Sri Satyagiriswarar Temple

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Overview

The Sathyagiriswarar Temple is located in Thirumayam and is dedicated to God Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. The temple has shrines for Perumal and Venuvaneswari.

About The Temple

We can see the well stretched and huge Raja Gopuram, which is found at the entrance of the temple. This sthalam is also called as "Aadhi Ragam" and the perumal is older and big than that of the perumal found in Sri Rangam. After entering through the Raja Gopuram, we can find a big Mandapam where lots of stone carved pillars are found with beautiful paintings. Separate sannadhi for Sri Kannan, Sri Aandal, Chakrathalwar and Narasimhar are found. After crossing this Mandapam another big mandapam by named "Maha Mandapam" is found in which the Garudan facing along the Moolaver Sannadhi is found. Moolavar Sathya giri nathan in Nindra thriukkolam and next to this sannadhis, separate sannadhi for Uyya Vandha Naachiyaar is found. On the western side inside the mountain, as Bogha Sayana Moorthy in Anantha Sayanam, the perumal in another thirukkolam is giving his seva and this perumal is big in structure then Sri Rangam Ranganathar. Having Aadhiseshan as the bed, the perumal gives his Kidantha Kola seva with two Thirukkaram (hands) as same as the Ranganathar found in Sri Rangam. It is said that some Madhu Kaidapars (Amsam) came from the Ears of Sriman Naryanan of this sthalam and they tried to grab bhoomi piratti along with them. But, Aadhiseshan protested and fought with them and killed all of them by his poison. But, it was little bit worried because without getting the permission from the perumal, he did this. It stayed in front of the perumal convinced him ans as a result of this, the perumal's one hand is found towards Aadhiseshan as conveniencing him and another hand is found on his chest thereby protecting the piratti. Around this perumal, Chitraguptan, Maarkandeya Maharishi, Brahma devan and Garudan are found. Chitraguptan who assist along with Yaman, the King of Naragham (hell) and the Maarkandeya Maharishi who has the "Sirangeevi" throne are found around the perumal to show the courts of people along with their good and evil actions performed by them. On the thiruvadi (feet) of the perumal, Bhoomi piratti and Madhu Kaidapars are found. This temple is almost the same as that of the temple in Mahabalipuram. We can find lots of stone carved Sculptures and paintings and the perumal is found inside the mountain and it serves as the umbrella for him. Another temple by named "Keeyai Kovil" is found where a temple for God Shiva is found. The name of him is "Sathya gireeswarar". It is said that Mahendra pallavan had constructed this temple for both God Vishnu and God Shivan without having any racism between Saivism and Vaishnavism. This "Thirumeyyam" is surrounded by lots of mountains and a special hill by named "Vaishnavi Durgai" hill is also found which is famous for its beauty and the Vaishnavi Durgai found inside the hill.

About the Deity

The principal deity is Satyagiriswarar

Legend and stories

When righteousness was threatened by wickedness Dharma Devatha transformed into a deer to stay hidden. The region was a bamboo forest back then. Hence the Goddess was called Venuvaneswari. God Sathyagiriswarar is found in the form of a Linga here. The Perumal who explains about "Sathyam" (or) truth can be the example for the universal slogam. "Sathya meva Jayathey". To explain and be an example for this, he stands in this sthalam as "Sathya giri Nathan". There is no end for Sathyam (Truth) and it never sleeps and doesn’t forget anything. It calculates the good and the evil actions performed by the people and according to that, all the souls have reached their proper destiny. If we do good deeds and our actions lead to good thought and action, we will reach the thiruvadi (feet) of Sriman Narayanan and if we think of bad things and as a result of it, if we perform bad and evil actions, we will be going to the hell. To explain this, the perumal is found in Bogha sayanam in Kidantha kolam withought sleeping and calculatting the good / bad actions of all Aathmaas. All things that live on the Earth are governed and watched by the Emperumaan and to explain this, the perumal is found in Nindra Kolam with the name "Sathya Moorthy" (or) "Sathya giri Nathan".

In Tamil, the truth is referred with the word "Mei" and the Utsavar of this sthalam is "Meyyan" (or) "Meyyappan". The perumal is found in Anantha Sayanam and is found inside the sannadhi which is surrounded by very good sculptural and artistic work as seen in Mahabalipuram. In olden days, when Asurars where dominating the world and the Adharmam (evil) was spread along the entire world. Because of this, there was not much of Yagams and poojas were done and all the Rishis, and Devars were very much frightened about this. They could not protect the Asuras, since they get enormous powers with them. They all surrendered towards "Dharma Devathai", the goddess of Dharman and pleased her that she must help them to get out this danger. The Dharma Devathai replied them that she will help them out, thereby changed herself into a deer and came to this Sathya Kshetram which is also called as "Venu Vanam", since this sthalam is fully covered by Bamboo trees. The perumal came in front of Dharma Devathai and promised her that he would stay in the sthalam as "Sathya giri Nathan" and helps all the peoples and including the Rishis and Devas from Adharmam. Once, Athiri Muni and his wife Anusuya lived, who are said to be the strong believer of the Emperumaan. They were so famous for their bhakti and tapas towards the perumal and they started for doing tapas against the Mum-Moorthies, namely, Sriman Naryanan, Brahma Devan and God Shiva and their wish was as one of the hamsam of these Thriumurthies they should have theri childrens born. All the murthies agreed and as a result as the hamsam of Sri Vishnu a child was born who is called as "Dattatreyar", as the hamsam of God Shiva the Moon God was born. All these three children were taught the vedas and mantras and were sent to do tapas by their father, Athiri Rishi. First, Durvasa Rishi went to Kailasa malai and Dattatreyar went to the foot of the Himalayas to do the tapas and the Moon god came to this Sathya giri kshetram to do the tapas against Sriman Narayanan. The perumal gave his seva as satisfied by on his tapas and asked his wish. The moon god asked that since he stays in Surya Mandalam his Vaasam (stay) should be also in Chandra Mandalam (Moons Place). For this, the perumal accepted and stayed in Chandra Mandalam also.

Festivals

10 day Chithirai festival in April-May. 10 day Adipuram in July-August, 1 day Thaipoosam festival in January-February are main festivals. There will huge crowd during new moon, full moon days, Pradosham days, Deepavali, Pongal and Tamil and English New Year days also attract devotees. Thousand gather here on Poornima days (full moon day) for Girivalam.

Rare Facts

With a view to harmonize the relations between Saivism and Vaishnavism, the Pallava kings built this temple with another temple covered by a single compound wall. The temples are built with a single rock. One cannot come around the Sathyagiriswarar temple alone without covering the Shiva temple also. Girvalam (going around the hill) can be done only by covering both the temples. The main shrine is also Kudavarikoil – carving the hill.

Significance

Sathya Maharshi performed penance here. Both the shrines of the God and Goddess face the east as in Madurai. The temple was built 1300 years ago by Mahendra Pallavan.

Accessibility

Thirumayam is 64 Kms from Trichy, 20 from Pudukottai and 85 from Madurai. Lodging facility is available in Pudukottai, the charges ranging from Rs. 150 to Rs. 400.

Thirumayam lies on the Madurai-Pudukottai road, hence bus facilities are also available in plenty. Nearest Railway station Thirumayam (Trichy-Rameswaram rail route) and The nearest airport is Trichy.

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