A view of the Rock Fort Temple from hotel terrace. It is a 275 feet high rock in the entire area in a otherwise flat land. "It is amongst the oldest in the world app 3800 million years". It is a collection of 3 temples, the Manikka Vinayaka temple at foot of hill, the Uchhi Pillayar at top of hill and Mathrubutheswarar (Siva Temple) on middle of hill.
View of temple from the opposite side. Actually got into somebody''s house / terrace to click this pic.
After darshan at the Ganesha Temple lower level, we began to climb steps. This is temple entrance. Top left is Sri Uchi Pillayar Temple.
344 steps is all. Quite a climb but not too tough if you go at easy pace. "The Rock Fort Temple was originally built by the Pallavas as a small cave temple. Later on, the Nayakas took advantage of the naturally fortified position of the rock and developed it to its present position. Contributions made by the Vijaynagar rulers and Nayaks of Madurai must also be acknowledged."
Quite in the beginning is this temple. I missed seeing the Pallava cave temples, now told it is at bottom of hill. Do see its fine pillars.
Some more steps. The step layout is such, does not make it too difficult. The Ganesha is a 7th century temple. The Siva temple belongs to 6th century.
These steps are the last climb to reach the Sri Uchi Pillayar Temple. The gopuram in the rear is a Shiv temple, shall see later.
Steps to Sri Uchi Pillayar Temple ie dedicated to Lord Ganesh. There is a local tradition that connects Uchi Pillayar with the famous Srirangam temple. "When Vibhishana was carrying the Ranga Vimana to Srilanka, Vinayaka intervened in the guise of a Brahmachari boy and placed the Vimana on the ground which got rooted. Vibhishana got angry and chased the boy. Heran to the summit and transformed himself as Vinayaka".
U get a panoramic view of the city from here. Gopuram that you see is the Sri Ranganathaswami Temple at Srirangam. Water that you see is of Kollidam river, a tributary of Cauvery.
A view of the Rajagopuram. It is the foremost of the 108 Divya Desams, the holy abodes of Lord Vishnu and also considered as one of the 8 self-manifested shrines (Swayam Vyakta Ksetras) of Lord Vishnu. Some temple, worth a visit.
U get a panoramic view from top of temple. We stayed at Chitra Hotel ie not too far from the Rock Fort Temple. Good rooms, Rs 1,000/ for a non-a/c double room.
Not sure what this structure represents. "When English ruled India, Robert Clive had his fort near this temple. Clive''s office is converted into a shopping complex today and its called as Clive''s building. The Fort is no more today but has memories of many important wars.
From top view of Sri Mathrubutheswarar Temple. End of pic you can see a tank. Should have taken temple pic from tank. Temple was built by Chola kings. Lingam is over 5 feet high. To read about history of temple Click here
Inside temple. Centre is flag post. In this temple one finds Brahma in the form of Jureswarar, who cures all illnesses.
Close up of temple gopuram.
U see temple made on top of a huge rock. To visit official website of temple Click here