Ucchi Pillayar
koil, Pillayar
temple, is a
7th-century Hindu temple, one
dedicated to Lord
Ganesh located a top
of Rockfort, Trichy, Tamilnadu, India.
Mythologically this rock is the place where Lord Ganesh ran from
King Vibishana,
after establishing the Ranganathaswamy deity
in Srirangam.
The RockFort temple
stands 83m tall perched atop the rock. The smooth rock was first
cut by the Pallavas but it was the Nayaks of Madurai who
completed both the temples under the Vijayanagara
empire.
Pillayar
temple is mystic in its
nature with an awe-inspiring rock architecture. The Ganesh temple
is much smaller with an access through steep steps carved on the
rock and provides a stunning view of Trichy, Srirangam and the
rivers Kaveri and Kollidam. Due to its ancient and impressive
architecture created by the Pallavas, the temple is maintained
by the Archaeological department of India.
The Rock Fort temple complex
in Tiruchirappalli is a collection of three temples – the Manikka
Vinayaka temple at the foot of the hill, the Uchhi Pillayar Koyil
at the top of the hill and the Taayumaanava Koyil (Shivastalam) on
the hill. This Shivastalam is a rock cut temple on a hill in the
most prominent landmark in Tiruchirappalli (Trichy); reached by a
flight of steps on the way to the famous Pillaya
temple.
Pillayar
temple is located on the peak of the Rock
Fort hill. The shrine is at a height of 273 ft and you have to
climb over 400 steps to reach the pinnacle. One has to cross Sri
Thayumanavar temple, which is located half way to the peak. Though
the climb is a bit difficult, the soothing cool breeze gears up our
energy to climb without much strain. A panoramic view of the entire
Thiruchi and Srirangam Temple from the Uchi Vinayakar temple is
just amazing.