Uchchi Pillaiyar Temple, Rockfort, Trichy

Uchchi Pillaiyar Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. The temple is located on the top of a hillock named Rockfort(Malaikoattai in tamil) in Trichy, Tamil Nadu.

There are three temples located closely on the rockfort.

1. Maanikka Vinayakar temple situated at the foothill, dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
2. Uchchi Pillayar temple at the top of the hill, dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
3. Thayumanaswamy temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, situated close to the base of the rockfort on the way to Uchchi Pillayar temple.

Following the victory of Lord Rama in the war against the demon King Ravana, Rama gifted an idol of Lord Vishnu to Ravana’s brother Vibhishana who was on Rama’s side during the war. When Vibhishana was carrying this idol gift on his way back to Lanka, he decided to rest at a place near Trichy. It was when the Devas sent Lord Ganesha to him in disguise as a little boy since the former did not want the idol to be taken by a member from the Asura family. Vibhishana handed over the idol to the little boy requesting him to take care of the idol till he came back after a shower. Lord Ganesha placed the idol on the ground firmly and hid himself. On his return, Vibhishana found the idol being placed on the ground. His repeated attempts to move the idol failed. He got furious and chased the little boy who ran and climbed over a rock. He hit the boy on his fore head after which Lord Ganesha revealed himself. Vibhishana apologized with the Lord after realizing the real identity. As per the Lord’s advice, Vibhishana left to Lanka without the idol.

It was around this idol that Srirangam Ranganathaswamy temple was then built. Also a temple for Lord Ganesha was built on the rock on which the Lord ran in disguise as a little boy to escape from Vibhishana.

Devotees usually pay obeisance to Maanika Vinayagar Temple in the foothills of Rock fort before worshipping Uchi Pillaiyar.

Daily routine:

Fee structure:

Official Website: http://www.trichyrockfort.tnhrce.in/index.html

Temple Timings:

Uchchippillaiyaar Temple

6:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Thayumana Swamy Temple

6:00 AM to 12:00 PM

04:00 PM To 08:00 PM

Manikka Vinayagar Temple

05:30 AM To 12:00 PM

04:00 PM To 09:00 PM

Temple Address:

Tiruchirapalli Rock Fort, N Andar St, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu 620002

Temple Contact Details:

Phone: 0431 – 2704621

Email: thiruchyrockforttemple@gmail.com

How to reach:

By Air:

The nearer airport to the temple is that of Trichy at a distance of 10 km.

By Rail:

The nearest major railway station is Trichy at a distance of 6 km.

By Road:

Adequate buses are available from Trichy.