Tiruchirapalli, Rock City is Situated on the banks of river Kaveri, Trichy is a fine blend of temples and monuments and is a great travel destination. Dominated by the granite rock soaring 84 metres into the skyline, Trichy also hosts the Golden Rock Locomotive Workshop, an Ordinance Factory, and REC (Regional Engineering College)
Athmanathaswamy temple: Here contains graceful life-size sculptures and is noted for its zephyr (granite roof) work. This temple was built in the 10th century A.D.
Buddism in Trichy Regin: Acharya budha duttha mahathera born in Chola country also lived in Vurakaburam (Woraiyur) around 5 AD. He has written Madurathaivilasini and abithavatharam in relation to his living in Tiruchirappalli and his works speaks volume in a praise of Chola country. Boothamangalam, Poompukar etc. Six feet stone statue his found in Mangalam village in the Aravan temple 15 kms north east of Musiri and 15 kms south west of Thuraiyur. The bottom portion of the peedam of the statue has 3 lions.
Erakudi – Sirunavallur, Granarey: There is an ancient granary in this village; this was built for emergency storage, during the Nawab of Arcot period. This stacco granary has lot of fine sculptures.
Government Museum: This is located on Bharathidasan Road. Bronze and stone sculptures are on display here. The museum is open on all days except Fridays. Time 10.00 Hrs to 17 Hrs. Entrance fee for Indians Adult Rs 5 Children Rs 3 Students Rs 2 Foreigners Rs 100 There are so many sculptures like Mahavirar, Buddha, Vishnu etc.
Grand Anaicut – Kallanai: Not far from the island is one of the greatest engineering marvels of India. The Grand Anaicut built by Karikalan Chola in the 2nd century A.D. to harness the waters of the Kaveri. Made of stone, the dam is 329 m long and 20 m wide and still very much in use. Additions have been made in the form of a road bridge on top of the dam. This is a good picnic spot.
Gunaseelam: 24 Kms from Trichy on the north back of Cauvery River, in Triuchirappalli – Musiri Road. There is a Vaishnavite Temple and the name of the God is Lord Prasanna Venkateshwarar. Gunaseelam Temple is a place for worship, festivals and also for mental relief or alleviation.
Hazarath Nathervali: It is ancient Durga more than 1000 years old. It is marvellous architecture; the doom is made up of shining marbles giving a great look to the Durga. It is also situated in the heart of Trichy City.
Lourdes Church: This church is located near to Rock – Fort Teppakulam. Church of our Lady of Lourdes is the replica of the Basillica of Lourdes, the world famous place of pilgrimage in Southern France.
Mukkombu (Upper Anaicut ):18 Kms from Trichy. 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 Kollidam. This dam has been forced into three sections instead of one long stretch because of the shape of the island. This is also good spot for picnics.
Oomaiyan Kottai: This were captured rebels were imprisoned by the British. It was built in the year 1687 by King Sethupathi of Ramanathapuram. The Siva temple has some inscriptions of music. There are two shrines in the Vishnu temple, and 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 the serpent Adisesha chasing away rakshasas (demons) by spewing fire and poison.
Pachanmalai: 80 Kms from Trichy. Pachamalai is a spreading green hill range via Thuraiyur. It is a picnic spot to enjoy nature. Pachai means green and the place is Lush green and is known for the tribals.
Planetarium: 5 Kms from Trichy. Anna Science Centre / Planetarium is located on Pudukkottai Road, near Airport. Programmes in Tamil and English versions are shown daily.Ph:0431 – 2422190. Time: In Tamil 10.30 a.m, 1.00 p.m, and 3.30 p.m. In English 11.45 a.m, 2.15 p.m and 4.45 p.m. Ph: 0431 – 2422190.
Puliancholai: 72 kms from Trichy, a place of scenic beauty. This forest area is cool and green with the added attraction of the small waterfalls and a stream. Puliancholai is a beautiful place for one day excursion.
Ragavendrar Mutt-Srirangam: Ragavendra temple at Ragavendra Mutt lies at Srirangam. The life of the saint has been displayed here by paintings.
Ramakrishna Mutt Thirupparaithurai: It has been started during 1949 by respected Ramaswamy Adikal. During 1950, The Primary School for the Orphan and later upgraded as High School. Only boys who’s having no parents are admitted Gurugulam Method is practised. Any time of the year from First Std To Eight Std admission is being made. Nearly 300 children are studying. Poor and down trodden children are given free food and shelter with good education including imperative training in technical skills In Marking Garland. The philosophy of Ramakrishna and his disciple Vivekananda are projected here.
Rock Fort: The 83m high Roack Fort is the only outcrop in the otherwise flat land of the city. The rock is one of the oldest in the world approximately 3,800 million years, which makes it as old as the rocks of Greenland and older than the Himalayas.344 steps hewn out of rock lead to the top where there are inscriptions dating back to the inscriptions dating back to the 3rd century B.C. The fort played an important part during the Carnatic was and according to an inscriptions. Mainly contributed to lay the foundations of the British empire in India. Atop the rock is Uchipillaiyar Koil, a temple dedicated to Lord Vinayaka from where one can enjoy a panoramic view of Tiruchi. A flight of steps leads to the Mathrubutheswarar or Thayumanaswami temple, dedicated to Lord Siva where the lingam is a projection of the rock itself. Below the Siva temple are two Pallava cave temples that have beautiful sculptures of the 6th and 7th centures. At the foot of the Rock is a tank and a pavilion which are used furing the float festival of the temples. Near the tank is the house where Robert Clive lived when he raphy Historical Records, etc, are very interesting. The fine sculptures and bronzes of various periods are the attractive items of the Musuem. Open on all days except Mondays and Government Holidays from 8 a.m to 1 p.m and 2 p.m to 5 p.m. Ph: 0431 – 2704621.
Samayapuram: 20 Kms from Trichy. This is a very important place of pilgrimage, famous for its temple dedicated to the Goddess Samayapuram Mariamman. It’s one of the abodes of Shakti in India.Ph :0431 – 2670460
Sai Baba Meditation Centre: The Shridi Sai Baba Temple visited by all faith is located at Manikandam, 10 km from Tiruchirappalli – Viralimalai Road. The life history of Shridi Sai Baba is depicated in paintings here.
Sri Rangam: 7 Kms from Trichy. The district’s most important pilgrim centre in Trichy. 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 goupuram was built in 1987 and dominates the landscape for miles around, while the remaining 20 gouprams were built between the 14th and 17th centuries. Originally, there was just a small shrine where the temple is today, but it was added on to and 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. Ph: 0431 – 2432246.
St.Joseph’s Church: This church built in 1812 has louvred doors which open to convert it into an airy pavilion and is located near the Theppakulam.
Sri Kokarneswarar Temple: The rock – cut cave temple of Sri Lokarneswarar Brahadambal at Thirukokarnam is of Mahendravarma Pallava’s period.
Thiruvanaikkaval (Jambu ) : 5 Kms from Trichy. The Sri Jambukeshwara Temple is dedicated to Lord Siva and has five concentric walls and seven gopurams. It is built around a Siva lingam partly submerged in water that comes from a spring in the sanctorum. Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the temple. The complex was built at the same time when Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple was also built. It is open daily between 6 am and 1 pm and between 4 pm to 9.30 pm.Ph :0431 – 2230257.
Vayaloor: 8 kms from Trichy. Located on the outskirts or Tiruchi. There is a small Lord Muruga Temple set in the midst of lush green vegetation.
Uraiyur: This is the second of the two Stlaams in Tiruchirappalli, the first being the Rock port Temple. Uraiyur was the ancient capital of the early Cholas and the ancient city is believed to have been destroyed by a sand storm. Pugazh Chola Nayanar and Go Chenkan Cholan were born here, as was Tiruppaanaazhwar. Uraiyur is also known as Kozhimanagaram as legend holds that a fowl blessed with divine powers defeated an elephand in a dual. Go Chenkan Cholan the builder of 78 Maadakkovils is said to have born here. Ph: 0431 – 2761869.
VVS Iyer Memorial : He was born on 02-04-1881.He dedicated himself in the freedom fight without selfishness joining hands with Mahakavi Bharathiyar and Arvindar in Pondicherry and evoked feelings for the independence of India among the people. He was a great writer, who established Tamil Gurukula to give occasional training along with education. As a mark of respect his memorial is open to visit public on 05-05-1999 at the area of 308.46 sqm. His life history and photographs are displayed and also a library is functioning here regulary. It is situated at 37.Saraganeri Agraharam, Trichy.