Rock Fort Temple
Probably only a traveler would know how beautiful it is to take over Tamil Nadu for a vacation and relish the heritage attractions of South India. Gifted with one such marvel out of the many classic temple complexes is the Tiruchirapalli Rockfort, the oldest in the world. Built over 3.8 billion years ago, this heritage site in Tamil Nadu is home to temples namely Thayumanaswamy Temple, Ucchi Pillayar Temple, Ganesha Temple, and a Madurai Nayak-era fort.
Taking place over an 83 m high rock, the complex has beheld several wars some of which took place between the Carnatic region and Maratha Imperial forces and Madurai Nayakas and Adil Shahi dynasty of Bijapur. Renowned for being as old as the rocks in Greenland it is said that the complex was first built by the Pallavas whose style of architecture included free-standing structure-based shrines. Later some time, the Fort went under massive renovation which was done by the Nayaks.
A climb of 344 steps leads you to this popular tourist attraction which has some elements of Quartz and feldspar in its making.
History of Rock Fort Temple
There are three Hindu temples inside the Rockfort, the Ucchi Pillaiyar Temple, the Thayumanavar Temple, and the Manikka Vinayakar Temple. The Manikka Vinayakar Temple is located at the foot of the hill, dedicated to Lord Ganesha. Manikka Vinayakar is the patron deity of the Trichy, and among the top Trichy places to visit.
The Ucchi Pillayar Temple is a 7th-century Hindu temple, dedicated to Lord Ganesh located on top of Rock Fort at an altitude of 273 feet. The Ganesh temple is a smaller shrine with access through steep steps carved on the rock and provides a stunning view of Trichy. Due to its ancient and impressive architecture created by the Pallavas, the temple is maintained by the Archaeological Department of India.
According to the Mythology, when Vibhishana returned home after the coronation of Rama, he brought with him an idol of Lord Ranganatha in a lying posture. He had been strictly warned not to put it down on the ground for any reason. When Vinayaka appeared before him as a Brahmin boy. Vibhishana asked him to hold it for a while Vinayaka accepted his request on condition that he should come and relieve him before he called him thrice.
Vibhishana went to perform his evening ablutions. But within a short time, Vinayaka called him thrice put it down, and ran away to the top of the hill. The idol stuck to the ground. The famous Ranganatha Temple was built where the idol was placed.
Architecture of Rock Fort Temple
Perched on a large rock with a height of 85 meters, the temple was initially built by the Pallavas but the Nayaks made use of its naturally fortified position and designed it as a fort. There are 344 steps carved out of rock leading to the top. The fort complex has witnessed fierce battles between Madurai Nayakas and Bijapur, Carnatic, and Maratha forces. The fort played an important part during the Carnatic wars, helping lay the foundations of the British Empire in India. The Rockford is the most prominent landmark of the city.
The Thayumanavar Temple, the biggest of the three temples, is a rock-cut temple situated in the middle of Rock Fort Hill on the way to Ucchi Pillayar Temple. Lord Shiva is worshiped as Thayumanavar and is represented by the lingam and his consort Parvati is depicted as Mattuvar Kuzhalammai.
A gold-topped tower rises over its sanctum, which houses a 2m-high Shiva lingam. This temple was built by King Mahendra Varman of the Pallava dynasty in the 6th Century. While major portions of the temple were built by Pandyan rulers during the 8th century. Pieces of evidence of Jain occupation around the rock are still extant.
There are two rock-cut temples in the fort, one in the lower part of the fort called Lower Cave Temple and the other in the complex outside the Thayumanavar Temple called the Upper Cave Temple.
