Tiruchirappalli is situated on the banks of the river Cauvery,it is the fourth largest city in Tamil Nadu. It was a citadel of the early Cholas which later fell to the Pallavas.The most famous land mark of this bustling town is the Rockfort Temple and along with this temple there are many other Churches, Colleges and Missions dating back to the 1760s.The most famous landmark of this bustling town is the Rock Fort Temple, a spectacular monument perched on a massive rocky outcrop which rises abruptly from the plain to tower over the old city. It is reached by a flight of steep steps cut into the rock and from its summit you get a fantastic view of the town plus its other main landmark, the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple. This temple is one of the largest and most interesting temple complexes in India, built on an island in the middle of the Cauvery River and covering a staggering 2.5 sq km.Trichy itself has a long going back to the centuries before Christian era when it was a Chola citadel. The town and its fort as it stands today, was built by the Nayaks of Madurai. It was one of the main centres around which the wars of the Carnatic were fought in the 18th century during the British-French struggle for supremacy in India.

Places Of Interest

Rock Fort Temple
The temple tops an 83 m high outcrop. This smooth rock was first hewn by the Pallavas who cut small cave temples into the southern face, but it was the Nayakas who made use of its naturally fortified position. It's a stiff climb up the 437 steps cut into the stone to the top but well worth it for the views. Non-Hindus are not allowed into the Vinayaka Temple at the summit nor the bigger Sri Thayumanaswamy Temple dedicated to Siva, halfway up. Occasionally temple priest waive this regulation.

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple
This superb temple complex at Srirangam, about three km from the Rock Fort, is surrounded by seven concentric walls with 21 gopurams and is probably the largest in India. Most of it dates from the 14th to 17th centuries, and many people have had a hand in its construction, including the Cheras, Pandyas, Cholas, Hoysalas and Vijayanagars. The largest gopuram in the first wall on the southern side was completed as recently as 1987 and now measures an astounding 73m. The temple complex is very well preserved, with excellent carvings throughout and numerous shrines to various gods, though the main temple is dedicated to Vishnu. Even the muslims are said to have prayed here after the fall of Vijayanagar Empire.

St. John's Church
Trichy also has some interesting Raj-era monuments. Built in1812, St. John's Church has louved side doors which can be opened to turn the church into an airy pavilion. Rouse the doorkeeper to let you in. The surrounding cemetery is also interesting.

Getting There
Air:   From Tiruchirappalli regular flight service is available..
Rail:  Tiruchirappalli is on the main Chennai to Madurai and Chennai to Rameswaram Lines. Some train run directly to/from Chennai while other go via Chidambaram and Thanjavur.