{"id":374,"date":"2017-11-19T14:55:46","date_gmt":"2017-11-19T09:25:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lifearteducation.in\/blog\/?p=374"},"modified":"2017-11-19T14:55:46","modified_gmt":"2017-11-19T09:25:46","slug":"rockfort-temple-trichy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lifearteducation.in\/laeblog\/2017\/11\/19\/rockfort-temple-trichy\/","title":{"rendered":"Rockfort Temple, Trichy"},"content":{"rendered":"

 <\/p>\n

\"Rockfort<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Name of the Temple<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rock fort Temple<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thayum\u0101navar Kovil<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Uchchippillaiy\u0101r Kovil<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Location<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thiruchirappalli, Tamiln\u0101\u1e0du, South India<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Rulers\/builders and Time Period<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 7th Century AD. Dhravidian Architecture (Carving The Mountain).<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There is a rock cut Pallava temple – Lalith\u0101nkura Pallave\u015bhwaram in this hill temple complex with several inscriptions here attributed to Mahendhravarma Pallavan.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In addition to the Cholas, the Vijayanagar rulers and the N\u0101yaks of Madhurai have made extensive contributions here.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The two storied Th\u0101yum\u0101navar temples, built on (in) a hill is a masterpiece of construction. The Chitthirai Man\u1e6dapam houses a granite chain with nine loops. The smooth rock was first cut by the Pallavas but it was the\u00a0N\u0101yaks of Madhurai\u00a0who completed both the temples under the\u00a0Vijayanagara Empire.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Evidence of Jain occupation around the rock are still exist.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Deity\/Deities<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lord Gane\u1e63h along with Lord Shiva ( Th\u0101yum\u0101navar \/ M\u0101thrubh\u016bthe\u015bhwarar) and Amb\u0101\u1e37 (Matturv\u0101rkuzhali, Sugandha Kunthal\u0101mbikai)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Architecture Style<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The 83m high Rock Fort is the only outcrop in the otherwise flat land of the city. The rock is one of the oldest in the world-approximately 3.800 million years, which makes it as old as the rocks of Greenland and older than the Himalayas. The sheer abruptness of its rise is a thrill in itself, but the actual centre of attraction is not the fort itself, of which very little remains, but the temple at the summit.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 344 steps hewn out of rock lead to the top where there are inscriptions dating back to the 3rd century B.C. Hardly anything remains of the ramparts but the Main Guard Gate is still intact.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The fort played an important part during the Carn\u0101tic wars and according to an inscription, mainly contributed to lay the foundations of the British Empire in India.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 At the top of the rock is the Uchipi\u1e37\u1e37aiy\u0101r Koil, a temple dedicated to Lord Vin\u0101yaka from where one can enjoy a panoramic view of Thiruchir\u0101ppa\u1e37\u1e37i. The temple is situated at the top of the rock. The temple is mystic in its nature with an awe-inspiring rock architecture.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Gane\u015bha temple is much smaller with an access through steep steps carved on the rock and provides a stunning view of Trichy, dating over 3 billion years ago, and mythologically this rock is the place where Lord Gane\u015bha ran from King Vibh\u012b\u1e63ha\u1e47a, after establishing the Rangan\u0101thasw\u0101mi deity in \u015ahr\u012brangam.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thiruchir\u0101ppa\u1e37\u1e37i is considered to be the 6th in the series of Thev\u0101ra Stha\u1e37ams in the Chola kingdom located south of the river Kaveri. The temple is mystic in its nature with awe-inspiring rock architecture.\u00a0The Gane\u015bha temple is much smaller with an access through steep steps carved on the rock and provides a stunning view of Trichy.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Special Reference to Fine Arts<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A flight of steps leads to the M\u0101thrubh\u016bthe\u015bhwarar of Th\u0101yum\u0101nasw\u0101mi temple, dedicated to Lord \u015ahiva where the lingam is a projection of the rock itself.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Below the \u015ahiva temple are the two Pallava cave temples that have beautiful sculptures of the 6th and 7th centuries.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 At the foot of the Rock Fort are a tank and a pavilion which are used during the float festival of the temples. Near the tank is the house where Robert Clive lived when he was in Tiruchir\u0101ppa\u1e37\u1e37i and there is an 18th century Church built by Reverend Schwartz of Denmark.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Other Special Features<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rockfort temple is one of the world famous temple for Religious and its Historical importance in Thiruchir\u0101ppa\u1e37\u1e37i, Tamiln\u0101\u1e0du.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There are two Vin\u0101yaka temples at the underneath of the rock M\u0101\u1e47ikkavin\u0101yagar temple and at the peak of the rock Ucchipi\u1e37\u1e37aiy\u0101r temple and in between there is a temple for Lord \u015ahiva is also known as Th\u0101yum\u0101navar It means the God who turned Mother.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There is a legend about it. This temple\u2019s presiding deity Lord \u2018Th\u0101yum\u0101navar\u2019 (Chevanthin\u0101thar) is a self manifest Linga. It is the Fourth biggest \u015ahivalinga in Tamiln\u0101\u1e0du.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Godess here is \u2018Mattuvar Kuzhal Ammai\u2019 which means the long haired goddess wearing a garland of flowers imbued with honey. The temple is one among the few temples facing west.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

References<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Vibh\u012b\u1e63ha\u1e47a, was the younger brother of the\u00a0Asura\u00a0King\u00a0R\u0101va\u1e47a\u00a0who ruled Lanka. Lord\u00a0R\u0101ma\u00a0in the epic of\u00a0R\u0101m\u0101ya\u1e47a\u00a0rescues his wife\u00a0S\u012bth\u0101, who was kidnapped and held by R\u0101va\u1e47a, with the help of\u00a0Sugr\u012bva\u00a0and\u00a0Hanum\u0101n\u00a0defeated him.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 In this war, the moral and truth-abiding brother of R\u0101va\u1e47a , Vibh\u012b\u1e63ha\u1e47a aids Rama in his battle against his brother. Ultimately R\u0101ma wins the war and as a token of love, He gifts Vibh\u012b\u1e63ha\u1e47a a\u00a0vigraham<\/em>\u00a0(idol for worship) of\u00a0Lord Ranganatha, a form of\u00a0Vishnu.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Vibh\u012b\u1e63ha\u1e47a, though he supported R\u0101ma, was basically an Asura, hence the\u00a0Dhevas\u00a0(who are arch rivals to Asuras as per Hindhu mythology) wanted to stop this idea of an Asura taking the Lord’s supreme form to his Kingdom. They request the help of the remover of obstacles and God of learning, Lord\u00a0Vin\u0101yaka\u00a0and the Lord accepts the plan. Vibh\u012b\u1e63ha\u1e47a, while on his back to his Kingdom, goes through Trichy and wanted to take his bath in the river K\u0101veri and do his daily rituals. However, he is perplexed as the deity, once kept in land, can never be removed and has to be in that place as one of the largest temple complexes in the world.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Pallavas built the Vin\u0101yaka temple and the Th\u0101yum\u0101nasw\u0101mi temple, in the rock which Vinayaka uses to escape Vibh\u012b\u1e63ha\u1e47a forever. As a solution, Vibh\u012b\u1e63ha\u1e47a tries to find someone to hold the deity while he was taking bath. He finds Lord Vin\u0101yaka under disguise of a cowherd boy. As per the plan, when Vibh\u012b\u1e63ha\u1e47a is fully into water, Vinayaka takes the deity and keeps it firmly in sand, in the banks of\u00a0K\u0101veri.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 On seeing this, the angry Vibh\u012b\u1e63ha\u1e47a chases the boy, to punish him and boy keeps running and climbs over the rock near the K\u0101veri bank. Vibh\u012b\u1e63ha\u1e47a finally reaches the boy and hits him on the fore-head of little boy who then reveals himself to be Vin\u0101yaka. Vibh\u012b\u1e63ha\u1e47a immediately apologizes and the Lord gives him his blessings and sends him off to Lanka.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This is similar to the story of Lord Ganesh in Gokar\u1e47a with R\u0101va\u1e47a in the same R\u0101m\u0101ya\u1e47a period.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The place on which the Ra\u1e45gan\u0101tha deity was kept was later covered in deep forests, due to disuse and after a very long time, it is discovered when a Chola king chasing a parrot finds the deity accidentally. He then establishes the\u00a0Ra\u1e45gan\u0101thasw\u0101mi temple at Srirangam.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Special Reference to Performing Arts:<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u015ahr\u012b sugandhikuntha\u1e37\u0101mbik\u0101 in the rare r\u0101ga kuntha\u1e37a was D\u012bk\u1e63hithar’s tribute to the Goddess of the Rock Fort.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The holy shrines of Lord \u015ahiva sung in holy Tamil Compositions are 274 in number.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thiruchir\u0101pa\u1e37\u1e37i is one among them. It is on the banks of river Cauvery. Appar and Thirugny\u0101na sambandhar has sung this deity in Thev\u0101ram.<\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lyrics of Gane\u015bha Pancharathnam Sthothram By \u0100dhi \u015ahankar\u0101ch\u0101rya is a highly revered devotional prayer song of Lord Ga\u1e47apathi.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Bibliography<\/strong><\/td>\n\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Ucchi_Pillayar_Temple,_Rockfort<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/richardarunachala.wordpress.com\/2011\/03\/04\/trichys-famous-rock-fort-temple-tamil-nadu-india\/<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/rockforttemple.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/www.trichy.com\/travel\/rockfort.htm<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/www.indiasite.com\/tamilnadu\/tiruchirapalli\/rockforttemple.html<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/www.southindiatourshub.com\/monuments-in-south-india\/rock-fort-temple.html<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/www.tripadvisor.in\/Attraction_Review-g317098-d1022152-Reviews-Rock_Fort_Temple-Tiruchirappalli_Tamil_Nadu.html<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/www.lonelyplanet.com\/india\/tamil-nadu\/trichy-tiruchirappalli\/sights\/other\/rock-fort-temple<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/www.tamilnadu-tourism.com\/tamilnadu-monuments\/rock-fort-temple.html<\/a><\/p>\n

\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 http:\/\/kumbakonam-temples.blogspot.in\/2009\/08\/ucchi-pillayar-temple-rockfort.html<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Name of the Temple \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Rock fort Temple \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thayum\u0101navar Kovil \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Uchchippillaiy\u0101r Kovil Location \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thiruchirappalli, Tamiln\u0101\u1e0du, South India Rulers\/builders and Time Period \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 7th Century AD. Dhravidian Architecture (Carving The Mountain). \u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There is a rock cut Pallava temple – Lalith\u0101nkura Pallave\u015bhwaram in this hill temple complex with several inscriptions here attributed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":375,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[13,14,15,19,59,60,61],"class_list":["post-374","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cultural-miscellany","tag-eambalam","tag-life-skills-in-schools","tag-lifearteducation","tag-life-art-education","tag-rockfort-temple","tag-trichy","tag-ucchi-pillayar-koil"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lifearteducation.in\/laeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/374","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lifearteducation.in\/laeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lifearteducation.in\/laeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lifearteducation.in\/laeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lifearteducation.in\/laeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=374"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.lifearteducation.in\/laeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/374\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lifearteducation.in\/laeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/375"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.lifearteducation.in\/laeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=374"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lifearteducation.in\/laeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=374"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.lifearteducation.in\/laeblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=374"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}