Trichy Tourism Information

Trichy is situated on the banks of the Cauvery River.  It is 320km from Chennai.  This city was a city was Chola citadel from the Sangam age. Trichy was originally known as Tiruchirapalli, named after three-head Asura Tirusiras, who obtained a boom worshiping Lord Siva.

Trichy History

The Pandyas and the pallavas held sway over this region for short periods.  The nayaks of Madurai had built the town and the historic rock Fort which played a vital role in Carnatic was in the 18th century AD.  Today Trichy being a blend of History and tradition is a pilgrim centre as well as a thriving commercial city.

Trichy is the fourth largest city in the state of Tamil Nadu and was citadel of the early Cholas which later fell to the Pallavas.  But the Pallavas never really managed to retain control of this strategic city and lost it to the Pandyas several times. This tug of war finally ended when the Cholas reasserted themselves in the 10th century.  The fort of Tiruchirappalli continued to be in their possession until the decline of the Expire after which it became a Vijayanagar strong hold.

When this empire collapsed in 1565, Trichy came to be occupied in turn by the Naicks of Madurai, the Marathas, the Nawabs of Carnatic, the French and finally the British.

But it was under Naicks of Madurai that Tiruchirappalli flourished and prospered in its own right and grew to be the city that it is today.  Tiruchirappalli is a fine blend of tradition and modernity built around the Rock Fort.  Tiruchirappalli will serve as a good base to see central Tamil Nadu.

Tiruchirappalli’s most famous landmark is an 83m high rock, which is theonly outcrop in the otherwise flat land of the city.  A top of the rock one can enjoy a panoramic view of Trichy.  There are many temples which get historical and architectural important in Tiruchirappalli.

Trichy Tour Information

Rock Fort

The Rock Fort is in thecity and is a prominent landmark.  There is a vinayaka temple on the way to Thayaumanaswamy temple, exactly half way to the top dedicated to Lord Siva and two Pallava Caves.  It is 5km from Trichy Railway junction.

Government of Tamil Nadu Museum

Government Museum is situated on Bharathiyar road contains a number of bronze and  granite statues. 

Srirangam Information

Srirangam Just 7km (4 miles) beyond Trichy, the vibrant, ancient holy town of Srirangam—one of India’s biggest temple complexes—is the site of sprawling Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, whose seven concentric boundary walls (prakarams) enclose 240 hectares (600 acres) devoted to the Hindu faith. Within the temple walls, a web of lanes lined with houses, shops, and businesses is also enclosed, making for fascinating exploration of what feels like a heaving medieval village. Dedicated to Vishnu (worshipped here as Ranganatha), the town sees almost nonstop feverish and colorful activity, with communal gatherings and festivals held throughout the year. The original 10th-century temple was destroyed by a Delhi sultan, but reconstruction began in the late 14th century. Ongoing expansion by Trichy’s successive rulers culminated in the late 20th century, with the elaborately carved and brightly painted Rajagopuram, not only the largest of the 21 goparums (tower gateways) that surround the immense complex, but said to be the largest in Asia, soaring to a height of 72m (230 ft.). The most important shrines are within the inner four boundary walls, entered via a high gateway where smaller shrines mark the point beyond which lowercaste Hindus could not venture. Within this enclosure, you’ll find a temple to the goddess Ranganayaki, as well as the thousand-pillared hall, which dates back to the Chola period. Arguably the most impressive of all is nearby Seshagirirayar Mandapa, where the pillars are decorated with stone carvings of rearing horses mounted by warriors.

Tiruvanaikaval (T.V.Koil)

The temple here knownas Jambukeswarar temple is dedicated to Lord Siva.  Jambu is the name of the holy tree under which is Eswar (Siva) in the form of lingam submerged in water.  This temple is also known as “Jambukeswaram” after the legendary elephant that once worshipped this lingam.  It is about 9km from Trichy Junction.

Trichy Trip Information

Upper Anicut or Mukkaombu

Mukkaombu is the head of the Srirangam island where the river Kollidam tributary of Cauvery.  This is a beautiful picnic spot with lush green trees, meadows and parks.  It is 18km from Trichy Railway junction on the Trichy to karur Road.

Grand Anicut (kallannai)

This barrage built across the Cauvery in the 2nd century Ad by the Chola King Karikalan is an engineering marvel.  A beautiful and calm picnic spot where tourists can come and relax for the day.  It is 24km from trichy on the Trichy to Thanjavur road.

Vayaloor

There is a lord Muruga Temple here set amidst lush green vegetation.  It is about 8km from Trichy junction.

Samayapuram

Samayapuam is known for its Goddess Mariamman.  It is 20km from Trichy junction.