Arulmigu Ucchi Pillayar Temple, a 7th-century CE Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha, sits atop the Rock Fort in Trichy, Tamil Nadu. According to legend, it marks the spot where Lord Ganesha eluded King Vibishana after placing the Ranganathaswamy deity in Srirangam. Rock Fort, locally known as Malaikottai, is a prominent landmark, blending ancient lore with divine presence, drawing countless devotees and tourists each year for blessings and breathtaking views.
The Rock Fort temple rises to 83 meters (272 ft), perched on a smooth rock initially carved by the Pallavas. The temple was later completed by the Nayaks of Madurai under the Vijayanagara empire. The smaller Ganesha temple is accessible via steep steps carved into the rock, offering panoramic views of Trichy, Srirangam, and the rivers Kaveri and Kollidam. Due to its ancient Pallava architecture, the Archaeological Department of India oversees its maintenance.
The temple’s myth traces back to Vibishana, the Asura King Ravana’s brother, who aided Lord Rama in his battle against Ravana in the Ramayana. As a token of appreciation, Rama gifted Vibishana an idol of Lord Ranganatha, a form of Vishnu. The Devas, opposed to an Asura taking the supreme deity to Lanka, sought the help of Lord Vinayaka, who cleverly grounded the idol along the Kaveri’s bank, making it immovable and destined to remain in Srirangam.
After realizing the boy holding the idol was Lord Vinayaka, Vibishana tried to chase him but ended up blessing the spot instead. The place where the Ranganatha deity rested eventually became the site of the Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangam, known as one of the world’s largest temple complexes. It’s customary for devotees to first worship Manicka Vinayagar at the Rock Fort foothills before praying at Ucchi Pillayar Temple, now maintained by Tamil Nadu's Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.