JOIN USDespite being a native of Tiruchirappalli district in Tamil Nadu, it was only later in life that I realised its importance from a tourist’s point of view.
As to how the place got its name, there are quite a few interesting stories. According to one legend, Thirisara — a three-headed giant believed to be an offspring of Ravana — ruled the place. Palli, meaning a village, came to be added to the name.
Yet another version is that the place got its name because Lord Shiva, Parvati and their son Ganesha lived in the three hills around the area and thereby came the name Thirishigram, meaning three heads, which subsequently got distorted to Tiruchirappalli. The origin of the name is also attributed to a Jain mutt known as Chirapalli located in the area, and the prefix thiru got added to it as a mark of respect. Better known in Tamil Nadu as Tiruchi or Trichy, the British called it Trichinopoly.
Tale of a rock
The highlight of the city is the imposing Rock Fort. The 83-metre tall rock prominently seen from a considerable distance, houses the temple of Lord Ganesha at its pinnacle. The temple is better known as Ucchi Pillayar Koil. Since visitors have to remove their footwear at the base of the rock before proceeding to climb 417 steps, it is advisable to visit the temple either early in the morning or in the evening when the rock is not too hot to walk on. The unique feature of this rock is that it is believed to be about 3,800 million years old, and is thus one of the oldest in the world. One can get a breathtaking view of the township with River Kaveri meandering its way through the fertile land from the top of the fort.
The fort around the magnificent rock has an interesting history as well. Built in early 16th century, the fort was later strengthened by Vishwanath Nayak between 1559 and 1563, with double walls and a moat around it. The fort was 16.4 km in circumference. The Marathas occupied it in 1741, and remained there till August 1743, when the Nizam’s troops invaded it. Though Mohammed Ali had a small army to defend the fort, he held on, drawing full advantage of the structure’s height and fortification.
Yielding under immense pressure from the British troops, the nawab of Carnatic, Azim-ud-Daula, handed the fort over to them. An old main guard gate at the entrance to the fort area is the only relic left of the once well-fortified Rock Fort.
Close to the water tank at the base is the house where the British general Robert Clive once lived. This is now part of the famous St Joseph’s College close to the Rock Fort. Within the campus of St Joseph’s College is the famed Our Lady of St Lourdes Church. Constructed on the lines of the famous Basillica of St Lourdes in southern France, this 121-year-old church is known for its Gothic structure, and draws hordes of pilgrims. St Mary’s Church in Melapudur and the Basilica of the Holy Redeemer constructed in 1842 and 1881 respectively, are the other attractions.
A visit to Tiruchirappalli will be incomplete without a stop at the famous Srirangam Temple — the abode of Lord Sri Ranganatha — in the island formed by the bifurcation of River Kaveri. Located at a distance of about 10 km from the town, Srirangam, with a population of over a lakh and a half, is home to one of the eight major shrines of Lord Vishnu. The place boasts of a fairly big railway station as well. Spread over an area of 136 acres, the Srirangam Temple is known to be the largest in the country.
The monolithic sculpture of Lord Ranganatha is treated to a mix of special fragrant sandalwood, camphor, musk and resins for its preservation every year. Of the 21 gopurams in the temple, the main rajagopuram, with a height of 235 feet, is considered to be the tallest in Asia.
The other must-vist site is the Upper Anaicut or Mukkombu dam, where River Kaveri branches off. Locals usually throng the place for picnics.
One can also take a stroll around the planetarium located close to the Tiruchirappalli Airport. Incidentally, Tiruchirappalli Airport was recently adjudged the best non-major airport in the country in a nation-wide survey.
If one has the time and the inclination, there are several other places within short distance, including Thanjavur (55 km), Velankanni (154 km), and Nagapattinam (134 km) that have much to offer to keen tourists .
How to get there
There are regular flights to Tiruchchirapalli from Chennai.
Direct trains ply from Bengaluru, Chennai, Howrah and Delhi to Trichy.
Accommodation
The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation runs a hotel close to the main bus stand. Several budget hotels are also available.