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Brief -
  
 

Tiruchirapalli or Tiruchi is the fourth largest city in Tamilnadu. Once the citadel of the Cholas, this strategic city, was much too benevolent, under the rule of the Nayaks of Madurai.

Apart from the Rock with its historicity of spiritual significance, Tiruchi has popular educational institutions, built in the second half of 18th century by the Christian Missionaries. Being located in the heart of the State, Tiruchi has a blend of tradition and modernity, offering a variety of attractions to tourist for repeats visits.

 
 
 
 
History -
 
 

Tiruchirappalli bounds in history. Once the citadel of the Cholas, which later fell to the Pallavas, this strategic city had the vicissitude of being ruled by the Vijayanagara emperors and the Nayaks of Madurai, Marathas, French and finally the British.

It was only under the Nayaks of Madurai that Tiruchi grew and developed in various areas, so as to blossom into a dynamic city.
  
 
 
 
City Info -
  
 
Food - The hallmark of the outdoor eating experience in Trichy is not the predominance of South Indian cuisine but the affordability of the restaurants! So check out some of the happening joints in town:
  
 
 
  
 
Shopping - NSB Road is the most popular stretch lined with shops selling everything from brassware and handloom textiles to locally manufactured cigars! Trichy is also the largest artificial diamond manufacturing centre in the country and to have a dekko at the brilliant synthetic diamond jewellery, walk down the Jaffer Shah Street (near Rock Fort). Moving north along the Bazaar Street you would come to the Rock Fort area first and then further north lies the Srirangam Island — the other shopping hub in the city. And, as it always happens with all temple towns in India, you are sure to chance upon some exotic trivia lurking inside the dimly lit shops crowding the area!
  
 
 
 
Entertainment - Mohini Alangaram, Vaikuntha Ekadasi, Garuda Sevai, Flower Festival and Car Festival celebrated in the last week of December and the first week of January are the major festive rituals at the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam.

The Float Festival (March-April)
Held at the Teppakulam Tank, the festival conjures up a beautiful sight with quaintly lit floats sailing all over the tank.

 
 
 
 
How to Reach -
  
 
Location - On the banks of the River Cauvery in the heart of Tamil Nadu, at convenient distances from Madurai (150 km) and Chennai (320 km).
 
 
 
 
By Air - IA has regular flights from Chennai and also from destinations in the Middle East. Air Lanka flies weekly from Colombo. Airport: About 7 km from downtown, a taxi transfer to the airport would cost anything between Rs 150 and 200, while autorickshaws cost around Rs 75. Alternatively, you can avail of the local bus service (Bus Nos. K1, 7, 63, 63A and 59) to take you to town. Trichy does not have a 'designated' international airport though immigration and customs facilities are available at the terminal.
 
 
 
 
By Rail - Lying on the Chennai-Madurai main route, Trichy is an important railhead on the Southern Railway. Regular trains connect Trichy with Thanjur, Tuticorin, Kollam and Rameswaram on the metre gauge, and Bangalore, Coimbatore, Ooty, Kochi, Kanyakumari and Mangalore on the broad gauge. Railway station: Trichy Junction, off the Madurai Road-Junction Road intersection, lies in the southern part of the town, within convenient distances of the major hotels and the Central Bus Stand. Apart from city buses, cycle rickshaws are also available to commute to and from the station.
 
 
 
 
By Road - Good roads link Trichy with the rest of Southern India, with frequent state-run services to nearby Madurai. Bus stands: The Central Bus Stand off the Royal Road-Rockins Road intersection is the most important hub for State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) buses leaving for Thanjavur, Madurai, Chennai, Bangalore, Coimbatore and Tirupathi. Inter-city services are also available from the Thiruvalluvar Bus Stand near the Central Bus Stand. For local services go to the Chathram Bus Stand near the Main Guard Gate, Rock Fort.
  
 
 
 
Climate -
 
 
Moderate climate with summers ranging from 26°C to 37°C and winters varying from 20°C to 31°C.
 
 
 
 
: T O U R I S T   P L A C E S :
  
 
 
 
Rock Fort -
  
 
One of the oldest in the world, Tiruchis most famed landmark, is an 83m high rock, making it older than the Himalayas and the Rocks of Greenland. The centre of attraction, is the temple at the summit of 344 steps, hewn out of rock leading to the top, where there are inscriptions dating back to the 3rd century B.C.

Atop the rock is a temple dedicated to Lord Vinayaka called the Uchipillaiyar Koil. The sheer abruptness of its rise is an attention grabber, from where one can enjoy a panoramic view of Tiruchi. A flight of steps lead to the Mathrubutheswarar or Thayamanaswami temple, dedicated to Lord Siva, where the Lingam, is a projection of the rock itself.

Below the Siva temple, there are two Pallava cave temples. There is a tank and a pavilion, which are used during the float festival of the temples. The Rock fort played an important part during the Carnatic Wars laying the foundations of the British Empire in India.
  
 
 
 
Srirangam -
 
 
The districts most important pilgrim centre it is located in an island just 7 km from Tiruchi. Srirangam, surrounded by the waters of river Kaveri on one side and its tributary Kollidam on the other, is a 600 - acre island town, enclosed within the seven walls of the gigantic Sri Ranganathaswami Temple.

There are 21 gopurams, among which the Rajagopuram is the largest in South India. The 72m, high 13 -tiered gopuram was built in 1987 and dominates the landscape for miles around, while the remaining 20 gopurams, were built between the 14th and 17th centuries.

Originally, it was just a small temple, but it was expanded by the Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas, Hoysalas, the Vijayanagar Kings and Nayaks of Madurai and today, Srirangam stands as the biggest temple complex in the country.

 
 
 
 
Others
  
 
 
 
GRAND ANAICUT - KALLANI - Not far from the island is one of the greatest engineering marvels of India. Karikala Chola built the Grand Anaikut, iin the 2nd century A.D. to harness the waters of the Kaveri.
 
 
 
 
KUDUMIYANMALAI - The Siva temple here, has some interesting ,as well as beautiful sculptures. One of the inscriptions deals with the musical treatise of Mahendravaraman Pallava and his experimentation, with an eight-stringed instrument called parivadini.
  
 
 
 
MUKKOMBU (UPPER ANAICUT) - At the head of the Srirangam Island, there is another dam called Upper Anaicut or Mukkombu, which is about 685m long. Constructed in the 19th century across the Kollidam, this dam has been forced into three sections instead of one long stretch.
  
 
 
 
SITTANNAVASAL - In this village are the remains of a 2nd century B.C. Jain cave temple. Fresco paintings reminiscent of Ajanta adorn the walls. Many of them are typical of the 9th century Pandyan period and include exquisitely detailed pictures of animals, fish, ducks etc.
  
 
 
 
ST. JOHNS CHURCH - This Church built in 1812 has louvered doors, which open, to convert it into an airy pavilion, and is located near the Theppakulam.
  
 
 
 
TIRUVANAIKKAVAL OR JAMBUKESWARAR TEMPLE - Situated 2 km east of Srirangam, this beautiful Siva temple, steals the show from the larger Ranganathaswami temple due to its excellent architectural design. The temple is named after the elephant, which is believed to have workshipped Lord Shiva here.
  
 
 
 
GANGAIKONDACHOLAPURAM - The Brahadeeswarar temple at Gangaikondacholapuram was conceived and constructed by the Chola King Rajendra-I, after his victory over the kingdoms, bordering the river Ganges. Apart form the huge Nandi, there are some beautiful sculptures including a dancing Ganesha, a lion-headed well and a stunning frieze depicting Rajendra being crowned by Siva and Parvati.
  
 
 
 
TIRUMAYAM - Tirumayam is one of the most interesting places around Pudukottai, There are a couple of rock cut cave temples and an old fort, both of which are worth stopping for. The cave temple that lie side by side, are dedicated to Siva (Sahtyagireeswarar) and Vishnu (Sathyamoorthy) and were built by Mahendravarman and Narasimhavarman Pallava.

The Siva temple has some inscriptions of music. There are two shrines in the Vishnu temple, and the one where the lord is represented in a reclining posture, is particularly remarkable, as it is the largest of its kind in the country.

On the walls behind the idol, are beautiful carvings depicting Vishnu and his serpent Adisesha, chasing away rakshasas (demons) by spewing fire and poison. Atop the hill is an old fort called Oomaiyan Kottai, where the British imprisoned captured rebels. The King Sethupathi of Ramanathpuram built it in 1687.

 
 
 
 
KODUMBALUR - Also known as Moovarkoil (36 km from Pudukkottai). Of the three shrines of Moovarkoil, only two exist now. It was formerly the seat of the Irukuvelar. These temples were built by Boodhi Vikramakesari in the 10th century A.D. with sculptures of Kalarimurthy.