Sastha Temple, Thirupattur, Trichy
Sastha Temple
is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Ayyanar located at Thirupattur in Trichy
District of Tamilnadu. It is rare to see such an exclusive big temple for
Sastha with Rajagopuram, Ardha mandapam and Maha Mandapam. Presiding Deity is
Sastha with his consorts Poorna and Pushkala. This huge and exclusive temple
for Sastha is located on the way to the Brahmapureeswarar temple. The temple is
supposed to be more than 1200 years old.
Legends
Emperor
Rajaraja Chola was a staunch Shiva devotee and was conferred the title
Shivapada Sekhara. He was instrumental for the prosperity of the kingdom. He
was assisted in his efforts by Brahmarayar. He was a Vishnu devotee. To respect
him, Rajaraja treated Vaishnava temples with equal respect. Brahmarayar duly
reciprocated Rajaraja’s courtesy by his services to Shiva temples. Changes came
in later in worship thinking. Other Gods came in beyond Saivite and Vaishnavite
faiths. Masathanar belongs to the later generation of Gods. It may be recalled
that Sathanar worship was popular during the Sangam period.
The
kings will convene the court only after Sathanar worship. This worship was
followed during war time also. Thrilled by the power and mercy of Masathanar,
kings began to attach this name with theirs as Karuvur Seraman Sathan, Pandian
Keeran Sathan, Cholanattu Pidavur Kizhan Mahan Perunchathan, Ollayur Kizhan
Mahan Perunchathan and so on. Tamil world knows the great epic poet Seethalai
Chathanar, Urayur Mudhukannan Chathanar, Perunthalai Chathanar gaining great
powers by worshipping Masathanar. In the days that followed, Sathanar came to
be known as Sastha and also as Ayyanar.
History
This
Ayyanar Temple was hidden beneath the sands for hundreds of years before a team
of well-wishers digged and restored. Masathanar was an illustrious poet who
brought the great epic Tirukayilaya Ula and staged it in this place known then
as Thiruppidavur – Tirupattur, according to epigraphic findings. The 18 pillar
mandapam where the epic was staged still exists in the temple as evidence of
this history. There are also epigraphic evidences that Chola and Pandya kings
Rajendra Chola, Kulothunga, Vikrama, Veera Ramanatha Deva, Sadaya Varma Sundara
Pandian, Jatavarma Veerapandian, Kempiah Mayana Naicker had liberally donated
lands and wealth for the maintenance and pujas in the temple.
The
Temple
This
huge and exclusive temple for Sastha is located on the way to the Brahmapureeswarar
temple. The temple was a mud construction earlier. Rajaraja Chola then built it
with stones in a bigger size. It is rare to see such an exclusive big temple
for Sastha with Rajagopuram, Ardha mandapam and Maha Mandapam. It has a three
tier Rajagopuram, a beautiful elephant sculpture, a Balipeeta and a Yagasala in
star shape.
It also
has Artha Mandapam and vast prakaras. Masathanar – Ayyanar with Poorna and
Pushkala appears from the sanctum sanctorum with Rudraksha adoring his neck, chest,
wrists, shoulders and holding a bouquet in right hand and a palm leaf in the
left hand. Since Sastha is seen with a palm leaves on hand and so it is
believed that students are blessed with good education by worshipping Sastha
here.
Temple
Opening Time
The
temple remains open from 6.00 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. and from 5.00 p.m. to 8.00
p.m.
Festivals
Panguni
Uthiram in March-April and Tirukarthikai in November-December are the festivals
celebrated in the temple.
Prayers
People
pray to Ayyanar for profitable farm yields and good education for their children.
Devotees perform abishek to Ayyanar, Pooranai and Pushakalai and offer vastras.
Connectivity
This
Sastha Temple is located on the way to the Brahmapureeswarar temple. The Temple
is located at about 600 meters from Thirupattur Brahmapureeswarar Temple, 4 Kms
from Siruganur, 16 Kms from Samayapuram, 24 Kms from Thiruvellarai, 27 Kms from
Thiruppainjeeli, 24 Kms from Siruvachur, 27 Kms from Srirangam and 33 Kms from
Trichy. The Temple is located to the north of the city of Trichy on
the NH-45, the Chennai - Trichy highway. Siruganur is located at
about 30 Kms on the Trichy-Chennai National Highways. From Siruganur,
Tirupattur is 4 kms on the west branch of the road.
As there
are no bus facilities, the visitor must engage a cab or auto. There is a
clear sign board for the temple at the Siruganur highway crossing. You can also
board a bus from Trichy to Perambalur and get down at Siruganur to reach this
temple. Trichy to Chennai buses normally don’t stop at Siruganur. After you
cross Siruganur towards Chennai, there is a left detour from the main highway,
towards Tirupattur. Nearest Railway Station is located at Trichy (36 Kms),
Pichchandarkovl (22 Kms) and Srirangam (27 Kms). Nearest Airport is located at
Trichy (37 Kms).
