ROCKFORT TEMPLE is one of the world famous temple for Religious and its Historical importance in Tiruchirappalli, Tamilnadu. The Rock fort temple is best known for its architectural beauty. It is completely made out of Rock in the heart of the trichy town
In the ROCKFORT there are two Vinayakar temples at the underneath of the rock MANIKKAVINAYAGAR temple and at the peak of the rock UCCHIPILLAIYAR temple and in between there is a temple for LORD SIVA is also known as THAYUMANVAR It means the God who turned Mother. There is a legend about it.
MANIKKA VINAYAKAR TEMPLE
At the very entrance, at the foot of the Rock, we can see the Lord Manikka vinayakar seated in all his majesty, ready to confer his blessings upon his Devotees. It looks as if nobody can reach the Temple of Lord Thayumanavar or Ucchipillaiyaar, without first worshipping him and obtaining his blessings. The spacious hall on the western side contains pictures and carvings of Vinayaka in different names and postures.
The circular Pyramid like structure on the top of this small temple, VIMANAM as it is called, is recently gold plated and adds to the general solemnity and loveliness.
Archanas are performed throughout the day .Abishekams are performed twice a day and processions of the god round the temple are conducted on Chathurthi Days. To sum up in one word, Manikka vinayakar is the Patron deity of the Town.
THAYUMANAVAR TEMPLE
Lord - Thayumana Swamy Lordess - Mattuvar Kuzhali Holy Water - Cauvery, Soma Rogani Holy Tree - Vilvam Agama - Kamiga Agama
The holy shrines of Lord Shiva sung in holy Tamil Compositions are 274 in number. Tiruchirapalli is one among them. It is on the banks of river Cauvery. Appar and Thirugnana sambandar has sung this deity in Thevaram. This temple’s presiding deity Lord ‘Thayumanavar’ (Chevanthinathar) is a self manifest Linga. It is the Fourth biggest Sivalinga in Tamil Nadu. The Godess here is ‘Mattuvar Kuzhal Ammai’ which means the long haired goddess wearing a garland of flowers imbued with honey . The temple is one among the few temples facing west.
INSIDE THAYUMANAVAR SANIDHI
There is separately shrine for Godess Mahalakshmi and Annapurani and including all Bairavar, Durgai, 63 Nayanmars, also in this temple , and separate shrine there for Ganapathy and Arumugakadavul Murga, Meenakshi ,Sunderaswarar, and Navagraham, Bhathala iyyanaar and Specifically there is (Guru) ,(ie) the idol of Sri Dakshinamoorthy seated on Dharbasana and Sahasralingeshwar.
There were two Nandhikeswarar, one which is inside the Thayumanvar temple facing Shiva which is small one and another is outside the Rockfort mountain, which is the biggest Nandhikeswarar is located on the western side facing Shiva , near to SomaRohini (ie) Teppakulam , it is the powerful Big Nandhikeswarar after the Tanjore Nandhi .Even the name of that street which is known as Nandhikovilstreet.
During ancient times Tiruchirappalli is also known as Thirisirapuram, further this place is known as Sirappalli,Rishabachalam & Dhakshina Kailasam.
PURANIC HISTORY
Puranas state that the brother of Ravana, a demon known as ‘Trisira’ ruled over this region. He had three heads. The mount has been named after him Trisiragiri (Three headed mount or mount with three peaks). He prayed Siva to appear before him. He cut down his two heads and put it into the holy fire. Lord Siva did not appeared. When he tried to cut the third head too, Lord Shiva appeard before him in Rishaba Vahana and gave him many boons.
FOUR FACE PROFILE OF THE MOUNTAIN
Trisiramalai seems
as Vinayaga to see from East,
as Peacock to see from North,
as an Anchored Ship to see from West,
as a Seated Bull and like an Elephant to see from the South.
UCCHIPILLAIYAAR TEMPLE
On the top of the rock UcchiPillaiyar (Ganesh) is housed.The Rock rises to a height of (83m HIGH) altitude of 273 feet to be climbed by a flight of 417 steps to the top were the UCCHIPILLAIYAAR TEMPLE is situated .This mount is also known as Southern Kailash .It is on the mount called Trisira. This temple is constructed by King Mahendra Varman of the 7th century .Evidence of jain occupation around the rock are still exist.
It has been proved scientifically that the rock is 3500 billion years old and older even the Mount Kailash .The self manifest linga is the tip of one of the three peaks of mount trisira.So Lord Thayumanvar is also Known as the tender sprout of the mount. Thiayagabrahmam has composed Kunthalaraga in the name of this godess
On the top of the rock Ucchi Pillaiyaar (Ganesh) is housed. People mostly visit the top to have a panoramic birds eye view of the city. On the southern side on the top is Mani (Bell) Mandapam with a big bell. The middle part of the shrine houses Kangaala Moorthy, one of the 64 manifestations of Lord Shiva. there is also a 100-pillared hall and a Vimana covered with gold.
The Chittira Mandapam houses a granite chain with nine loops. Six worship services are offered each day here. The annual Bhrammotsavam in Chittirai and Aadi Pooram and the float festival in Panguni are significant festivals here. Devotees including all the Merchants and Shop keepers and Employees of this busy area flock to the Temple in hundreds.
