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Monday, May 17, 2010

Trichy Temples- Uthamar Koil

Uthamar Koil  is one among the 108 divyadesams of Vishnu. This temple is unique as this temple houses  all the Trinities- Vishnu, Siva and Brahma . Brahma has very few temples in India and this is an added attraction for this temple.  Here we find a blend of Vaishavisam and Saivism.

The temple is very simple and does not have huge towers like other temples. Facing east is the temple of Purushothaman (Vishnu) . Here he is in Sayana Kolam , meaning- reclining on Aadisesha. The Panchaloha idol of Purushothaman and his consort Poorna Valli Thayar are stunning.  Garudalwar is facing the Vishnu's shrine.Outside there are separate shrines for Mahalakshmi and Poornavalli Thayar. 

Facing South is the shrine for Dakshina Moorthy and on the  West side is the temple of  Siva known here as Bhikshadaneshwar and his consort is known as Soundarya Parvati . She has a separate sannidhi inside this temple. At the entrance of this temple there is a  niche for Gnana Guru and Nandi is facing the Siva sannidhi. There are separte shrines for Krishna, Varadaraja, and Azhwars and Chakrathazhwar. 

The legend goes like this- Siva removed one of Brahma's head in a fit of anger and he incurred a curse. To get salvation Siva went around the world with Brahma's skull to beg for food, hence the name Bhikshadaneshwar. Whenever some one filled his vessel with food it disappeared  and he remained hungry. Finally he  reached Uthamar koil and  Mahalakshmi filled it with food thus ending Siva's hunger.

At the Northen side is the shrine of Brahma and next to it is his consort Gnana Saraswati, the Goddess of Knowledge. Brahma grants here all the wishes of his devotees as Vishnu directed him to do so. Childless couples offer their prayers at this temple to beget offspring.

 It is also believed that once Vishnu wanted to test Brahma and  He  hid in a Kadambha tree. Brahma was worried and started searching and found the Lord here in the form of a  Kadamba tree and worshipped him . Perumal blessed him by giving Him the privilege as the creator of all lives. Lord Brahma stayed here blessing his devotees.

How to reach: This temple is in Srirangam and is 5 Kms from Trichy town. Trichy is well connected by rail, road and air. 
Regular buses ply  with good frequency to Srirangam.
One can also hire auto rickshaw or cabs.
Accommodation - A number  of hotels are available in luxury , economy and budget category.


 Vimanam  atop of Lord  Purushothaman (Vishnu) Sanctum
Shiva's shrine

Outside the temple 

Aerial View of the temple

62 comments:

  1. nice pictures .
    i am trying to write a article on call block but to be honest it is very difficult to get the information on this topic but i will try my best.
    Sorry for delay.

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  2. Wow!!

    Thanks for sharing
    its so beautiful all :))

    (@^.^@)

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  3. sm,
    I would wait for it. But your earlier suggestion is quite helpful.Now I avoid those calls by ignoring them as I can recognise easily.

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  4. Anya
    Welcome to my blog and thanks for visiting.

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  5. nice one, chitra... i havent been there, but have heard of it..... interestingly, there are a lot of temples related to the story of shiva and brahma...u should do a series on them....

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  6. Dear Chitra,
    Good Morning!
    A great work giving detailed information!Beautiful structure at a breathtaking locaion.
    Wishing you a wonderful stay in Goa and never miss the small temple of Krishna near Balaji Temple,Ponda!
    Wishin you a wonderful day ahead,
    Sasneham,
    Anu

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  7. Oh how ignorant I am. Never heard of this temple. Srirangam is my dad's ancestral place..yet I dont know.

    You have given a detailed description. Its interesting how Shiva's hunger finally ended. Keep writing more :-)

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  8. Thanks Anu,
    The way the things are moving I am getting more and more interested and I would land up doing some sort research in this subject.:)

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  9. As always its so beautiful..the pictures and the details around them.

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  10. Thanks Anupama,
    I have made a list of temples. I will try to note down the name of the temple you have mentioned as I am making a list of them.
    take care

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  11. Insignia
    You visited Srirangam when you were quite young. Make a trip again and visit this temple too.

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  12. Samvedana
    Thanks for the comment.

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  13. wow!! another fantastic post with pics
    :)

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  14. Chitra, nice temple i have heard from my dad but i hv never been to that temple. Nice pics of the temple dear.

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  15. Hi Chitra,
    This is an interesting temple, where the three gods are worshipped. As I said earlier, Brahma is no longer worshipped, except at some local shrines. I don't know how old this temple is. It's difficult to say as the structure has been painted over and stucco images have been added.

    But this seems to be one of the shrines which had great significance since very old times, when the shrine itself may have been of brick and wood. The renovation in stone was most probably done in the 9th-10th century and the synthetic paint and the stucco images were of course added in the modern period.

    I do wish they would use vegetable dyes rather than synthetic enamel, as vegetable dyes have a very natural effect - of course, they have to be used frequently while enamel stays for a long time, which is probably why enamel is used to paint the temples.

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  16. As you say, quite simple but that only adds to the appeal. Enjoy your latest journey, I look forward to reading all about it.

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  17. Sorci
    Thanks for the comment.

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  18. Sathya
    This temple is very near to Srirangam temple. I have a habit of searching or gathering information about ancient temples and land up in these places. This was my second visit.Take care. Going on a vacation. See you.

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  19. PW
    The simplicity adds a charm to this temple and as many people do not know about this temple, it was not crowded which helped me to go around this temple leisurely.
    Yes, I am looking forward to my journey and hope to see and experience a lot.

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  20. Archana
    you are right when you say it could be from 10th century. This temple is about 1000 years old.

    Earlier towers used to be painted with natural dyes. But all that is getting replaced by synthetic paints.

    There is another temple near Trichy, a temple dedicated to Brahma. I wish to go there . When I visit I shall write about it.

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  21. Sushma
    Thanks for the comment. Making a trip to Goa and Mangalore. Shall be away for few days.

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  22. Nice pictures as always Chitra.

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  23. Madam... enaku intha kovil pona nyabagam iruku.... I'll call my mom and brag abt the story now :)! Bet she doesnt know the story of siva and the skull!... nandri ngo

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  24. Mridula
    Thanks for the comment.

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  25. Hary vanakam,
    So you have visited this place. Good. I would like to get in touch with your mom someday. May be during one of my Karur visits.

    Shall be away for a few days.. Goa beckons. See you. Take care.

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  26. We have been to Uthamar Koil. And also the neighboring Bikshandar Koil. I thought this was the only temple of Brahma in the whole world.

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  27. SG
    Thanks for the comment. There is a temple near Trichy and presiding deity is Brahma. I think it is approximately 30 kms from the Trichy . I would like to visit that temple too but summer time is not suitable for visiting temples..

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  28. hey buddy have a gr8 vacation..but forget us not ok? nanri meendum varuga

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  29. Ramesh
    Thanks a bunch dear friend. see you!!!

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  30. hey friend thanks again ya...nanriyo nanri..hehe cya..me in chennai in a fortnight god willing...tc.wishes

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  31. The temple of trinities - Brahma, vishnu, mahesh(shiva),
    Many people told me that there is only one temple of lord brahma on earth i.e. Pushkar (in ajmer),
    Ajmer - The city in which I live... presently...
    Gained some new knowledge another time....

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  32. Oh i would so love to go here next time i am around tamil nadu :) what architecture !!

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  33. kindly visit maddy06 site to learn all about chempakaramanpillai
    http://maddy06.blogspot.com/2009/07/champaka-raman-pillai-forgotten-freedom.html

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  34. Have a Happy Weekend

    Kareltje & Anya
    =^.^=

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  35. Very nice and beautiful pictures with wonderful description. Interesting place to visit.

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  36. I had been to this temple sometime back. Your nice post brought back the memories.

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  37. Can't wait for you to come back and write more posts.

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  38. This blog is so devotic....I loved it :)

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  39. How do they get those beautiful colors on the temples? Is it colored stone or colored pigment?

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  40. Wow! This temple is set on a sprawling campus as I see from the aerial view. Also, I like the rich history behind this temple. I am awed by your description and the photographs. Also, being in the auspices of the trinity make this temple really sacred and special. I am sure you were awed being there as I sense from your description. :-)

    P.S.: I have been busy lately and hence the delayed visit. I promise to read all posts. :-)

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  41. As much I love your pictures, which I do, I adore the stories ebhind the temples. I learn so much from you. I love the image of the skull being carried around the world always emptying before he ate. That's a stunning image.
    I hope you are enjoying your break but I will be glad when you are back.
    :-)

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  42. Dennise Monca
    thanks for the visit.

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  43. SKM
    I too have heard abt. the famous Pushkar temple. there's one more temple in Tamil Nadu. thanks for the comment

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  44. Vintage Obsession
    thanks for the visit and the comment. Keep visiting.

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  45. Dr. Pillai
    Shall read definitely

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  46. Anya
    thanks for the comment.I had a wonderful vacation.

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  47. Saras Sir
    Nice to know you have visited this place. thank you.

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  48. SG
    thanks .I had a wonderful time.

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  49. hummer
    they are not coloured stones. Usually natural dyes are used to give colour to the structure.

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  50. Hi Vittal
    I was in Mangalore. spent 3 days there,thought abt.you too when I visited the Venkatramana temple. You can see my posts on Karnataka and Goa temples soon. see you.

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  51. Traci my dear friend
    I am back now shall become active soon. Thanks a lot.

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  52. My friend from China,
    thanks for the comment.

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  53. hi chitra , i m very glad of ur effort. but there is no mention of lord hanuman.he is my favourite god. :-).pls try to add some of the pics of his shrine.

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  54. Satya, sure..., I have already made one. Shall post one soon.

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  55. Wonderful blog & good post.Its really helpful for me, awaiting for more new post. Keep Blogging!

    Hotels in Trichy

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  56. Hey, nice site you have here! Keep up the excellent work!


    Hotels in Trichy

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  57. I actually enjoyed reading through this posting.Many thanks.




    Hotels in Trichy

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