Location
TIRUCHIRAPPALLI
Tiruchirappalli commonly known as Tiruchi or Trichy is Tamil Nadu’s fourth largest city. It is situated in the centre of the state, on the banks of the River Cauvery. Tiruchirappalli is one of the significant heritage city of South India encompassed with many historical and pilgrimage centers, including the temple city of Srirangam, one of the biggest functioning Hindu temple in the world.
Tiruchirappalli was the capital of the early Cholas about 2000 year BP. It remained as an important political and cultural centre of all the dynasties who ruled in Tamil region.
Tiruchirappalli is a fine blend of tradition and modernity built around the Rock Fort. Apart from the fort, there are several temples, churches, Mosques, colleges and missions of historical and religious important.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area : 146 sq. kms.
Temperature : Summer: Max.37.10C Min.26.40C
Winter: Max.31.30C Min.20.60C
Clothing : Tropical
Languages spoken : Tamil and English
Climate
Tiruchirappalli has a moderate and pleasant climate, with humidity slightly above normal. The city experiences mild winters and humid summers. The timing of the monsoon in this part of the country has lately become unpredictable, with the rainy season starting from mid-October until early-November and the rains then extending until early or mid-January.
Airways
Tiruchirappalli has an international airport, about four kilometers from the city, with flights connection to Chennai, Trivandrum, Bangalore, Cochin and to International destination — Singapore, Dubai, Sharjah and Colombo. The following carriers operates flights from Tiruchirappalli with Indian (Air India), Air India Express, Kingfishers airlines, Paramount Airways and Sri Lanka. For details, log on to the respective airlines.
KINGFISHER : www.flykingfishers.com
AIR INDIA : www.airindia.com
PARAMOUNT : www.paramountairways.com
INDIAN AIRLINES : www.indian-airlines.nic.in
SRILANKAN AIRWAYS : www.srilankan.lk
Roadways
Tiruchirappalli is well connected to various parts of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala by private and public bus services.
Railways
Tiruchirappalli is the hub of Southern Railway’s operation to connect this central part of Tamil Nadu to various parts of India. There are frequent trains to Trichy from Chennai, Madurai, Rameswaram, Coimbatore, Tanjore and other places. For details log on to: www.indianrail.gov.in/ and www.irctc.co.in/.
Tourism:
Tiruchirappalli is most famous landmark is 83-m high Rock fort. The actual centre of attraction here is the temple at the summit. A top the rock is the Uchipillaiyar Koil, a temple dedicated to Lord Vinayaka from where one can enjoy a panoramic view of Tiruchirappalli. There are Pallava and Pandya cave temples that have beautiful sculptures of the 6th- 7th cent. A.D. The house where Robert Clive lived is now part of famous St.Joseph College. The 18th century Christ church build by Schwartz of Denmark is nearby.
Our Lady of Lourdes Church is located near the Rock – fort. It is the replica of the Basilica of Lourdes; the famous place of pilgrimage in southern France. It is a remarkable feat of Indian craftsmanship and stained glass drawings.
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam, situated 6 km north of the city, is among the most revered shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu in South India, and is the largest temple complex in the world. Shrouded in a haze of coconut palms away to the north, the temple is built on an island in the middle of the Kaveri. Enclosed by seven rectangular walled courtyards, this temple has 21 gopurams, the largest of which was measures 73 m in height. The temple is replete with excellent carvings and numerous shrines dedicated to various gods
There are numerous other churches, temples, and mosques in and around the city.
Tanjavur located 70 kms east of Trichirappalli is famed for the Brihadeeswara temple constructed during early 11th cent. AD., The temple is well known for its gigantic architecture, sculptural embellishment and fresco of unique nature. It is one among the three Great living Chola Temples, World Heritage Monument.
Grand Anicut at Kallanai (24 km) is an ancient dam built (according to legends) by Karikala Chola across the river Cauvery in the 1st century CE. It still is in use as part of the district’s irrigation system.
Sittanavasal about 40 kms is the site of an ancient Jain monastery with exquisite fresco paintings in a cave. It is also noted for its Megalithic burial.