Tiruchirapalli
Precariously
perched atop a massive outcrop of rock that rises abruptly out of
the flat surrounding plains is the famous Rock Fort at
Tiruchirapalli. Set in the middle of the town on the banks of the
river Cauvery, it is visible for miles around. A citadel of the
Chola kings in the Sangam period, the Rock Fort has had a long and
chequered history. The Fort, as it stands today, was built by the
Nayak rulers of Madurai, and its last major battle was fought during
the Anglo-French wars of the Carnatic in the 18th century.
On the rocks, apart from the fortification, are
temples built during different periods. The oldest
are the Pallava cave temples carved out on its Southern face.
Inscriptions on them prove beyond doubt that they were excavated
during the reign of the Pallava King, Mahendravarman I. One of the
caves has carved pillars and facing the entrance is a beautiful
sculptured panel of Lord Shiva as Gangadhara holding up the River
Ganga as it emerges from his hair.
The Vinayaka temple at the highest point of the rock, stands at a
height of 84 metres above the town and getting to it involves a
steep climb over steps cut into the rock. The Sri Thayumanavarswamy
temple with its 100 pillared hall and vimana covered in gold leaf
offers a welcome at the half-way point.
The climb gives a superb view from the top
of the Fort. The town of Trichy and its large Teppakulam tank nestle
at its base. To the North along the river Cauvery one can see the
majestic towers of the temple at Srirangam emerging out of the green
groves of waving palms.
The fascinating temple town of Srirangam is just
10 km away, Set in an island on the River Cauvery, the town and
temple are within the same 250-hectare complex, surrounded by seven
concentric walls and 21 gopurams.
The large Vishnu Temple forms the central nucleus
while the little town with its enclaves for the priests and the
bustling bazaars occupy the other three courts.
The deity enshrined in the sanctum is Vishnu as
Ranganatha lying on his snake couch. Water for the daily worship is
brought in procession in silver vessels, accompanied by music and escorted by the temple elephants. Every year during the last
week of December and the first week of January, large crowds gather
to celebrate the annual car and flower festival, when the devotees
endeavour to pull the intricately carved wooden chariot with the
deity seated in it. The main shrine is unusual and is built in the
shape of the ellipse and has four 'shikaras' or spires. The temple
is decorated with some outstanding carvings.
Closer to Trichy is another smaller but equally
interesting temple, the Sri Jambukeshwarar Temple, dedicated to
Shiva. There is a Shivalinga that remains submerged in the water,
coming from a spring in the sanctum.
Access :
Trichy, being a pleasant place to visit, is well located and
within easy reach of the hill-stations of Udhagamandalam (Ooty) and
Kodaikanal, and also Rameshwaram, Madurai and Kanyakumari.
Shopping :
Brassware from Srirangam, hand-woven cotton and silk, cigars, pith
models etc are available from the Government Emporia, Poompuhar,
Khadikraft and in smaller shops in the town.
Best season :
October to March.
How to get there :
Trichy has an airport which connects with
Chennai, Trivandrum and Colombo. Trichy is a major railway junction
on the Southern Railway. It is connected by road with excellent bus
services.
Accommodations:
Hotel Tamil Nadu (TTDC), Hotel Sangam. Economy
class hotels are available.
Tourist Office:
Government of Tamil Nadu, located near the
Central Bus Stand and the Hotel Tamil Nadu Complex Cantonment, Phone
: 25336. Tourist Information Centres are available at the Railway
junction and at the Airport.
