Thirumeyyam

108 Divya Desam, Pudhukottai District

God

Sathiyagirinadhan, Standing posture, south facing

Goddess

Uyyavandha Nachiyar, south facing

Other Deities

Ananda Sayana Perumal, Chakrathazhwar, Aandal, Krishna, Lakshmi Narasimha, Jadaayu, Hanuman, Rama

Thirumeyyam is a large south facing temple with a 5 tier Rajagopuram and a unique Hexagonal temple tank in the east. The main deity of Sathyamurthi Perumal is about seven feet in height and is standing on a rock along with his Sreedevi and Bhoodevi. In a cave temple is Ananda Sayana Perumal, one of the biggest and bigger than that in the Srirangam Temple. He is seen reclining on the multiheaded snake, Aadhisesha and surrounded by all the important Gods and Devas. The Rajagopuram is a brick and lime structure built later by the later Pandyas. A pillar with the carvings of Madurai Veeran lifting his consort Bommi, Jadaayu, Hanuman and Rama is special here as people believe the vibrations around it are good and prefer to sit under it before leaving. The temple filled with wonderful carvings and sculptures is under the control and maintenance of the Archaelogical Survey of India.

Holy Water (Theertham) – Kadhamba Pushkarini, Sathiya Theertham

Sacred Tree (Sthala Vriksham) – Pala (Jackfruit – Artocarpus heterophyllus)

Vimaanam – Sathiyagiri Vimaanam

History

Thirumeyyam was built by the Pandyas in the 7 – 8th Century CE. Mangalasasanam has been performed by Thirumangai Alwar (8th Century CE). Pallavas, Cholas, Pandyas, Vijayanagar Kings, Sethupathi Kings, Nayaks, Mutharaiyars, Nattukottai Nagarathars and more have done service to the development and maintenance of Thirumeyyam temple.

Legend

Aadhisesha used his poisonous breath to protect the Lord from Asuras. People believe that even today it is Aadhisesha who is protecting Thirumeyyam Temple. Chandran, Sage Sathya, King Puruvara and Aadhisesha are said to have worshiped the lord here at Thirumeyyam.

Directions

Thirumeyyam is 20 kms in the Pudukottai to Tirupattur and Karaikkudi road. Tirumeyyam is in the junction where the road forks into two to the above towns.

Stay and Food

None locally. Nearest is Pudukottai, Karaikkudi and Tirupattur