganadhaswamy temple:
   
   
   The temple is in Nandikoil Street, near theppakulam.
   Sthala Vruksham: Vilvam. Teertham: Siva teertham.
   
   
   Main Deity is Swayambu lingam known as Naganadhaswamy and his consort known as Anandhavalli ambikai in different sanctum.
   
   
   Some munie's, due to ego thought without the blessings of god they can live on their own. To awaken them from their ignorance Siva fought with them. They diverted snakes, against Siva, who in turn wore the snakes as ornaments. Hence the name Naganadhar.
   
   
   Importance: The temple is below the ground level. Siva is facing east and Amman sannidhi to south. We can watch both deities at the same time from one place. There is a small tank in front of Amman sannidhi.
   
   
   Sevandhi nadhar and Saramamuni worshipped Siva of this place with sevandhi flowers.
   
   
   Navagraha sannidhi is different here we see only sun with wives and rest alone.
   
   
   The other deities we see here are Ganesha, Subramanya swamy, Dandayudha pani, Somaskandhar, and Bairavar.
   
   
   
   
2. Nandi temple:
   
   
   The temple is in Nandi street.
   
   
   Importance: There is a huge Nandi here. This Nandi belongs to Thayumanar temple.Once upon a time the whole place was belonging to temple. Now houses are built in between, so Nandi is seperated from main temple.
   
   
   
3. Malai kottai: Ganesha and Siva temple.
   
   
   This is one of 275 Siva Devara Sthalam
   
   
   The temple is about 5 kms from Trichy and half km from chattram bus stand. This temple is a fort temple and there are 3 temples here.
   
   
   Teertham: cauveri, Siva gangai, and Brahma teertham. >Sthala vruksham: Vilvam. The temple is known as Dakshina kailasam.
   
   
   
   Main Deities: Mannika vinakar once you enter the temple.
   
   
   
   Mathruboodheswarar or Thayumanavar,and his consort Mattuvarkuzali /Sugandhakundalambikai, in different sanctum and it is half the way to the top hill.
   
   
   Uchhi pilliar, Ganesha on the top hill.
   
   
   
   Importance: The height of the temple is 275’ and there are nearly 420 steps to climb.
   
   
   
   Sthala Purana says Siva took care of a girl during pregnancy and delivery time in the form of the girl's mother, So he is known as Thayumanavar. Sarma muni worshipped Siva with chevandi flowers brought from naga lokha and hence he is called as Chevandhi nadhar.
   
   
   
   Agasthiyar, Arjuna, Hanuman, Rathnavathi, Rama, Saptha Kanniar, Saptha Rishi, Sarama muni and chittar worshipped Siva of this place.
   
   
   
   There is a big hall before entering Siva temple which is full of paintings and pillars have beautiful carvings. We see a chain hanging in the roof made of single stone. The roof of the hall is also fully painted.
   
   
   
   One of 64 Siva moortham known as gangala moortham is seen here. There are two caves in the temple.
   
   
   Navukkuarasar and Sambandhar sang hymns on Siva of this place.
   
   
   
   Purana of ucchi pilliar Veebishana was taking the idol of Ranganadhar to Srilanka on his return. He was cautioned not to keep the idol down if so he will not be able to remove it and take. He agreed to the condition.
   
   
   
   On his way he gave the idol to Ganesha to hold for some time to finish his evening ritualas. Ganesha agreed, and after a while he placed the idol down and went to the top of the hill.
   
   
   
   Veebishana when he returned he saw the idol down and he was not able to lift it up. He prayed Lord Ranganadhar to help him. Lord Ranganadhar agreed to face south dirrection towards srilanka and blessed him. He returned back to his place without the idol.
   
   
   
4. Thiruvannaikaval
   
   
   This is one of 275 Siva Devara sthalam and Sakthi peetam. The place is also known as Gajaranya kshetram, and Appu sthalam.
   
   
   The place is about 3 kms from Trichy, in between River Kollidam and Cauvery.
   
   
   Main Deity: Swayambu lingam known as Jambukeswarar, and his consort known as Amman Akilandeeswari.
   
   
   
   Teertham: Cauvery, Brahma, Indra, Chandra, Rama, Agni, Agsthya, kollidam and Surya.
   Sthala Vruksham is Vennaval tree.
   
   
   
   Main Deity is known as Jalakandeeswarar due to water springing down the Siva lingam. Spider and Elephant worshipped Siva in this place hence the name Annaika.
   
   
   
   Importance: In front of the main deity Siva we see nine holes and darshan through the hole is equal to dip in all 9 teerthams.
   
   
   
   Ambal worshipped Siva in this place so even now Archakas worship siva in the noon time wearing saree. The earing of goddess is known as Thadangam.
   
   
   
   Sankaracharya controled her anger and placed it in the earings as srichakra.
   One earing is Siva chakkra and the other one is Srichakkra.
   
   
   
   Sambndhar, Navkkuarasar, and Sundarar sang hymns on Siva of this place. Arunagiri nadhar sang thirupugazh on subramanya of this place.
   
   
   
5. Thirupattoore: Siva temple.
   
   
   The place is 21 kms from Lalgudi.
   
   
   Main Deity is Swayambu linga known as Brahmapureeswarar and his consort Bruhan Nayaki. Sthala vruksham: Magizha maram.
   
   
   
   Importance: Brahma worshipped Siva of this place. We see Brahma in separate sanctum here. The place is known as mumoorthy sthalam. There are 14 lingas in the temple worshipped, by Manduga maharishi.
   
   
   
   
6. Utratoore: Siva temple.
   
   
   This is one of the vaippu sthalam of Lord Siva.
   
   
   The place is about 28 kms from Lalgudi.
   Teertham: Brahma teertham.
   
   
   Main Deity: Sundravaneyswarar and his consort Akilandeswari.
   
   
   Importance: Nataraja and Sivakami ammai idol is made of one single stone. Nandhi river started from the mouth of nandhi in this temple. we see a huge nandi first.
   
   
   As we enter the temple,to the roof we see the devatas relating to 27 stars and 12 rasi is carved. They say the place is good for worship of stars. Inside the temple we see a well and a Nandi.