Thirumeyyam

Thirumayam Temple
Thirumayam Temple Location in Tamil Nadu
Name
Proper name	Thirumayam Temple
Geography
Coordinates	10°14′49″N 78°45′07″E / 10.246945°N 78.751996°E / 10.246945; 78.751996Coordinates: 10°14′49″N 78°45′07″E / 10.246945°N 78.751996°E / 10.246945; 78.751996
Country	India
State	Tamil Nadu
District	Pudukottai
Location	Tamil Nadu, India
Culture
Primary deity	Sathyagiri Nathan(Vishnu)
Architecture
Architectural styles	Dravidian architecture

Thirumeyyam is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is located Thirumayam in the district of Pudukottai, Tamil Nadu, India, 21 km from Pudukottai on the Pudukottai-Karaikudi highway. It is one of the Divya Desams, the 108 temples of Vishnu revered by the 12 poet saints, or Alwars.^[1]

The Temple

The presiding deity is called Sathyagiri Nathan/Sathya Murthi(Vishnu). The temple is old and large, and striking in appearance. The main statue of Lord Sathyagiri nathan, approximately seven feet in height, is standing on a rock, along with his wives. In the next Sannidhanam(sanctum), Lord Mahavishnu's sculpture is in sleeping position, the position which is called in Tamil Ari thuyil, sleeping with a sense of knowing what is going on at present. Sculptures of Lord Mahavishnu in this position can be viewed in many temples, although this is one of the largest examples. There are many sannidhis in the temple. All the statues are sculptured beautifully. The devotees who like to pray before Lord Mahavishnu in his Ari thuyil position for some minutes and who want to pray for few minutes before Sri Renganathar, Srirangam and didn't get such a chance, may visit Thirumeyyam.^[2]

It is where the largest Anantasayi(Vishnu in reclining pose) in India. It is a natural cavern which has been changed into a shrine.

The temple is adjacent to the Sathyagiriswara temple, located in the same complex. The temple is maintained and administered by the Archaeological Survey of India as a ticketed monument.^[3][4]

The fort

The fort, the Siva and Vishnu temples are the tourist attractions. The fort played an important role in the history of Thondaiman rulers of Pudukottai and the British. The 40 acre fort was built by Vijaya Ragunatha Sethupathi of Ramanathapuram in 1687 AD. On the hill, there is a rock-cut Siva temple with inscriptions on music. There are relics of another fort. At the foot of the hill are the Siva and Vishnu temples. It was in this fort that the brother of Kattabomman, Oomathurai was ensnared and imprison. An old armour used by him is exhibited here.^[5]

References

Gallery

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  The Temple tank of Thirumayam temple

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  Temple tower of Thirumayam temple

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Thirumeyyam.