Pugalur Cave

About:

Trichy (Tiruchirapalli) is situated on the banks of river Cauvery. It is nearly 320 km from Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu state. Being stationed in the center of the state. The oldest city of state, Madurai, is also 150 km away from this town. This is the most important pilgrim centre in Trichy. Srirangam, surrounded by the waters of river cauvery on one side and its tributary Kollidam on the other, is a 600 acre island-town enclosed within the seven walls of the gigantic Sri Ranganathaswami Temple. There are 21 gopurams, among which the Rajagopuram is the largest in South India. The 72m high 13-tiered gopuram was built in 1987 and dominates the landscape for miles around, while the remaining 20 gopurams were built between the 14th and 17th centuries. Originally, there was just a small shrine where the temple is today, hut it was added on to and expanded by the Cholas, Cheras, Pandyas, Hoysalas.

There are several beautifully carved cave temples of the Pallava period in Trichy. On the eastern side lies the Sri Nandrudayan Vinayakar Temple, with Ganesha as the main deity. A large-sized Ganesha and depictions of other rare deities can be seen in this temple, which hosts festivals every year during the Vinayaka Chathurthi (birthday of Ganesha). Many Carnatic musicians performed in concerts in front of this famous shrine. Around the rock temple is a busy commercial region, specializing in textiles, known as Chatram.

Location info:

History:

Trichy was originally a Chola fortress and later, during 1st millennium AD, it was occupied by other south Indian dynasties such as the Pallavas and Pandyas. The Chola`s, invaded Tiruchirapalli during the 10th century. The capital of the Early Cholas was near Urayur. Later, after the fall of the Chola Empire, it came under the direct control of the Madurai Nayak Dynasty who paid honor to the Vijayanagara Empire. The Rock Fort temple, the most famous landmark in Tiruchirapalli, was a mark of the Nayaks. The Madurai Nayak rulers changed their capital from Madurai to Tiruchirapalli, and back, several times.

Trichy is home to Nagaraj Cholan and many historic temples, monuments, churches and mosques. Urayur, the Old Trichy boasts over 2,500 years of known history and tradition. It was the capital of the early Chola kings. Karikala Cholan built the oldest human-made dam - Kallanai, across the Kaveri River about 10 miles from Urayur. Trichy was an important town in the days of the Later Cholas and of the Nayak kings, and during the early days of the British East India Company. The conquest of Tiruchirapalli by the British East India Company manifested a major step in the British conquest of India.

Interesting places to Visit:

Rock Fort Temple :
The Rock Fort temple complex in Trichy 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 on the hill. This Shivastalam is a rock cut temple on a hill and is the most remarkable landmark in Tiruchirappalli that can be approached by a flight of steps en-route to the famous Ucchi Pillayar temple.

Tiruvanaikkaval :Jambukeswara Temple Situated 2 km east of Srirangam, this beautiful Shiva temple steals the show from the larger Ranganathaswami temple due to its 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.

Gangaikondan Cholapuram : Gangaikonda Cholapuram is located in Udayarpalayam Taluk (also spelt as Taluka) of Perambalur district, at a distance of 100-km from Trichy. Rajendra I, a Chola ruler established Gangaikonda Cholapuram as his capital city and built a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Apart from the gigantic Nandi, there are some eye-catching sculptures including a dancing Ganesha, a lion-headed well and an amazing piece depicting Rajendra being crowned by Lord Shiva and Parvati.

Sri Ranganathaswami Temple : At Srirangam Situated 7km 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 veneration to all Hindus. Srirangam is also listed as one of the Nava Graha Sthalas, or temples representing the nine planets of our solar system.

Viralimalai Sanctuary : Viralimalai is a small town located about 30 km from Tiruchirappalli and 40 km from Pudukkottai. It is famous for its Murugan temple and the Peacock Park. The town is blessed with a large number of wild peacocks, which roam around the Murugan temple.

How to reach?

Nearest Visiting places:

Samayapuram

20 km from Trichy. This is a very important place of pilgrimage, famous for its temple dedicated to the Goddess Samayapuram Mariamman. Its one of the abodes of Shakti in India. Ph 0431-2670460

Gunaseelam

24 km from Trichy on the North bank of Cauvery River. in Triuchirapalli Musiri Road. There is a Vaishnavite Temple and the name of the God is Lord Prasanna Venkateshwarar. Gunaseelam Temple is a place for worship, festivals and also for mental relief or alleviation.
Sri Kokarneswarar Temple

Vayaloor

8 km from Trichy. Located on the outskirts of Trichy. There is a small Lord Muruga Temple set in the midst of lush green vegetation.

Uthamar Koil

Uthamar Koil in Karumbanur is one of the most famous shrines in 108 Vaishnavik Padalshtalam. This temple is situated eight kilometers North of Trichy Fort Station , 4 km North of Srirangam Railway station. Here is the temple where the Lord Creator – Brahma, the lord for the well being of the universe – Vishnu and the destroyer of universe – Siva take their abode. This place is also known as “ Kadambavanam” or “Trimurthishektram”.

Nearest Petrol Pump:

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

Ramyas Hotels Pvt Ltd
Williams Rd, Tiruchchirappalli, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu 620001 - 0431 2415128

Hotel Sangam
Collector Office Road, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil nadu 620001 - 0431 2414700

Ashby Hotel
Rockins Rd, Tiruchchirappalli, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu 620001 - 0431 2460652

Jennys Residency
3/14 Mc Donald's Road, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil nadu 620001- 0431 2414414

Hotel Femina
Williams Rd, Tiruchchirappalli, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu - 0431 2414502

Help Line/Phone Number:

Police Station:

Police Station
, Thiruchirapalli, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu

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

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

Thiruverumbur Police station
Thiruverumbur, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu- 0431 2557234

Nearest Hospital:

Institute Of Opthalmology -Joseph Eye Hospital
,Kilapudur, Tiruchirapalli, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu- 0431 2460622

Sowmanasya Hospitals Pvt Ltd
6, K K Nagar, Chinthamani, V N Nagar, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil nadu 620002 - 0431 2704304

Rangashri Child Care Clinic
New 76, Srirangam, Gandhi Road, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil nadu 620006- 0431 2435600

Kavery Medical Centre & Hospital
Thennur, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil nadu 620017- 0431 4022555

Pugalur Cave