Tayumanavar Hill Temple

Overview

The Sri Thayumanavar Temple is located at Tiruchirappali and is dedicated to God Shiva. This place Thiruchirappali once used to be known as Thirisirapuram. The reason behind that was a Rakshasa who was named thirisiran. He used to worship to God Shiva at this very place. According to legend, there are three peaks on the Rock Fort hill and they are occupied by God Shiva, Parvathi and Vinayakar respectively. This place also had different names such as Sirappali, Rishabachalam and Dhakshina Kailasam. This famous Rock Fort hill is known to be formed long long time back.

About the Temple

God Shiva in this temple is in the form of a Swayambhu linga. He faces the West direction. During the month of Panguni in March and April, rays of the sun fall directly on the swayambu linga for exactly three days during the evening time. This temple is the sixth temple that was praised in the Thevaram hymns. This particular shrine is praised as the Kailash of the South.

When some festivals take place here, God goes in the procession on both the streets around this temple. One is the Mel Veedhi i.e. the West Street and the second one is the Keel Veedhi i.e. the East Street. The Sun God also graces the devotees from his mandap. He can be seen with his consorts Usha and Pradyusha. The planet gods that are in the navagraha mandap face the sun directly. God Manicka Vinayaka blesses the devotees from a foot hill temple.

About the Deity

The presiding or the chief deity in this temple is the Thayumanavar. It is the God who is also the mother. The other main deities include Goddess Mattuvar Kuzhali Thayaar, Sri Mahalakshmi and Sri Sevvandi Vinayaga.

Legend and Stories

According to Hindy mythology once a very ferocious content took place between the divine serpent Adisesha and the God of Wind, Vayu. The contest was to know who is physically stronger. The rule was to shake the Mount Kailash very violently. God of Wind, Vayu defeated Adisesha completely. When the mountain was broken by the God of Wind, a part of it fell at this place.the rakshasa demon According to another legend, Tirishira who had three heads was doing his penance on God Shiva here. God Shiva delayed his presence in front of him to test his purity and patience. The demon threw two of his heads in fire and was about to throw his third one but then God Shiva appeared in front of him and made his aspirations come true. God Shiva also restored his two heads. Not only that, God Shiva also accepted his request to stay there. And since then his name became Thirisa Nathar too.

Festivals

The major festivals celebrated and organized in this temple include Chithirai Brahmmotsavam, Panguni float festival, Aadi Pooram, Aipasi Annabishekam, Tirukarthikai, Panchamurthy procession and Maha Shivarathri.

Prasad & offering

Devotees come here in large number and perform Abhishek, offer clothing and fruits to the God.

Significance

God Thayamanava has a great significance as far as His name is concerned. The name means mother of all those helpless in life. People who have lost their mothers come her and pray to the God to guide them in their life. Most of the devotees here pray for the safe delivery of the child and for good health of both the mother and the child.

Nearby Place To Visit

People who visit this temple also go to Malaikottai Uchipillayar, Adhimooleswarar, Paraithurainathar, Mattrurai Varadeswarar, Nallandavar and Aamra Vaneswarar.

Accessibility

Road

This temple is in close proximity to the Tiruchi Chathiram bus stand.

Railways

The nearest railway station to this temple is the Trichy railway station.

Airport

The nearest airport is at Trichy.

Temple Address

Sri Thayumanavar Swamy Temple
Malaikottai
Thiruchirappalli
Thiruchirappalli (Dist)
Tamil Nadu
India.