SRI SUGANTHA KUNTHALAAMBIKAI SAMETHA MADHRUBOOTHESHWARAR
(THAAYUMAANA EESAR) KOIL, THIRICHIRAPPALLY, TAMIL NADU, INDIA
அருள்மிகு மட்டுவார்
குழலம்மை ஸமேத செவ்வந்திநாதர் திருக்கோயில்,
திருச்சிராப்பள்ளி, தமிழ் நாடு
"The beloved Lord assumed the role of midwife during childbirth and became Mother Goddess... "
6th in the series of Thevara Sthalam (received holy hymns) located South of Cauveri river.
Compiled and presented by Eshwar Gopal
| Main Deity |
Sri Mathrubhoodeshwarar (Lord Shiva) Sri Thayumana Eesar (Swayambu) |
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Temple tree | Bilva tree | |||
| Goddess |
Mattuvar Kuzhalammai (Tamil) Sugantha KundalAmbigai (Sanskrit) |
Theertham |
Brahma Theertham, Shiva Ganga, Theeyathillan |
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| Specialty |
Lord appeared as Mother and helped a
woman in child-birth |
Ganapathy | Uchchi Pillayar (on the hill) | ||||
| Hymns Sung by | Sampandhar, Appar, Sundarar | Sthala Guru | Sri Mouna Guru Swamy | ||||
| Importance |
Removal of obstacles in childbirth,
fear of death, debts, bestows child to childless couples, Sweet Voice, etc.. |
Shiva Lingam | 4th Big Lingam in T.N. | ||||
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This temple has connection with Shri Kailash, hence, derives the name "South Kailash". Legends state that since it looks like Vrushabha Bhavana from a distance, the hill also called "Vrushabhachalam". Once upon a time, there lived a great Saint "Chira Muni" - this place Thiruchirappalli is named after Him. 'Thiru' means Sri In Tamil. Sculptors praised the Lord as Thirumalaipperuman - 'One Who resides in the Hill. This shrine is situated on the south side of the Cuavery river in modern day Trichy (Thiruchirappalli), famous for painless child- birth boons. Lord Sevvandhinathar (Shiva) radiates with full power as a self-manifested one. The Rock Fort temple tops on a 83m high outcrop. The temple on the hill has 3 tier structure built by various erstwhile Kings, Cholas, Pallavas, Pandiyas, Nayaks, Marathas. During 7th century, Mahendra Varman of Pallava Fame chiseled rocks and caves to make a small cave temple, but the Nayaks made use of its naturally fortified position and strengthened it. It is a stiff climb, about 437 steps up cut into the stone to the top, but well deserves a visit. Non-Hindus are not allowed into the Vinayaka temple at the summit and at the bigger Sri Thaymanavaswamy temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, halfway up. This shrine houses Kangaala Moorthy, one of the 64 manifestations of Lord Shiva. Chithra Mandapam
Beautiful murals depict
the entire episode of Lord Shiva coming and serving Ratnavathy in
black granite stones. Breathtaking paintings carved in the
entire Chithramanda inner portions arrest our minds. The Chithra
Mandapam houses a granite chain with nine loops. |
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The temple puranam is a heart melting story of His ever attentiveness in rushing to the
cause of His believer; the legend behind 'Thaayumaanavar' temple in
Tirichirapally. Floods in Cauvery Ratnavathy offered Prayers at the Rock Fort temple everyday with her husband. She prayed to her beloved Lord Shiva, "Oh Sevvandhi Natha, Eshwara, Neelakanta, Shankara, Sathashiva, Pungava, Tripuranthaka, Punniya, You hold ganges on the matted locks, You burnt to ashes Manmatha, You Kicked Yama Dharma, You slapped Surya the Sun God, You peeled the skin of elephant and wore it, You stand as a meaning in Vedas, You have no birth, death and shun away from attachments, You appear as column of Fire, You are my beloved Lord, please bestow me with a child". She also prayed that from the day she conceives until the delivery, she wants His Blessings and guidance to protect from sufferings.
In due course, Ratnavathy became impregnated with a child. She
anxiously awaited the birth of her baby but never failed to
contemplate on her dear Lord Sevandhinadhar. As months rolled by, she
sent word to her mother to be beside her to help her during
childbirth. Her mother on hearing the news immediately started to
Tirichirappally (Trichy). Those were days where
Ratnavathy, meanwhile, wondered about the delay of her mother's arrival. Though caught up in a frenzy when pain seized her, she harboured her hopes on Sevanthinadhar (Lord Shiva). She continued to Pray to Him to help her during childbirth. Her prayers were heard as her mother with her two attendants promptly showed up at the time when she was going through immense labour pains. She was so relieved at the sight of them with whose help she gave birth to a baby boy. Her mother was beside her attending to her and her baby for seven days. The Lord of the Lords did not feel any difficulty as He is adept in bringing up the children of universe. God appears as midwife and treat Ratnavathy Even a small insect gets His Blessings, Lord Shiva has granted His abundant grace not only on humans but on animals, we have seen earlier how He gave darshan to Elephant and Spider in Thiruvanaikkaval, He saved a Cow and gave boons, He bowed His head to accept garland from a child who could not reach upto Him, He appeared as mendicant and saved Thiruneelakantar, He prevented Sundarar and opened his inner vision of light. Here too Lord decides to help Chetti Woman Ratnavathy in her labor. Assuming as a old Lady with silver hair, He held a bamboo stick to walk, His walk resembled elderly, He was holding medicines and herbs to treat her, with lots of Gold, Diamond, Pearls usually meant to be given to Girls when mothers visited their daughters. Two attendants accompanied Him. She resembled exactly as Rathnavathy's real mother. He ensured Ratnavathy delivers a baby boy and did all that a mid-wife would do. He applied medicinal herbs, oil on the child and made sure both the mother and the child gets the real mother's touch. He treated the child as if He was Lord Subramanya.
One day Ratnavathy was stupefied to find her mother and her attendants
at the door who had just arrived and related about their wait at the
banks of the flooded river that caused them the delay. Her mother
further enquired as to how she had managed her child birth on her own
in her absence. It was then that Ratnavathy realized that it was Lord
Sevandhinadhar who played the role of a midwife in disguise of her
mother! She fell down unconscious and a flash appeared on the sky
followed by Lord Shiva, Umaparvathi seated on the holy bull, Lord Ganapathy and
Subramanya were near them, Lord Vishn Thus it was from then Sevandhinadhar came to be endearingly addressed as 'Mathrubhudeshwarar' or 'Thaayumaanavar', meaning the 'Lord who is also the mother' . Her faith had ultimately earned her His maternal compassion and care.
Every year, this holy act of God is re-enacted
during Vasantha Utsavam on the fifth day called "Chetti Pen Maruthuvam".Even now
the descendants of Ratnavathy's trading community arranges the festival in a
grand manner. On the fifth day night, Ratnavathy along with her child, is
taken in a procession in all the eight streets and worshipped. |
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Easily accessible from all corners of
the State and neighboring states. For more details as to how to
reach there, click below for the Air, Train and Bus routes. |
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PRADOSHAM WISHES YOU A HAPPY SPIRITUAL JOURNEY.......OM NAMAH SHIVAYA... |
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Posted 25.7.2007 Top |
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Her
mother furthur enquired as to how she had managed her child birth
on her own in her absence
.
there was little or no transportation
facilities to reach the destination soon. As her mother with two attendents travelled to Trichy, they came upon a flooded
Cuavery river that
obstructed their travel. She was caught in the other banks of
the river and could not cross in time. 
u, Brahma on the right, left side, Srinandi
Deva was seen with Deva Dunthupi, Thumpuru, Narathar appeared with their musical
instruments. Lord Sevvandhinathar held ganges in His matted locks and
crescent moon on His right hand forehead.
Chiththirai (April) Charriot Utsavam - 15 days
