Sivagurunathaswamy Temple, Sivapuram – Literary Mention

Sivagurunathaswamy Temple, Sivapuram – Literary Mention

The presiding deity is revered in the 7th century Tamil Saiva canonical work, the Thevaram, written by Tamil saint poets known as the Nayanmars and classified as Paadal Petra Sthalam. Tirugnanasambandar and Appar has sung hymns in praise of Lord Shiva of this temple. This is the 184^th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 67^th Shiva Sthalam on the south of river Cauvery in Chozha Nadu. Saint Arunagirinathar has sang songs in praise of Lord Murugan of this temple in his revered Thirupugazh. Saint Manikkavacakar has also rendered pathigam praising the lord here.

Devotees visiting this temple should make it a practice to recite this Pathigam.

புவம்வளி கனல்புனல் புவிகலை யுரைமறை திரிகுணம் அமர்நெறி
திவமலி தருசுரர் முதலியர் திகழ்தரும் உயிரவை யவைதம
பவமலி தொழிலது நினைவொடு பதுமநன்மலரது மருவிய
சிவனது சிவபுரம் நினைபவர் செழுநில னினில்நிலை பெறுவரே.

மலைபல வளர்தரு புவியிடை மறைதரு வழிமலி மனிதர்கள்  
நிலைமலி சுரர்முதல் உலகுகள் நிலைபெறு வகைநினை வொடுமிகும
அலைகடல் நடுஅறி துயிலமர் அரியுரு வியல்பர னுறைபதி 
சிலைமலி மதிள்சிவ புரம்நினை பவர்திரு மகளொடு திகழ்வரே.

பழுதில கடல்புடை தழுவிய படிமுத லியவுல குகள்மலி  
குழுவிய சுரர்பிறர் மனிதர்கள் குலம்மலி தருமுயி ரவையவை  
முழுவதும் அழிவகை நினைவொடு முதலுரு வியல்பர னுறைபதி  
செழுமணி யணிசிவ புரநகர் தொழுமவர் புகழ்மிகு முலகிலே.

நறைமலி தருமள றொடுமுகை நகுமலர் புகைமிகு வளரொளி  
நிறைபுனல் கொடுதனை நினைவொடு நியதமும் வழிபடும் அடியவர்  
குறைவில பதம்அணை தரஅருள் குணமுடை யிறையுறை வனபதி  
சிறைபுன லமர்சிவ புரமது நினைபவர் செயமகள் தலைவரே.

சினமலி யறுபகை மிகுபொறி சிதைதரு வகைவளி நிறுவிய
மனனுணர் வொடுமலர் மிசையெழு தருபொருள் நியதமும் உணர்பவர்  
தனதெழி லுருவது கொடுஅடை தகுபர னுறைவது நகர்மதிள்  
கனமரு வியசிவ புரம்நினைப வர்கலை மகள்தர நிகழ்வரே.

சுருதிகள் பலநல முதல்கலை துகளறு வகைபயில் வொடுமிகு  
உருவிய லுலகவை புகழ்தர வழியொழு குமெயுறு பொறியொழி  
அருதவ முயல்பவர் தனதடி யடைவகை நினையர னுறைபதி  
திருவளர் சிவபுரம் நினைபவர் திகழ்குலன் நிலனிடை நிகழுமே.

கதமிகு கருவுரு வொடுவுகி ரிடவட வரைகண கணவென  
மதமிகு நெடுமுக னமர்வளை மதிதிக ழெயிறதன் நுதிமிசை  
இதமமர் புவியது நிறுவிய எழிலரி வழிபட அருள்செய்த  
பதமுடை யவனமர் சிவபுரம் நினைபவர் நிலவுவர் படியிலே.

அசைவுறு தவமுயல் வினிலயன் அருளினில்வருவலி கொடுசிவன்  
இசைகயி லையையெழு தருவகை யிருபது கரமவை நிறுவிய  
நிசிசரன் முடியுடை தரவொரு விரல்பணி கொளுமவ னுறைபதி  
திசைமலி சிவபுரம் நினைபவர் செழுநில னினில்நிகழ் வுடையரே.

அடல்மலி படையரி அயனொடும் அறிவரி யதொரழல் மலிதரு  
சுடருரு வொடுநிகழ் தரவவர் வெருவொடு துதியது செயவெதிர்  
விடமலி களநுத லமர்கண துடையுரு வெளிபடு மவன்நகர்
திடமலி பொழிலெழில் சிவபுரம் நினைபவர் வழிபுவி திகழுமே.

குணமறி வுகள்நிலை யிலபொரு ளுரைமரு வியபொருள் களுமில  
திணமெனு மவரொடு செதுமதி மிகுசம ணருமலி தமதுகை உணலுடை யவருணர் வருபர னுறைதரு பதியுல கினில்நல கணமரு வியசிவ புரம்நினை பவரெழி லுருவுடையவர்களே.

திகழ்சிவ புரநகர் மருவிய சிவனடி யிணைபணி சிரபுர  
நகரிறை தமிழ்விர கனதுரை நலமலி யொருபதும் நவில்பவர்  
நிகழ்குல நிலநிறை திருவுரு நிகரில கொடைமிகு சயமகள்   புகழ்புவி வளர்வழி யடிமையின் மிகைபுணர் தரநலம் மிகுவரே.

Sivagurunathaswamy Temple, Sivapuram – Legends

Sivagurunathaswamy Temple, Sivapuram – Legends

Lord Vishnu in Varaha Avatar worshipped Lord Shiva:

As per the Sthala puranam, during a deluge, Lord Mahavishnu prayed to Lord Shiva and took the Varaha Avatar. This avatar is also called Swetha Varaha because he took the form of a white pig. In this avatar, Lord Mahavishnu held the submerging earth on his head. After rescuing the earth, he came to this place and worshiped Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva blessed him by restoring him to his original form.

A beautiful relief (Pudai sirpam) depicting this legend can be seen in the outer wall of the sanctum, near Lord Dakshinamurthy shrine. In their hymns, Saint Tirugnanasambandar and Saint Thirunavukkarasar have also mentioned about this legend. This legend is similar to that at Aradaipperumpaazhi (Haridwaramangalam) and Avalivanallur.

Kuberapuri / Kuberapuram:

Another story mentioned in the Sthala puranam is that of Ravana. It is believed that Ravana once visited this temple for worship without taking bath and observing other ritual requirements. Nandhi stopped him from entering the temple. Without knowing the facts, Kuberan came to help Ravana and asked Nandhi to step aside. Nandhi cursed Kuberan to be born on earth as a greedy king. Kuberan then took birth in a royal family and was named as Thanapathy. He worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple regularly.

One day he saw a copper plate in the corridor which bore the following inscriptions - “On a Shivarathri day in the Tamil month of Maasi that also happens to be a Monday and Pradosham day, if someone performs abishekam to the lord using the blood of a male child, that person will get enormous money. Greedy King Thanapathy managed to buy a young male child by offering money to a poor couple. The king took the child and his parents to this temple and started the pooja.

Just as he was about to cut the child, the young boy clung to his parents in fear and started praying to Goddess Parvathy. Goddess Parvathy in turn asked Lord Shiva to save the child. The lord pacified her and informed her that this was in fact his ploy to relieve Kuberan from Nandhi’s curse. He further told her that the couple was none other than Lord Indra and his wife Indrani and that the child was Agni.

It is believed that Lord Shiva appeared before them and stopped Kuberan. It was then that Kuberan realized the depth of his avarice and the folly that he was about to commit because of his greed. Kuberan prayed for forgiveness and Lord Shiva forgave him and also relieved him from the curse. To signify this incident, there is a small crack and the mark of a drop of blood on the Shivalingam. Hence this place came to be called as Kuberapuri / Kuberapuram.

Angapradakshina Tradition:

When Saint Tirugnanasambandar visited this place, he was able to divine that there are innumerable Shivalingams buried underneath. Hence, he did not want to place his feet on the ground. He, along with his followers, undertook Angapradakshina (rolling around the temple so that the feet do not touch the ground) in the temple. He prayed to the lord and rendered his pathigam from outside the temple. The place from where he sang his hymn is called Swamigal Thurai. Following this tradition, devotees can be seen performing Angapradakshina even today.

Brahmapureeswarar:

Brahmma is said to have worshipped Shiva here before he undertook his task of creation. Hence Lord came to be called as Brahmapureeswarar.

People worshipped Lord Shiva here:

It is believed that Lord Mahavishnu, Kuberan, Saint Tirugnanasambandar, Saint Thirunavukkarasar (Appar), Ravana, Pattinathar, Agni, Brahma, Indra, Indrani and Arunagirinathar had worshiped Lord Shiva here.

Other Names:

The place is also known as Kuberapuri, Kuberapuram, Bhoo Kailas and Shanbagaranyam.

Sivagurunathaswamy Temple, Sivapuram – Idol Theft

Sivagurunathaswamy Temple, Sivapuram – Idol Theft

It is worth recalling that the beautiful Nataraja idol was stolen years back from this temple and smuggled to a foreign country and had been recovered after stiff legal battle. In 1951, idols of Lord Nataraja, Tirugnanasambandar, Somaskandar, Pillaiyar and two other goddesses from the Later Chola period were recovered by a farmer Annamuthu Padaiyachi in Kuppuswamy Iyer's field. The farmer alerted government authorities about his find and handed the idols to the authorities. On October 10, 1953, the District Collector of Thanjavur donated the idols to the Sivagurunathaswamy temple to be installed along with other deities. 

On receipt of the idols, the temple authorities commissioned sculptor Ramasamy Sthapathy to repair the idols. The idols were subsequently returned to the temple after the repairs had been carried out. Sometime later, Dr. Douglas Barrett of the British Museum, who had visited the temple in 1961, wrote in his book South Indian Bronze that the Nataraja idol in the Sivagurunathaswamy temple was fake and that the original idols were in the possession of a private art collector in the United States of America.

This claim prompted the Government of Tamil Nadu to send S. Krishnaraj, Deputy Inspector General, CID, to the USA to investigate the claim. As the outcome of Krishnaraj's investigations, a case was registered at the Nachiyar Koil police station. The case was entrusted to the Crime Branch CID and investigations were carried out with the assistance of the Scotland Yard. It was found that in 1956, one Thilakar of Kuthalam and his brother Doss had persuaded Ramasamy Sthapathy to lend the six idols to them in return for six fake ones which Ramasamy had returned to the temple authorities. 

The idols were purchased by a private art collector Lance Dane of Bombay who kept the idols in his possession for a decade before selling them to Bomman Beharan. The idols eventually made their way to the United States where in 1973 they were purchased by Norton Simon Foundation for $900,000. The Indian police arrested Lance Dane, Thilakar, Doss and Ramasamy Sthapathy. Meanwhile, the Scotland Yard found out that the actual Nataraja idol was in the possession of Anna Plowden of England. 

The Government of India filed a civil suit against the Norton Simon Foundation. The Tamil Nadu government approached the Government of the United States of America through India's Ministry of External Affairs. The Nataraja idol was handed over to Dr. M. S. Nagaraja Rao, the Director-General of the Archaeological Survey of India in 1987 and is currently present in a safe-vault in the Kapaleeshwarar temple, Mylapore, Chennai.

Sivagurunathaswamy Temple, Sivapuram – The Temple

Sivagurunathaswamy Temple, Sivapuram – The Temple

This east facing temple has two corridors and its main tower (Rajagopuram) has 5-tiers. The present temple in the village dates back to the Later Chola period and covers an area of 1.3 acres (5,300 m2). This is one of the temples noted for Angapradakshinam (rolling physically around the temple). There is no flag post (Dwajasthambam) here. The inner praharam has a 3-tiered Gopura entrance.

Presiding Deity is called as Sivagurunathaswamy / Sivapureeswarar / Brahmapureeswarar / Sivapuranathar. Lord Shiva is a Swayambumurthy in the temple and he is facing east. It is believed that Lord Suryan (Sun) worships Lord Shiva of this temple by directing his rays on the lingam every year in the morning hours for three days – 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th in the Tamil month Chithirai (Apr-May).

Nardana Vinayaka, Dakshinamurthy, Lingodhbava, Brahmma and Durga are the Koshta Deities located around the sanctum walls. The unique feature of Lord Dhakshinamoorthi’s idol is that reliefs of Varaha (Avatar of Vishnu) and Rahu can be seen below it. Also, the idols of the Sanakathi rishis are placed on either side of Lord Dakshinamurthy. It is also believed that a Shiva Lingam lies buried at this spot. This Shivalingam was worshipped by the Saivite saint Tirugnanasambandar.

Mother is called as Aryambal / Singaravalli / Periyanayaki. She is facing south. In front of the hall of Goddess Parvathy’s shrine, on the ceiling, 12 zodiac signs (Rasi) are carved beautifully in stone. It is believed that by standing under one’s respective zodiac sign and praying to the goddess, one’s wishes will be fulfilled. There is also a sculptured image of the Sthalapuranam depicting Varaha worshipping Shiva with flowers.

In the outer corridor, there is a separate south-facing shrine for Bairavar in front of the idol of Nandhi. Bairavar’s mount (dog) is seen on the left side with his head facing the lord. The dog’s left ear is lifted up as if to signify that our prayers are being heard by him and forwarded to Lord Bairavar. On the eighth day of Krishnapaksham homam and special pujas are performed to Kala Bhairavar. The Bhairava shrine is considered to be of significance here; two worship services are offered to Bhairavar.

Agni, Indrani, Indran and Kuberan are placed here in the form of lingam. Idols of Nalvar can also be seen here. Sundarar can be seen along with his wife Paravai Nachiyar. There is no separate Navagraha shrine in this temple.  It is believed that the custom of installing Navagraha shrines has started only later, perhaps during the Pallava period.

There are shrines dedicated to  Vinayaga, Lord Subramanya with his consorts Valli and Deivanai, Gajalakshmi, Theyu Lingam, Vayu Lingam, Prithvi Lingam, Balamurugan, Bairavar (2), Chandran (2), Suryan, Saneeswarar, Mahavishnu, Chandikeswarar and procession idols of other deities can be seen in the main hall and the corridors.

The procession idol of Natarajar of this temple is believed to be very beautiful. It was smuggled into America and was retrieved after many legal battles. Now it is kept under safe custody in some other temple. The Natarajar idol kept here for worship is not the original one.

Sthala Vriksham is Shenbagam (not existing now). Theertham associated with this Temple are Chandra Pushkarini and Sundara Theertham. Both are located opposite to each other. Sage Pattinathar appears in a sitting form in the Pattinathu Vinayaka temple nearby.

Agneeswarar Temple, Thirukattupalli, Thanjavur

Agneeswarar Temple, Thirukattupalli, Thanjavur

Agneeswarar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located at Thirukattupalli in Thanjavur District of Tamil Nadu. The Temple is located on the Southern bank of the river Kudamurutti. Presiding Deity is called as Agneeswarar / Theeyaadiyappar and Mother is called as Vaarkonda Mulaiyammai / Soundara Nayaki / Azhagammai. The Sanctum is 4 steps below the ground level and the entrance is too small. It is believed that this was the first temple where Brahma was installed in a separate shrine.

This Temple is the 126^th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 9^th Sthalam on the north side of river Cauvery of Chozha Nadu. There is another place which is also called as Thirukkattupalli. This is located adjacent to Poompuhar and Thiruvenkadu is known as Keezhtirukkaattuppalli to distinguish it from Melaittirukkattuppalli. Keezhtirukkaattuppalli is considered to be the 12^th in the series of Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams on the northern banks of the river Kaveri in the Chola region of Tamil Nadu.

Legends

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/09/agneeswarar-temple-thirukattupalli-legends.html

History

This temple is believed to be in existence for nearly 1500 years and all the major kings including Cholas and Pandyas, did extensive work here. The Temple was renovated by Aditya Chola I. The temple was also renovated during the rule of Uthama Chola. Uthama Chola was one of the major contributors and this is revealed from the inscriptions in this temple. The epigraphy has mention of Sundara Pandian and Konerinmaikondan.

Inscriptions also say that one of the Generals of Rajaraja Chola I named Krishnan-Raman alias Mummadi-Chola-Brammarayan hailed from the nearby Village called Palamaneri. Brahmins belonging to a particular sect of Iyers called Brahatcharanam regard themselves as the descendants of Krishnan-Raman. A fort was constructed next the Shiva Temple during the Thanjavur Nayaks period which was captured by the forces of the British East India Company in 1771; it was recaptured by Hyder Ali in 1781.

Since the name of the place ends in Palli, some of the scholars opined that this place might have seen a dominant Jain community in the past.  As per Historians, a statue of one of the Thirthankars was unearthed from this place. The consecration of the temple (Kumbabishekam) was performed in the year 1983.   There is some belief that the subway may connect Agneeswara Temple to Thanjai Brihadeeswarar Temple.

The Temple

For brief details, please refer below link;

https://tamilnadu-favtourism.blogspot.com/2018/09/agneeswarar-temple-thirukattupalli-temple.html

Temple Opening Time

The temple remains open from 06.00 a.m. to 11.00 a.m. and 04.00 p.m. to 08.30 p.m.

Festivals

Four worship services are offered each day. Masi Magam in February-March, Panguni Uthira Peruvizha (Brahmmotsavam) in March-April, Shivarathri in February-March, Aipasi Annabishekam in October-November and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai are the festivals celebrated in the temple. There is a peculiar festival celebrated in this temple during the Tamil month of Masi (Feb-Mar) when the Lord goes to a nearby village of Nagatchi which is around 5 Kms from this temple.  That place is believed to be the birth place of Ambal Soundaranayagi.  He stays overnight there and when he returns to his abode the next day, Kattusadam (food for the travel) is sent with him to last the journey. This practice is in vogue in Brahmin marriages even today when the groom’s side departs for their house.

Literary Mention

This Temple is considered as one of the 276 Thevara Paadal Petra Sthalams. Thiru Gyana Sambandhar and Thiru Navukarasar sang Hymns on Lord Siva of this temple. This is the 126^th Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam and 9^th Sthalam on the north side of river Cauvery of Chozha Nadu. There is another place which is also called as Thirukkattupalli. This is located adjacent to Poompuhar and Thiruvenkadu is known as Keezhtirukkaattuppalli to distinguish it from Melaittirukkattuppalli. Keezhtirukkaattuppalli is considered to be the 12^th in the series of Devaram Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams on the northern banks of the river Kaveri in the Chola region of Tamil Nadu.

Prayers

Devotees pray for removal of obstacles in marriage talks, excellence in education and prosperity. Devotees perform abishek to the Lord with Vastras-clothing. They bathe on Sundays in the month of Karthikai (November-December) in Agni theertha and on Masi Magam (February-March), Panguni Uthiram (March-April) and Vaikasi Visakam (May-June).

Contact

Agneeswarar Temple,

Tirukattupalli Post – 613 104,

Thanjavur District

Phone: +91 94423 47433

Connectivity

The Temple is located at about 250 meters from Thirukattupalli Bus Stop, 4 Kms from Poondi, 8 Kms from Budalur Railway Station, 9 Kms from Koviladi, 12 Kms from Anbil, 14 Kms from Pullambadi Railway Station, 17 Kms from Kallanai, 19 Kms from Thiruvaiyaru, 19 Kms from Thirukkandiyur, 26 Kms from Thanjavur and 40 Kms from Trichy Airport. The Temple is located to the west of Thiruvaiyaru to Kallanai route, on the south bank of River Kudamurutti. This Temple is located very close to Thirukkattupalli Bus Stand. This Temple can be reached from Trichy, Thanjavur, Thirukkandiyur, Thiruvaiyaru and Kallanai and buses are available from all these places. The temple is near Koviladi (Thiruper Nagar Divya Desam). Lots of town buses are available from Thanjavur. Nearest Railway Station is Budalur, located in the Thanjavur – Trichy Rail Route. Nearest Airport is located at Trichy.

Location | Photos

Agneeswarar Temple, Thirukattupalli – Legends

Agneeswarar Temple, Thirukattupalli – Legends

Agneeswarar:

Once all the Devas assembled here and prayed to the Lord. Agni Bhagavan had a special request since he burns all the evils of the devotees who perform homams, he had to carry their sins. He is also blamed as anything touched by him is charred. He requested the Lord to give him relief. Pleased with his prayers, Lord asked him to dig a well (Agni Theertham) and use that water to perform abishekam. When Agni did it, all his burdens disappeared and he became pure again. 

He was also given the boon that henceforth he would not be burdened with the sins of the devotees. Hence the Lord is called Agneeswarar. Since the Tamil name for Agni is Thee, he is also known as Theeyaadiyappar. Hence the place is called Agneeswaram. The devotees bathe on Sundays in the month of Karthikai (November-December) in Agni theertha and on Masi Magam (February-March), Panguni Uthiram (March-April) and Vaikasi Visakam (May-June) and attain blessings.

Destruction of Woraiyur:

A king who ruled Woraiyur gave two Sevvanthi flowers that flowered in his garden to his two wives. The younger wife at Woraiyur took it for herself whereas the elder wife at Thirukkattupalli offered it to Lord Shiva. So, it is said that Woraiyur was destroyed due to rain whereas Thirukkattupalli didn’t face any such destruction.

People worshipped Lord Shiva here:

Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, Suryan, Agni, Bageeradhan and queen of Urayur worshiped Lord Siva here and were blessed by him.

Agneeswarar Temple, Thirukattupalli – The Temple

Agneeswarar Temple, Thirukattupalli – The Temple

The main tower (Rajagopuram) is of a five-tier model. The flag post (Kodimaram or Dwajasthambam) is covered by copper. Lord Vinayaka graces from the right side. This temple with 3 prakarams (outer courtyard) occupies an area of about an acre. Presiding Deity is called as Agneeswarar / Theeyaadiyappar. Lord is a Swayambu Moorthy with five cobras offering hooded protection to him.

The Sanctum is 4 steps below the ground level and the entrance is too small. Sanctum looks like a Pathala Moolasthanam (underground shrine). This may be due to the fact that the works in different parts of this temple were carried out during different periods and proper levelling work was not undertaken. One has to step down four steps to have darshan and there is provision to go around the Lord. 

Mother is called as Vaarkonda Mulaiyammai / Soundara Nayaki / Azhagammai. Mother Shrine is situated on the right side of the sanctum and she is facing south. Goddess is seen in standing posture. Dwarabalakis can be found on either side of the entrance. There is also a Vinayaka within the shrine. Brahma is also having a separate shrine here.  As per temple legend, Brahma was upset with the curse that he would not be having separate temple. When he prayed in this temple, He was allowed to have a separate shrine. It is believed that this was the first temple where Brahma was installed in a separate shrine.

There are two Dhakshamurthys in the second corridor. Yoga Dakshina Murthy is located on the ghoshta wall of the inner prakaram.  He could also be viewed from a hole in the outer prakaram near the Guru Dakshina Murthy shrine.  Yoga Dakshinamurthy of this temple is very popular.  His sitting position looks like that of a monkey.  He wears Maharakanti Rudraksham on his neck and Sun and Moon adorn his braid (head). This is a very rare Murthy which we do not find in many temples. 

There are shrines of Valampuri Vinayagar, Unnamulai Amman, Srinivasa Perumal with his consorts Sridevi and Boodevi, Saraswathi, and Sattainathar in the outer prakaram. In the Navagraha shrine (9 Planets) against the general traditions, all the planets are facing Sun planet. Idols of Bhairavar and Nalvar can be found in the Mandapam in the inner precinct.

There is a shrine for Lingothbavar next to the Vinayakar Shrine in the inner prakaram. Usually he is seen as Koshta Moorthy but here it is unusual. Ardhanareeswarar is seen beside Lingothbavar. Next is the shrine of Lord Muruga with his consorts Valli and Deivanai. Then follows the shrines of Kasi Viswanatha with Mother Visalakshi, Gajalakshmi and Durga.  

Apart from the Kudamurutti river, Surya Theertham and Agni Theertham (in the form of a well) also serve as Temple Theerthams. Taking bath here on Karthigai Sunday, Masi Magam, Panguni Uthiram, Vaikasi Visakam days is considered very sacred. There are two Sthala Vrikshams in this Temple namely Vanni and Vilvam.  Inscriptions from the period of Raja Raja I & other Chola Emperors and the Pandya and Vijayanagar periods are found here. This temple was part of an old fort captured by the British in 1771; it was recaptured by Hyder Ali in 1781.

Sorna Bhairavar Temple, Trichy

Sorna Bhairavar Temple, Trichy

Sorna Bhairavar Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to Lord Bhairava, fierce form of Lord Shiva located at Trichy City in Trichy District of Tamilnadu. The Temple is located at about 250 meters from Gandhi Market Bus Stop, 2 Kms from Trichy Chatram Bus Stand, 4 Kms from Trichy Central Bus Stand, 3.5 Kms from Trichy Railway Station, 7 Kms from Srirangam and 8 Kms from Trichy Airport.

Location

Basilica of the Holy Redeemer, Trichy

Basilica of the Holy Redeemer, Trichy

Basilica of the Holy Redeemer is a Roman Catholic Minor Basilica in Trichy City in Trichy District of Tamilnadu. The Basilica of the Holy Redeemer is one of five Roman Catholic minor basilicas in the southern state of Tamil Nadu, India. Built in the Indo-Gothic style of architecture, this church came into existence in the year 1800 when the Jesuit Missionaries began spreading Christianity in the southern part of India.

History

The origins of the basilica can be traced to the early decades of the 17^th century, when Jesuit missionaries began spreading Christianity through the Madurai Mission. The first conversions occurred in the area known as Tiruchirappalli, also called "Trichy", in 1616. The missionaries eventually got support from the Hindu Naicker rulers of Madurai. The many Jesuit missionaries who worked in the Madurai Mission included Robert de Nobili and Constanzo Beschi.

While Trichy was still a mission station of the Madurai Mission, several Christian communities were established in Palakkarai, Dharmanathapuram, and Varaganeri. Even before the construction of the Holy Redeemer Church, there were some 7500 Christians in the area. They worshiped at the St. Mary's Cathedral, Trichy, rather than at Our Lady of Sorrows because the latter was under the administration of the Portuguese Padroado.

Realizing the need for the Christians of Palakkarai to have a church of their own. In those days of the British rule, Trichy was under the rule of Diwan Kanjamalai Mudaliar. The place where the Holy Redeemer's Basilica is built and the land surrounding it, was given by Diwan Kanjamalai Mudaliar as a token of gratitude to Rev. Fr. Koris for a favour done to the Diwan. On February 9th, 1880, MSGR Canoz laid the foundation for the new church.

On June 29th, 1881, a new church, well-built sturdy, full of artistic paintings and which filled the onlookers with wonder - was elegantly built and was blessed by Pondicherry Archbishop MSGR Lovenan in the presence of MSGR. Canoz. That such a wonderful church was built in just 16 months is one of its special features. In 1957, when Rev. Fr. A. Thomas was the parish priest, the novena to Mother of Perpetual Succour was started by a Redemptorist priest Rev. Fr. Francis. As many miracles took place through Mother of Perpetual Succour, people from different religions started coming there every Wednesday.

There was an awakening in the people's spiritual life. In 2006, through the efforts of Rev. Fr. A Gabriel who was the parish priest then and the recommendation of Rt. Rev. Dr. Antony Devotta the Bishop of Trichy, Pope Benedict XVI raised this church to the status of Basilica on October 12th, 2006. The request for the elevation of the church to a basilica was presented to the Vatican by the Bishop of Trichy, Most Rev. Antony Devotee while Rev. A. Gabriel was the parish priest.

The Church

The inner walls of this church are adorned with oil paintings of the saints and scenes from the Old and New Testaments. In the year 1881 the 'Big Bell' was added, a contribution from British Judge Woodroofe. It is the second biggest bell in Tamil. In this Church 'Sagayamatha' - Mother of Perpetual Help Basilica is venerated. The wonderful picture of Mother of Perpetual Succour is an exquisite portrait drawn according to the norms of Eastern Art. Tradition says that this picture was drawn by the evangelist St. Luke.

The high roofed building has a main, wide, slightly elevated aisle flaked by sub-aisles. The aim of this kind of design was to allow good passage of light. The high roof design allows better aeration considering topical climate. Cato wanted a temporary church to receive British soldiers who were on the move. Trichy also happened to be a cantonment town. The church could accommodate 2000 people at a time. In the early 1900s with arrival the railways, Trichy was a seat of very large population of Angelo Indians and many of them were employees of SIR -South Indian Railways.

Festivals

Good Friday, Easter, Happy feast of John Maria Vianney, St Xavier's feast and Christmas celebrations are held with devotion and dedication here.

Connectivity

The Basilica is located at about 400 meters from Prabath Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Trichy Chatram Bus Stand, 3 Kms from Trichy Central Bus Stand, 3 Kms from Trichy Railway Station, 8 Kms from Srirangam and 7 Kms from Trichy Airport.

Location