Tiruchirappalli

An ancient Tamil city on the Kaveri River. The Rock Fort Temple sits atop a massive boulder overlooking the city, and the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple on Srirangam is one of the largest functioning Hindu temple complexes in the world.

Tiruchirappalli, known for short as Trichy, lies on the Kaveri River in central Tamil Nadu. It is the state's fourth-largest city. Its history goes back to the early Chola capital of Uraiyur, and it was later ruled by the Pandya, Vijayanagara and Nayak dynasties, which left behind many temples in the Dravidian style.

Sightseeing falls into three main areas. In the old city, the 83-metre Rock Fort is the centrepiece. The Ucchi Pillayar Temple on its summit offers views over the city and the Kaveri River. At the base are the Teppakulam temple tank, the Nayak Palace Museum, and the Chinnakadai Street market. Nearby stands the Gothic-style Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

Across the river to the north is Srirangam Island. Here stands the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, one of the largest functioning Hindu temple complexes in the world. About 2 km away is the Jambukeswarar Temple, home to the lingam representing the element of water. At the western tip of the island is a tropical butterfly conservatory.

On the outskirts are the Samayapuram Mariamman Temple, the ancient Mukombu Dam upstream, the Vayalur Murugan Temple, and, about 55 km to the south, the Sittanavasal Jain caves.

The best season is November to February, when the weather is mildest. In December and January the Vaikunta Ekadasi, or Gate of Heaven festival, draws enormous crowds to the Srirangam temple. April to June is scorchingly hot, with temperatures above 40°C. October and November bring heavy northeast monsoon rain.

Getting there: Tiruchirappalli International Airport has flights to Chennai, Bengaluru, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur. Trains take about 5 to 6 hours to Chennai and about 1 hour to Thanjavur. Plan to spend 2 days here.

Note: visitors must remove their shoes before entering temples and dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees. Some inner sanctums are open only to Hindus. Photography inside temples may be charged a fee or prohibited.

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