Ezhai Pillaiyar(Ganapati) Temple Trichy,Tamil Nadu

Ezhai Pillaiyar Temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesha located in Vadakku Andar Street in Trichy City of Tamil Nadu. Presiding Deity is called as Ezhai Pillaiyar and the Temple is believed to be 1000 years old.

The Temple

On the Girivalam path, after worshipping Lord Uchi Pillaiyar, devotees come across 12 Vinayakas (Pillaiyars), including Uchi Pillaiyar. The 7th Vinayaka in this line is called Ezhai Pillaiyar. He is worshipped in the Saptha Pureeswarar Temple.

This temple is unique because it does not have other deities like Shiva, Ambika, or sub-deities. Only Naga (serpent) idols are placed outside the temple. Ezhai Pillaiyar is the main deity here. He faces south, towards his parents at the Tiruchirappalli Rockfort Temple (Thayumanavar Temple).

Puranic Significance

According to Indian philosophy, all sounds, including the Vedas and scriptures, come from the Udukkai drum (a small, two-headed drum) held by Lord Shiva. The Saptha Swaras (seven musical notes) also originate from this divine instrument. Music has the power to attract everyone, including the Gods.

The Saptha Swara deities, proud of their importance in the world of sound, began to think they were greater than everyone, including Lord Shiva, who had once been enchanted by Ravana’s Sama Gana singing. Seeing their growing arrogance, Goddess Kalaivani (Saraswati), the goddess of wisdom and arts, cursed them to lose their voices and become mute.

The deities realized their mistake and silently surrendered at Lord Shiva’s feet, seeking forgiveness. Out of compassion, Lord Shiva told them to go to Tiruchirappalli (Trichy), a place as sacred as Mount Kailash, and worship Uchi Pillaiyar at the hilltop. He also instructed them to install another Pillaiyar on the Girivalam path and worship him before praying to Uchi Pillaiyar again. By doing this penance, they would regain their lost powers.

The deities followed Lord Shiva’s instructions and regained the power of the Saptha Swaras. The Pillaiyar they worshipped became known as Ezhavathu Pillaiyar (the seventh Pillaiyar), later pronounced as Ezhai Pillaiyar.

Belief

Musicians pray to Lord Vinayaka in this temple to improve their voice, gain prosperity, and ensure the health of their children. Lord Vinayaka grants wisdom and artistic skills to his devotees. Children with learning difficulties or developmental delays are brought to the Saptha Pureeswarar temple and given the Abisheka Theertha (holy water) for healing. Gradually, they overcome their challenges and become brighter. Students also pray here to achieve higher marks and ranks. Many families have shared their experiences of these blessings.

As this Vinayaka faces south, elders worship him to receive blessings for longevity and a life free of fear. Additionally, since he faces his parents at the Tiruchirappalli Mount (Thayumanavar Temple), worshipping him fosters unity and harmony within the family. Devotees also benefit spiritually by indirectly worshipping the principal deity, Lord Uchi Pillaiyar.

As part of their offerings, devotees break coconuts and present grass garlands to the Lord in this shrine.

Festivals

Besides Vinayaka Chaturthi in August-September, the temple celebrates Sankatahara Chaturthi each month.