About the Temple & Location:
Sthala Vruksham: (Tree)
Palaa Maram (Jackfruit tree)
Vimanam:
Sathya giri Vimaanam.
This Divyadesam is situated in Pudukottai district in Tamil Nadu. It is situated 13 Km away from Pudukkottai in the south direction. We can reach this sthalam by getting down in Thirumeyyam railway station which is found in between Pudukkottai Karaikudi railway lane and has to travel one mile from Thirumeyyam railway station. Lots of Bus facilities are also available but there are not enough lodging facilities.
The temple is believed to have been built during the 9th century by the Pandyas. A granite wall surrounds the temple, enclosing all its shrines. The temple has a five-tiered rajagopuram, the gateway tower and is behind a fort built during the 15th century. The temple tank is located inside the premises.
The temple is maintained and administered by the Archaeological Survey of India as a protected monument. The temple follows the Thenkalai tradition of worship. Four daily rituals and many yearly festivals are held at the temple, of which the car festival during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (April - May), Krishna Jayanti during Aaavani (August - September) and Aadi Pooram during July - August being the most prominent.
Legend
Brahmanda Purana mentions the legend about the temple. Once Adisesha, the serpent of Vishnu wanted to convert his Tamasa guna (wild behaviour) to Sattva Guna (human behaviour). He performed penance at this place and came to the place via the netherworld in a path, which went on to become the river Pamapar. Vishnu appeared to him in the form of Hayagriva and granted him a boon. Chandra also performed penance at this place. Vishnu was pleased by his devotion and appeared to him in the form of Vamana.
As per another legend, a sage named Sathya performed penance at this place. Pleased by his devotion, Vishnu granted him a boon that he would appear to the sage whenever he wished. The sage had no wish to move away from the river where he was performing the penance. Vishnu converted the river to a Pushkarani, the rock to Meyyam hill and banyan tree to Asvatta tree. The sage performed penance again and wished salvation. Vishnu told him that he would attain salvation at the same time as king Pururava. Vishnu appeared in the form of a boar and created havoc in the kingdom of Pururava. The king chased the boar to the forest where the sage was performing penance. The sage was disturbed and opened his eyes, while the king saw the boar disappear. Vishnu appeared to grant a vision to both of them. He granted salvation to the sage and directed the king to build a temple at this place, which went on to become the Sathyamurthi Perumal temple.
History
Historians believe that the temple was built during the 9th century by the Pandyas. M.A. Dhaky places the period to be the 7th decade of the 9th century. He has also compared the images of the temple to that of Vijayalaya Choleeswaram in Narthamalai, built by Muttaraiyar kings during the same period. Another view is that the temple to have been built by a vassal of Pallavas following the Rock-cut architecture of Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram built by Mahendravarman I (590-630 CE) and his son Narasimhavarman I.An inscription in the temple indicates contributions to the temple by Perumbidugu Perumdevi, mother of Sattan Maran, a contemporary and vassal of Pallava king Nandivarman II (731-796 CE).
The fort, the Shiva 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 Shiva temple with inscriptions on music. There are relics of another fort. At the foot of the hill are the Shiva and Vishnu temples. It was in this fort that the brother of Kattabomman, Oomathurai was ensnared and imprisoned. An old armor used by him is exhibited here.
Architecture
The temple is located in Thirumayam, a village in the Madurai - Pudukottai road, 15 km (9.3 mi) from the temple. The presiding deity is called Sathyamurthi Perumal. The temple is old and large, and striking in appearance. The main statue of Sathyamurthi Perumal, approximately seven feet in height, is standing on a rock, along with his wives. In the next Sannidhanam (sanctum), Mahavishnu's sculpture is in a sleeping position, called ari thuyil in Tamil, sleeping with a sense of knowing what is going on at present. Sculptures of Mahavishnu in this position can be viewed in many temples, although this is one of the largest examples. There are many other sannidhis in the temple. All the statues are sculptured beautifully. It is the largest Anantasayi (Vishnu in reclining pose) in India. It is a natural cavern which has been rockcut to have various images. The hall preceding the sanctum, the Ardha mandapa is rectangular in shape, similar to the sanctum. The wall behind the presiding deity has images of Garuda, Chitragupta, Markandeya, Brahma, the Devas, Vasus, and the Kinnaras.
The temple is adjacent to the Sathyagiriswara Sivan temple, located in the same complex. The temple is maintained and administered by the Archaeological Survey of India as a ticketed monument
Sthalapuranam :
The Perumal who explains about “Sathyam” (or) truth can be the example for the universal slokha. “Sathya meva Jayathey”. To explain and be an example for this, he stands in this sthalam as “Sathya giri Nathan”.
There is no end for Sathyam (Truth) and it never sleeps and doesn't forget anything. It calculates the good and the evil actions performed by the people and according to that, all of the souls are reached to proper destiny. If we do good and our actions lead to good thought and action, we will reach the thiruvadi (feet) of Sriman Narayanan and if we think of bad things and as a result of it, if we perform bad and evil actions, we will be going to hell. To explain this, the perumal is found in Bogha sayanam in Kidantha kolam without sleeping and calculating the good / bad actions of all Aathmaas.
All the things that live in this mighty Earth are governed and watched by the Emperumaan and to explain this, the perumal is found in Nindra Kolam with the name “Sathya Moorthy” (or) “Sathya giri Nathan”.
In Tamil, the truth is referred to with the word “Mei” and the Utsavar of this sthalam is “Meyyan” (or) “Meyyappan”. The perumal is found in Anantha Sayanam and is found inside the sannadhi which is surrounded by very good sculptural and artistic work as seen in Mahabalipuram.
In older days, when Asurars were dominating the world and the Adharmam (evil) was spread along the entire world. Because of this, not much of Yagams and poojas were done and all the Rishis, and Devars were very much frightened about this. They could not protect the Asuras, since they got enormous powers with them. They all surrendered towards “Dharma Devathi '', the goddess of Dharman and pleaded with her that she must help them to get out of this danger.
Dharma devathai replied that she will help them out, thereby changing herself into a deer and came to this Sathya Kshetram which is also called as “Venu Vanam '', since this sthalam is fully covered by Bamboo trees. The perumal came in front of Dharma Devathai and promised her that he would stay in the sthalam as “Sathya giri Nathan '' and help all the peoples including the Rishis and Devas from Adharmam.
Once, Athri Muni and his wife Anusuya lived, who are said to be the strong believers of the Emperumaan. They were so famous for their bhakti and tapas towards the perumal and they started for doing tapas against all the Mum – Moorthies (i.e.) Sriman Naryanan, Brahma devan and Lord Shiva and their wish was as one of the hamsam of these Thirumurthy they should have their children born. All the murthies agreed and as a result as the hamsam of Sri Vishnu a child was born who is called as “Dattatreyar”, as the hamsam of Lord Shiva the Moon God was born. All these 3 children were taught with proper Vedas and mantras and were sent to do tapas by their father, Athiri rishi. First, Durvasa Rishi went to Kailasa malai and Dattatreyar went to the foot of the Himalayas to do the tapas and the Moon god came to this Sathya giri kshetram to do the tapas against Sriman Narayanan. The Perumal gave his seva as satisfaction on his tapas and asked his wish. The moon god asked that since he stays in Surya Mandalam his Vaasam (stay) should be also in Chandra Mandal (Moons Place). For this, the Perumal accepted and stayed in Chandra Mandalam also.
We can see the well stretched and huge Raja Gopuram, which is found at the entrance of the temple. This sthalam is also called as “Aadhi Ragam” and the perumal is older and bigger than that of the perumal found in SriRangam. After entering through the Raja Gopuram, we can find a big Mandapam where lots of stone carved pillars are found with beautiful paintings. Separate sannadhi for Sri Kannan, Sri Aandal, Chakrathalwar and Narasimhar are found.
After crossing this Mandapam another big mandapam named “Maha Mandapam '' is found in which the Garudan facing along the Moolavar Sannadhi is found.
Moolavar Sathya giri nathan in Nindra thirukkolam and next to this sannadhis, separate sannadhi for Uyya Vandha Naachiyaar is found.
On the western side inside the mountain, as Bogha Sayana Moorthy in Anantha Sayanam, the perumal in another thirukkolam is giving his seva and this perumal is big in structure then SriRangam Ranganathar. Having Adhiseshan as the bed, the perumal gives his Kidantha Kola seva with two Thirukkaram (hands) as same as the Ranganathar found in SriRangam.
It is said that some Madhu Kaidapars (Amsam) came from the Ears of Sriman Naryanan of this sthalam and they tried to grab bhoomi piratti along with them. But, Aadhiseshan protested and fought with them and killed all of them with his poison. But, it was a little bit worried because without getting permission from the perumal, he did this. It stayed in front of the perumal and convinced him and as a result of this, the perumal’s one hand is found towards Adhiseshan as convincing him and another hand is found on his chest there by protecting the piratti.
Around this perumal, Chitraguptan, Markandeya Maharishi, Brahma devan and Garudan are found. Chitraguptan who assist along with Yamen, the king of Naragham (the hell) and the Maarkandeya maharishi who has got the “Sirangeevi” throne are found around the perumal to show the courts of people along with their good and evil actions performed by them. On the thiruvadi (feet) of the perumal, Bhoomi piratti and Madhu Kaidapars are found.
This temple is almost the same as that of the temple in Mahabalipuram. We can find lots of stone carved Sculptures and paintings and the Perumal is found inside the mountain and it serves as the umbrella for him. Another temple named “Keeyai Kovil” is found where a temple for Lord Shiva is found. The name of him is “Sathya gireeswarar”. It is said that Mahendra pallavan had constructed this temple for both Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva without having any racism between Saivism and Vaishnavism.
This “Thirumeyyam” is surrounded by lots of mountains and a special hill named “Vaishnavi Durgai” hill is also found which is famous for its beauty and the Vaishnavi Durgai found inside the hill.
Moolavar and Thaayar:
The Moolavar of this sthalam is Sri Sathya Giri Nathan. Also named as “Sathya Moorthy ''. He is found in Nindra (Standing) thirukkolam facing his thirumugam along the East direction. Pratyaksham for all Sathya Devar and Devadhais. The perumal gives his seva in 3 different thirukkolam. First is the Sathyamoorthy in Nindra kolam, the second as Meyyappan in Sayana and bogha kidantha kolam.
Thaayar:
The thaayar is Uyya Vandha Naachiyaar. She has her own separate sannadhi.
Utsavar:
The Utsavar of this sthalam is Meyyappan.
Mangalasasanam:
Thirumangaialwar – 9 Paasurams.
Total – 9 Paasurams.
Pushkarani: The pushkarani (theertham) of this sthalam is Kadhamba Pushkarani and Sathya theertham. It is said, all the rivers in the country came along to this pushkarani to make the people get out of the sin and their bad thoughts. It is believed that on the month of Vaikasi on the full Moon day, all the rivers combine and merge together and they themselves get purified by the Sathya theertham.
Palaa Maram (Jackfruit tree)
Vimanam:
Sathya giri Vimaanam.
