Thirumayam (திருமயம்)
Thirumayam ('thi-ru-ma-yam') is a place of historical importance. Miles before reaching the
town one can see a fort atop a large hill. There are two famous rock-cut shrines,
one for Siva and the other for Vishnu, adjacent to each other. The Siva cave
temple is older among the two. The Vishnu temple is very venerated and considered
second only to the temple at Srirangam (ஸ்ரீரங்கம்). Closer to the rock-cut
shrine of Siva is a large area dressed to take one of the largest inscriptions.
The famous freedom fighter S. Sathyamoorthi (சத்தியமூர்த்தி) was born in Thirumayam
in 1887.
Thirumayam, a town panchayat and the headquarters of the taluk, is 20 km
south of Pudukkottai, on the Karaikkudi (காரைக்குடி) road (Tiruchirappalli (திருச்சிராப்பள்ளி)
- Ramesvaram (இராமேஸ்வரம்) National Highway, NH-210). It is the first main junction
on this road from where the Madurai road takes its diversion.
The fort on the hillock is a prominent landmark for miles. Approaching the
town, one can catch sight of the fort walls. There is a small Bhairavar-koil
(பைரவர் கோயில்), on the outermost wall, facing the road, a favourite deity for
vehicle-owners.
Immediately after this, there is a diversion to the left from the highway
leading to the celebrated Vishnu and Siva rock-cut temples. They are at the
foot of the hillock, on the south side. The Vishnu temple is closer to the road
and one can see the temple and the octagonal tank called ‘Satya-pushkarani’
(சத்திய புஷ்கரணி) from the road itself. The Siva temple is west of the Vishnu
temple.
After taking the diversion off the main road, to the right side are the
steps leading to the entrance to the fort. There is a ticket counter set-up
by Archaeology Department.
About one kilometer south of the fort is the old fort-entrance. It has a
courtyard with pillared corridors and shrines of local deities. The sculptures
on the pillars are beautiful.
Bus facility is available from Pudukkottai, Karaikkudi, Thanjavur (தஞ்ஞாவூர்)
and Madurai (மதுரை).
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