Thottiyam Analadeeswarar Temple, Trichy

Address

Thottiyam town,

Trichy district,

Tamil Nadu 621215

Moolavar

Analadeeswarar

Amman

Tripurasundari

Introduction

Thottiyam i Analadeeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, located in Thottiyam town, Tiruchirappalli District, Tamil Nadu. Here the Primary deity is called as Analadeeswarar and Mother is called as Tripurasundari. Brahmapuram, Tripurasamharashetram, Madhyasalashetram, Duvashtapuri etc. have been called this place in the Puranas. It is the place where Lord Shiva shot an arrow while burning the Tripurams which was one of Lord Shiva’s Attavira acts. Gundam is the solution of this temple as done by Brahman. It is called Ishvari Thirtha.

Puranic Significance

Thottiyam is one of the small towns surrounded by fertile land on the banks of River
Cauvery. There is no clear historical evidence of this temple’s construction. However, there are
symbols of Fish at this temple so it is possible that one of the Pandya kings could have
constructed this temple. Banana fruit is the main cultivation in this area so Thottiyam is also
called as Banana Town. Large section of the town’s population is from Thottiya Nayakar’s
community hence the town is called as Thottiyam.

Taragasuran had three sons , Vidyunmali , Taragatsan and Kamalatsan . They received various boons from penance towards Brahma. They received flying fortresses made of gold, silver and iron in the sky and the boon that they could kill all three with just one stone. Akkotais were called Tripuras. The three used the castle to enslave various gods and worlds. Along with Indra , Brahma and Thirumal , the Devas went to Lord Shiva and prayed for their protection.

Lord Shiva set the earth as a chariot, the moon and the sun as horses, Brahma as a driver, Merumalai as a bow, Vasuki as a lute and Tirumala as the wing of the chariot and went to battle. He destroyed the Asuras of the Tripuras. As a result Lord Shiva got names like Tripura Tagana Murthy, Tripuranthaka, Tripurasamharar.

While burning the three sides, the place where Lord Shiva’s arrow touched the trap is Dvashtapuri. This place is now known as Thaniyam.

Once Brahma came to this place and performed a yaga. Delighted in his sacrifice, Lord Shiva danced in that Agni Kunda. So the source of this temple is called Agni Nartheeswarar .

Special Features

The temple is said to be more than 1500 years old. It is the place where Lord Shiva touched the arrowhead during the burning of the Tripuras, one of Lord Shiva’s heroic deeds. Yaga Gundam performed by Brahma is the tirtha of this temple. It is called Iswari Theertha.