Thirupaasillasramam

Padal Petra Sthalams, Tiruchirapalli District

God

Matruraivaradar (also Sameevaneswarar, Brahmapureeswarar), facing east

Goddess

Balambigai (also Bala Soundari), facing west

Other Deities

Vinayaka, Muruga, Nataraja, Naalvar, 63 Nayanmar, Navagraha

Thirupaasillasramam called Thiruvaasi today is a beautiful large temple with a 5 tier Rajagopuram and long uncovered courtyards. Thirupaasillasramam has 2 Prakarams. The inner Prakaram is entered through a 3 tiered Gopuram. A unique feature here is that the goddess is facing west towards the lord. A serpent is seen instead of Muyalagan at the feet of Nataraja. There is a mantapa here at Thirupaasillasramam where the lord is believed to have given gold to Sundarar. The Sundarar idol has small drums playing in both hands. Surya is seen with his two consorts Usha and Pratyusha in the middle of the Navagraha which are all facing him.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Annamam Poigai, Silambaru

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Vanni (Proposis cineraria)

History

Thirugnanasambandar and Sundarar (7th-8th century CE) have rendered Thevaram Hymns here at Thirupaasillasramam. Stone inscriptions providing information about grain donations by the Hoysala King Veerasomeswaran (1253 CE) have been found here. Raja Raja Chola, Sundarapandiyan, Kulothunga I and Krishnadevaraya have rendered service to the development of Thirupaasillasramam temple.

Legend

Sundarar is believed to have received Gold from the lord here at Thirupaasillasramam after singing a hymn doubting the Lord and with the final line asking for pardon for the same. Doubting the genuinity of the gold he is assured by two tradesmen who rub it and prove its originality and immediately disappear. They were Lord Shiva and Vishnu who had come to convince Sundarar. Thus the name of the main deity here is Maatru Urai Naadar. Brahma, Lakshmi, and Parvathi are said to have worshiped here at Thirupaasillasramam. Thirugnanasambandar is believed to have cured a disease of the daughter of Kolli Mazhavan here at Thirupaasillasramam with his song. This legend is seen as carvings in the Mantapa.

Directions

Thirupaasillasramam is about 10 kilometers northwest of Thiruchirapalli just off the Gunaseelam, Salem road.

Stay and Food

None locally. Closest are Srirangam or Thiruchirapalli.

Padal Petra Sthalams