Uyyakondan Thirumalai Sri Ujjivanathaswamy Temple, Trichy

Address

Uyyakondan Thirumalai Sri Ujjivanathaswamy Temple, Vallikkunnu Hill, Somarasampettai, Trichy District Pin – 620102 PH:9443150332

Diety

Ujjeevanathar, Amman: Anjanakshi

Introduction

Uyyakondan Thirumalai Temple (also called Ujeevanathar temple, Karkudimalai or Thirumalainallur) is a Hindu temple dedicated to the deity Shiva, located on the banks of Uyyakondan river, Trichy, in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Shiva is worshipped as Uyyakondan, and is represented by the lingam. His consort Parvati is depicted as Anjanakshi Amman. The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Tevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. The temple complex covers four acres, constructed on a hillock 30 m (98 ft). The temple has a number of shrines, with those of Uyyakondar and his consorts Maivizhi and Kanniyumaiyal, being the most prominent. All the shrines of the temple are enclosed in large concentric rectangular granite walls. The temple is approached by a flight of steps from the basement that houses the temple tank. Thala Virutcham : Vilwa Theertham : Ponnolir Odai, Kudamurutti, Gnanavavi,Enkona Kinaru and Narkona Kinaru

Puranic Significance

The original complex is believed to have been built by Cholas. In modern times, the temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu. The temple has inscriptions from the Chola period. As per popular legend, near the temple of Tirukkadaiyur, there lived a sage named Mrikandu and his wife Marudmati. They were both devotees of Shiva and worshiped him day and night for many years, asking to be graced with a child. After many years of penance, Shiva appeared to Mrikandu and Marudmati. He told them that he heard their prayers and would give them a choice: they could either have a gifted son who would live to be only sixteen, or a son of low intelligence who would live a long life. Mrikandu and Marudmati chose the former, and were blessed with Markandeya, an exemplary son, destined to die at the age of sixteen. As Markandeya grew, so did his devotion to Shiva. As advised by his father, Markandeya worshipped the Shiva Lingam at Tirukkadaiyur, even bringing water from the Ganges to the temple via an underground passage. On the day he was destined to die, Yama, the deity of death, appeared with his noose to tie around the soul of Markandeya and take it with him. Markandeya sought refuge in the Uyyakondan temple and embraced the Siva Lingam and got relief in Thirukkadaiyur. Shiva appeared and warned Yama not to touch Markandeya, as he was under his protection. Yama refused to listen and threw the noose anyway, binding Markandeya and the Lingam together. Angered by Yama’s extraordinary arrogance, Shiva kicked him and held him under his foot, making Yama inactive. Markandeya was blessed by Shiva to remain sixteen years old eternally. Shiva came to be known as “Kala-samhara” (Sanskrit: “Destroyer of Time”) at this temple

Beliefs

Devotees pray to Mother Jeshtadevi in the temple for safety during travelling. Those who worship here are blessed with longevity Devotees offer vastras to Jeshtadevi.

Special Features

The temple is located in Uyyakondanmalai, a village on the outskirts of Trichy in the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu on the Trichy – Vayalur road. The temple is counted as one of the temples built on the banks of River Kaveri. The temple is located on a rock about 30 metres (98 ft) tall and is surrounded by granite walls. The temple is reached by a flight of steps. The shrine of Vinayagar is located in a cut in the first ten steps and the other shrines are located on the hillock. The whole temple is fortified and the temple tank is located inside the fortification. The main deity of the temple faces western direction. There are two shrines of Goddess in the temple. There are four bodies of water associated with the temple, namely Ponnoli Odai, Kudamurutti, Gnavavi, Enkoru Kinaru and Narkonu Kinaru. The temple has an important sculpture of Jyesta devi. There are multiple sculptures on the pillars of the temple indicating various legends associated with Hinduism. The temple is architected in such a way that sunlight falls directly on the first day of Tamil month of Thai on both Uyyakondar and Balambigai. There are different shrines and images in the first precinct around sanctum for Nalvar, Gajalakshmi, Jyestadevi, Navagraha, Bhairava, Surya and Saniswara.

Festivals

Vaikasi Visakam in the Tamil month of Vaikasi (Mar-Apr), Navarathri in the Tamil month of Purattasi (Sept-Oct), Soma Varams (Mondays) in the Tamil month of Karthikai (Nov-Dec).