Viralimalai Bird Sanctuary

About:

Viralimalai Wildlife Sanctuary is an oasis of idyllic green and paradise of tranquil bliss. Tourists visiting the sanctuary are greeted by the mind-blowing panorama of India's National Bird, the regal peacock spreading out its beautifully colorful plumes and dancing to nature's

Viralimalai is a small town situated at a distance of 30-kms from Tiruchirapalli and 40-kms from Pudukkottai. It is famous for its Murugan temple and the Peacock sanctuary. The town is bestowed with a large number of wild peacocks, which roam around the Murugan temple.

Viralimalai Wildlife Park is one of the popular tourist destinations. This wildlife resort is located in the midst of the small village 30 kms away from Thiruchirappalli and 40 kms from Pudukkottai. The place is famous for its Murugan Temple and the Peacock Sanctuary.

This is the best place to spot peacocks in their natural habitat, roaming freely. There are varieties of peacocks in different colors and species. The local survey says that this sanctuary is the home ground for six species of peacocks from different part of India and south East Asia. The most attractive among them is the Palawan Peacock Pheasant or ‘Tandikan’ as they impress with their spectacular colors. The number has now risen to 500 and all the birds are scattered over the district of Pudukkottai.

Viralimalai Wildlife Sanctuary is flooded with tourists during the period spanning from October to April. The majestic peacocks, resplendent in their imperial splendor form the pride of the place. The reserve gives refuge to several varieties of wild peacocks, each equally exotic. The Palawan Peacock Pheasant, strolling around the Murugan temple has an enchanting charm that captivates tourists.

In India monsoon is not just synonymous with rain. As per its original Arabic nomenclature, it is a season and Tamil Nadu has a summer monsoon as well as a winter monsoon when the overhead nimbus clouds open up with driving downpours and unveils a rich blue sky. The elegant peacock welcomes the monsoon rains by spreading out its vibrant feathers and dressed in its natural grandeur dances magically.

Location info:

Climate/Weather:

History:

The natural caverns in the hillock show signs of early human habitation. This place may have shared the fortunes of Kodumbalur , six km away. The presence of an early Chola temple suggests that Viralimalai was a prosperous village as early as the 9th century AD. The sides of this hill have traditionally been covered with non-thorny trees, mainly Wrightia.

Interesting things to do:

Interesting things to Visit:

Murugan Temple:
One of the 33 major temples ofTamil Nadu,IndiaIndia, the ancient temple of Lord Murugan at Tirupporur is 45 km from Chennai. It dates back to the times of Pallavas and is known by different names like Poriyur or Yuddhapuri or Samarapuri. There are many legends related to Tirupporur and one of them relates to Lord Shiva relieving Lord Vishnu and his consort Lakshmi from the curse of Kanva rishi. This Lord Shiva and his son Murugan are worshipped here. According to the Sthalapurana, it was here that Lord Murugan with his consorts Valli and Devayanai granted protection to the demi-gods and explained the true meaning of Pranava or the real truth to them and Agastya Muni. Thus, the hill behind the temple is known as 'Pranava Malai', where Lord Vishnu is said to have worshipped Lord Shiva. Inscriptions dating back to as early as the 10th century and 12th century can be seen in the temple here.

Kodumbalur:
Kodumbalur is the site of some structural temples of great beauty. Their merit marks them out as among the most outstanding monuments in India. Two monuments alone are survived. They are the celebrated Muvar-koil and Muchu-kundesvara-koil . There are survivals of an Aivar-koil and of another Siva temple. It is Muvar-koil, which is the centre of attraction. These temples are considered to be the forerunners of the great Imperial chozha temples. Some important inscriptions are also found here.

Pullamangai:
Pullamangai characterises the extraordinary quality of early Chola sculpture. The temples of this period were not very large. The purpose was not to inspire awe through size and grandeur but to take one to the world of gentleness that can be found within one. The grace of the figures and their profoundly peaceful expressions awaken in one a sense of the sublime. The figures are fully occupied with the miracle of creation and the sense of stillness that comes from this absorption. As in all Chola temples, many ganas inhabit the walls of the Brahmapurisvara temple. Siva’s ganas are those persons who were most devoted to him and who won the right to be perpetually close to him.Ganas are some of the finest expressions of Chola art. In Indian art, the entire range of emotions and human life is given a place, be it glee, sorrow or mischief. Ganas are seen lost in devotion to Siva. One can relate most easily to them as they play their musical instruments or dance with elation. When beings are so enraptured, can they be troubled at all by petty, material concerns? The temple presents the path towards a bliss that knows no end.

Mobile range info:

How to reach?

Nearest Visiting places:

Sittanavasal :
Located at a distance of 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.There are many pre-historic burial sites around Sittanavasal and among the relics unearthed are burial urns, cists and Kurangupatarai.

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 prominent landmark in Tiruchirappalli that can be reached by a flight of steps on the way to the famous Ucchi Pillayar temple.

Sri Ranganathaswami Temple :
Located 7-km from Trichy is Srirangam, the abode of the Supreme Lord, Sri Ranganatha, the reclining form of Lord Vishnu. The temple of Ranganatha, the largest in India, is of particular reverence to all Hindus. Srirangam is also listed as one of the Nava Graha Sthalas, or temples representing the planets.

Jambukeshwara Temple:
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Jambukeshwara temple exhibits beautiful carvings on its external walls. A stream flows through the temple in which the main deity is partly submerged. The name Jambukeshwara is derived from the legend according to which it used to be worshipped by elephants.

Nearest Petrol Pump:

Indian Oil Petrol Pump:Salai Road,Woraiyur,Tiruchirappalli,Tamil Nadu,India

Petrol pump:N Andar Street,Devathanam, Thiruchirapalli,Tamil Nadu,IndiaIndia

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

Ramyas Hotels Pvt Ltd:Williams Rd, Tiruchchirappalli,Tamil Nadu,India,Ph:0431 2415128

Ashby Hotel:Rockins Rd, Tiruchchirappalli,Tamil Nadu,India Ph:0431 2460652

Hotel Sangam:Collector Office Road, Tiruchirapalli,Tamil Nadu,IndiaPh:0431 2414700

Jennys Residency:3/14 Mc Donald's Road, Tiruchirapalli,Tamil Nadu,IndiaPh:0431 2414414

Hotel Femina (P) Ltd:Williams Rd, Tiruchchirappalli,Tamil Nadu,IndiaPh: 0431 2414502

Things to carry:

Tips & Suggestions:

Help Line/Phone Number:

Gandhi Market Police Station:W B Road,Tiruchirappalli,Tamil Nadu

Srirangam Police Station:THERKU VASAL, Srirangam, Tiruchirapalli, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu

American Hospital: Sangillyandapuram, Tiruchirappalli,Tamil Nadu,India

Hindu Mission Hospital: Anna Nagar, Tiruchirappalli,Tamil Nadu,India

SeaHorse hospital:McDonalds Road, Thiruchirapalli, Tiruchirappalli,Tamil Nadu,India

Maruti Hospital: Thillai Nagar, Tiruchirappalli,Tamil Nadu,India

Viralimalai Bird Sanctuary