Trichy
– Places of interest
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.
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.
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.
Thanjavur:
The capital of the imperial Chola
dynasty a thousand year ago, Thanjavur is situated 54 km from Trichi. The
magnificent Brahadeeswarar temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, bears witness to
the glory of Chola architecture, sculpture, and painting. A museum in the
temple courtyard has interesting Chola artifacts. The Thanjavur Art Gallery has
priceless collection of bronze icons and granite sculptures dating from the 9th
century AD. Thanjavur is a good place to shop for Thanjavur Art Plates,
handicrafts, hand-woven silk, bronze icons, intricately inlaid brass work and
bejeweled paintings.
Pudukkottai town:
Pudukkottai town (58 km) was once a
princely state. The area, which comprises the district of the same name, is of
absorbing interest to historians, anthropologists, archaeologists, and lovers
of art. The numerous dolmens, stone circles, and other forms of megalithic
burials in the district indicate the antiquity of this region dating back to
pre-historical times. The rulers of Pudukkottai have built several beautiful
palaces and constructed tanks and canals.
Gangaikondancholapuram:
Located at a distance of 100 km from
Trichi. The Brahadeeswarar temple here was conceived and constructed by the
Chola king Rajendra I after his victory over the kingdoms in the region of the
river Ganges. 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 Shiva and Parvati.
Kallanai/Grand Anicut:
The Grand Anicut at Kallanai (24 km) is
an ancient dam built by Karikala Chola across the river Cauvery in the second
century AD. This stone bridge is 329m long and 20 m wide. This is a very good
picnic spot.
Mukkombu
About 18 kms away from Trichy city is Mukkombu, the spot where river Kollidam branches off from the river Cavery. It is a popular picnic spot for week end travelers.
About 18 kms away from Trichy city is Mukkombu, the spot where river Kollidam branches off from the river Cavery. It is a popular picnic spot for week end travelers.
The Upper Anaicut built in the 19th
Century is about 685m long. The dam is divided in to three major sections so
that it got the name 'mukkombu',situtated at the head of Srirangam is a very
pleasant spot and people crowd their in weekends and on all holidays.
Rock Fort
Trichy's most famous landmark is 83-m
high rock which is the only outcrop in the otherwise flat inland of the city.
The most amazing fact about the rock is that it is one of the oldest in the
world. The sheer abruptness of its rise is an attention grabber. But the actual
centre of attraction is not the fort itself, of which very little remains, but
the temple at the summit. 420 steps carved out of rock lead to the top where
there are inscriptions dating back to the 3rd century B.C Hardly anything
remains of the ramparts but the Main Guard Gate is still intact The fort played
an important part during the Carnatic wars and according to an inscription,
mainly contributed to lay the foundations of the British empire in India.
At top of the rock is the Uchipillaiyar
Koil, a temple dedicated to Lord Vinayaka from where one can enjoy a panoramic
view of Tiruchy. A flight of steps leads to the Mathrubutheswarar or
Thayumanaswami temple. Dedicated to Lord Siva where the lingam is the
projection of the rock itself. There are two Pallava cave temples that have
beautiful sculptures of the 6th and 7th centuries. At the foot of the Rock Fort
is a tank and a pavilion which is used during the float festival of the temple.
Facilities for boating in the tank are available. Near the tank is the house
where Robert Clive lived when he was in Tiruchy . The house is now part of
Tiruchy's famous St.Joseph college. The 18th century Christ church build by
Schwartz of Denmark is nearby . The Rock fort Hillock is said to be 2300
million years old.
Ponmalai, Ramji Nagar, Nadumalai,
Edamalaipatti, rapattimalai, Kuttimalai, Thiruverumbur Erumbeeswarar malai,
Thuvakudi malai and Rock fort Hillock are protruded portions of the Rock plates
existing below. This is charnokite, considering the plastic flow. It is named
as GENISSIC CHARNOKITE. The materials like Quartz used in glass making and
feldspar used in ceramic are found in this Rock formation. There has no trace
of life in this Rock like the one found in Ariyalur belt nearby. While the age
of the earth is 4600 million years old, the age of Rock fort hillock is just
half while the age of Himalayas is only 40 million years .
Camera Ticket for Rock fort Rs 10 Entrance ticket Re 1.Telephone No 2704621.
Woraiyur
A part from its historical importance of
having been the capital of the Chola dynasty, Woraiyur in Trichy is also famous
for its handmade cigars and handloom sarees. The handmade cigars of Woraiyur
were said to be famous overseas, so much so that even Winston Churchill is said
to have relished them though he remained loyal to the Cuban cigars.
Woraiyur , a part of present day
Tiruchirappalli, was the capital city of Cholas from 300 B.C. onwards. This is
supported by archaeological evidences and ancient literatures. There are also
literary sources which tell that Woraiyur continued to be under the control of
Cholas even during the days of Kalabhra interregnum (A.D. 300 - 575).
Planetarium/Science
centre:
The Anna Science Centre-Planetarium is
located at Guttapet, 5 km from Trichy-Central bus terminus on Pudukkottai
Road, close to Trichy Airport.
Zoo:
A Zoological Park has been proposed to
be set up in Trichy, along the River Cauvery.
Puliancholai(72 km) is a waterfall
in the foothills of the Kolli Hills. It is a nice picnic spot. A fine picnic
spot, it is located in the foot hills of the kolli rage. It is 72 kilometers
from Trichy city
Musiri
Musiri
(20 km) here Thiruengoimalai Maragatha Lingeswar temple is nice place and
also cavery river is looking nice, when we see from the Thiru-engoi-malai.
Kollam
Pond
Kollam Pond, is a large water-body
located in Crawford lies along the Trichy-Madurai Railway line. The pond is
home to different types of bird varieties including ducks
and Kingfisher.
One could also see few fisherman spreading nets naviagating with the help of
vehicle tyre tubes.
Narthamalai (37 km), Puliancholai (72 km), Kodumbalur (42
km), and Avudayar Kovil are some other nearby sites worth visiting.
Hill
Stations around trichy
Kolli Hills:
Refer this link:
Pachamalai
Hills:
Refer this link: