Jai Sriman Narayana !!
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
Rishabachalam/Dakshina
Kailasam/Thenkayilayam/Malaikottai is one of the 275 Thevara Shivasthalam of
Lord Shiva located in Malaikottai, (Rock Fort) Thiruchirappalli District, Tamil
Nadu. This is one of the oldest temples
of Lord Shiva built in 7th century by King Mahendravarman of Pallava
Dynasty. This is one of the prominent
temples of Lord Shiva famous for its exquisite architectural and brilliant
sculptural work, located on a hill top at the height of 273 ft from the ground
level with 417 flights of step. In this
temple Lord Shiva worshipped in the form of a self-manifested Linga.
Presiding deity
– Lord Thayumanavar / Mathrubootheswarar/ Chevvanthinathar with his consort
Goddess Sri Mattuvarkuzhali Ammai/Sugandhakunthalambikai
Mangalasasanam – Thirunavukkarasar,
Thiru Gnana Sambandhar, Manikka Vasagar
Saint Arunagirinathar sung praising
the glories of Lord Subramanya in this temple.
Worshipped by –Lord
Brahma, Lord Anjaneya, Lord Rama, Lord Indra, Saptha Rishis, Jadayu, Arjuna,
Sage Agastya, Dhoomakethu, Vibhishana, Thirisiran, Shekkizhar, Thayumana Adigalar,
The demon
Thirisiran was an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva was ruled this city for several
years. He underwent severe austerities
and pleased Lord Shiva. Hence, this
place has got its name Thiruchirapuram later came to known as ‘Thiruchirapalli’.
Theertham –
Shiva Theertham/Brahma Theertham
Sthalavruksham –
Vilvam
Festivals –
Chithirai Festival, Panguni Uthiram, Adi Pooram,Arudra Darisanam, Aippasi
Annabhishekam, Thirukarthikai, Makara Sankranthi, Maha Shivaratri, Thai
festival, Navaratri, Vaikasi Visakam,
Sannidhis – Lord
Ganesha, Lord Nandikeshwara, Lord Dakshinamurthy seated on a Sacred grass
(Dharbha) with eight Saints – Sanakadis, Sage Patanjali, Sage Vyagrapadhar,
Shivayoga Munivar & Thirumoolar , Navagrahas, Lord Surya with his consorts
Goddesses Usha & Pratyusha, Kankala Murtham(one of the 64 Murtham of Lord
Shiva) Lord Subramanya with his consorts Goddesses Sri Valli & Deivayanai,
Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi, Goddess Sri Durga, Sankhunathar,
There are
interesting myths associated with this temple. There was a huge difference of
opinion between Lord Adishesha and Lord Vayu about their supremacy. Adidesha tightened the Mount Himalaya with
his immense force; Lord Vayu puffed off the Mountain with its colossal
air. During their vicious fight the
Mount Himalaya crumbled into three and transformed as Rock fort Temple at
Thiruchirapalli, Srikalahasthi in Andhra Pradesh and Trincomalee in Sri Lanka.
Thiruchirappalli was under the regime of Chola
Dynasty. The King who was ruled Worayur
as its capital was a passionate devotee of Lord Shiva. A Shivaite Saint constructed a garden of Chevvanthi
flowers in abundance for the worship of Lord. Suddenly, the flowers from the
garden were started missing on regular basis and delivered it to the palace. Because of this, the saint left with no
flowers to carry out his daily worship.
The King who was also very fond of Chevvanthi flowers unnoticed the
source of it. Sage was disappointed at this and appealed to
the King, but it was ignored. Sage
prayed to Lord Shinva, instantaneously a sand storm triggered caused the King’s
assembly in chaos. Shortly, the King
realized his folly and prayed to Lord Thayumanavar for forgiveness.
Another legend
has that Ratnavathi was a passionate devotee of Lord Shiva. She was expecting her mother to be with her
during the time of child’s birth.
Unfortunately, the river Cauvery was over flooded and made it impossible
for her mother to be home right in time.
Ratnavathi became helpless with no one around during labor pain. She earnestly prayed to Lord. The most compassionate Lord disguised as her
mother and assisted Ratnavathi throughout her labor. Thus, the presiding deity has got his name
Thayumanavar.
Worship of Lord
Thayumanavar with his consort Goddess Sri Mattuvarkuzhali Ammai would provide
uncomplicated child birth.
This temple remains open from
morning 6.00AM to 12.00 PM in the morning and 4.00 AM to 8.00PM in the evening.
Jaya Jaya Sankara Hara Hara Sankara !!
Jai Sriman Narayana !!
