Surrounded by 7 layers of the concentric walls was built the fort of Thirumayam. Of the 7 walls, only 4 remain as on date. The actual size of the fort is found to be twice greater than the size of the fort in existence. Within the walls lie houses, temples, and shops. At the centre of the walls is a fort on a hilltop of a rock mountain. The fort is surrounded by a pond, and two temples. The deities of the temple have been believed to safeguard the fort. Each temple contains many deities. Of which, Lord Vishnu is dedicated a temple, and Lord Shiva is dedicated another temple.
The fort had been constructed on top of a rock bed to defend the attackers in the situation of a war. It was constructed in 1687 by Vijaya Raghunatha Sethupathy, who was the Raja of Ramnad. The fort had later been gifted by him to his cousin brother, Raghunatha Raya Thondaiman, who was then the Raja of Thondai mandalam (Pudukkottai Region).
The steps that lead to the top where a cannon placed at the top of a bastion had been carved from the mountain. The first layer of the concentric wall guards a cannon placed at the top of a bastion. The cannon is believed to have been in existence here since the period of British rule in India.
P.C: Chandrasekaran A
It is a beautiful view around the fort to see from the place where a cannon is placed. As this point is the highest point of the fort, it helps a visitor view the beauty of the locality.
While returning from the first layer of the fort, there are steps that detour at the left. These steps lead downwards to the earth. There lies a recently created steel ladder (steps) that connects an opening which is carved in the rock bed. Inside the opening is a Shivalinga that was carved from the same mountain. The Archaeological department has done some renovation work to safeguard the monument in 2012.
It had once been a stronghold of rebel chieftains in the polygar war. The war between Polygars (Palaiyakkarars) of Tirunelveli Kingdom and British East India company. In the 1800, during the second polygar war, Oomaithurai, the brother of Veerapandiyakattabomman, allied himself with Marudhu Pandiyar, and fought against the British. They used the hill forts such as Thirumayam fort to resist, and attack the British. It was at this fort a valiant freedom fighter, Oomaithurai, was captured and later executed.
As aforementioned there are two temples present at the southern side of the fort. The main deity of one temple is Lord Vishnu, another is Lord Shiva. The statue of Lord Vishnu in the lying position is carved from the same rock bed, and has been worshipped by the pople, so is Lord Shiva, whereas Lord Shiva here is in the form a Linga (Shivalinga). In addition to that, each temple has many other deities as well. On the pillars of the Lord Vishnu temple are the carving of dancers which would have been done with passion and perfection.
The entry fee for this monument is Rs.25, and is open from 10am to 05pm.
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