Tiruchirapalli (Photo Feature)

Tiruchirapalli : The three headed city of Tamil Nadu

Tiruchirapalli is named after the three-headed demon Trishira who was defeated by Lord Shiva near present-day tiruchirapalli.

Grand Anicut

The Grand Anicut was built by Karikalan Chola around the 1st Century AD and is considered one of the oldest in-use water diversion structures in the world, which is still in use. It falls on the way to Trichy from Thanjavur.

Grand Anicut

The main purpose of the dam is to divert the waters of the Cauvery river for irrigation via canals.

Road to Trichy

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple

Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, located in Srirangam (7 Kms from Trichy), is dedicated to Lord Ranganatha. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams (holy abodes of Lord Vishnu).

Path leading to Sriranganathaswamy Temple

Sprawling over an area of about 156 acres, Sri Ranganathaswamy is the largest functioning temple in the world. The one in Angkor Wat being the largest non-functioning temple.

Temple elephant

It is also one among the eight ‘Svayam Vyakta Ksetras’ (self-manifested shrines) of Lord Vishnu.

Intricately carved pillar

A total of seven concentric walls enclose the temple.

Gopuram

This temple has 21 Gopurams.

Gopurams

Lourdes Church

The Lourdes Church is a replica of the Basilica of Lourdes in France.

Lourdes Church (Gothic Architecture)

Unlike the other churches in Tamil Nadu, the facade has not been repainted (Thank God for that!).

Inside the Church

Rock Fort Temple

Rock Fort Temple, locally known as Ucchi Pillayar Koil, is a set of two 7th century Hindu temples (one dedicated to Lord Ganesh and the other dedicated to Lord Shiva) atop a rock in Trichy.

Way to Shiva Temple

This 83m high rock is said to be one of the oldest (3 Billion years old) in the world.

View of the city from the top

As per the Puranas, this is where Lord Ganesha hid from King Vibishana, after establishing the Ranganathaswamy deity in Srirangam.

Abandoned Structure