Sri Maatrarivaradhar Temple, Tiruppaachilasramam, Trichy - 275 Shiva Temples

62. Sri Maatrarivaradhar Temple, Tiruppaachilasramam, Trichy (Chola Nadu - North of Kaveri):

Names of God : Sri Maatrurainathar, Sri Sameevaneswarar (Vanni trees), Sri Bimmapureeswarar
Name of Goddess : Sri Balambigai, Sri Bala Sundari
Holy water (Theertham) : Annamam Poigai, Silambaru.
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) : Vanni tree.
Thevaram : Sambandar ; Sundarar
District : Tiruchirapalli.
Location : Trichy.
Timings : 07:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and from 04:30 p.m. to 07:30 p.m.

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This is the 62nd sthalam on the northern side of river Cauvery. Appar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Tiruvasi is a village located near Trichy in Tamil Nadu of South India. It has an important Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is considered as the 62nd site among the Tevara Paadal Petra Stalams (275 most important temples of Lord Shiva) located in Chola country north of Kaveri river.

Important Features:

Thiruvasi's original name is Tiruppachilasramam.
The region was once a part of Mazhanadu and was ruled by a prince named Kolli Mazhavan. His daughter was suffering from a severe disease and stomach pain which no one could cure. The saint Sambandar sang the hymns in the praise of Nataraja. Nataraja transformed the disease into a demon named 'Muyalakan' and cured it. Hence, the shrine in this temple has Natarja with a serpent instead of Muyalakan on his feet. It is a unique posture.
The original temple might have been built by the Cholas. Rajaraja Chola, Kulothunga Chola I, Sundara Pandian, Krishnadeva Raya, Hoysala and Nayak kings have renovated the temple during their respective period and provided grants.
A big temple in 2 acres area.
Worshiped to get child boon, marriage boon and to get rid of some specific diseases and stomach ache.

The temple has a big tower (Raja Gopuram) as well as an internal tower. In the area between both the towers, there is a big mandapa called as Avudaiyappillai Mandapa.

The sanctum sanctorum has a slightly bigger Shiv Linga named as Mattrurai Varadeeswarar. The maha mandapa outside the sanctum has a sub shrine where all the copper utsava idols are kept. There is another mandapa outside the maha mandapa where the idols of Ganesha and Bhairava are found; the highlight of the mandapa is the sub-shrine of Nataraja; Nataraja generally has free hair; however, here he has his hair tied. Also, instead of the demon Muyalakan there is a serpent found at his footsteps. Hence, he is called as 'Sarpa Nataraja'. A small Nandi idol is found facing the main shrine. The entire main shrine including all these sub shrines are located on a raised platform (maada koil architectural style).

The prakara surrounding the main shrine is long and broad with a lot of sub-shrines and idols located on a raised platform with pillars (thinnai). Some of the idols found in the prakara include Polla Pillaiyar, Ayyanar, Pechchi Amman, Sapta Matas, 63 nayanmars, 4-5 Shiv Lingas with Goddesses, two Bhairavars and three Ganeshas. Some of the sub-shrines in the prakara - Kodi Vinayaka, Siva Subramanya sitting on peacock along with his consorts and Gaja Lakshmi.

The Koshta idols found on the wall surrounding the main shrine include Nardana vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Ardha Nareeswarar, Brahma, Durga and Chandikeshwarar.

In Avudaiyappillai Mandapa, there is Navagraha shirne - here Surya alone is found with his consorts; all the remaining 8 Navagrahas are placed towards the direction of Surya. This form of Navagraha is generally found only in this region (Chola kingdom) and not anywhere else.

The west facing Balambika (Goddess) is located in a separate shrine in the outer prakara. The outer prakara is surrounded by big and thick walls. The entire prakara is full of trees and plants. There is a big Ganesha idol called Selva Vinayakar found in this prakra. Also, a separate shrine for Sahasra Linga is found here.

The Avudaiyappillai Mandapa also has the Nandi idol, bali peetha and dwajastambha.

History / Legend:

The region was once called Mazhanadu ruled by Kolli Mazhavan. His daughter was suffering from a severe disease which could not be cured by any doctor of the time. The king simply left the daughter with the Lord to cure her and went away. Saint Tirugnanasambandar came to this place during his pilgrimage and found the girl suffering. The king explained to the saint the sick story of his daughter and begged him for remedy. Saint Sambandar sang ten verses (Pathigam) in praise of Lord Nataraja. Pleased with the prayer of the Saint, Lord Nataraja changed the disease of the princess as Muyalagan and danced on it. The princess was cured and stood straight.

Based on this event, Lord Nataraja appears here with His hair tied and dancing on a serpent. He is praised as Sarpa Nataraja. This is a rare darshan of the Lord.

Mother Balambika was born as the daughter of a trader Kamalan and performed penance under the Vanni tree and had the hands of the Lord. Mother is gracing in separate shrine facing west standing on a Lotus petal. The Dwarapalakis (woman securities) are worshiped by women tying the yellow thread with a cradle. It is believed that Ambica receives their appeals through them. During the Arthajama (night) pujas, it is first offered to Ambika and next to Lord. Mothers of new-born children and parents worried about children with Bala doshas perform abishek to Mother seeking Her grace for the well being of the children.

Saint Sundarar used to get gold from Lord Shiva to feed and maintain Shiva devotees following him. After worshiping the Lord in Tiruvanaika, he came to this temple and sang in praise of the Lord seeking gold. Lord Shiva kept mum. Angry Sundarar sang another Pathigam (ten verses) in a loud voice questioning whether there is one called Lord Shiva. Sundarar got the gold. Yet he was doubtful about its purity and was closely looking at it. Two men came there and asked the saint why he was looking at the gold. Sundarar sought their help in the valuation. One of them confirmed the purity of the metal while the other approved it. Both disappeared instantly. Sundarar sang again saying that he did not mean to doubt the Lord. Lord appeared before him and said that He alone was the assessor and His companion was Lord Vishnu. Hence the Lord is named Mattru Urai Nather – God who confirmed the touch of gold – Mattru means the touch of the gold.

People pray to Lord lighting lamps with Iluppai oil for family welfare and removal of evil effects surrounding the family. People also pray to Mother seeking child boon.

Location: This temple is located 12 Kms from Trichy on the south bank of river Kollidam. One has to get down at Tiruvaasi, which is on the Trichy - Musiri road. The temple is located very close to the bus stop at Tiruvaasi.