Ezhai Pillayar Temple, Vadakku Andar Street, Trichy
Ezhai Pillayar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha located in Vadakku Andar Street in Trichy City in Trichy District of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Ezhai Pillayar.
Legends
It is an accepted truth in Indian philosophical thinking
that all sounds including those of the Vedas and all scriptures are the
products from the Udukkai instrument held by Lord Shiva. The Saptha Swaras –
seven musical sounds are no exception. Music is one that attracts everybody
including Gods. This super status in the world of sounds led the Saptha Swara
deities to grow proud and the conclusion that they were greatest of all
including Lord Shiva who was enticed by the Sama Gana singing of Ravana. Noticing
their pride growing, Mother Kalaivani, the Goddess of Wisdom and all arts
cursed them to become dumb.
The music deities realized their folly and surrendered
at the feet of Lord Shiva in silence seeking pardon and relief. All merciful
Lord Shiva advised them to go to Tiruchirappalli (Trichy) praised equal to Mount
Kailash and worship Uchi Pillayar at the hill top. He also advised them to install
and pray to a Pillayar on the Girivalam path and pray to Uchi Pillayar again. This
penance would bring them back their power of the Saptha Swaras, said the Lord.
The Music Deities meticulously followed the advice of Lord and got back what they
lost. The Pillayar is Ezhavathu Pillayar which in colloquial pronunciation changed
as Ezhai Pillayar.
The Temple
After worshipping Lord Uchi Pillayar, while on the
girivalam path, devotee comes across 12 Vinayakas-Pillayar including the Uchi
Pillayar. This Pillayar is 7th in the line – Ezhavathu in Tamil. He
is now known as Ezhai Pillayar. He is in the Saptha Pureeswarar temple. In
fact, there is no other deity in this temple as Shiva, Ambika or any
sub-deities. Only Nagar idols are outside the temple. Ezhai Pillayar is the
presiding deity of the temple. Vinayaka is facing south i.e. facing his parents
in the Tiruchirappalli Mount (Thayumanavar Temple).
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
Besides Vinayaka Chaturthi in August-September, the
temple celebrates Sankatahara Chaturthi each month.
Prayers
Musicians pray to Lord Vinayaka in the temple for
sweetening their voice, for prosperity and the health of children. Vinayaka
grants all wisdom and art skill boon to devotees. Dull and brain growth
deficiency children are brought to Lord Saptha Pureeswarar temple and are
offered the Abishek Theertha for cure. They gradually become free of the
weakness and bright. Students pray here to score higher marks and ranks. This
is the experience of the devotees in many families here.
Also, as this Vinayaka is facing south, elders worshipping
him are blessed with longevity without fear of death. Moreover, He is facing his
parents in the Tiruchirappalli Mount (Thayumanavar Temple) the worship brings
total unity and affinity in the family. Also, the devotee derives the benefit
of worshipping direct the Principal Vinayaka – Lord Uchi Pillayar. Devotees
break coconuts in the shrine and offer grass garlands to Lord.
Connectivity
The Temple is located at about 400 meters from Singarathope
Bus Stop, 1 Km from Trichy Chatram Bus Stand, 6 Kms from Trichy Central Bus
Stand, 6 Kms from Trichy Railway Station, 5 Kms from Srirangam and 13 Kms from
Trichy Airport.