Home :: South India Travel Destinations :: Trichy ( Tiruchirappalli ) India

» Location: Tiruchirapalli District, Tamil Nadu
» Shortly Called: Tiruchi Or Trichy
» Landmark Of The City: Rock Fort Temple
» Famous For: Artificial Diamonds, Cigars, Handloom Cloth, Glass Bangles And Wooden And Clay Toys

Location
The historical city of Tiruchirappalli, popularly known as Trichi, is situated on the banks of the Kaveri River (also Cauvery) in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Lying at a distance of 320 km from Chennai (Madras) and 150 km from Madurai, this Chola Dynasty citadel, known for its profound wisdom of the Sangam Age, still carries the age-old aura about it. The present-day city, with a blend of glorious past and acclaimed divinity through the famous Dravidian temples, stands as a commercial and tourist hub of Tamil Nadu.

History Of Trichy ( Tiruchirappalli )
Trichi has a long history, going back to several centuries before the birth of Christ. It was once the citadel of the mighty Cholas, the acclaimed dynasty of South India that has left its cultural identity in various fields such as culture, art, heritage, etc. The city later fell to the Pallavas. However, the Pallavas could not retain control of this strategic city and lost it to the Pandyas several times. The struggle for power between the Pallavas and Pandyas continued until the 10th century, when it again came under the rule of the Cholas. In the 12th century, the Vijayanagar kings of Hampi subverted the Cholas. In 1565, Trichi came under the rule of the Nayaks of Madurai, to be followed by the Marathas, the Nawabs of Carnatic, the French, and finally the British. However, it was under the Nayaks of Madurai that Trichi prospered in its own right and grew to be the city that it is today. The Nayaks constructed the Rock Fort, and firmly established Trichi as a trading city.

Prime Attractions of Trichy ( Tiruchirappalli )
Viralimalai Sanctuary: A thirty-kilometre journey from Trichy takes you to this place where the beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Muruga is located. Peacocks around this abode add to the attraction of the place.

Sittanavasal: This place (70kms) is famous for its rock cut Jain temple, excavated during the early Pandyan period (8th - 9th century). There are very fascinating frescoes similar to those of Ajanta. This also contains bas-reliefs of Jain Thirthankar sculpted at the back wall of the shrine. This cave temple is a typical version of Mahendravarman Pallava style.

Government Museum: This is located on Bharathidasan Road. Bronze and stone sculptures are on display here. Admission is free, the museum is open on all days except Fridays.

Kudumianmalai: 73 kms away, this temple is dedicated to Kuduminatha or Shikhagirinatha. On the bas-relief on the rock face, tourists can view the carvings of Shiva, Parvati, Nandi and 108 Shaiva saints on either side of them all in the form of a frieze. The inscriptions of the musical treatise found here, led to the reconstruction of the Tazh a precursor of the veena.

Places of Worship in Trichy ( Tiruchirappalli )
» Temples
Rock Fort Temple: the view from the fort is spectacular. The Vinayaka temple at the top is reached by climbing a tunnel in rock. Half way up is the Sri Thayumanaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Siva. It has a 100-pillar hall and a Vimana covered with gold. On the southern face of the rock are several beautifully carved rock-cut cave temples of the Pallava period.

Gangaikondan Cholapuram: The Brahadeeswarar temple at Gangaikondacholapuram was conceived and constructed by the Chola King Rajendra - I after his victory over the kingdoms bordering the river Ganga. Apart from the huge Nandi, there are some beautiful sculptures including a dancing Ganesha, a lion-headed well and a stunning figure of King Rajendra being crowned by Siva and Parvati.  

Kodumbalu : 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.

Sri Ranganathaswami Temple At Srirangam: This temple, 6 kms north of the city, is among the most revered shrines to Lord Vishnu in South India, and probably, the largest temple complex in India. Enclosed by seven rectangular walled courtyards, this 13th century temple has 21 gopurams. The town, and the temple, are set on a 250-hectare island in the Cauvery, connected to the mainland by a bridge. The temple is very well preserved, with excellent carvings, and numerous shrines to various gods, though the main temple is dedicated to Vishnu.

Tiruvanaikkaval or Jambukeswara Temple: The Jambukeshwara temple, here, is dedicated to Shiva, and it houses five concentric walls, and seven gopurams. Legend has it, that an elephant once worshipped the Lord, under the holy Jambu tree, hence the name Jambukeshwara. The principal deity is the Shiva lingam, almost submerged in water, which flows from the subterranean spring, in the sanctum sanctorum.

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.

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 in 1812, this Church has louvred doors, which when opened, turns the church into an airy pavilion. Its excellent setting and marvellous architecture, makes it a site worth visiting.

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".

Fairs & Festivals of Trichy ( Tiruchirappalli )
Vaikunta Ekadasi (Paradise Festival), held in mid-December, is a famous festival of the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. The major attraction of this festival is the recital of the Vaishnavite text called Thiruvaimozhi before the image of Lord Vishnu. The Car Festival, held in January, also attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world.

Shopping in Trichy ( Tiruchirappalli ),
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).

Places to stay in Trichy ( Tiruchirappalli )
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.

Nearby Cities of Trichy ( Tiruchirappalli )
» Dindigul - 93 km
» Karur - 69 km
» Manapparai - 37 km
» Pudukkottai - 50 km
» Thanjavur - 48 km

Tourist Information Centre of Trichy ( Tiruchirappalli )
» 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

How to Get There
By Air: Tiruchirappalli has an airport (5-km) from the city. Various airlines connect Tiruchi with Chennai, Sharjah, Kuwait and Colombo.

By 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.

By 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.

General Information about Trichy ( Tiruchirappalli )
» Area: 23.26-sq-kms
» 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