|
|
Thiruchirapalli popularly known as "Trichy"
or "Thiruchchi" or "Trichi" is second most important
commercial town in Tamil Nadu situated about 320-km south of Chennai.
Trichy is famous for its Rock Fort Temple complex, which comprises of
three temples dedicated to Lord Vinayakar, Lord Shiva and Manikka
Vinayakar.
Lord Vinayakar (also spelt as Vinayaka) temple is on top of the rock and
he is called "Uchchi Pillaiyar", because of the higher elevation
of the shrine. From top of the rock one can enjoy a panoramic view of
Tiruchi.
The temple is manifested on a rock that is 83 metres tall. It is a stiff
climb, up the 437 steps cut into the stone to the top but well worth for
the view. Non-Hindus are not allowed into the Vinayaka temple.
The Legend
According to The Legend prevailing there was a dispute between
Adishesha, the serpent that serves both as a canopy and the couch of Sri
Mahavishnu, and Vayu, the god of wind. Adishesha and Vayu wanted to know
who was the stronger of the two. It was decided that Adishesha would coil
round Mount Meru and Vayu would try to dislodge the mount from the grip of
Adishesha.
The challenge was taken up and Vayu threw himself with all his might and
tried to dislodge the mountain while it was held firmly in the coils of
Adishesha. Sooner the contest became very intense and the whole world
suffered from a deluge of rain and battering storm. During this conflict a
chip of the mountain had dislodged and fell on the earth. However, Vayu
could not loosen Adishesha's grip and conceded defeat. The chip of Mount
Meru that fell on the earth is believed to be the rock now called "Rock
Fort" in Thiruchchi.
Another Legend Associated With The Deity At Rock Fort
There is also another legend associated with the deity at Rock Fort.
Vibishana of the epic Ramayana was returning to his country Sri Lanka,
carrying the Ranga Vimanam presented to him by Sri Rama. He stopped near
the river Kaveri for his daily religious rites. There he handed over the
'Ranga Vimanam' to a boy standing near by with strict instructions that
the Vimanam should not be put on the ground.
When Vibishana returned after his ablutions in the river he found that
the boy had placed the Vimanam on the ground. He became angry and tried to
lift it on to his arms. The Vimanam got stuck where it was placed and
would not budge. Vibishana became so angry that he slapped the boy on his
face and chased him to give him more blows. The boy ran away to the top of
the rock and stood transformed into Vinayaka (also spelt as Vinayak). Thus
a shrine was built where he stood transformed. Devotees believe that the
depression on the deity's face was the result of Vibushana's slap.
Air: Trichy
has an airport (5-km from the city). Various airline services connect
Trichy with Chennai, Sharjah, Kuwait and Colombo.
Rail: Trichy is an
important junction on the Southern Railway. It is connected by rail with
places like Chennai,
Thanjavur,
Chidambaram,
Madurai,
Tirupati,
Tuticorin, Tenkasi, Quilon,
Rameshwaram,
Bangalore,
Coimbatore,
Mysore, Kochi,
Kanyakumari and Mangalore.
Road: Trichy is well
connected by road with important places of South India. For local
transport, city bus service is available to all places of tourist interest
from the Central Bus Stand and from Chinthamani Guard Gate Bus Stand.
Tourist taxis, auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are also available for
local transportation.
Trichy, being the second biggest city in the state has varied accommodation options for tourists varying from the economic class to luxurious ones.
){kind=link}