Museum: Situated in the town is the Government museum started originally by the Rajas of Pudukottai, which has a large collection of art and sculpture. In the historical section are found a large number of stone sculpture of deities, dancing figures, bas reliefs and models of temples and shrines. The… Continue reading
PUDUKOTTAI (60 kms. from Tiruchirapally) Pudukottai ruled formerly by a family known as Tondaiman Rajas, was founded in 1686 by Raghunatha Raya of Tondaimandalam, who played a leading part in South Indian history. This former princely state is rich in ancient temples due to its natural caves in… Continue reading
Upper Anicut: 10 kms. Popularly known as Mukkambu, the dam was constructed by Sir Arthur Cotton in 1836-38 across the head of river Coleroon at the upper end of Srirangam. It is 750 metres long, but broken by the island into three sections. There is a beautiful guest house at… Continue reading
Grand Anicut: (Kallanai) 24 kms. This is a magnificent achievement of the Chola engineers. An irrigational dam built across the Cauvery by Karikala Cholan in the second century, and later strengthened by the British. Continue reading
Kudumiyan Malai: 70 kms. This Shiva temple is dedicated to Kudiminatha popularly known as Shikagrinatha. The rock walls of the temple have carvings of Shiva, Parvati, Nandi and the Shaiva saints, all in the form of a frieze. Tiruchirapally is connected by air, rail and road, which connect to many… Continue reading
Tiruvallarai: 20 kms. A small village famous for the magnificent 9th century old cave temples of Jambunathar and Pundarikaksha Perumal. In the inscriptions, the place has been named as Swethagiri. The name is derived due to the shining white outcrop of granite from the hillock. It is said that Sri… Continue reading
Perumal Malai: 36 kms. The Prasanna Venkatachalapathi temple is situated on a hillock called Perumal Malai near the village Thurayur. This Vaishnava temple belongs to the 16th century constructed by the Nayaka kings. The temple can be reached by climbing the 1532 steps from the foot of the hill. A… Continue reading
Ratnagiri (The Ruby Hill): 35 kms. The bare conical rock which abruptly rises from the village Kulittalai has an ancient temple of Shiva dedicated to Rathnagirishwarar. The hill is also known as Manikka Malai and Vatapokki Malai, which rise to a height of about 400 metres. The temple on the… Continue reading
Tiruverumbur: 12 kms. An old village not far from the city, famous for its ancient Shiva temple dedicated to Erumbeshwarar dating earlier to 9th century. The deity has been called by various names such as Mahadeva, Aditya Bhattaraka and Tiruvembiyur Alwar. One inscription states that Pippilikas (ants) worshipped this deity…. Continue reading
Thirukadambathurai: 38 kms. Popularly known as Kadambar kovil, the small village on the banks of river Cauvery has an ancient Shiva temple dedicated to Kadamba Vaneshwarar with his consort called Bala Kunjambika. Tradition says that the place was originally the hermitage of sage Kanva with a number of Kadamba trees…. Continue reading