About Pudukkottai Tourist Places Or Places to Visit in Pudukkottai

Pudukkottai District, the former princely state that was the first to join the Indian Union after breaking away from foreign yoke, is indeed the archaeological treasure house of Tamil Civilization.  Pre historic and proto historic finds like megalithic burials, dolmens stone circles etc. in the district blaze forth the civilization of the Tamils of the past. Sangam classics mention this tract as a notable place of highly cultured elites.  The rich cultural heritage of this district is also evidenced by the archaeological and cultural remains of Kodumbalur, Narthamalai, Kudumiyanmalai, Kunnandar Koil, Sittanna Vasal, Thirumayam and Avudayar Koil. Its emergence as a princely state occurred in the 17th century and even before that, from time immemorial, it has been a centre of culture, civilization, art, architecture, fine arts and polity.  It is therefore no wonder that historians, anthropologists, archeologists and lovers of art have an absorbing interest in Pudukkottai.

This town lies on Chennai-Rameswaram line, 390km away from Chennai, 53km from Thiruchirappalli and 57km from Thanjavur.  The rulers of PUdukkottai have left historical landmarks like buildings, temples, tanks, canals, forts and palaces.

Pudukkottai City

Pudukottai is about 53km from Tiruchirapalli, Pudukottai on the eastern route from Trichy to Madurai is now a district headquarters.  It was once a princely state, the antiquity of which dates back to prehistoric times.  Sangam classics mention this tract as a notable place of highly cultured elites.  The archaeological and cultural remains at Kodumbalur, Nartamalai, Sithannavasal, Tirumayam and Avadaiyar stand testimony to its rich cultural heritage.
17km from Pudukottai, Nartamalai was the seat of Mutharaiyar was the seat of Mutharaiyar chieftains.  It has some of the oldest structural stone temples built by them.  The Vijayalaya Choleswaram Temple and the Kadambar Malai Temple are worth visiting.  The carved figures of dancers, the elegant dwarpals, and figures of other deities reflect the artistic greatness of Chola period.

About Pudukkottai District

Pudukkottai has 12 taluks. They are Alangudi, Gandarvakottai, Pudukkottai, Thirumayam, Karambakkudi, Aranthangi, Auvdaiyarkoil, Manamelkudi, Illuppur, Kulathur, Ponnamaravathi, Viralimalai.

Pudukkottai District is ruled by a family known as Tondaiman Rajas, was found in 1686 by Raghunatha Raya of Tondaimandalam, who played a leading part in South Indian history.  This former princely state is rich in ancient temples due to its natural caves in the hills.  Primitive tribes had their dwelling places in most of these caves.  Later, Jain monks, attracted by the remote peacefulness of these caves, made their homes there.  Many Pandya and Pallava kings of those times were Jains and hence the monks enjoyed their patronage.  The region of Pudukottai has some of the outstanding temples renowned for beautiful architecture and many cave temples of the ancient days.  The Rajas of Pudukottai took considerable interest in preserving these monuments.

Pudukkottai Tourist Places

Pudukkottai Government Museum

Situated in the town is the Government museum started originally by the Rajas of Pudukkottai, which has a large collection of art and sculpture. It contains a wide range of collections in the sections of Geology, Zoology, Paintings, Anthropology, Epigraph, Historical records etc.  In the historical section are found a large number of stone sculptures of deities, dancing figures, bas-reliefs and models of temples and shrines.  The photographs depict the style of architecture of those days.  There is a very good collection of bronzes also which relate to temples existing as well as those, which have been destroyed.  This is an excellent place for study of ancient history.

About Pudukkottai Temples

Sri Kokarneswar Temple

This temples of Pallava period is a rock-cut cave temple of Mahendravarma Pallava.  The presiding deity is Kokarneswarar and His consort Brahadambal.  Some later additions have also been made.  The idols of Ganesa, Gangadhara, Saptha Kannikas are artistic creations of perennial value. An image of the saint Sadasiva Brahmendra is seen at the foot of a Bikula tree.  The deity is the family deity of the Raja and in reverence of Brahadambal, coins called 'Amman Kasu' were released by the king.  The place is called Thirukkokarnam and is about 5 km from railway station.

Sittannavasal

Sittannavasal is about 16km from Pudukkottai City. It is ancient abode of Jains dating back to the 2nd century BC.  The main attractions are the rock cut cave temple with its beautiful paintings in natural colors akin to the ones at Ajanta and stone beds called Eladipattaman and a cave where the Jain monks sought refuge in those days.  An Ardha Mandapam and inner shrines of the cave temple contain images of Jain Tirtankaras in the niches.  But the ceilings and walls contain frescoes that resemble Ajanta paintings.  Though partially damaged they are quite absorbing.  Flowers, calves, elephants, geese all executed in inimitable poses and all relate to the Jains.  They were believed to be a Pallava creation, but later discovery of inscriptions proved it to be the work of Pandyas.

As this place has been developed under the District Excursion Project, it is easily approachable by road and frequent bus services are available. In places around Sittannavasal, there can be sighted many pre-historic burial sites consisting of Kuranguppattarai, cairns, burial urns, cists etc.

The beautiful fresco paintings reminiscent of Ajanta decorate the walls.  These include pictures of animals, fish, ducks, and people gathering lotuses from a pond, typical of the 9-century Pandyan period.  Around Sithannavasal, there aremany prehistoric burial sites and among the relics unearthed are urns, cists and coins etc.

Near the village Annavasal is a cluster of rock caves, which can be termed as the Ajantha of the South.  Megalithic burial sites near Sittanavasal caves testify their hoary past, while the rich sculpture and paintings adjoining the caves are similar to the famous Ajanta caves.  In the past, these caves were the abode of Jain Tirthankaras who fled to this place from Madurai.  The mural paintings provide glimpses of the early Jain cult and life.

Kudumiyanmalai

Kudumiyanmalai is about 20km from Pudukkottai City.  There are exquisite sculptures and a 1000 pillared hall in the temple of Sikharagireeswarar.  Inscriptions abound in this temple and the quite interesting one is that of Mahendra Varma Pallavan who has actually made a treatise o music here especially on the seven notes called Saptha Swara.  He is a versatile man and calls himself 'Vichitra Chittan', 'Chitthirakkarappuli' (Man of Wonderful Mind and adept Painter).  He has also done research in music especially on the saptha swaras in a veena called 'Parvadhini' with 8 strings.  There is also a rock-cut temple above called 'Melakkoil' which too was scooped by Mahendra Varma Pallavan. The Anna Agricultural Farm and Agricultural Research Institute located here indicated that even today the place is not bereft of research the former was a cultural research though the present one is on agriculture.

Kodumbalur

Kodumbalur is about 36km from Pudukkottai City. This place is also known as Moovar Koil, Irukku Velirs, an illustrious warrior clan related to the Cholas once ruled over this place. Of the Moovar Koil (Three temples) only two exist now.  They were built by Boodhi Vikrama Kesari, a general of the Chola army in the 10th century AD.  One of the Irukku Velirs who ruled this place, named Idangazhi Nayanar is included in the canons of the 63 Nayanmars.  This place was also a stage of fierce battles between the Pandyas and Pallavas.  The architecture of this temple is unique among the temples of south India.  The sculptures of Kalarimurthi, Gaja (Elephant) Samharamurthi, Gangadaramurthi etc. are unique masterpieces.  Nearby is the temple dedicated to Muchukun deswarar of the early Chola period.

This village has three ancient shrines popularly known as Moovar Kovil, built by the Irukkuvel chieftain, Bhuti Vikramaditya.  They were all for each of his two queens and one for himself.  These monuments relate to the 10th century and the style and moulding of the structures resemble the Mamallapuram cave temples.  Decorating the niches in the walls are some of the finest sculptures in our country.  The architecture of the temples is unique.

Viralimalai

The temple of Lord Muruga is built here on a hillock.  It has been existing from the 15th century.  The presiding deity is seated on a peacock mount with His two consorts Valli and Deivayanai.  There is also a peacock sanctuary.  It is 30km from Trichy and 4okm from Pudukkottai.

Narthamalai

Narthamalai is 17km from Pudukkotai City.  It contains several Jain monasteries on thehill sides.  Rare medicinal paints and herbs such as black gooseberry (Karunelli), Jathitree etc. could be seen in the forest.  This is also a place of historical importance and the capital of Mutharaiyar chieftains who had an upper hand in the polity of Tamil Nadu before the rise of later Chola.  The earliest structural stone temple, circular in shape built by Mutharaiyars, the Vijayalaya Choleswaram cave temple built by Vijayalaya the first king of the later Cholas and Kadambar Malai temple are worth a visit in this place. The places is great antiquity.  Originally known as Nagarthamalai, meaning The Abode of Merchant Guild.  a series of eight hills encircle the village, and the valley below presents an enchanting view.  Today, the place has become famous for its Mariamman temple patronized by the surrounding villages.  In the past, it was known for a number of rock-cut cave temples and splendid monuments on one of the hills called Malamalai.  The earliest of these is known as Vijayalaya Cholishwaran, the oldest of the Chola temples in Tamilnadu.  There are two other cave temples nearby which have good specimens of sculptures of those days.

Thirumayam

Thirumayam is 19km from Pudukkottai City.  The fort, the Siva and the Vishnu temples are the tourist attractions here.  The fort played an important role in the history of Tondaiman rulers of Pudukkottai and the British.  This 40 acre wide fort was built by Vijaya Ragunatha Sethupathi of Ramanathapuram in 1687AD.  On the hill, there is a rock-cut Siva temple with inscriptions on music.  There are the relics of another fort.  At the foot of the hill are the Siva and Vishnu temples.  The Vishnu temple houses the largest Anantasayi in India.  It is a natural cavern which has been changed into a shrine.  It was in this fort that the brother of Kattabomman, Oomaithurai was ensnared and imprisoned.  An old chain armour used by him is exhibited here. Tirumayam is the site of an old fort called Oomaiyan Kottai.  Built by King Sethupathi of Ramanathapuram in 1687, British used it to imprison the captured rebels.  Atop the hill are cave temples dedicated to Satyagireeswarar (Shiva) and Vishnu Sathyamoorthy (Vishnu) built side by side.  The Shiva Temple has some inscriptions of music.  The Vishnu Temple houses the largest Anantasyi (Lord represented in a reclining posture) from of Vishnu in India.

This place  has been celebrated in a song by Tirumangai Mannan, one of the Alwars.  It lies at the foot of a hill crowned by an old fort.  Nearby is adirangam, a place which became popular even earlier than Srirangam itself. It contains a rock temple with twin shrines of Shiva and Vishnu.  Built in the 7th Century, the monuments contain characteristic features of the early Pallava cave temples of mamallapuram.  Some of the inscriptions here contain musical notation.

Tiru Gokarnam

Tiru Gokarnam is about 2km from Pudukkottai.  On the outskirts of the town is an ancient Shiva temple dedicated to God Gokarnanatheshwarar.  Originally, a cave temple, excavated by the first pallava king Mahendravarman during 600AD, considerable additions have been made to the shrine.  Today, it is a lavely temple with a vast area of covered monuments, corridors and halls.  The large corridor in the front was constructed by the Nayakas of Madurai.  The pillars supporting the corridor have beautiful sculptures of various deities and full size statues of the kings who constructed them.  The majestic tower in the front and the background of cave temple with the hillock present a beautiful view.  The Rajas of Pudukkottai was great patrons of this deity and called themselves as the servants of Gokarnanatheshwara.

Avadayar Koil

Avadayar Koil is 40km from Pudukkottai District.  It is also called Thiruperunthurai.  The presiding deity is Atmanatha. This temple is unique in many ways.  There is no Lingam in the sanctum, only the Avudayar or its bottom pedestal in worshipped.  Even the Goddess is not displayed by any for.  No Neivedyam of food is offered to the deity.  Even Nandhi the mount of Siva usually in front of the deity is absent.  There is deep spiritual significance in the initial stage.  As the devotee and his devotion mature he has to realize the absolute truth as formless. Simply to illustrate this, this temple has been modeled like this on monistic principles.  This is the only Saivaite shrine in the whole of India to portray the supreme truth symbolically.  Since the soul (Atma) has no form, the deity is called Atmanathar.  This temple is supposed to have been built by Manicka vasagar, one of the 63 Saivaite saints who spent all the money he got for purchasing horses for the Pandya king in building this temple.  As he ws bereft of money, God played one of His Thiruvilaiyadal by transforming foxes into horses and once they were entrusted to the king, they were reconverted into foxes again.  Many legends vividly describe this.

Besides the legendary spiritual fascination, the temple is also unique and unrivalled from the sculptural point of view.  The temple is noted for its zephyr (granite roof) work.  The ceiling of the Kanaka Sabhai is a grandeur creation in stone the rope, rafters and nails are all in granite.  The wielding muruga, Kali and Siva's Rudra Thandavam are the specimens in sculptural art.

Avur

Avur is about 28km from Pudukkotai lies this place famous for churches.  The old chapel was constructed in 1547AD by Fr. John Venatius Bachet and the new Roman Catholic Church was built in 1747AD.  The renowned Tamil scholar Rev.  Father Joseph Beschi (Veeramamunivar) also served in this church.  The Easter passion play followed by car festival in summer attracts people of all faiths.

Kumaramalai

Kumaramalai is about 10km from Pudukkottai. It is temple for Lord Muruga at a small hill.  Kumaran is another name for Lord Muruga, hence the name Kumaramalai.  The tank water of this hill is considered to be holy.

Vendanpatti

Vendanpatti is 40km from Pudukkottai District on the way to Ponnamaravathi.  The Nandhi known as Nei Nandhi (Ghee Bull) in the Meenakshi Chokkeswarar temple is very famous.  Though made of black granite, it shines like marble due to frequent ablutions with pure ghee.  One more astonishing feature is the absence of flies and ants despite the Nandhi being showered with pure ghee daily. Every day large number of devotes visit this temple.

Aranthangi

Aranthangi is the second largest city in Pudukkottai.  There is a ruined fort here that attracts people, the walls of which are not constructed with bricks or stones.  Large interstices are filled with mud.  Inside the fort, there are no ruins of palaces or any striking building. The date of the fort is not known.  But a line of Tondaimans who had no connections with those of Pudukkottai were in power during the 16 and 17th centuries.  They are believed to have constructed it.  There is also a eleventh century AD temple built by Rajendra Chola Varman.
With this we have covered all the important places for tourists in mid-east Tamil Nadu and we now move to the mid-west part of Tamil Nadu which contains Salem, Dharmapuri, Erode, Coimbatore and Nilgiri districts.

Athmanathaswamy Temple

Athmanathaswamy Temple ia about 40km from Pudukkottai District, the 10-century Athmanathaswamy Temple in Avadiyarkovil is the only Saiviate shrine in India to portray the supreme truth symbolically like the one at Chidambaram.  There is no lingam in the sanctum and the deity is formless, the atma (soul) covered with copper plate.  The temple is unique and is noted for its zephyr (granite roof) work.  The graceful bow wielding Lord Muruga, Goddess Kali and Shiva's cosmic dance are the finest sculptural specimens.

Tiruvangai Vasal

Tiruvangai Vasal is about 5km from Pudukkottai.  Not far frkm Thirugokarnam, a suburb of Pudukkottai, is an ancient temple dedicated to Venkatanathar or Vyaghrapurishwarar.  True to its name, the Linga in the shrine gives the facial expression of a tiger.  There is an interesting local legend connected with this deity and the divine cow Kamadhenu. The temple is full of finely carved sculptures and some rare representations of the deities.  The temple has twenty one inscriptions which throw light on the history of that time.

Tirukkattalai

Tirukkattalai is about 12km from Pudukkottai.  This small village has another Shiva temple dedicated to Sundareshwara.  Mentioned in the inscriptions as Karkurichi, this temple has the tower at the entrance which is square at the base and pyramidal in design.  This rare architecture is embellished with finely carved figures of deities.  The walls of the shrine are decorated with exquisitely sculptured figures.  The village has another temple dedicated to Sundara Mahakali, which is also worth visiting.

Kunnandar Koil

Kunnandar Koil is about 27km from Pudukkottai.  This ancient cave temple has a Shiva shrine which goes back to the 8th century.  The inscription records the name of the plae as Kunru-Andar-Koil which means the Temple of the Lord of the Hill.  This temple was built by a Muttrayar chief who was probably a vassal of nandivarman Pallava Malla.  The temple combines the features of the late Pallava and early Chola styles and has a beautiful hundred pillared Nritta Mandapam.  The deity is called Parvatagirishwaran.  The walls are decorated with a number of rock cut sculptures.  Excellent bronze images of deities are preserved in this temple.  State buses operate up to Kunnandar Kovil village.

Avudayar Kovil

Avudayar Kovil is about 45km from Pudukotai District.  This prosperous village is noted for its ancient Shiva temple dedicated to Atmanathar.  In the ancient days, This place was known as Tiruperuthurai.  It is believed that this temple was founded by Saint Manickyavachagar, in the 8th century.  The temple is unique in spiritual concept, design and architecture.  The shrine of Shiva has no Linga.  There is only the Avudayar (Base) with a metal cover, which symbolizes the deity.  Similarly, the Amman shrine called Shivayoga Nayaki, also does not have any idol; the worship is done only to the Holy feet displayed symbolically.  However, the front hall has a wonderful display of life size idols of exquisite sculpture of deities, nowhere found in tis part of the country.  Every pillar of the halls is profusely carved with fine figures.  The village can be reached easily by bus or from the railway station Aarantangi. 

Karaikudi

Karaikudi is about 36km from Pudukkottai.  This place has become famous for its temple dedicated to goddess Koppudai nayaki Amman, who is known to be a manifestation of Durga.  It is believed that the original idol was discovered in a nearby forest about three hundred years ago.  Devotees offer toy cradles to this deity in fulfillment of their vows. 

Kannakkudi

Kannakkudi is about 14km from karaikudi.  This village has two cave temples dedicated to Subramanya and Shiva on the top of a hillock.  Both the temples have many sculptured figures, which are very interesting to study the features.

Kattubava Pallivasal

Kattubava Pallivasal 30km from Pudukkottai is this important Islamic pilgrim centre.  Located on the Thirumayam-Madurai highway, it is visited by devotees of all faiths.  The annual 'Urs' occurs in the month of Rabiyul Ahir.

How to reach Pudukkottai District

Air
Nearest airport Trichy 53km from where flights are available to Chennai, Sri Lanka, Sharjah and Kuwait.
Rail
Chennai -Rameswaram Railway line will take you to Chennai, Trichy, Thanjavur, Madurai and Rameswaram.
Road
It is well connected to Chennai, Thanjavur, Trichy, Madurai and Rameswaram By road, Town buses are available to all tourist centres in and around Pudukkottai.  Besides, taxi, private vehicles and contract carriages are also available.

Distance from Pudukkottai To Other important places Or
Pudukkottai City Distance Guide

City Distance
Chidambaram 170 Km
Coimbatore 253 Km
Cuddalore 206 Km
Dharmapuri 257 Km
Dindigul 122 Km
Ernakulam 422 Km
Erode 193 Km
Hogenakkal 302 Km
Hosur 353 Km
Kanchipuram 320 Km
Kanyakumari 353 Km
Karaikudi 203 Km
Karur 127 Km
Kodaikanal 40 Km
Kodikkarai 191 Km
Krishnagiri 305 Km
Kumbakonam 96 Km
Madurai 111 Km
Mamallapuram 361 Km
Mysore 390 Km
Nagappattinam 136 Km
Nagercoil 372 Km
Palani 178 Km
Pollachchi 239 Km
Puducherry 227 Km
Poompuhar 165 Km
Chennai 395 Km
Rajapalayam 196 Km
Rameswaram 178 Km
Ranipettai 291 Km
Salem 190 Km
Tenkasi 270 Km
Thanjavur 57 Km
Thekkadi 256 Km
Tiruchchendur 325 Km
Tiruchirappalli 50 Km
Tirunelveli 262 Km
Tirupathi 455 Km
Tiruppur 214 Km
Tiruttani 388 Km
Tiruvannamalai 266 Km
Thrissur 348 Km
Tiruvananthapuram 370 Km
Tuticorin 244 Km
Udagamandalam 351 Km
Ulundurpet 172 Km
Valparai 279 Km
Vellore 358 Km
Yercaud 219 Km