hullo !!

                                                                  உ                                                                             
  LORD VINAYAKA-BESTOWER OF BOONS                   
        S.V.VARADHARAJAN                                          
  First let us see the temple at Trichy where Vinayaka is seated as Uchipilliyar atop the Rockfort in the midst of the town.How he happened to make his appearance there? Here is the puranic story for this.When Ravana breathed his last,Vibishana wanted to return to Sri Lanka.Rama gave himas his present a small idoldepicting Lord Arangan(Vishnu) in the reposing posture. When Vibishsna was carrying this divine form of vishnu with him,on his way,it was time for his doing the usual reigious rites, and he went near the Cauvery river bank there and was thinking that he should not place the sacred idol on the ground.At that time,the celestial Devas did not like the idea of the idol being taken to Sri Lanka and so they hit upon a plan and sought Vinayaka's help in the matter.Vinayaka on his part,assumed the form of a young lad and appeared before Vibishana.As expected,Vibishana approached the boy and told him to hold the idol in his hand for some time till he returned after finishinishing the rites and took it back.He wanted the boy to be careful and not to place the idol on the ground and keep holding in his hand. But the young lad,after a few miniutes,placed the idol on the ground.On seeing this,Vibishana came running to beat the boy for this.The lad took to his heels and Vibishana began chasing him.The lad saw a small rock on his way and climbed upon it and sat there.Vibishanacaught hold of theboy and hit himon the head with his knuckles.At once,the lad assumed the form of Vinayaka and seeing miracle, Vibishana prostrated before him  and offered his prayers.It is that form of Vinayaka which we see now at Trichy Rock Fort as Uchipillaiyar.
                  To be continued