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Situated in Tiruchirappalli district, on the banks of the
River Kaveri (also spelt as Cauvery)
is Tiruchirappalli, a city known for its educational institutions,
industries, and temples. It is shortly called as "Tiruchi" or "Trichy".
Trichy is the district headquarters of the district of Tiruchirappalli
and has its name for tourist attraction. The city is a thriving commercial
centre in Tamil Nadu and is famous for artificial
diamonds, cigars, handloom cloth, glass bangles and wooden and clay toys.
History Of Tiruchirappalli
Tiruchi
itself has a long history dating back to the centuries before the
Christian era when it was a Chola citadel. During the first millennium AD,
it changed hands between the Pallavas and Pandyas many times before being
taken by the Cholas in the 10th century AD. When the Chola Empire finally
declined, Tiruchi passed into the hands of the Vijayanagar kings of Hampi
and remained with them until their defeat, in 1565 AD by the forces of the
Deccan Sultans.
The city and its fort, as they stand today, were built by the Nayaks of
Madurai. It was one of the main centers around which the wars of the
Carnatic were fought in the 18th century during the British-French
struggle for supremacy in India.
The Landmark Of The City
The most famous landmark of Tiruchirappalli is the
Rock Fort Temple, a
spectacular monument perched on a massive rocky out crop which rises
abruptly from the plain to tower over the old city.
Government
Museum
Situated at Thirukokarnam, the museum is located near the Pudukkottai
station, at a distance of 40 km from Trichy. The rare collections in the
sections of Geology, Zoology, Paintings, Anthropology,
Epigraphy,Historical Records, etc., are very interesting. The museum is
open on all days except Mondays.
Viralimalai
Sanctuary
Viralimalai is a small town situated at a distance of 30-km from
Tiruchirappalli and 40-km from Pudukkottai. It is famous for its Murugan
temple and the Peacock sanctuary. The town is bestowed with a large number
of wild peacocks, which roam around the Murugan temple.
Sittanavasal
Located at a distance of 58-km from Trichy is Sittanavasal, a site of an
ancient Jain monastery with fine fresco paintings in a rock cave. Many of
them are typical of the 9th century Pandyan period and include exquisitely
detailed pictures of animals, fish, ducks, people gathering lotuses from a
pond and two dancing figures. There are also inscriptions dating back to
the 9th and 10th centuries. Fresco paintings from the 7th century can be
seen on the ceiling of the Ardhamandapam.
There are many pre-historic burial sites around Sittanavasal and among
the relics unearthed are burial urns, cists and Kurangupatarai.
Kudumianmalai
Kudumianmalai temple is located at a distance of 25-km from Trichy. The
presiding deity is Lord Sikhagireeswara. There are beautiful sculptures
and a thousand pillar-hall within the temple.
Temples: -
Rock Fort Temple
The Rock Fort temple complex in Tiruchirappalli is a collection of three
temples - the Manikka Vinayakar temple at the foot of the hill, the Uchhi
Pillayar Koyil at the top of the hill and the Taayumaanavar Koyil
(Shivastalam) on the hill. This Shivastalam is a rock cut temple on a hill
and is the most prominent landmark in Tiruchirappalli that can be reached
by a flight of steps on the way to the famous Ucchi Pillayar temple.
Sri Ranganathaswami Temple At Srirangam
Located 7-km from Trichy is Srirangam, the abode of the Supreme Lord, Sri
Ranganatha, the reclining form of Lord Vishnu. The temple of Ranganatha,
the largest in India, is of particular reverence to all Hindus.
Srirangam is also listed as
one of the Nava Graha Sthalas, or temples representing the planets.
Tiruvanaikkaval or Jambukeswara Temple
Situated 2-km east of Srirangam, this beautiful Shiva temple steals the
show from the larger Ranganathaswami temple due to its excellent
architectural design. The temple is named after the elephant, which is
believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva here. Installed under an ancient
Jambu tree, the lingam is partially submerged by water and meant to
represent God incarnate as Water.
Gangaikondan Cholapuram
GangaikondaCholapuram is located in Udayarpalayam Taluk (also spelt as
Taluka) of Perambalur district, at a distance of 100-km from Trichy.
Rajendra I, a Chola ruler established GangaikondaCholapuram as his capital
city and built a magnificent temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Apart from
the huge Nandi, there are some beautiful sculptures including a dancing
Ganesha, a lion-headed well and a stunning piece depicting Rajendra being
crowned by Lord Shiva and Parvati.
Avadayar Koil
Avadayar Koil, previously known as "Thiruperunthurai", is an
important Shivasthala located at a distance of 8 miles from the Arantangi
railway station and about 94-km from Trichy. The sculptural work of the
temple is exquisite. It is perhaps the best architectural marvel in South
India.
Kodumbalur
Also known as "Moovarkoil", Kodumbalur is 36-km from
Pudukkottai and 42-km from Tiruchirappalli. It was formerly the seat of
Irukkuvelirs, who were related to the Cholas. Of the three shrines of
Moovarkoil only two exist now. Boodhi Vikramakesari built these temples in
the 10th century AD. The architecture of the temple is unique among south
Indian temples. The sculptures of Kalarimurthi, Gajasamharamurthi
Ardhanariswara, Gangadaramurthi, etc. are interesting masterpieces of art.
Nearby is the Muchukundeswarar temple of the early Chola period.
Gunaseelam
Located at a distance of 22-km from Trichy is Gunaseelam, a place famous
for its temple for Lord Vishnu, known as "Prasanna Venkateswara".
Churches: -
St. John's Church
Built in1812, St. John's Church has louver doors which open to convert it
into an airy pavilion. The surrounding cemetery is also interesting.
Avur
Located at a distance of 30-km from Trichy is Avur, which is famous for
an old church constructed by Father John Venantius Bouchet.
Elakurichi
At a distance of 65-km from Trichy is Elakurichi, a place famous for the
ancient church built by the famous Catholic Missionary, Constantine Joseph
Beschi, popularly known as "Veeramamunivar".
Air - Tiruchirappalli has an airport (5-km) from
the city. Various airlines connect Tiruchi with
Chennai, Sharjah,
Kuwait and Colombo.
Rail - Tiruchi is an important junction on the Southern Railway.
It connects Chennai,
Thanjavur,
Madurai,
Tirupati,
Tuticorin and
Rameshwaram on the metre
gauge, and Bangalore, Coimbatore,
Mysore,
Kochi ,
Kannyakumarai and Mangalore on the broad
gauge.
Road - Tiruchi is well connected by road with important places of
South India. City bus service, tourist taxis, auto rickshaws and cycle
rickshaws are available for local transportation.
Accommodation is available at the luxurious, middle class and small budgeted hotels, lodges, and the railway retiring rooms in Trichy. The TTDC offers a wide range of hotels, motels and youth hostels for a comfortable stay. Besides, there are a number of unclassified hotels and lodges available.
The Float Festival celebrated during the months of March-April at the Rock Fort Temple draws crowds in huge numbers. Mohini Alangaram, Vaikunta Ekadasi, Garuda Seva, Flower Festival and the Car Festival (December-January) are the other main festivals celebrated at Srirangam.
Trichy is famous for its cigars and cheroots. Amongst
handicraft are brassware, handloom textiles, pith models of temples and
Rock Fort, wood and clay toys, jewellery, ornamental carved brass and
copper plates inlaid with silver (Tanjore plates), brassware, silks,
carpets and musical instruments.
Cigars, Handloom Saris, Pith models etc. are available at the Big Bazaar
street. Following are some of the popular places to shop in Trichy:
Khadi Kraft, opposite Railway Station, Junction Road (open on all days
except government holidays) Poompuhar Sales Emporium, near Main Guard Gate
Ramjee & Co., Andal Street, Near Fort (for Veena, Violin and other
musical instruments)
Saraswati Stores, Alimal Street
Kannan & Co., Big Bazaar Street (for Indian musical records).
Tourist Information Counter, Government of Tamil Nadu,
Trichy Railway Junction.
Tourist Information Counter, Trichy Airport.
Government of Tamil Nadu Tourist Office
Williams Road, Cantonment, Trichy
Kavitha Restaurant
Vasantham Bhavan Restaurant
Hotel Mega, 8-B, Rockins Road, Trichy
Woodlands in the Hotel Femina.
Sangeetha Restaurant.
Rajasugam Hotel.
Vasanta Bhavan Sweet Stall and Vegetarian Restaurant.
Skylord, Municipal Office Road, Trichy.
Ayesha Hospital
11th Cross, Thillai Nagar-18, Trichy.
Chellappa Nursing Home
Puthur-7, Trichy.
C.S.I Mission Hospital
Woraiyur-3, Trichy.
Dhanvanthiri Nursing Home
Periyar Nagar, Trichy.
G.M. Poly Clinic
Ramalinga Nagar-3, Trichy.
G.V.N. Hospital
Super Bazar-2, Trichy.
G.V.N. Cancer Cure Hospital
Kiledar Street, Trichy.
Kavery Medical Center
Tennur High Road-17, Trichy.
J.M. Hospital
Vayalur Road, Puthur, Trichy.
Area: 23.26-sq-kms
Population: 7,77,890 (1991 Census)
Latitude: N 10o 16' to 11o22'
Longitude: E 78o 15' to 79o 16'
Altitude: 78 metres
Clothing: Light Cottons
Languages Spoken: Tamil and English
STD Code: 0431
Climate: Tropical
Temperature Range (deg C):
Summer- Max. 37.1°C Min. 26.4°C
Winter- Max. 31.3°C Min. 20.6°C
Rainfall: 835 mm
Dindigul - 93-km
Karur - 69-km
Manapparai - 37-km
Pudukkottai - 50-km
Thanjavur - 48-km