Bhikshandarkoil ( Uttamarkoil ), Trichy

This is a very unique Kshetram with the presence of the Trimurtis (the only other Kshetram with Trimurthis is Thirukandiyur)! Here They are present with their consorts. This is the only Divyadesam ( as per Vaishnavite tradition ) where the Trimurthis are worshippd.

It is basically a temple of Vishnu and He is called Uttamar and hence the place is called Uttamarkoil. Since Shiva is also present in the form of a mendicant, it is called Bhikshandar Koil ( one who survives on alms ). As per legend, Brahma thought He was superior to the other two Trimurtis with His five heads and the power of creation. When He visited Kailash, Parvathi mistook Him for Shiva ( who is also having five faces ) and started performing Padha Pooja. When Shiva came there, He understood the confusion caused by the fifth head and removed the middle head of Brahma with His hand. From that time onwards, Brahma is having only four heads.

The head that was removed, stuck to Shiva's hand and He was also afflicted with Brahmahathi. Shiva started roaming around with the severed head as a vessel for collecting alms. But the moment any food is put there, it used to disappear. When he came to Uttamarkoil, Mahalakshmi of this Kshetram was asked by Vishnu to intercede and She ensured that Shiva got the food properly and His hunger was removed. Like Shiva, all prayers of devotees are fulfilled by the Mother and hence She came to be called Poornavalli Thayar.

This place is also known as Thirukarambanur as the Lord appeared before Brahma in the form of Kadamba Tree ( Kadamba became Karamba over period of time ). As per legend, Brahma was feeling sad that He was not having temples, despite being a Trimurthy. Pleased with Brahma's prayers, Vishnu granted Him a shrine and ordained that the devotees could worship Brahma here.

Another unique thing about this temple is that this is the only Kshetram with seven Guru deities- Shiva as Dakshinamurthy, Vishnu as Varadharajan, Brhama Guru, Shakthi Guru Soundarya Nayaki, Gnana Guru Saraswathi ( some say Subramanya Guru ), Deva Guru Jupiter ( Vyazhan ) and Asura Guru Sukra, all of whom are having separate shrines. Since this is a Trimurthy kshetram, there are large number of shrines which are seen in both Shiva and Vishnu temples like Venugopala (Bala lingam), Lakshmi Narayana, Rama, Natarajar, Dasaratha Lingam, Manavala Mamuni, Andal, Kulasekarar, Varadaraja Perumal (a very tall murti), Daksinamurty (as sila vigraha), Saneeswaran, Anjaneyar, the Navagrahas, Azhwars, Nammalwar, and Ramanujacharya.