Trichy - The Rockfort City

TRICHIRAPPALLI: At the centre of Tamil Nadu state, on the banks of river Cauvery, the magical city Trichirappalli is situated. It is better known as TRICHY. It lies at the head of Cauvery river delta.

Trichirappalli is an ideal base from where to explore the temple towns of South India. Trichy boasts two extraordinary temples of its own. It was an important regional capital of Cholas, Pallavas and Vijayanagar dynasties from the seventh to the seventeenth century. It's rock fortress dominating the city, was the scene of bitter fighting between Muslim, Maratha, British and French from the seventeenth to nineteenth century.

This fourth largest city in the State of Tamil Nadu was a citadel of the early Cholas which later fell to the Pallavas and lost it to Pandias. Again in the 10th century the Cholas reasserted their possession until the declined of the empire after which Vijayanagara took hold. After Vijayanagara Collapsed in 1565 the city was occupied in turn by the Nayaks of Madurai, the Marathas, the Nawabs of Karnatac, the French and finally the British but it was under the Nayak of Madurai that the Trichy flourished and prospered in its own right. Krishnadevarayar of Vijayanagar, Rani Mangamma of Nayaks and Tippu Sultan of Mysore had Trichy as the lay stone of their empire. Apart from the fort there are several Mosques, Churches, Collages and Missions dating back since early 1700s with excellent infrastructure facilities.

The city is now an industrial centre that has Modern Heavy Electrical (BHEL)Plant and a Locomotive construction workshop(Golden Rock Railway Workshop), A small arms factory(Hindustan Small Arms Factory) alongside traditional cotton hand weaving and world famous Woraiyur Cigar making cottage industries. Synthetic diamonds are manufactured here. A unique Diamond Market (Diamond Bazar) is active here. More than 1000 shops of original and synthetic Gem stones are doing business in this market.

Apart from this Trichirappalli is well known for its Medical Tourism. Well equipped, modern Hospitals and best Professionals available here. People throughout the globe approaching these Hospitals because their treatment is world standard and also the medical expenditure is very low - comparing any other city in the world. Now Trichy is going to set her footprint in the IT business too.

TRICHY'S population is more than 1.5 million
Literacy Rate: 91.45%
This city's population is predominantly Hindus, along with sizable Muslim and Cristian population. Siks and Jains are also present smaller in number.

There are number of Hindu Temples, Muslim Masjids and Cristian Churches around here.

Temperatures:
Summer : 41.10 c Max
36.40 c Min

Winter : 21.31 c Max
18.60 c Min

Familiar People from Trichy:

Sir C.V.Raman. : Noble prize winner
Rengarajan (Sujatha) : Author, Columnist
Kavingar Vali : Lyricist
Hema Malini : Hindi Cine Actress
Thiyagaraja Bagavathar: Famous cine actor of yester years

Trichy is well connected with all near by cities and towns by road from Central Bus Stand. From here frequent bus services to all destinations in Tamil Nadu as well as near by states.

From Chatram Bus stand there are frequent (round the clock) bus services in and out Trichirappalli.

ROCKFORT: The Land Mark of Trichy, 83m high rock which is the only out crop in the otherwise flat land of the city. The actual center of attraction is the temple of the summit. Atop the rock is the Uchipillayar Temple, dedicated to Lord Ganesh, where one can enjoy the panoramic view of the city. You can find two Pallava cave temples which have beautiful sculptures of the 6th-7th centuries. Rockfort is one of the famous tourist attractions in South India.

SRIRANGAM: Trichy's most important pilgrim and tourist centre. It is located in an island just 10km from Trichy International Airport, surrounded by the waters of river Cauvery on one side and river Kollidam on the other side. This island town enclosed with the seven walls of the Sri Renganatha Swamy Temple. There are 21 gopurams (towers) among which the Rajagopuram is the highest in the South Asia with 72m in high, with 13 stories, which was renovated in 1987. The wonderful architectural structures are mixed with Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas, Hoysalar, Vijayanagara Kings and Nayaks of Madurai and today it stands as the largest Vaishnavite Temple in the world.

THIRUVANAI KOIL: East (2km) to Srirangam the beautiful Shiva Temple steals the show due its excellent architectural design. The Temple is named after the elephant which was believed to have worshiped Lord Shiva here. Installed under an ancient Jambu (naval) tree. The Lingam is partially submerged by water and is meant to represent God incarnate water.

GOVERNMENT MUSEUM: It is located in Rani Mangammal Hall (Town Hall). Bronze and stone sculptures are on display. The museum is open on all days except Fridays. (Time: 10am to 5pm).

PLANETORIUM: Anna Science Planetarium located on Pudukottai Main Road, near Trichy International Airport Programmes in Tamil and English version are shown daily. (Phone: +91 431 242 2190). Timings: Tamil: 10.30am, 1pm and 3.30pm. English: 11.45am, 2.15pm and 4.45pm.

LOURDES CHURCH: Church of our Lady of Lourdes is the replica of the Basilica of Lourdes, the world famous place of pilgrimage in Southern France, is located near Teppakulam-Main Guard Gate, is a remarkable feast of Indian draftsmanship and stained glass drawings.

NATHARSHA DURGA: It is located near Lourdes Church. The ancient Holy place for Muslims was built with a biggest and elegant dome of Indo-Saracen Architecture. URS is the famous festival in this Durga.