Saint Poets praised the Rock Temple as Thiru Karkudi
Located 7kms West of Uchi Pillayar Koil in Tiruchirapalli on the banks of Uyyakondan Canal is the Saint Poets praised Ujjevanathar Rock temple in Uyyakondan, one of the 27 temples administered by Dharmapuram Atheenam. The temple is built atop 30 feet rock. Around the rock is an equally tall square stone wall. Further away in the outer prakaram is another stone wall just as high as the other two. There are five prakarams in the temple. A new five tier Raja Gopuram was built about a decade ago as part of the renovation exercise undertaken by the Atheenam.
Greenary all around in Sundarar’s Praise
Sundara Moorthy Nayanar who reached here from Venjamaa Koodal praised the location as on being full of greenery
கடியார் பூம் பொழில் சூழ்ந்து திரு கற்குடி
கரையார் சோலைகள் கந்தார் சோலைகள் காரார் பூம் பொழில் சூழ்
While high rise buildings have taken over around the temple, in the not so distant past one could get a glimpse of the greenery around Trichy and the over flowing Cauvery from atop the hill.
Historical Name
Inscriptions dating back to the Chozha period refer to the Lord as Uchinathar, Uyyakondan nathar, Vizhumiyaar and Vizhumiya Devar and the location as Nandi Varma Mangalam. Sembian Maha Devi donated lands for Koil Pooja and refers to the canal as Vairamega Canal.
It is from the well in the third prakara that water is brought for Abhisekams. Inscriptions dating back to the rule of Rajendra Chozha refer to donation of paddy made specifically for the conduct of Abhisekam on his birthday on Thiruvathirai.
Karan Invoked Aalvadayar
At the foot of the rock temple is the Karan (Karan Dooshan of Ramayana period) invoked Aalvadayar temple while in the North East of the hill temple is the Idai Theerthavar Sannidhi.
In memory of Markandeya’s pooja at Uyyakondan invoking the blessings of Ujjevanathar to free him from the timing of his early death, there is a stone sculpture in front of Nataraja Sannidhi at this temple.
Thiru Gnana Sambandhar reached here from Thiru Mazhapaadi and sung praise of the Lord. Thirunavukarasar (Appar) came here after visiting Thiru Painjali and says that he found the Ambal here
காற்குடி கற்பகத்தை கண்ணார கண்டேன்
Thai Poosam- Congregation of Lords
On the occasion of Thai Poosam, Ujjevanathar and Ambal make a trip to Somarasampettai with Vayalur’s Kumarar too joining them there for a grand celebration.
Uyyakonda Nayanar donated lands for the conducted of 12 day Utsavam in Vaikasi while Chaturvedi Mangalam Maha Sabha handed 10 kalam Paddy and lands for the conduct of the 4 day Vasantha Utsavam. Raja Raja Chozha donated lands for the conduct of daily pooja and jewels in Gold for festivals.
Panguni Brahmotsavam
There was also a donation of tax free land in Nerkundram for conduct of the pooja and the Panguni Utsavam. There is a specific reference to three Veli land given for the conduct of Uchi Kaala Pooja and celebration of one day during the Panguni Utsavam. South of the temple in the fourth prakaram is Muthi Theertham, opposite which is the Vasantha Mandapam from where the Ujjevanathar departs on his vahana processions during the Brahmotsavam in Panguni.
Land was also donated for the conduct of the Artha Jaama Pooja.
Tunnel for War Times
The Trichy Gazette points to this temple being a Haven during war times in the 18th Century when war broke out between the French, English and the Mysore Kings. Some damage was caused to the huge walls in the shooting that took place from here. During that period, there was also a secret tunnel from the temple that served both as a hideout as well as an escape route.
The temple is open from 8am to 12noon and from 5pm to 8pm. Contact Rajaram Gurukal @ 9790092887.