Tiruchirapalli

Location :Trichy is located at the central part of south Indian state of Tamilnadu.

Area : 146.90 sq. kms.
Attractions : Rock Fort Temple, Viralimalai Sanctuary and Government Museum.

Trichy, The City Beside The River Cauvery

Tiruchirappalli or Trichy is situated on the banks of the river Cauvery.It is the fourth largest city in Tamil Nadu and is named in the memory of a fight Lord Shiva had with a three-headed demon named Trisiras. It is a flourishing commercial center, well-known for its culture and tourism importance. Trichy is also famous for artificial diamonds, cigars, handloom cloth, glass bangles and wooden and clay toys.

This city was earlier ruled by the Cholas and later by the Pallavas. Trichy is a perfect amalgamation of tradition and modernity established around the Rock Fort. Apart from the Fort, there are several Churches, Colleges and Missions dating back to the 1760s. The town and its fort, now in Trichy were built by the Nayaks of Madurai. This city is also home to many great Tamil scholars who have contributed significantly to the Tamil literature.

Major Tourist Attractions In Trichy

Tiruchirappalli or Trichy is an important commercial and tourism destination. Here one can find plenty of attractions, that lures innumerable tourists to this city. Some of the important tourist destinations include, the Rock Fort Temple, a complex in Tiruchirappalli which comprises 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.

Another attraction is Viralimalai, a small town situated about 30 km from Tiruchirappalli. It is famous for its Murugan temple and the Peacock sanctuary. About 58 km from Trichy is Sittanavasal, a famous site of an ancient Jain monastery with fine fresco paintings in a rock cave. Kudumianmalai temple is located at a distance of 25 km from Trichy.

There are beautiful sculptures and a thousand pillar-hall within the temple. The Sri Ranganathaswami temple at Srirangam is the largest in India. It is situated at a distance of 7 kms from Trichy and is the dwelling of the Supreme Lord, Sri Ranganatha, the reclining form of Lord Vishnu. Tiruvanaikkaval or Jambukeswara Temple, situated 2 km east of Srirangam, is a beautiful Shiva temple, a fine example of excellent architectural design.

There are quite a good number of excursions destinations nearby Trichy. These destinations have many attractive places to visit. Some of these destinations are the Grand Anicut (Kallanai) situated around 24 kms away from. It is an irrigation dam built across the Cauvery by Karikal Cholan in the second century AD and was strengthened by the British. Mukkombu (Upper Anicut) another enchanting destination is situated about 18 kms from Trichy. The River Kollidam divides itself from the Cauvery here.

At Mukkombu, another picnic spot with lush greenery and a park is found. Vayaloor located almost 8 kms away from Trichy is the venue of Lord Muruga Temple, set amidst lush green vegetation. Samayapuram is situated about 20 kms. away and is known for Goddess Mariamman. Puliancholai, is situated about 72 kms away from Trichy and is an exotic picnic spot located in the foothills of the Kolli hills.

Kodumbalur situated about 42 kms from Trichy, is also known as Moovarkoil. There are three shrines of Moovarkoil, out of which only two exist now. The sculptures of Kalarimurthi, Gajhasamharamurthi, Ardhanariswara, Gangadaramurthi, etc. are masterpieces of art. Another nearby destination is the Muchukundeswarar temple built in the early Chola period.

Festivals

Tamil Nadu is a place where culture and traditions have flourished. Trichy is no exception, where some exciting festivals are celebrated like Mohini Alangaram, Vaikunta Ekadashi, Garuda Sevai, Flower Festival and Car Festival at Srirangam, during the months of December and January. Float Festival at Rock Fort is celebrated during the months of March - April. At Samayapuram Mariamman Temple

another important festival called Poochorithal festival is celebrated.

This is the 7th branch in the mile stone of nhit.

The District of Tiruvarur was carved out as a separate district by detaching Valangaiman Taluk from Thanjavur District and Thiruvarur, Nannilam, Kudavasal, Needamangalam, Mannargudi , Thirutturaippundi Taluks from Nagappatinam District on 01.01.1997. There are 2 Revenue Divisions, 7 Taluks, 10 Community Development Blocks, 3 Municipalties and 7 Town Panchayats in Thiruvarur District. Thiru M. R. Mohan IAS was the first District Collector of Thiruvarur District.

Thanjavur attained prominence under the Chola rulers who were paramount in South India during the 9th to 12th centuries. They were excellent rulers and mighty builders. Many examples are found in the district which bears testimony to this. Many of these temples reflect the geniusness and architectural proficiency in sculpture, painting and wood-carving.

Madurai is famous all over world for its historically great temples. Located on the bank of river Vaigal in southern India, Madurai is synonymous with the celebrated Meenakshi Temple. MaduraiMadurai is the second largest city of Tamil Nadutemple city, Madurai has many places of national importance. If old Madurai is famous for sprawling temples, the modern Madurai is well known for its textile mills and engineering colleges.

History: Madurai is one of the India’s oldest cities, whose history dates back to more than 2000 years old. It was home to the ancient Tamil Sangam, the literary conclave that produced the first Tamil epic Silappathikaaram and other masterpieces of Tamil literature. Earlier, Madurai was ruled by the Pandya kings who made the city as their capital. Madurai has been a center of learning and pilgrimage, for centuries. It is said that Madurai derived its name from nectar dropping from Shiva’s locks. Madurai is mentioned in all holy scriptures of the Hindus and holds sacred importance in folklores.

Places of interest: Meenakshi Temple is the one of the primary places of interest in Madurai, for which thousands of people from all over the world descend here every year. This is a twin temple. The temple in the southern side is dedicated to Sri Meenakshi, the consort of Lord Shiva locally known as Sundareswarar. This is one of the biggest temple complexes of India. The temple is about 258 meters in length and about 241.4 meters in breadth. Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal is one of the important palaces, which was built by Thirumalai Nayaakar in 1636. The paintings, carvings and designing of the Mahal show the amazing talents of the Nayak kings. This Mahal is situated 2kms south east of Meenakshi Temple. boasts of its rich cultural heritage passed on from the great Tamil era more than 2500 years old. It is a place where people often tend to visit. with the population of about 1.5 million. It has an important commercial center since 550AD. Also known as

The Meenakshi Temple

Synonymous with Madurai is the magnificent temple dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi. This is one of the famous Shakthi Shrines in India, drawing thousands of devotees every day. The original temple was probably a modest structure built on Agamic guidelines. However, it has grown with the graceful additions of pursuant dynasties and victorious monarchs into an enormous complex extending over an area of 65,000 sq. metres. The tower to the south is the tallest, soaring to a height of 160 feet and was built in the 16th Century. A striking feature of the temple is the astonishing structure known as Ayiramkal Mandapam (Hall of Thousand Pillars) in the outermost corridor.

Gandhi Museum

Gandhi Museum is situated at the old palace of Rani Mangammal houses. Dedicated to Gandhiji-his life and work- is housed in the 300 year old Mangammal Palace. It has a collection of Gandhi's books and letters and a fine exhibition of South Indian Village Industries and handicrafts.

Tirumalai Naicker Palace

About 1 k.m. south east of the Meenakshi Temple, the remains of this palace once again illustrate the architectural mastery of the Nayaks. A classic example of the Indo-Saracenic style, the carved dome of this building soars without the support of griders or rafters. Sound and light programme depicting story of Tirumalai Nayaks is organised everyday.

Mariamman Tank is a beautiful square tank of huge size. This tank is the scene of a colourful Float Festival held in January/February to celebrate the birth anniversary of King Tirumalai Nayak, who built this tank. On the northern side of the tank is a temple dedicated to Mariamman, a famous village Deity of Tamil Nadu. It is the largest stone built Tank in Madurai which was built in 1636.

Thirupparankundram

It is a rock cut temple dedicated to Lord Muruga and is situated at a distance of 8 k.m. south of Madurai. It is one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga. Lord Subramanya is said to have married Indiran's daughter Deivanai on this hill.

Alagar Koil and Pazhamuthirsolai

An ancient Vaishnavite Temple at a distance of 24 kms. from Madurai is deidcated to Lord Alagar. It is believed that Vishnu came down to this place from Vaikunta, his abode in heaven, to give away Goddess Meenakshi in marriage to Lord Sundareswarar. One of the Six Abodes of Lord Muruga is on the same hill.

Vaigai Dam

This Dam is on the way to Thekkady, a fine Picnic spot. Distance 79 kms. from Madurai

STAFFS

Pudukkottai is a district of TamilNadu. It has an interesting history.

Almost every king ruled this spot and they contributed some thing or other to develop the town.

The Pandyas, Cholas, Pallavas, Haysalas,Nayakas are notable personality who ruled Pudukkottai.

Due to this there are many memorials in Pudukkottai.

It exceeds the culture and tradition of India.

Pudukkottai museum at Thirugokarnam is a souvenir for the lover of arts.

In the  Southern India, the sacredness of a Lord Siva Temple is judged by the glory of the Temple having been visited and  eulogised by one or more of the three celeberated Saivite Saints.  Thirunavukarrasar, Thirugnana Sambandar, Sundarar in their Thevaram hymns.

There are 274 such Lord Siva Temples of Thevaram celebrity spread all over the land.  The number of Lord Vishnu Temples celebrated in the hymns of the Alwars or as in some cases merely mentioned in them is counted as 108.  These,  called as  " Divyadesas" spread  all  over  the country. 69% of the Lord Siva Temples and 37% of the Lord Vishnu  Temples of the land are situated within the Chola Country.

In Kumbakonam town and within a radius of 20kms,  37 of Lord Siva Temples of Chola Nadu and 10 of the Lord Vishnu Divyadesas are found situated.     

Kumbakonam, one of the special grade Municipal Towns of Tamil Nadu,  is the second bigger town in Thanjavur District.  It is situated 10o 57"  north latitude and 79o 28'  Longitude.  It is located about 313 Kilometres away from madras on the south, about 90Kms. from Tiruchy on the east and about 40kms from Thanjavur on the North East.

The town is bounded by two rivers - " River Cauvery" on the north and "River Arasalar" on the south. It has a gentle slope towards south from North.