Rock Fort or Ucchi Pillayar koil, is a combination of two famous seventh century Hindu temples, one dedicated to Lord Ganesh and the other dedicated to Lord Shiva, located atop a small rock in Trichi, India. Geologically the 83m high rock is said to be one of the oldest in the world, dating over 3 billion years ago and mythologically this rock is the place where Lord Ganesh ran from King Vibishana after establishing the Ranganathaswamy deity in Srirangam. The name Rock Fort comes from the fact that the place was used for military fortification first by the Vijayanagar emperors and later by the British during the Carnatic wars.
The temple is mystic in its nature with an awe-inspiring rock architecture. The Ganesh temple is much smaller with an access through steep steps carved on the rock and provides a stunning view of Trichi, Srirangam and the rivers Kaveri and Kollidam. Due to its ancient and impressive architecture created by the Pallavas, the temple is maintained by the Archaeological department of India.
According to popular mythology, a pregnant woman named Rathnavathi was nearing labor and she suffered enormous pain as her mother who was to help her had not yet arrived. The pregnant women suffered alone and pleaded to God. Then Lord Shiva took the form of her mother and helped her in the pregnancy. Thus, the Lord was praised as "Thayum Ana Swamy" (The Lord who could act like a Mother) and hence the temple began to be called as "Thayumanaswamy temple". The temple has many small shrines inside, but major shrines are for Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati and Mahalakshmi.
