Ramanisblog

Month: June 2016

  • Blood Stained Narasimha Avatar Reenacted Ahobilam

    Ahobilam in Andhra Pradesh( is it Telengana now?),is the place where Lord Vishnu is reported to have slain Hiranyakasipu by taking the Avatar of half man half beast , Narasimha.
    There are nine Narasimhas, Nava Narasimhas in Ahobilam.
    I had written on Ahobilam from the perspective of a visitor so that people may get  travel information .
    But I wanted to examine the history of the temple as this runs contrary to the fact mentioned  in Puranas about Nrusimha Avatar.
    There is a temple in north India,where Narasimha is reported to have slain Hiranyakasipu.
    Why then there is a temple in deep down south of India?

    image

    Puranas do not lie as they are facts and I have found so during my research into Hinduism during the past seven years.
    Neither do the sthalapuranas.
    So I checked facts.
    It comes to light that though the Narasimha Avatar took place in the North, it was re enacted at Ahobilam by Lord Vishnu at the request of Garuda, Lord Vishnu’ s mount.

     

    The Mountain range is called even now as Garudadri.
    This temple enacts the Nrusimha Avatar exactly as it took place earlier even to the minute detail of Vishnu’ s palms being stained with the blood of Hiranyakasipu!

     

     

    ‘ Aho Veeryam Aho Souryarn Aho Bahuparakramah
    Naarasimham Param Daivam Ahobilam Aho Balam.
    The other version is that because of the great cave, the Ahobila, where Garuda worshipped, did penance and realised the lord, the place itself has come to be called Ahobilam. The Ahobilam ‘Kaifiyat’ gives support to this legend. (The Ahobilam Kaifiyat forming part of Mackenzie collections gives very valuable information regarding the Ahobilam temples. Kaifiyats – the digests from ‘Kaviles’ or village registers containing information on the political, social, religious and other conditions of the villages in Deccan were prepared by Pandits and Mussadis working under Col. Mackenzie.) The Ahobilam Kaifiyat is in Telugu and available in the State Archives at Hyderabad (vide “Ahobila Narasimhaswamy temple” – Monograph by P. Sitapati, Commissioner of Archives).
    As per this record, “On one of the mountains in the Nallamalai hills range, eight amadas from Srisaila Kshetra, Garuda commenced silent penance to obtain a vision of Lord Narasimha who destroyed Hiranyakasipu. The Lord in his grace, after long years of the tapas of Garuda, manifested Himself in the cave of a mountain”.
    “Ten ‘Paruvus’ to the north-east of the mountain, where Garuda was doing penance, a vision of His manifestation was then granted to Garuda, who after obtaining a sign of the location of the mountain-cave, gladly traveled thither and saw the embodiment of the Sathsvaroopa,’ Mahapurusha, Lord Jwalanarasimha – not easily accessible to common people. Garuda then worshipped the Lord and praised him that ‘Ahobilam is Mahabalam’ (Ahobilam is a great sustainer with strength). The Lord’s Divya Mangala Vigraha was worshipped by him with several sthotras- Garuda then considered himself as blessed after a vision of the Lord. This divine place thereafter obtained the deserving name of Ahobilam”.
    “The mountain on which Garuda performed tapas became famous as Garudachala. In the days of yore when truth and dharma prevailed, great heat was observable near the mountain- cave of Ahobila; according to legend when green grass was put in the cave, it would catch fire and smoke would be emitted. Several great Rishis lived there for a time; after sometime with the knowledge that great places would become common Janapadas in the Kali age, they left for northern lands, covering up the Narasimha cave with boulders. Traditionally therefore this place is being called the Narasimha Kshetra. There are thus nine Narasimha places, Nava-Narasimhas; Rishi- installed and worshipping areas:
    Jwala Ahobila Malola Kroda Karanja Bhargava
    Yogananda Kshatravata Pavana Nava Moorthayaha.
    The Nine Narasimhasthalas are :- 1. Jwala Narasimha 2. Ahobila Narasimha 3. Malola Narasimha 4. Kroda Narasimha 5. Karanja Narasimha 6. Bhargava Narasimha 7. Yogananda Narasimha 8. Kshatravata Narasimha and 9. Pavana or holy Narasimha.
    …..
    1. BHARGAVA NARASIMHA SWAMY
    The Bhargava Narasimha Swamy is situated at a distance of two kilometres from the Lower Ahobilam, on a hill, near the sacred pond, known as ‘Bhargava Theertham’, where Bhargava Rama performed his penance. Hence the Lord of the temple is known as Bhargava Narasimha Swamy.
    2. YOGANANDA NARASIMHA SWAMY
    This temple is to the south-east of Lower Ahobilam at a distance of 2 kilometres. The popular legend is that after killing Hiranyakasipu, Lord Narasimha taught Prahlada several yogic postures. Therefore, the Lord in this aspect is called Yogananda Narasimha.
    3. CHATRAVATA NARASIMHA SWAMY
    About three kilometres from lower Ahobilam, the image of the deity is installed under a peepal tree, surrounded by thorny bushes. Hence, the Lord is called as Chatravata Narasimha Swamy.
    4. AHOBILA NARASIMHA SWAMY
    The temple, situated on the Upper Ahobilam, at a distance of eight kilometres from the Lower Ahobilam, is the main temple and the earliest of all the nine temples there. The Lord here appears in his fierce aspect, called Ugra Narasimha, who is the presiding deity of the temple and is known as Ahobila Nrisimha Swamy. It is firmly believed the Lord Narasimha was ‘Svayambhu’ (self-manifest) here.
    5. KRODAKARA (VARAHA) NARASIMHA SWAMY
    The temple of this Lord is one kilometre away from the main temple of Ahobila Nrisimha Swamy on the Upper Ahobilam. The image of the deity has the face of a boar (varaha or kroda) and the Lord is seen along with his Consort, Lakshmi. Hence the Lord of the temple is known as Krodakara (Varaha) Narasimha Swamy here.
    6. KARANJA NARASIMHA SWAMY
    This shrine is situated at a distance of one kilometre from the Upper Ahobilam and one furlong from the road leading to Lower Ahobilam. The image of the deity is installed under a tree, called ‘Karanja Vruksham’. Hence this Lord is called Karanja Narasimha Swamy.
    7. MALOLA NARASIMHA SWAMY
    Nearly two kilometres from the main temple of Upper Ahobilam, is the famous shrine of Malola Narasimha Swamy. The deity here appears in ‘soumya’ (graceful) form. As Lord Narasimha is seen with his consort, Lakshmi, He is known as Malola Narasimha Swamy. The word ‘Malola’ means beloved to Lakshmi (Ma=Lakshmi, Lola= beloved). It is said that the ‘utsavamoorthi’ of the Lord appeared to Srimath Adivan Satakopa Jeeyar, the first Jeeyar of Ahobila Mutt. Right from the founder, i.e., the first Jeeyar of Ahobila Mutt down to the 44th pontiff, Srivan Satakopa Sri Vedanta Desika Yatheendra Mahadesika, the present jeeyar, the utsavamoorthi of Malola Narasirnha Swamy is worshipped and it is taken by them whenever they are on religious tours, visiting the villages every year. Recently, the 45th Jeeyar Srivan Satakopa Sri Narayana Yatheendra Mahadesikan has taken over the worship.
    8. JWALA NARASIMHA SWAMY
    The temple of Jwala Nrisimha Swamy, lies higher up the above temple, on a hill called, ‘Achalachaya Meru’. This is about four kilometres from the Upper Ahobilam temple. This place is said to be the actual spot, where the fierce anger of the Lord reached its culmination when he tore Hiranyakasipu.
    9. PAVANA NARASIMHA SWAMY
    Nearby the above temple, is the shrine of Pavana Narasimha, on the banks of the river, Pavana and it is about six kilometres from the Upper Ahobilam temple. Hence the Lord of the shrine is known as Pavana Narasimha Swamy.
    In addition to the shrines mentioned above, there is a famous shrine dedicated to God Narasimha Swamy in the Lower Ahobilam, which is popularly known as Prahlada Varada Sannidhi. The other objects of this place are ‘Ugra Sthambham’ and ‘Prahlada Mettu’.
    (a) UGRA STHAMBHAM
    At a distance of eight kilometres from the Upper Ahobilam temple, we can see a cleft of the mountain dividing it into two visible parts. It is a long-held view that from the cleft, the Lord appeared in the form of Narasimha and this cleft is known as ‘Ugra Sthambham’.
    (b) PRAHALADA METTU
    The small shrine, situated in a cave on the hill, is in between Ugra Sthambham and the Upper Ahobilam. It is dedicated to Prahlada Narashimha Swamy. The image of the Prahlada is installed in a small cave.
    There are a number of holy ‘theerthas’ (water ponds) round this place. Of these, Rakthakundam is the most important. It is stated that Lord Narasirnha after killing the demon Hiranyakasipu, washed his hands in this ‘theertham’ and hence the water is still reddish in appearance. (History of the cult of Narasimha in Andhra Pradesh by Dr. M. Narasimhacharya).
    Citation and references.

    http://www.ahobilamutt.org/us/information/visitingahobilam.asp

    Image credits.
    http://www.tirthayatra.org/ahobilam/

    http://nirushiman.blogspot.in/p/ahobhilam-also-known-as-ahobalam-is.html?m=1

  • Kunti Atoned Pandava Birth Thirunallur Kaleidoscope Sadari Shiva

    Pandavas’ mother Kunti begot them by chanting the Mantra taught by Sage Dhurvasa, a sage who remains immortal even after the second Pralaya,the withdrawal of the Universe, when only Vishnu remains in yoga Nidra.

    Sages Markandeya and Dhurvasa remain with him, along with the Saptharishis.

    OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
    Shiva Linga changing colors Five Times a Day details.

    Image Credit.http://templesoftamilnadu.co.in/olympus-digital-camera-8-2/

     

    Thirunallur temple.
    Image 2,Thirunallur Kalyana Sundareswarar Temple Gopuram

     

    Thirunallur Shiva where Satari Shivas feet offered to Devotees Head
    Image 3.Thirunallur Shiva where Satari, Shivas feet offered to Devotees Head

    Image credit for 2 and 3.

    https://hiramprakash.wordpress.com/2015/05/13/thirunallur/

    Kunti Had three sons,

    Yudhistir, son of Yama, God of Death/Righteousness and Dharma, representing ether,

    Bhima, through Vayu, air,

    Arujuna through Indra, chief of Devas and god of thunder,rain and lightening,

    Matri, the other wife of Pandu, who was given the mantra by Kunti, gave birth to Nakula and Sahadeva through  Ashinikumaras, Devas for Medicine,which is an attribute of Earth, Prithvi.

    And Kunti begot Karna before she was married through SUN, Surya, representing fire.

    Though this was due to the Power of Mantras getting progeny through direct contact with the five elements, Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether, it is not natural and as such is a Sin.

    This sin is to be atoned.

    On the advice of Sage Narada, Kunti had her sins expiated by worshiping Shiva as Kalyana sundara  at Thirunallur, Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

    This lies near Papanasam, enroute from Kumbakonam to Myiladuthurai.

    Airport.Thiruchirapalli.

    Railway Station.Kumbakonam , Myiladuthurai.

    One can catch a bus from either of these towns and get don on the main road and has to travel aout 4 Km.

    Local conveyance is scarce.

    Personal conveyance is preferable.

    Moolavar.kalyana Sundaresarar.

    Consort.

    Urchavar : Kalyanasundareswarar
    Amman / Thayar : Kalyanasundari
    Thala Virutcham : Vilwa
    Theertham : Sabthasakaram
    Agamam / Pooja : –
    Old year : 1000-2000 years old
    Historical Name : thirunallur
    City : Nallur
    District : Thanjavur
    State : Tamil Nadu

     

    The temple is open from 7.30 a.m. to 12.00 a.m and 5.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

     

    Sri Kalyana Sundareswarar (Panchavarneswarar) Temple, Tirunallur-614 208, Valangaiman Taluk, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur district.

     

    Those born in Magam star pray here to realize their wishes.  Also pregnant women pray here by conducting the bangle ceremony for safe delivery.

    According to scriptures, the devotee will derive equal benefits by having a bath in the tank of this temple as having one in the Mahamagam tank in Kumbakonam.  Kundhidevi mother of Pandavas incurred dosha as she had children with  Panchaboodhas.  She approached Maharshi Naradha for a solution.  Naradha suggested that she should bathe in seven oceans for relief.  When Kundhi Devi pleaded her inability to do so as women, Narada suggested that she should worship Lord Kalyana Sundareswarar and he would offer the next suggestion then.  Before Kundhi finished her prayers here, Narada brought the waters of the seven oceans (Saptha Sagaram) to the tank in the temple.  Kundhi belonging to Magam Star bathed in the tank and was relieved of her dosha.  Thus the Nallur temple tank derived equal importance as that of the Kumbakonam Mahamagam tank offering high benefits to the devotees, according to scriptures.
    Lord Kalayana Sundareswarar appears in five different colours each day – copper, pink, golden, emerald green and one that could not be named or recognized.  Hence, is praised as Panchavarneswarar – God of five colours.
    Lord granted His Feet Darshan (Pada darshan) to Saint Tirunavukkarasar.  Hence, the tradition of Sadari blessing as in Vaishnavite temple came into practice here too. 

    Mother Ashtabuja Makali – Mother with eight hands blesses the devotees in the temple.  Somaskanda Murthy of the temple is a replica of the one in Tiruvarur temple.  During Masi Magam day in February-March, He comes in procession in the prakara.  During the procession, though devotees fan Him for the heat, we may observe pearls of sweat on the idol.
    It is said that the Vilwa tree of the temple is the first one on earth, hence called Aadhi Tree.  It would be a unique luck of those praying the Lord with the leaves of this tree.
    Lord Gana Natha blesses here in the form of a Balipeeta at the entrance of West Tower.  It is only in this temple and in Kasi-now Varanasi, Gana Natha graces in this form.  A special puja is celebrated annually for Gana Natha.  People of this place and those around offer the one time milk they get from their cows for abishek.  But devotees cannot see this puja.  Amarneedhi Nayanar one among the celebrated 63 Nayanmars was granted salvation by Lord in this temple.

    During the divine Shiva-Parvathi wedding in Mount Kailash, the place went down due to the heavy weight of the presence of all the beings to have this darshan.  To balance the level of the earth, Lord Shiva sent Sage Agasthya to South.  The sage had to sacrifice his wish of witnessing the wedding.  Lord assured him that He would grant the wedding darshan to him in this holy place.  Enjoying the divine darshan here, Sage Agasthya installed a Linga right of the Sundaralingam for his worship.  That Linga is behind the presiding Linga..

    Citation and reference.

    http://temple.dinamalar.com/en/new_en.php?id=367

     

  • Krishna Invites Ganesha Rukmini Marriage Invitation Trinetra Ganesha Ranthambore

    Ganesha is the primary Deity of Hinduism.
    One may have the Trimurthis, Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva as the pillars of Hindu Dharma, yet it is Lord Ganesha who has the right of first pooja in every auspicious occasion.
    He is the remover of obstacles both empirical and transcendental.
    image

    Image credit. Official website Trinetra Ganesha Ranthambore.
    At the empirical level , he removes obstacles that occur and appear to be beyond one’s control.
    He is the sonn of Uma, consort of Lord Shiva.
    He is the nephew of Lord Vishnu and the elder brother of Lord Subrahmanya.
    He is decribed as celibate in the South, though there are a few temples where He is with His two Consorts Siddhi and Buddhi.
    In North India He is portrayed with Siddhi and Buddhi.
    Siddhi is the personification of Spiritual attainments while Buddhi is the Discriminating organ of Humans at a higher level than Intellect.
    At the transcendental level He removes ignorance and guides one in the path of self realisation.
    His shape resembles OM, Pranava.
    Vedas have dedicated an Upanishad to Him, Ganesha Upanishad.
    He represents the Yogic principles and the Great Tamil Poetess Avvayaar had written a Yogic Treatise on Ganesha, Vinayakar Agaval.
    He is the most easily accessible God.
    He does not need a temple.
    A Banyan Tree would do.
    He can be found on the banks of rivers/tanks.
    One can never find an Indian city or village without a Ganesha.
    His worship is very simple.
    No need for idols even.
    Turmeric moulded in His shape would do.
    Instead of flowers  Grass would do.
    Howold is Ganapati worship?
    It is older than Vedas.
    His worship is found in ancient civilisations.
    The oldest Ganapati temple , according to archeology, is in Tamil Nadu, dating back to 4 century AD.
    Shall write on this later.
    But considering the reference to Ganesha in the Vedas, Indian literature and the presence of Ganesha in ancient civilizations, there should be older temples.
    Now there is ancient Ganapati Temple in Rajasthan which is reported to be 6500 years old.
    Lord Krishna is said to have invited Him to attend his(Krishna’s wedding) with Rukmini.
    This is the Trinetra Ganesh Temple at Ranathampore.

    ‘ It is believed that the temple received the wedding invite of Lord Krishna and Rukmani’s marriage some thousands years back and since then, the people send their wedding invitations to the god. Ranthambore Ganesh Temple is around 6500 years old, visited by approximately one million people over 3-4 days during Ganesh Mela, held every year during Ganesh Chaturthi.

    ‘ The Trinetra Ganesha Temple in Ranthambore, Rajasthan is one the most well known oldest temple in Rajasthan and is the only temple in the world that contains all the family of the Lord Ganesha. The temple is arranged in the radiant fortress of Ranthambore. This temple is arranged at a separation of 12 kms from Sawai Madhopur.

    The story of this temple goes over to the year 1299 when a war broke out between King Hameer and Ala-ud-din Khilji at the Ranthambore fortification. The war proceeded for quite a while, and the sustenance stock of King Hameer was running low. Ruler Hameer was a vigorous enthusiast of Lord Ganesha. In the middle of every issues and strains, he always remembered to worship Lord Ganesha. Ruler Hameer saw Lord Ganesha in his dream and the Lord made a guarantee to him that all the issues that he was confronting would be sorted by the morning. In the morning, a symbol of Lord Ganesha as Trinetra (three eyes) was found embossed in one of the fortification’s dividers. As guaranteed by Lord Ganesha an inexplicable occurrence happened and the war got over.’

    The temple is about 12 kms from Sawai Madhopur and is well established in Ranthambhore fort.

    There are mainly five types of aartis taking place every day in this well known temple – Prabhat Aarti (early morning aarti), Sringar Aarti at 9 am, Bhog at 12 noon, Sandhaya Aarti during Sunset (6:30 in the Summer and 5:45 in the winters) and Shayan Aarti taking place at 8 pm. This is a prayer Corus followed by the priests of the temple and the devotees here.

    People send their wedding invitations to the god. Ranthambore Ganesh Temple is around 6500 years old, visited by approximately one million people over 3-4 days during Ganesh Mela, held every year during Ganesh Chaturthi.

    You can mail your letters or marriage invitations to Lord Ganesha at the address mentioned below:

    Sanjay Dadhich,
    Dadhich Sadan,
    Opp. Hotel hill View Ranthambore Road,
    Sawai Madhopur (Rajasthan) 322021.
    Landline No : +91 7462 220 655, +91 7462 228 01.
    Mobile No : +91 9414 045 263, +91 9784 407 076.
    NOTE:  Please send your marriage invitations 15 days prior to the occasion so that it can be offered to Lord Ganesha in time.

    Citation and references.
    Https://www.tourmyindia.com/blog/most-famous-ancient-ganapati-temples-in-india/

    http://www.trinetraganesharanthambhore.com/temple-history.html

  • Shiva Under Rudraksha Canopy Pandavas Rooms Arakandanallur

    The history of India is diverse.

    It might appear to the uninitiated as fragments far removed from the the unity  of India, with misinformation campaign started y the British  to exercise their supremacy over their colony India and this is still being carried  out by the self styled rationalists and secularists under the myth of Reason and tolerance, to suppress the glory of Bharatavarsha.

    Apart from the spiritual side one finds marvels of Architecture using far more advanced technology than what e have today, these temples support the evidence of incidents reported in the Eighteen Puranas and the Ithihasas, Ramayana and Mahabharata.

    Pandavas  lived in cognito for a period of one year as a part of the agreement to reclaim their Lost Kingdom.

    athulyanadheswarar2btemple2bat2barakandanallur
    Atuyanadheswarar temple, Arakandanallur.

    Image credit.

    http://hill-temples.blogspot.in/2011/03/athulyanadheswarar-temple-at.html

    In the process they wandered the length and breadth of India, from Himalayas where they built a Temple for Shiva and there is a cave in Andhra where the hid.

    They have also traveled to deep down south.

    One such place where they stayed and prayed Lord Shiva for regaining their Lost Kingdom is in Araikanda Nallur, now called Arakandanallur, Viluppurm District which is about  three hours drive from Chennai.

    Arakandanallur is about 28 km from Viluppuram.

    How to reach Arakandanallur.

    Airport.Chennai/Puducherry.

    Railway station. Villuppuram/Thirukkoilur.

    Buses. from Viluppuram, frequency 45 minutes.

    Arakandanaur is 35 km from Thiruvannamalai and 2 km from Thirukkoiur.

    Moolavar.Atulyanadesewara, Shiva.

    Consort.Azhagiya Ponnazhagi, Soundara Kanagaabigai.

    Ganesha, Vishnu,Annamalaiyar(Shiva), Vishnu and Saptha mathas are also found here.

    Bheema is reported to have dug a Tank for Draupadi to take bath.

    There is a pair of feet, reportedly belonging to Thirugnana Sambhandar.

    He saw Thiruvannamalai from this spot.

    Lord Vishnu as Vamana worshiped Shiva here to absolve him from the sin of  destroying Mahabali.

    Ramana Maharishi experienced a Divine Light emanating from the sanctum here

    Sthala vruksha, Holy tree,-Vilva.

    Lord as a Swayambu Linga is seated under a Rudraksha pandal (roof) facing west.

    When saint Tirugnanasambandar came to this place, he found the temple locked by people of other faith stopping all pujas and functions.

    Sambandar sang in praise of Lord, opened the doors and restored the rituals.

    Both Pradosha Nandhi and Adhikara Nandhi leaned to right and left sides respectively to facilitate easy darshan of the Lord to the saint.

    Even now both Nandhis are seen looking at opposite directions to each other.

    Original name. Araiani nallur, temple ornamented by Five rooms.

    The Pandavas built five rooms for themselves to stay and worshiped Shiva for regaining their Lost kingdom.

    After inning the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas visited this temple after their coronation.

    Though stated to be about 2000 Years old the temple belongs to much earlier period because of the references found in Tami literature.

    Saint Gnanasambhandar praised this temple in Thevaram Hymns.

    Tami king Paari donated lands and ornaments to this temple.

    This Temple is cut into the rocks.

     

     

  • Worlds Single Rock Two Tier Suns Rays Rockfort Temple

    Apart from the Spirituality surrounding Indian Temples, they are poems in Art.
    They were built thousands of years ago.
    They had very precise plans as laid out in the Agama Sastra which is dated back to 5000 years at a conservative estimate.
    (Please check my post on Agamas)
    They have withstood earthquakes. The Thanjavur Bid Temple has withstood as many as five earthquakes.
    These temples were astronomically oriented.
    Somecof them aligned to Winter Solstice , some Summer Solstice.

    image

    Some group of temples are Geometrically aligned.
    Kanchipuram, Thiruvanaikkaval and Kalahasthi lie in a straight line in the same lattitude.
    Some of them drip water on the Idol in the Sanctum.
    Some idols change colors ,in some cases, as many as Five times a day.
    Suns Rays fall at a particular date at a particular time on the Deity.

    image

    Shadows of the top portion fall at the base of the Temple.
    There is a temple of Shiva which disappears into sea only to reappear in the same day.
    The idols receive light  where there is no light source.
    Some temples vare builtvin the plains, some in the forests,some near the sea and in the sea and some in the mountains.
    And some in the cave.
    The building of a temple in a Mountain is an arduous task.
    There are many temples in the mountains, hillocks.
    Though therecare a lot of temples built on mountains , they are single temples wit a Single tier of construction.
    That is you would find Temples in a Mountain with deity installed atop the temple, though there might be other temples , either at the base or on the way to the top.
    But there is a temple where there is a two tier construction, with one temple built on top of the other.
    And this in a Single Rock!
    This technic of carving out temples in a mountain was
    Popularised by Emperor Rajaraja Chola in 1039 AD.
    However even he could not build a two tiered temple on A Rock.
    Yet we find the Rockfort Temple , Thiruchirapalli as a lone examplecof a two floor temple on a Rock.
    The lower one is dedicated to Lord Shiva and the Top to Lord Ganesh.
    These two temples lie on a single Rock.
    The Shiva temple called as Thaayamaanavar is the first temple as you climb and lies on to youvright from the steps.
    You have to retrace your steps to climb up to see Lord Ganesh which is also on the Same Rock.
    Imagine building on a Rock by carving and that too two temples and one of them, Thaayamaanavar , is so designed that the Sun’s rays fall at the feet of Shiva Linga on three days of a year( panguni 23,24 and 25th- end March , early April), through an aperture of one and a half feet by two feet!
    And the rays have to travel about 60 feet bypassing the Dwajasthamba and enter the Sanctum, Garbhagruha!
    How to reach Thiruchirapalli.
    Airport . Thiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu.
    Railway Station.  Thiruchirapalli.
    Bus Station.  Thiruchirapalli.
    Deities. Ganesh Uchipillayar meaning Ganesh at the Top.
    Thaayamaanavar, Shiva LINGA, who served a pregnant woman by delivering her child.

    Image Credit. Rockfort Temple Full View.
    http://www.eambalam.com/samaagamaa/know.php?id=1&subid=4&subsubid=33