This is the 122nd Thevara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 5th Sthalam on the south side of river Kaveri in Chozha Nadu. During 6th to 7th Century this place was called as Mookicharam and now called as Uraiyur also spelt as Woraiyur, a part of Tiruchirappalli and a Capital for Chozhas. Pukazh Chozha ruled this place and all the three Kings ( Chera, Chozha & Pandyas ) worshiped Lord Shiva of this temple. There is a proverb stating that – “Oorenappaduvathu Woraiyur – ஊரெனப்படுவது உறையூர்”. This place is also called as Uranthai.
In Periya Puranam Sekkizhar records that Thirugnanasambandar came to this temple after worshiping Lord Shiva of Karkudi.
கற்குடி மாமலை மேல்எழுந்து கனகக் கொழுந்தினையைக் கால்வளையப்
Thirugnanasambandar and Vallalar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple.
சாந்தம் வெண்ணீறெனப் பூசி வெள்ளஞ்சடைவைத்தவர் ---சிற்சுகத்தார் பிற்சநந மில்லாப் பெருமைதரும் உறையூர்ச்சற்சனர்சேர் மூக்கீச் சரத்தணியே………. திரு அருட்பாMoolavar : Sri Panchavarneswarar Consort : Sri GandhimathiSthala vruksham : Vilvam.
Some of the important features of this temple are...The Temple in facing east with a mandapam / Rajagopuram base at the entrance. A Three tier Rajagopuram is at the entrance of sanctum sanctorum. Rishabam under a mandapa and balipeedam are before the Rajagopuram. In addition to this a Rishaba mandapam with Dwajasthambam and balipeedam are after Rajagopuram. Dwarapalakas are at the entrance of the sanctum sanctorum ie at Artha mandapam may be belongs to Pandya period 8th century. In sanctum Moolavar is of swayambhu and very small in size. In koshtam Vinayagar, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu in place of Lingothbavar, Brahma and Durgai.
In Prakaram Chandikeswarar, Uthanga Mamunivar, Pukazh Chozha Nayanar, 63 var with Santhana kuravars , Karpaga Vinayagar, Sri Valli Devasena Subramaniar, Gajalakshmi, Bhairavar, Nalvar Uchishta Ganapathy, Nagas, Thanthondreeswarar, Mahavishnu, Suryan, Kala Bhairavar and Shaniswarar,
Ambal Gandhimathi is holding Angusam & Lotus in a separate sannadhi in maha mandapam and facing North.
Lot of sculptures are on the Mandapa stone pillars. Of which, Elephant of Chozha King was defeated by a Cock / fowl in a fight relief ( Uraiyur also called as கோழியூர் ) and 5 ladies forms a horse, Ladies forms as Elephant and Manmathan on the elephant with sugarcane bow and arrow, Kali’s dance, Bhairavar, Rishabnthigar, Vyaghrapada, Pathanjali, Mahavishnu, Pichadanar, Thiripuranthagar, Oorthuva thandavar, Maha Vishnu worships Lord Shiva, etc. The temple structure / pillars are beautifully chiseled.
HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONSSince Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have existed before 7th Century and believed that the same was re-built by Varaguna Pandya –II. The same was reconstructed / renovated /extended during Chozhas, Vijayanagaras and Nattukottai Nagarathars.
Most of the inscriptions recorded belongs to Chozhas. Most of the inscriptions records the burning of Perpetual lamps, poojas, Naivedyam for which land, Money, Land, Cow, Sheep was gifted / donated to this temple.
As Per the inscriptions This place was under Keralanthaka valanattuUraiyur Kootrathu Uraiyur, Rajakambeeravalanattu Uraiyur. This place was also called as Rjasraya Chathurvedi mangalam and Lord Shiva was called as Uraiyur Mahadevar, Thiruuadaithalai mahadevar.
Parakesari Varman’s period inscription records the endowment of Daily poojas. The Rajendran period inscription records that the Village Karpaga Nallur was gifted to this temple.
Kovi Rajakesari varmar’s 2nd reign year inscription records the endowment of supplying one ulakku ghee for burning a perpetual lamp by Kavuniyan Neri…. Of Uraiyur Kootrathu Uraiyur. Brahmadeya Village, for which a land was gifted to this temple.
Gandaradithya’s 3rd reign year inscription Records a gift of land by a certain Kaviniyan Kirttima (r)ttanda Brahmadharajan alias Se…… Kunjaramallan for offering to the deity during the early morning Service in the temple of Udaitalaipperumal of the Village. Mention is made of two fields, one called Kunjaramalla Vayakkal and the other Velkula Bhima Vayakkal. By Velkula –Bhima is perhaps meant the eastern Chalukya Bhima-II: most probably it might be a title of Parantaka-I assumed after his overthrow of Sitpuli ( Nadu..?) in Nellore which formed part of the eastern Chalukya dominion ( M.E.R 1913 p 94). Kirttimarttanda was a probable surname of the Rashtrakuta King Krishna-III ( MER 1936- 37 page 20). This should be a records of Gandaradithya
The 885 CE, Varaguna Pandya-II, inscription records the donation of gold coins to the Village sabha for performing Poojas,
The Inscription Varaguna Pandya at Tiruchirappalli Thayumanavar temple records the donations made to this temple.
LEGENDSIt is believed that Brahma, Garuda, Kasyapa muni, Karkodagan, Uthanga Muni, Pukazh Chozha nayanar, Ko Chengat – Chozha worshiped Lord shiva of this temple. Those are suffering from Naga dosha and Garudan, may get relieved after worshiping Karkodagan and Garuda of this temple. It is believed that worshiping Lord Shiva of this temple is equivalent to worshiping Lord Shivas of all the Pancha Bhoota sthalas Chidambaram, Thiruvanaikaval, Kanchipuram, Kalahasti and Thiruvannamalai.
Lord Shiva gave darshan to Uthangamuni in 5 different colours. In day time moolavar changes his colour once in 6 Nazhikai time. First 6 Nazhikai – 6 hrs to 8.24 Hrs in Thamiram / Copper, 2nd 6 nazhikai ie 6-12 ie 8.25 hrs to 10.48 hrs in Ilam sivappu / light red in colour, next 12 – 18 Nazhikai ie 10.49 hrs to 13.12 hrs in molten Gold Colour, next 18 to 24 nazhikai ie 13.13 hrs to 15.36 hrs in Navarathna Green, next 23 – 30 nazhikai ie 15.37 hrs to 18.00 hrs in a colour could not be identified.
In another legend when the Chozha King Veeravathithan ( some body claims it was Karikal Chozha ), was in procession on an Elephant, a Cock killed the king’s elephant. Hence this place was called as “Kozhiyur – கோழியூர் “. Depicting this sthala purana, many sculptures are on the pillars of the mandapa like cock fighting with Elephant ( may be done during Nattukottai nagarathar’s thirupani ).
POOJAS AND CELEBRATIONSApart from regular poojas special poojas are conducted on Chitra pournami in the month Chithirai ( April – May ), Brahmotsavam in the month Vaikasi ( May – June ), Aani Thirumanjanam ( June- July ), Poornima in the month Aadi ( July – August – This is the day Lord Shiva gave darshan to Uthanga Muni as Panchavarneswarar ), Avani Moolam in the month Aavani ( July – Aug ), Navaratri and annabhishekam in the month Aippasi ( Sep – October ), Thiruvathirai in the month Margazhi ( Dec – Jan ), Thaipoosam in the month Thai ( January ), Maha Shivaratri in the month Vaikasi ( Feb – March ), Panguni Uthiram in the month Panguni ( March – April ) and Monthly pradosham.
TEMPLE TIMINGSThe temple will be kept opened between 06.00 hrs to 12.30 hrs and 16.00 hrs to 20.30 hrs.
CONTACT DETAILS: Land line +91 431 276 8546 and mobile numbers +91 94439 19091 and +91 97918 06457 may be contacted for further details.
HOW TO REACH : This temple is located in the Woraiyur / Uraiyur market area and Woraiyur / Uraiyur is part of Tiruchirappalli City. Town buses are available from both Central Bus-stand and Chatram Bus-stand. The Temple is 3.7 KM from Uyyakondan Thirumalai Temple, 16 KM from Thirupparaithurai and 325 KM from Chennai.Nearest Railway station is Tiruchirappalli.
LOCATION OF THE TEMPLE : CLICK HERE
Inscriptions--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
கற்குடி மாமலை மேல்எழுந்து கனகக் கொழுந்தினையைக் கால்வளையப்
சாந்தம் வெண்ணீறெனப் பூசி வெள்ளஞ்சடைவைத்தவர்
---சிற்சுகத்தார்
Moolavar : Sri Panchavarneswarar
Since Thirugnanasambandar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple, the original temple might have existed before 7th Century and believed that the same was re-built by Varaguna Pandya –II. The same was reconstructed / renovated /extended during Chozhas, Vijayanagaras and Nattukottai Nagarathars.
The Inscription Varaguna Pandya at Tiruchirappalli Thayumanavar temple records the donations made to this temple.
Inscriptions
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