Tiruchirappalli
Trichy is the fourth largest city of Tamil Nadu and the transportation center of the State. It is located on the banks of the River Cauvery on which the first man-made dam KALLANAI was built across. The world famous landmark in Trichy is the 85m tall Rock Fort right in the middle of the City, which used to be a military fort during the Pre-British era. The history of Tiruchirappalli begins in the 3rd century BC, when it was under the rule of the Cholas. It was a stronghold of the early Cholas which later fell to the Pallavas. But the Pallavas never really managed to retain control of this strategic city and lost it to the Pandyas several times. Trichy continued to be in the possession of Cholas until the decline of the empire after which it became a Vijayanagara stronghold. Trichy came under the rule of Nayaks of Madurai after the collapse of Vijayanagara, later to the Marathas of Tanjore, the Nawabs of Carnatic, the French and finally the British. Trichy flourished under Madurai Nayaks and prospered to be the city that it is today. The city played a critical role in the Carnatic Wars (1746-1763) between the British and the French East India companies.
Tiruchirappalli is home to numerous historical monuments and temples that attract tourist and pilgrims from all parts of the country throughout the year. Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangam, one of the most famous pilgrimage centers in South India is situated near Trichy. Rockfort Temple, a spectacular monument perched on a massive rock is another important monument in old city of Trichy. The Rockfort, Jambukeswarar temple at Thiruvanaikaval, Uraiyur, Maariamman Temple, Government Museum and the St John’s Church are other attractions in Trichy.
