Thirumukkeecharam

Padal Petra Sthalams, Tiruchirapalli District

God

Panchavarneswarar, facing east

Goddess

Gandhimathi, facing south

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Muruga, Nataraja, Dakshinamurthy, Mahavishnu, Brahma, Durga, Pitchadanar

Thirumukkeecharam is a wonderful east facing temple with a 3 tier Rajagopuram filled with beautiful sculptures. There are 2 Prakarams and Thirumukkeecharam temple is amidst a busy locality. There are many beautiful sculptures all around including the legend of the Cock confronting the Chola Kings Elephant, Tandavas of Lord Shiva, Women forming the shape of a Horse, and many more. There are two Dakshinamurthy idols here, one small and one large. The larger one was installed by the Nagarathar Community. The temple tank is inside the outer Prakaram with its legend depicted in stone on the stairway leading down. The Nandi here at Thirumukkeecharam is large and the self-occurring form of Lingam is very small in size.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Sivatheertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vilwam (Aegle marmelos)

History

Thirugnanasambandar (7th century CE) has rendered Thevaram Hymns here at Thirumukkeecharam. Cholas and later the Nagarathar Community have rendered services to the Thirumukkeecharam temple. This place (Uraiyur) was the ancient capital of the Cholas. All three dynasties of Cheras, Cholas, and Pandyas have worshiped here at Thirumukkeecharam

Legend

The lord is believed to have appeared during 5 seasons in 5 colors to Sage Uthanga here at Thirumukkeecharam and hence his name is Pancha(five) Varna(colors) Easwaran. Veeravaditha Chola’s elephant was confronted and won over by a Cock here at Thirumukkeecharam. A devotee who blew away the holy ashes offered to him was cursed to be a Boar in his next life and gained solace after falling into the Holy Tank here at Thirumukkeecharam while being chased by Hunters. This legend is depicted near the temple tank.

Directions

Thirumukkeecharam is west of the Rock Fort in Thiruchirapalli in Uraiyur and near the Thirukozhi temple.

Stay and Food

Thiruchirapalli has many excellent hotels and restaurants. A particular favorite of ours used to be the Hotel Ajanta (stay and food) and of course Parthasarathy Vilas Hotel (food) in Thiruvanaikaval.

Padal Petra Sthalams

Tamilnadu Temples