ROCKFORT

The most famous land mark of this district is

Rockfort Temple. This temple crowns a massive
outcrop of rock, that soars 83 meters upwards, from the
surrounding plains. It is reached by a step flight of 437
steps cut into the rock. Halway up is the Sri
Thayumanaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It
has a 100 pillared hall, and a Vimana. From its
summit we will get a fantastic view of the town
plus its other main landmark, Srirangam, Cavery
River, Coleroon River , Thiruvanaika Kovil
SRIRANGAM
Sanctity is accorded to a place on the basis of its threefold
popularity of the presiding deity, the quality of the holy
waters and its hoary past. The holy shrine of Srirangam
has al l these attributes in rich measure. The township
of Srirangam envelopping the shrine is situated on a tiny island
formed by the bifurcation of the river Cavery at a place
called Mukkombu (Upper anaicut). The
southern
distributary of the river retains the name Cavery,
while the northern branch is called Coleroon. The abode of
the Supreme Lord, Sri Ranganatha, the reclining form of Lord
Vishnu is situated in Srirangam 8 kilometers from Trichy
city.There are not less than 22 gopurams, one of which is the
tallest in India. The 72m high 13-tiered Rajagopuram was built
in 1987 while the remaining 21 gopurams were built between th
14th and 17th centuries.
JAMBUKESWARA TEMPLE
Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswara
Temple dedicated to Lord
Shiva is situated 2 kms east of Srirangam, The temple is
named after the elephant which is believed to have
worshipped Lord Siva here. Installed under an ancient Jambu
tree, the lingam is partially submerged by water and meant to
represent God incarnate as water.

Built in 1812, this church has lovered doors, which when

opened, turns the church into an airy pavilion. Its
excellent setting and marvelous architecture, makes
it a site worth visiting. It is in the heart of the Trichy city,
surrounded by commercial markets.

It is ancient Durga more than 1000 years old. It is

marvelous 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.

MUKKOMBU

A wonderful picnic spot,where the river

Kollidam branches off from the river
Cavery. It is 18 kilometer from Trichy City.

Grand Anaicut

Grand Anaicut (Kallanai Dam)- An Ancient dam built by

Karikala Chola across the river Cavery in 2 AD.

Samayapuram

Famous for its shrine to Goddess Mariamman. It is in the

National Highway 45 (Trichy - Chennai highway). It is 20
kilometer from Trichy City.

Vekkaliamman Kovil

The very famous Amman Temple situated

Woraiyur. (& kilometer from Trichy City)

Vayalore

The Place of Temple dedicated to Lord Muruga. It is 6

kilometer from Trichy City.

Puliancholai

A fine picnic spot, it is located in the foot hills of the kolli

rage. It is 72 kilometers from Trichy city.

at

PHOTO GALLERY

ROCKFORT

ROCKFORT
WITH HOLY
CAUVERY

TEPPAKULAM
AT NIGHT

SRI
SRIRANGAM RANGANATHAR
RAJAGOPURAM
ANANTHA
SAYANAM

PACHMALAI
HILLS

PULIANCHOLAI
WATER FALLS

MOOKOMBU

SRIRANGAM
HORSES

THIRUVASI
TEMPLE

THAYUMANAVR
TEPPAKULAM
KOIL ARIEL
BOAT HOUSE
VIEW

SRIRANGAM
GOLDEN
VIMANAM

ST LOURDU
CHURCH

SRIRANGAM
1000 PILLARS

COLLECTORATE

SAMAYAPURAM THIRVANIKOIL

JAMBUKESWARA TEMPLE

The Formation of 'Appu Lingam' (Parvathis Penance)

Once Devi Parvati mocked at Lord Shivas penance for betterment of the World. Lord
Shiva wanted to condemn her act and directed her to go to the earth from 'Kailayam' and
do penance. Devi Parvathi (Akilandeswari) as per Shiva's wish found 'Jambu' forest
(Thiruvanaikoil) to conduct her penance. Devi made a Lingam out of water of river
Cauvery (also called as river 'Ponni') under the 'Venn Naaval' tree (the Venn Naaval tree
on top of the saint Jambu) and commenced her worship. So, the Lingam is known as
'Appu Lingam' (Water Lingam).
Lord Siva at last gave darshan to Akilandeswari and taught her Siva Gnana. Devi Parvati
took 'Upadesa' (lessons) facing East from Shiva, who stood facing West. So as the
temples idols are also installed in the same direction. Such places are known as 'Upadesa
Sthalams'. As the Devi was like a student and the Lord like a Guru in this temple, there is
no 'Thiru Kalyanam' (marriage) conducted in this temple for Lord & the Devi, unlike the
other Shiva temples. As Akilandeswari worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple, even today
at noon the 'Archakar' (priest) dresses like a female and does Pooja to Lord Shiva and 'Ko
Maatha' (Cow). This noon pooja is very famous and pilgrims wait for this pooja every
day. For the purpose of this pooja the temple is growing a 'Karam Pasu' (complete black
color cow). Annabhishekam to Lingam (Abishekam with cooked rice) is a daily ritual at
Thiruvanaikoil
Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is situated 2 kms east of
Srirangam, The temple is named after the elephant which is believed to have worshipped
Lord Siva here. Installed under an ancient Jambu tree, the lingam is partially submerged
by water and meant to represent God incarnate as water.

Mukkombu

Mukkombu is a beautiful picnic spot located in the outskirts of Trichirappalli in

a distance of 18 km from the city. Mukkombu has various tourist attractions
such as amusement park, childrens garden, sports facilities, fishing facilities,
etc. Thousands of people come here with their family members on week ends
to celebrate their holidays.
The upper dam constructed across the river of Cauvery and Kolladam is an
added attraction. Boating and fishing is conducted in the upper uncut. We can
reach the other bank of Cauvery by crossing the dam. With its cool atmosphere
and green surroundings Mukkombu serves as a perfect picnic destination for
thousands of people in the neighboring districts.
A wonderful picnic spot,where the river Kollidam branches off from the river
Cavery. It is 18 kilometer from Trichy City.

Mukkombu

Mukkombu is a beautiful picnic spot located in the

outskirts of Trichirappalli in a distance of 18 km from the city. Mukkombu has
various tourist attractions such as amusement park, childrens garden, sports
facilities, fishing facilities, etc. Thousands of people come here with their
family members on week ends to celebrate their holidays.
The upper dam constructed across the river of Cauvery and Kolladam is an
added attraction. Boating and fishing is conducted in the upper uncut. We can
reach the other bank of Cauvery by crossing the dam. With its cool atmosphere
and green surroundings Mukkombu serves as a perfect picnic destination for
thousands of people in the neighboring districts.
A wonderful picnic spot,where the river Kollidam branches off from the river
Cavery. It is 18 kilometer from Trichy City.

Vekkaliamman Kovil

Annai Vekkali was the protecting deity of Woraiyur which was once the capital
of the chozhas. It is Annai Vekkali who saved woraiyur from the heavy rain of
sand during Vanparanthaga Chozhan time. Because of the heavy shower of sand,
people lost their houses and were forced to live in the open space. As the
children had to live with out a roof, the benign Mother, Annai Vekkali also
decided to dwell in a temple with-out roof and even today, she continues to
reside in a temple without roof and blesses the people.
Annai Vekkali (Mother Vekkali) relieves the devotees of their distress and
blesses everyone impartially with her protecting hands. The devotees who write
their problems in Prayer papers that are sold at the temple, place them at the
glorious feet of Goddess Vekkali and hang them in the Trishul, which is in front
of the Goddess. Once a devotee does this he is sure of his problems being
solved. This Holy place is the most ancient, Glorious and extraordinary
Sakthis sthal in Tamilnadu. That those who workship Annai Vekkali need not
fear the evil effects of planets is an everyday experience.

Puliancholai

On the foot hills of kollimalai ,a place of scenic beauty is the

puliyancholai ,72 kms away from Tiruchirappalli via Thuraiyur filled
with full of greenish trees and tamarind groves .This forest region is
cool and green with added attraction of the stream. The stream is the
natural bathing area for the tourists throughout the year. There is a
water falls in the higher hills which is called Akaya Gangai, Besides
,the water here has medicinal value .The 18 th day of the Tamil month
Adi is the time for worshipping the river here and more people visit

Puliyancholai that day . Accommodation of two resorts and one

Dormitory Building are available here. Puliyancholai to Agasa Gangai
Falls(Hill top)is five hours hard Trek.One can have fantastic views of
Million years old curved rocks, Dolmens, Pithukkuli Cave, different
shaped big stones, forest produces on the way and at the Top plain Honey, Guava, Orange, Mustard, Fenugreek, Garlic, Paddy, Maze,
Millets, Jack fruits (more than 12 varieties) etc.,
A fine picnic spot, it is located in the foot hills of the kolli rage. It is 72
kilometers from Trichy city.
HISTORY OF TIRUCHIRAPPALLI
Woraiyur , a part of present day Tiruchirappalli, was the capital city of Cholas from 300
B.C. onwards. This is supported by archaeological evidences and ancient literatures.
There are also literary sources which tell that Woraiyur continued to be under the control
of Cholas even during the days of Kalabhra interregnum (A.D. 300 - 575).
Later, Woraiyur along with the present day Tiruchirappalli and its neighboring areas came
under the control of Mahendra Varma Pallava I, who ascended the throne in A.D. 590. Till
A.D. 880, according to the inscriptions, this region was under the hegemony of either the
Pallvas or the Pandyas. It was in A.D. 880, Aditya Chola brought a downfall to the Pallava
dynasty. From that time onwards Tiruchirappalli and its region became a part of Greater
Cholas. In A.D. 1225 the area was occupied by the Hoysulas. Afterwards, it came under
the rule of later Pandyas till the advent of Mughal Rule.
Tiruchirappalli was for some time under the Mughal rule, which was put to an end by the
Vijayanagar rulers. The Nayaks, the Governors of Vijayanagar empire, ruled this area till
A.D. 1736. It was Viswanatha Nayaka who built the present day Teppakulam and the Fort.
The Nayak dynasty came to an end during the days of Meenakshi.
The Muslims rules this region again with the aid of either the French or the English
armies. For some years, Tiruchirappalli was under the rule of Chanda Sahib and Mohamed
Ali. Finally the English brought Tiruchirappalli and other areas under their control. Soon
after the area was ceded to East India Company as per the agreement at the eve of the
Kanatic war, Tiruchirappalli district was formed under the the Collectorship of Mr. John
(Junior) Wallace in 1801. The district was then under the hegemony of British for about
150 years till the independence of India.