TRAVEL2TAMILNADU

TRICHY

The name Tiruchirappali is the combination of three words Thiru + Chira + Palli, meaning the 'School Chira'. In Thaayumanavar Temple in Rock fort, the pictures depict that there was a saint called 'Chira', who established a school ('Palli' in Tamil) near that area. Hence the name Chira Palli or Tiruchirappalli. Normally the place name ends with 'Palli' refers the ancient devotional place of Jains (Samanar). Rocky caves in many places occupied by them. 'Palli' also means resting place. Trichy is also called as Rock City because it encompasses Srirangam, a Vaishnavite temple and the biggest functioning Hindu temple in the world. Trichy also contains "ThiruAnaikka" (ThiruvAnaikkaval), House of Water, one of the five main abodes ("Panchaboodha Sthalam") of Lord Shiva. Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman was born in Thiruvanaikaval and his house has been preserved as a museum. The city is divided into three parts: the Cantonment area to the south, the temples to the north and the bazaar in the centre of the city. Most of Tiruchirapalli's hotels and government and post offices are situated in the cantonment while most of Tiruchirapalli's temples are located in the north. The Rockfort and its temple are situated in the centre of the city and surrounded by a bazaar. The most famous landmark at Tiruchirappalli is a 83m high rock, which is the only outcrop in the otherwise flat land of the city called the Rockfort. The most amazing fact about the rock is that it is one of the oldest in the world-approximately 3,800 years, which makes it as old as the rocks of Greenland and older than the Himalayas.

ROCKFORT

The Rock Fort temple complex houses three temples - the Manikka Vinayakar temple at the foot of the hill, the Uchhi Pillayar Koyil at the top of the hill and the Taayumaanavar Koyil (Shivastalam) on the hill. One famous landmark in Tiruchirapalli is the Rock Fort, a big outcrop of rock, 83 metres in height. It is the only such outcrop of its kind. Because of it Trichy is also called as Rock City. On top of it is the Ucchi Pillayar Koil, a temple dedicated to the Hindu god Vinayaka (Ganesh), from where one can enjoy a panoramic view of Tiruchirapalli. The temple was also used as a military fort by the Nayaks for some time. Around the rock temple is a busy commercial region, mainly known for its textiles and Burma, China, Japan g,oods, known as Chatram. The Main Guard Gate is flooded on festive occasions such as Deepavali, Ramzan, Bakrid, Christmas, and Pongal.

GOVERNMENT MUSEUM

��Government Museum: 40 km from Trichy, the museum is located near the Pudukkottai station and houses rare and interesting collections of objects related to Geology, Zoology, Paintings, Anthropology, Epigraphy and Historical Records and it remains closed on Mondays.

VIRALIMALAI SANCTUARY

��Viralimalai Sanctuary: A small town near Tiruchirappalli, it known for the spectacular Murugan temple and enchanting Peacock Sanctuary, where one can see a large number of wild peacocks roaming around. If you are lucky, you may also see them dancing.

KUDUMIANMALAI TEMPLE

��25 km from Trichy, Kudumianmalai temple is dedicated to Lord Sikhagireeswara and has beautiful sculptures and a thousand pillar hall within the temple.

SRI RANGANATHASWAMI TEMPLE

7 km from Trichy, Srirangam is said to be the abode of Lord Sri Ranganatha, the reclining form of Lord Vishnu. The temple of Ranganatha is said to be the largest in India.The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam, situated 6 km north within the city, is among the most revered shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu in South India, and is the largest temple complex in the world. Shrouded in a haze of coconut palms away to the north, the temple is built on an island in the middle of the River Cauvery and covers an area of 2.5 km�. Enclosed by seven rectangular walled courtyards, this temple has 21 gopurams, the largest of which was completed in 1987 and measures 73 m in height. Srirangam Town is an island and is connected to the mainland by a bridge. The temple is replete with excellent carvings and numerous shrines dedicated to various gods. It is believed that Sri Ramanujar the Vaishavite saint and philosopher is embalmed inside the temple premises in the Sri Ramanujar Sannidhi.

TIRUVANAIKKAVAL OR JAMBUKESWARA TEMPLE

Just 2 km from Srirangam, this beautiful Shiva temple overshadows the larger Ranganathaswami temple due to its excellent architectural design. It is named after the elephant believed to have worshipped Lord Shiva here. The Jambukeshwara Temple (Thiruvanaikaval), dedicated to Lord Shiva, is situated just 2 km east of Srirangam and houses five concentric walls and seven gopurams. Mythology has it that an elephant once worshipped the Lord under the Holy Jambu Tree, and 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. It is one of the panchabhoota sthalam - representing five basic elements.

KOLLI HILLS

It is located on the Pachamalai (Green hills) range which in turn is an eastern offshoot of the Eastern Ghats. The Pachaimalai range of hills is cut across by the River Cauvery at numerous places, forming small valleys. Kolli Hills is a low lying hill station with gentle plateau falls inside Trichy district. Though the altitude of these hills is only average, it always has a pleasant climate and many parts of the hills are heavily wooded. However, it has retained its pristine beauty owing to being lesser known among the tourists. There are a few hills located within the city, the prominent among them are Golden Rock, Rock Fort, Kajamalai and in Thiruverumbur. There are few reserve forests along the river Cauvery, located at the west and the north-west of the city. The southern and the south-western part of the district is dotted by several hills which are thought to be an offset of the Western Ghat. Eastern ghats also pass through the district. The soil here is considered to be very fertile. As two rivers flows through the city, the northern part of the city is more greener than other areas of the city.

CHURCH

Trichy is famous for he number of Christian churches it contains�it is said to have the greatest number of chapels in India. The most famous are Holy Redeemer's Church (Sagayamatha Kovil), Our Lady of Lourdes Church(built by Jesuits) near Chatram bus stand, and The Cathedral in Melapudur(built by Jesuits), all more than a century and a half old. The most famous college in Trichy, St. Joseph's College was also built by the Jesuits, and so was St. Joseph's school,etc.

INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Trichy has an international airport about eight kilometres from the city, which operates flights to Indian cities, territories, and neighbouring countries including Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka and the Gulf by Air Asia, Indian Airlines, Air India Express, Srilankan Airlines, Mihin Lanka, Kingfisher Airlines, Paramount Airways. Trichy airport is the second largest airport in Tamil Nadu next to Chennai to get international connectivity to Colombo (Srilanka) in 1981. Nowadays, flights are operated to Gulf countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait.

CLIMATE OF TRICHY

Trichy has a moderate and pleasant climate, with humidity slightly above normal. The city experiences mild winters and humid summers. The timing of the monsoon in this part of the country has lately become unpredictable, with the rainy season starting from mid-October until early-November and the rains then extending until early or mid-January.

HOTELS IN TRICHY

To get the details about hotels in trichy we have the link here........

TRICHY HOTELS

TANJORE

Thanjavur boasts of its scenic beauty and lush greenery. It is located in the centre-east of the state.The northern part of ditrict includes the cauvery river Delta.The soil is fertile and henceTtanjore is called "Granary of Southern India".The city of Tanjore is located on the south bank of cauvery.The delta region is cultivated with coconut trees and Tanjore is the largest producers of coconut in Tamilnadu.It is the rice bowl of Tamilnadu.Tanjore is a land of temples.Most of the temples are built by Cholas during 9th to 11th century.Tanjore is famous for dancing dolls and paintings.Tanjore is a centre for carnatic music.The programme called Thyagaraja Aradhana which is held in the banks of river cauvery is famous here.Many Baratnatiyum programs are conducted here.