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Tiruchirappalli (Trichy)

Pop: 850,000 Area
Phone Code: 0431

This city is famous for the Srirangam Temple and the Rock Fort. Along with Tirupati, the Srirangam Temple is one of the most important Vishnu temples in South India. Tiruchirappalli is 145km northeast of Madurai and 320km southwest of Chennai. It is known for short as Trichy or Tiruchi.

Tiruchirappalli means “city of the three-headed demon.” The city was named in memory of a fight Lord Siva had with a three-headed demon named Trisiras.

This town has been inhabited for at least 2,000 years. The Pallavas and Pandyas fought over this town. In the 10th century the Chola gained control. When the Chola dynasty fell, the Vijayanagar kingdom from Hampi took over. Eventually after the Vijayanagar kingdom collapsed the Nayaks of Madurai ruled the city.

Tiruchirappalli is one of the main cities in the world where artificial diamonds are made.

Orientation
Trichy is spread over a wide area. In the north, the Kaveri River borders the city. Most of the hotels, the tourist office, bus stand, and railway station are all in the Cantonment (Junction Rd) area in the south part of the city. The Rock Fort temple is about 2½ km north of this area, about half a km from the Kaveri River. This is the busy center of town.

Srirangam is on an island in the middle of the Kaveri River, 2km north of the Rock Fort. Sri Jambukeswara Temple is about 2km east of the Srirangam temple, on the same island.

Information
The Tourist Office (246-0136) is at the Hotel Tamil Nadu, 1 Williams Rd, Cantonment, opposite the bus station. Open 10.30 am and 5.45 pm. You can get a good map of the Trichy area for Rs 3. There are also tourist counters at the airport and at the Tiruchirappalli railway station (7 am to 9 pm).

The #1 bus, which departs from the road next to the State bus stand, goes to the Srirangam Temple (half-hour), passing the Jambukeswara Temple and the Rock Fort temple on the way. Some of the #1 buses do not go to Srirangam.

There is a low-stocked Higginbothams Book Shop by the Rock Fort temple. You can rent a bicycle for Rs 15 a day at a few places by Junction Rd.

You can change money at the State Bank of India on Dindigul Rd, north of Jenneys Residency. Tata American Express Foreign Exchange, Williams Rd and UAE Money Exchange (401613), Royal Rd (Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-5pm. ATM at HDFC Bank, 10th Cross, Thillai Nagar and ICIC Bank, next door.

Sea Horse Hospital (462-660), 6 Royal Rd, is a good private hospital.

T he GPO, Dindigul Rd, is open Mon to Sat, 8 am to 7 pm. Head Post Office, Bharatiyal St. Postal Code: 620001.

Internet at Net Ppint, Rockins Rd and Mas Media, Royal Rd.

Bath in the Kaveri River
To take bath in the Kaveri, you walk out of the main (south) gate and continue down the road for about a kilometre. There is a bathing ghat at the end of this road, which has chains for people to hold onto so they are not swept away by the extremely strong current. It is a good idea to bathe here instead of trying to find a more secluded place. The river is dangerous to swim in, and it is hard to find a secluded spot. In April or May the river may be dry.

Sri Jambukeswara Temple (Thiruvaanaikkaval)
This temple is an important Siva temple, with interesting architecture. There are many deities and beautiful sculptures in this impressive temple. In this temple is the Appu-linga (water), one of the five xe "element Siva-lingas:Jambukeswara Temple" element Siva-lingas. The base of the Appu-linga is submerged in water, which comes from a spring in the inner sanctum. The linga is under a holy Jambu tree. Jambu is a guava tree, and iswara means “the Lord.”

It is said that Lord Rama came here after killing Ravana and Kumbakarna. It is also said that an elephant once worshiped this linga. Hence the Tamil name Thiruvaanaikkaval (aanai in Tamil means “elephant”). The goddess in this temple is Akhilandeswari.

This temple has seven gopurams and five surrounding walls. The fourth wall is 10.5m (35 ft) high, 2m (6 ft) thick, and about 755m (2500 ft) by 455m (1500 ft) long. Inside this wall is a mandapa (hall) with 800 pillars and a tank fed by a perpetual spring.

Non-Hindus cannot enter the inner sanctum. This temple is located two km east of Srirangam temple, on the same island in the middle of the Kaveri. The #1 bus passes it on the way to the Sri­rangam Temple. Open 6 am to 1 pm and 4 to 9.30 pm; camera Rs 10.

Rock Fort Temple
It is on a huge 83 metre (273 feet) high rock, said to be one of the oldest rocks in the world—over 3.8 billion years old. There is not much left of the fort, which was used by the Pallavas and Nayaks. The Thousand-pillar Hall, which you see as you walk up the stairs, was mainly destroyed by an explosion in 1772.

From the top of the hill you have a great view of the city and the Kaveri River. You can also see the Srirangam Temple on the other side of the river. There is a hall with a bell weighing about 2½ tons, which has a diameter of 1.2m (4 ft) at the base.

It is said that this rock is one of three pieces blown off Mount Meru by Vayu (the wind god). One time Vayu challenged Adi Sesa to a show of strength. So Adi Sesa coiled around Mount Meru, and Vayu tried to loosen his grip. Because of their fight, the whole world had unprecedented hurricanes and storms. In spite of this, the wind-god could not loosen the grip of Adi Sesa. Lord Siva then asked Adi Sesa to loosen his grip, which he did. It is said that at this time Mount Meru broke into three pieces. One chip is said to have fallen at the site of the Rock Fort, one in Kalahasti, and another in Sri Lanka.

You walk up about 430 steps cut into a tunnel through the rock to get to the Ganesh or Vinayaka temple at the top of the hill. Halfway up, there is the Sri Thayumana Swami Temple dedicated to Lord Siva. The linga is a projection of the rock on which the temple is located. Non-Hindus cannot enter the inner sanctum of this temple. There are also cave temples with beautiful sculptures of the Pallava era (7th century).

The entrance to the fort is in Chinna Bazaar. The Fort is open 6 am to 8 pm; admission Rs 1, camera/video Rs 10/50.

Other Places
Teppakulam Tank is a large artificial tank near the Rock Fort.

The City Museum, off Bharatiyar Rd, half a km from the GPO, has an unimpressive collection of sculptures, coins and other old items found locally. Open daily except Fri 9 am to noon and 2 to 5 pm; free.

In Chinna Bazaar they sell handicrafts and flowers. Located near Chinna Bazaar is Saint Joseph’s Church, which is a Catholic church modeled after Lourdes Basilica in France. It has a sandalwood altar. Nadir Shah Mosque is about a half km south of the church, near the City railway station. St John’s Church (1812) is an interesting church dating back to the British Raj.

Alagia Manavalan Temple
This is one of the Divya Desam Vishnu temples. It is the birthplace of Tiruppaana Alwar. It is about 2km northwest of Trichy Fort Railway Station.

Where to Stay—Lower
Most of the cheap hotels are located in the Cantonment area, the new part of town by the bus stand and railway station. Rooms facing the street in this area can be very noisy. There are cheap, basic dharamshalas by the Srirangam Temple for the many pilgrims that visit the temple.

The railway Retiring Rooms are Rs 250 for a double and Rs 300 with A/C. Dorm beds are Rs 70.
Modern Hindu Hotel (246-0758) has basic rooms with common bath for Rs 120/160 and A/C rooms for Rs 200/300.
Guru Hotel (246-1881), 13-A Royal Rd, and the Vijay Lodge, 13-B Royal Rd, are both decent cheap places with rooms for around Rs 180/250. It is best to get a room in the back, as the restaurant is very noisy
Hotel Lakshmi (24-60-098), 3-A Alexandria Rd, is a recommended place with good rooms with bath for Rs 250/300.
Hotel Aanand,(241-5545: fax: 241-5219: Email: hotelaanand@hotmail.com1 Racquet Court Lane, is a good place that has rooms with bath for Rs 300/400 and A/C rooms for Rs 500/600. It has an outside restaurant.
Hotel Arun (241-5021), 24 Dindigul Rd, has rooms for Rs 275/310 and with A/C for Rs 600/650.
Sarada Lodge (246-2216), McDonald’s Rd, is a good, quiet place.
Hotel Ajanta (241-5501/4), Junction Rd, has rooms with bath for Rs 250/300 and with A/C for Rs 600/700. It has a vegetarian restaurant.
The older Hotel Aristo (426-1818), 2 Dindigul Rd, Cantonment, has rooms with bath for Rs 150/250 and Rs 350/400 with A/C. It has cottages with A/C for Rs 500/600. It has a good atmosphere with a peaceful garden and a large terrace.

Where to Stay—Middle
Most of the middle-class hotels are by the State bus stand. Most add a 15% sales tax onto the price of the room. The bus stand is a thirty-minute bus ride from the Srirangam Temple.

Hotel Ashby (246-0652), 17A Junction Rd, is an old British Raj style place, which is showing its age. The place has verandahs, a courtyard, and large rooms for Rs 300/400 and Rs 700/850 with A/C. It has a good outdoor restaurant.
Hotel Tamil Nadu (241-4346, 414-471; fax: 241-5725), McDonald’s Rd, Cantonment, is a better than average place with rooms for Rs 300/400 and Rs 500/700 with A/C. Some of the rooms have a TV.
Hotel Ramyas (246-1128; fax 246-2750), 13 William Rd, across from the bus stand, is a recommended well-managed place having clean, modern rooms with bath and cable TV for Rs 800/850 or Rs 1050/1200 with A/C. They take major credit cards.
Hotel Abhirami (246-0001, 241-5-001; fax: 241-2819.), 10 McDonald’s Rd, is one of the best values in the area. It has good rooms with TV for Rs 375/450 and Rs 600/650 with A/C. Recommended. It has a good A/C vegetarian rest It has 24-hour check-out, hot water and cable TV.
Hotel Gajapriya (246-1144), 2 Royal Rd, has spacious rooms with bath for Rs 250/400 and Rs 600/700 with A/C. It has a popular South and North Indian vegetarian restaurant, and a separate Chinese restaurant.
Hotel Mega (241-4092: Email: hotelmeega@satyamnet.in), 8-B Rockins Rd, is a good place having rooms with bath for Rs 275/400 and Rs 500/600 with A/C.
Hotel Mathura (241-4737; Email: mathura90@yahoo.com:Email: femina@tr.dot.net.in), right next door on Rockins Rd, has rooms for Rs 350/500 and Rs 700/800.
Femina Hotel (241-4501; fax 241-0615; Email: femina@tr.dot.net.in), 109 Williams Rd, is a three-star hotel with good-sized comfortable rooms for Rs 450/650 and Rs 900/1200 with A/C. It also has suites. It is well-maintained and some rooms have bath tubs. They take credit cards. You can reserve a room in Chennai by calling (044) 826-9168.

Where to Stay—Higher
The four-star Hotel Sangam (246-4700; fax 241-5779; Email: hotel.sangam@vsnl.com), Collector’s Office Rd, is a western style hotel with clean rooms for $50/95. It has a health club, sauna, and a pool. The best rooms face the pool. The attached Chembian Restaurant serves good thalis (Rs 60) on plantain leaves, pizza, and Chinese food. They often offer their roos at a discount, so it is a good idea to ask for one. (sometimes 40% off).
Jenneys Residence (241-4414; fax 461-451: Email: jenney@satyam.net.in), 3/14 McDonald’s Rd, is a western style hotel with clean A/C room for $45/65. Some rooms have bathtubs. It is the best place in town, and is in a quiet location. The rooms on the 4th and 5th floor are new. 24-hour checkout. It has two good restaurants, a South Indian and a Chinese restaurant. It has a pool, which non-guest can use for Rs 100.

Where to Eat
Kavithaa Restaurant, located down the road from the State bus stand, is a well-known cheap thali place. A veg thali is Rs 20 during lunch.
Vasantham Bhavan Restaurant, in the Abhirama Hotel, by the State bus stand, is a very popular vegetarian place.
Hotel Mega, 8-B Rockins Rd, is a decent vegetarian restaurant where you can get what you ask for.
Woodlands vegetarian restaurant in the Hotel Femina has very good North Indian, South Indian, and Chinese food. It has a good thali. Open 11.30 am to 2 pm and 5 to 10 pm. Recommended, but not cheap.
Sangeetha Restaurant, in the Hotel Aanand, is a good outside restaurant. Dishes are around Rs 20.
Rajasugam Hotel has a popular outdoors vegetarian restaurant.
Vasanta Bhavan Sweet Stall and Vegetarian Restaurant is a simple place near the Rock Fort that serves snacks and dosas.
Skylord, Municipal Office Rd, in Chinna Bazaar by the Rock Fort, is a good, cheap Indian vegetarian place.
Peaks of Kunlun, in Jenneys Residency, serves good Chinese and Continental food (daily 2 to 11 pm). Main dishes are Rs 60 to Rs 120. In the same hotel is the good upscale Suvai vegetarian restaurant.
The maha-prasada at the Srirangam Temple is good and is spiritually purifying.

Local Travel
The #1A or #1B buses go between the State bus station and the Red Fort, Sri Jambukeshwara Temple and the Ranganathaswami Temple.
Buses #7, #58, #59 and #63 go to the airport (30 min).

You can hire a bike at some shops on Junction Rd.

A possible travel agency is Asian Travels (27660), LIC Building, in the Cantonment area. Kavria Travels, in the Hotel Sangam, can arrange a tourist taxi.

Travel
Air  The airport is 8km from the center of town. To get to the airport costs Rs 175 by auto-rickshaw and Rs 300 by taxi.

There are flights to Chennai (6 weekly, $110), Coimbatore (4 weekly, $95. The Indian Airlines office (248-0233; Airport: 420-563) is at the Railway Co-operative Mansion, 4A Dindigul Rd opposite the Aristo Hotel.

There are two flights a week to Sri Lanka on Air Lanka. The Air Lanka office (246-0844) is located at the Hotel Femina.

Rail Tiruchirappalli is on the main Chennai to Madurai and Chennai to Rameswaram lines. There are trains to Chennai (5½-11 hr, 10 daily), Rameswaram (7 hr), Chidambaram (4 hr, 4 daily), Thanjavur (2 hr, 4 daily), Madurai (2½ to 7 hr, 7 daily), and Tirunelveli.

Bangalore Bangalore Exp (9.45 pm, 11½ hr); Chennai Vaigal Exp #2636 (6.20 am, 8 hr), Pandiyan #6718 (10.45 pm, 8 hr); Chidambaram Cholan Exp #6853 (8 am, 4 hr); Madurai Vaigai Exp #2635 (6 pm, 3 hr), Pallavan Exp (3.10 am, 3½ hr); Mangalore #6531 Exp (9.45 pm, 16½ hr); Rameswaram Chennai-Rameswaram Exp #6701 (7.35 am, 6½ hr); Tirupati Tiruchchi-Tirupati Exp #6802 (2 pm, 15½ hr).

The Rock Fort Exp and Cholan Exp #6854 from Chennai Egmore to Tiruchirappalli take about six hours. To get to Mysore you take the 6 am train to Erode Junction (4 hr) and then from there you get a bus (5 hr). To get to Mamallapuram you take a train to Chengalpattu and then a bus from there.

Bus  There are two bus stands right next to each other, the State bus stand and the Thiruvalluvar bus stand (23680). At the State bus stand you buy your ticket from the conductor when the bus arrives. Express buses say “Fast” (in English) on the front of the bus. There are frequent buses to Thanjavur (1½ hr, every 15 min) and Madurai (3 or 4 hr, 15 daily). Bus #1 brings you to the Srirangam Temple and the Rock Fort.

The Thiruvalluvar buses, originating in Tiruchirappalli, can be booked in advance. There are buses to Nagercoil (8 daily), Kanchipuram (7 hr, 3 daily), Tirupati (9½ hr, 4 daily) via Vellore, Chennai (8 hr, 20 daily), and Bangalore (3 daily). There are four super-deluxe buses to Chennai from the Thiruvalluvar station.

You can also get private super-deluxe buses to Chennai (7 hr). Both KPN/RR Travels, outside the Hotel Anand, and AKM Travels, opposite the Hotel Tamil Nadu, offer this service.

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