Sri Uyyakondan Malai Temple, Thirukkarkudi, Trichy - 275 Shiva Temples

04. Sri Uyyakondan Malai Temple, Thirukkarkudi, Trichy (Chola Nadu - South of Kaveri):

Names of God : Sri Ujjeewanathaswamy, Sri Uchinathar, Sri Muktheesar
Name of Goddess : Sri Balambikai (facing East), Sri Anjanaakshi Amman (facing West)
Holy water (Theertham) : Ponnolir Odai, Kudamurutti, Gnanavavi, Enkona Kinaru and Narkona Kinaru
Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) : Vilwa Tree.
Thevaram : Tirunavukkarasar ; Sambandar ; Sundarar
District : Tiruchirapalli.
Location : Trichy.
Timings : 06:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and from 05:00 p.m. to 09:00 p.m

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This is the 04th sthalam on the southern side of river Cauvery. Moovar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. Uyyakondan is a village located near Trichy city of South India. It has an important Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is considered as the fourth among the Tevara Paadal Petra Stalams (274 most important temples of Lord Shiva) located in Chola country south of Kaveri river.

Important Features:

Appar, Sundarar and Sambandhar have revered the temple in their verses in Tevaram.
The site was originally called as 'Karkudi' which means an adobe on rocks (it should be noted that the temple is a hillock temple).
The temple was built by Nandivarma Pallava in the 7th century CE.
It acted as an infantry for the French army and British army during the battle in the period 1753-54 CE.
The main deity is in the form of Shiv Linga on a square 'aavudai'.

Uyyakondan Thirumalai is a hilltop temple located on top of a small 30 feet high hill. At the foothills, the shrines of Lord Ganesha and Subramanya-Valli-Devasena are located. After the fleet of few steps, you can enter into the temple through a small temple tower. The entire temple complex is surrounded by fortress walls.

The east facing temple has flag post, Nandi idol and bali peeth, all facing the direction of main shrine, as usual as in any other Dravidian temple architecture. However, the entrance to the inner temple is not found opposite to the flag post. It is unusual; the entrance is located on the right side in the south direction.

It is a maada kovil architecture; the entire temple excluding the outer prakara area is located on a raised platform.

The sanctum sanctorum has a small Shiv Linga idol named as Ujjeevanatha Swamy. On the left side of this east facing main shrine, there is another shrine facing the same direction with almost of similar size which is dedicated to the Goddess Anjanakshi; she is found in the standing posture with four arms; the idol looks very attractive. It is unusual to find two Goddesses in the temple; there is another shrine facing western direction dedicated to Goddess Balambikai. All the three main shrines have separate Nandi idol facing them.

The prakara surrounding the Shiva shrine has the sub-shrines of Ganesha, Lakshmi, Saraswati and Subramanya with his consorts. The idols of Bhairava, Surya and Saneeswara are also found in the same prakara. The wall has the Koshta idols - Dakshinamurthy, Ardhanareeswarar, Brahma, Durga and Chandikeshwarar.

The prakara surrounding the shrine of Anjanakshi has the sub-shrines of Ganesha and Subramanya. The idol of Chandikeshwari is also found here.

The temple also houses the shrine of Nataraja-Sivakami and Jyeshta Devi. It should be noted that Jyeshta is still worshiped in this region. There is a theory that Jyeshta Devi worship has been stopped which is not correct.

When you get a chance to pass by Trichy, ensure that you visit this interesting site.

History / Legend:

The idol of Mother Jeshtadevi appears different in this temple. There is a misconception that Jeshtadevi, usually said to be the elder sister of Sri Mahalakshmi is considered an inauspicious Goddess causing poverty and no endeavor would be successful if She comes on our way. But She protects all from all hardships and dangers. She makes people always awake. She was the family deity of Pallava king Nandi Varman.

Those who worship Sakthi with Meru Mount – vertical form of Sri Chakra, use to perform the pujas with nine mounts, called Navabaranas-9 jewels. Mother Jeshtadevi is the second Meru-Jewel. There is a place of for Jeshtadevi in Mother Akhilandeswari Temple in Tiruvanaikaval. She has her place in this Uyyakondon Tirumalai temple also. Mother Jeshtadevi in this temple is holding two children in Her hands, one appearing as Nandi the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva. This child is called Madan as it looks like a Madu-bull. The other is a beautiful girl baby called Chedi, the maid of Mother Shakti and also the deity of words. Mother Adi Parasakthi is in the form of Mother Jeshtadevi who has brought the Chedi the deity of words – Vak Devatha. Devotees may protect themselves from accidents in life by worshiping Mother Jeshtadevi.

The temple is on a 50 feet tall hill. There are five sacred springs around the temple – Ponnoli Odai, Kudamurutti, Gnanavavi, Enkonakinaru and Narkonakinaru. Mother graces in the temple with Gajal around Her eyes named Anjanakshi. Other Ambika in the temple is praised as Balambika. Pujas are performed to both separately. As Lord Shiva gave a re-birth to Markandeya Rishi, He is revered as Ujjevanathar. As He grants all the wishes of the devotees, He is praised as Karpaganathar. Lord is a swyambu.

The temple is aesthetically constructed on this 50 feet tall hill. Karan, one of the brothers of Ravana had worshiped the Lord Shiva in this temple. There are 3 entrances to the temple, two facing south and one east.

Sage Mrukandu prayed to Lord Shiva seeking child boon. Lord asked him what type of son he would like to have – a fool, a handicapped with a longevity of 100 years or the one known for his wisdom and handsomeness but with a short life of just 16 years. The sage chose the latter. The boy was born and named Markandeya. The time came. Markandeya was chased by the Lord of Death Yama when he was 16. The boy ran to many Shiva Kshetras, finally hid at this temple and fell at the feet of Lord. Lord Shiva protected the young boy in the Uyyakondon Hill and granted him ‘Chiranjeevi’ – deathless life – at Tiruverkadu.

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

Location: Located at 5 Kms west of Trichy atop a small hill, now known as Uyyakondan Malai. Town buses from Trichy Chatram bus stand to Vayaloor passes through this place and Temple is on road side. From Central bus stand one has to get down at Govt Hospital to catch bus to Vayaloor. The distance from Central bus-stand is 5 Km on the south west direction.