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The historical city
of Tiruchirappalli, popularly known as Trichy, is situated on
the banks of the Kaveri River (also Cauvery) in the southern
Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Located at a distance of 320 km
from Chennai (previously known as Madras) and 150 km from
Madurai (the temple city), this Chola Dynasty citadel, noted
for its profound wisdom of the Sangam Age, still wears the
age-old glory around it. Today, the city with a blend of
glorious past and divinity through the famous Dravidian
temples, stands as a commercial and tourist hub of Tamil Nadu.
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Viralimalai Sanctuary
Viralimalai is a small town situated about 30 km from Tiruchirappalli and
40 km from Pudukkottai. It is famous for its Murugan temple
and the Peacock sanctuary. The town is blessed with a large
number of wild peacocks, which roam around the Murugan temple.
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Sittanavasal
About 58 km from Trichy is Sittanavasal, a site of an ancient
Jain monastery with fine fresco paintings in a rock cave. Many
of them are typical of the 9th century Pandyan period and
include exquisitely detailed pictures of animals, fish, ducks,
people gathering lotuses from a pond and two dancing figures.
There are also inscriptions dating back to the 9th and 10th
centuries. Fresco paintings from the 7th century can be seen
on the ceiling of the Ardhamandapam.
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Government Museum
Situated at Thirukokarnam, the museum is located near the
Pudukkottai station, at a distance of 40 km from Trichy. The
rare collections in the sections of Geology, Zoology,
Paintings, Anthropology, Epigraphy, Historical Records, etc.,
are very interesting.
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Kudumianmalai
Kudumianmalai temple is located at a distance of 25 km from
Trichy. The presiding deity is Lord Sikhagireeswara. There are
beautiful sculptures and a thousand pillar-hall within the
temple.
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Rock Fort Temple
The Rock Fort temple complex in Tiruchirappalli is a
collection of three temples - the Manikka Vinayakar temple at
the foot of the hill, the Uchhi Pillayar Koyil at the top of
the hill and the Taayumaanavar Koyil (Shivastalam) on the
hill. This Shivastalam is a rock cut temple on a hill and is
the most noteworthy landmark in Tiruchirappalli that can be
reached by a flight of steps on the way to the famous Ucchi
Pillayar temple.
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Kodumbalur
Kodumbalur is 36-km from Pudukkottai and 42-km from
Tiruchirappalli. Also known as "Moovarkoil", it was formerly
the seat of Irukkuvelirs, who were related to the Cholas. Of
the three shrines of Moovarkoil only two exist now. Boodhi
Vikramakesari built these temples in the 10th century AD. The
architecture of the temple is outstanding among south Indian
temples. The sculptures of Kalarimurthi, Gajasamharamurthi
Ardhanariswara, Gangadaramurthi, etc. are interesting
masterpieces of art. Nearby is the Muchukundeswarar temple of
the early Chola period.
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Sri Ranganathaswami Temple At Srirangam
The temple of Ranganatha, the largest in India, is of
particular significance to all Hindus. At a distance of 7 km
from Trichy, Srirangam is the abode of the Supreme Lord, Sri
Ranganatha, the reclining form of Lord Vishnu. Srirangam is
also listed as one of the Nava Graha Sthalas, or temples
representing the nine planets of the solar system.
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Tiruvanaikkaval or Jambukeswara Temple
Situated 2 km east of Srirangam, this beautiful Shiva temple
is a fine example of excellent architectural design. The
temple is named after the elephant, which is believed to have
worshipped Lord Shiva here. Installed under an ancient Jambu
tree, the lingam is partially submerged by water and meant to
represent God incarnate as Water.
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