Tiruchi in Tamilnadu is known all over the world as a city that has numerous temples in and around tiny hamlets. It is not just Kanchipuram or Madurai that are temple towns in Tamil Nadu. Even Tiruchi is a temple town that is closer to Bangalore than it is to Chennai.

What is unique about the Uttamar temple in Tiruchi is that it is a place for Guru Parihara. Those who have to propitiate Guru Bhagwan (Guru Dakshinamurthy) have to visit this shrine at least once in their lives. It is also one of the few temples where Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu give darshan to the devotees with their consorts.

Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru Devoh Maheshwara !

Other names for this shrine :  Pichandar Temple

Lord Vishnu (Purushottam), Goddess Mahalakshmi (Pooranavalli), Lord Brahma,  Goddess Saraswati (Gnana Saraswathi), Lord Shiva (Pichcandar, Pichadanar, Pichandavar), Goddess Parvathi (Soundarya Parvati, Vadivudainayaki).

Location : Thirukarambanoor, Tiruchy. (on the Tiruchi-Salem highway).  (Near Kollidam toll gate).The temple is located near a river and is surrounded by verdant palm trees in a picturesque location. Not far from the temple are green farmlands that take away your breath due to their mind blowing beauty.

Darshan timings are :

630 am - Vishwaroopa Darshan

830 am - Kalasandhi

1245 pm - Uchikala pooja

530 pm - Sayaraktchai

815 pm - Arthakala pooja

Thursdays are special in this temple as prayers are offered almost throughout the day. This is a "guru-sthal", hence Thursdays have special significance.

As the temple houses both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu , it is an example of harmony between Shaivaites and Vaishnavites. The legend has it that Lord Shiva was afflicted by Brahmahatthi dosha and he got redemption when he visited this place. So, as Lord Shiva, gained redemption in this shrine, in the form of someone who was seeking alms, this shrine is also called as "Pichandar Temple". By appearing in the form of a beggar, Lord Shiva wanted to drive home the point to all the Rishis that pride and arrogance do not serve any purpose at all.

As all the three Lords along with their consorts offered their grace in a manner that solved the afflictions of each other and those of the hermits and saints who visited the place, this place is popularly called as "Uttamar Temple". This place is also called as "Brahmapuri". There are very few temples that have all the three Gods and Goddesses together in the same place. This shrine is located in close proximity to the renowned temple town Srirangam.

What are the benefits of visiting this shrine?

• Good health
• Prosperity in business
• Employment
• Self employment opportunities
• Marriages that are getting postponed get fixed
• Employment opportunities abroad
• Higher education
• Mental peace and tranquil

The prasadams (offerings) that are special in this temple are : Pongal, Puliyogare, Curd Rice

Those who have doshas in their horoscopes are well advised to visit this shrine to offer their prayers. Wednesdays are dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Thursdays are dedicated for Lord Shiva and Fridays are dedicated to Lord Brahma. Those families who are unable to perform "sumangali prarthana" / "suvasini pooja" can visit this shrine. Those who are yearning for an offspring can offer their prayers to the shiv-ling that was worshipped by Dasaratha. Many married couples who were subjected to extreme mental torture have visited this shrine to be blessed with a child.

Most of the temples in Tamil Nadu are progressive and have adapted themselves to the benefits of technology (core banking). So, instead of relying on money order or post, if you wish to contribute to this temple for archanas, you may

deposit the amount in the Punjab National Bank account no. 1093000100003421. It should be addressed to the Temple Officer / Temple Administrator, Utthamar Temple, Tiruchi - 621 2016. However, it is important to intimate to the temple officer via separate letter that you have deposited the cash so that they will find it convenient to check their records and send you the prasad.

This shrine formally became registered under an act of law on February, 1938.

What are the benefits of offering obeisance to Guru Dakshinamurthy ?

1. The "Guru" graha in the navagrahas is what is referred to as Guru.
2. He is the Guru of all other gurus. So, he is called as "Brahaspati".
3. Guru Bhagwan doesn't have any enemies at all.
4. Guru Bhagwan does not know how to cause any harm. He only knows to offer his grace and blessings. Hence, once Guru's view falls on you, you are enveloped by abundant prosperity. Even if Guru's benevolent grace falls on an idiot he becomes wise.
5. Guru bestows his blessings on those who seek his divine intervention to have a child.
6. Children who are weak in their studies can experience improvement once Guru's grace falls on them.
7. Fear is driven away and you are overcome with positivity and self confidence when Guru's grace falls on you.

None of the Navagrahas have the power to completely eradicate the "doshas" in the horoscope. So, using that logic, Brahma has to be propitiated as he is the presiding lord for Guru Brahaspati. However, there is no separate temple that is dedicated to Lord Brahma and neither are there any special offerings dedicated to him, so by default Lord Shiva, as Guru Dakshinamurthy becomes the presiding deity.