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The Rock Fort Temple
The Rock Fort temple complex in Tiruchirappalli 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 (Shivastalam) on the hill. This Shivastalam is a rock cut temple on a hill and is the most prominent landmark in Tiruchirappalli that can be reached by a flight of steps on the way to the famous Ucchi Pillayar temple. The name rock fort comes from the fact that the place was used for military fortification first by the Vijayanagar emperors and later by the British during the Carnatic wars.

Sri Ranganathaswami Temple
Located 7-km from Trichy is Srirangam, the abode of the Supreme Lord, Sri Ranganatha, the reclining form of Lord Vishnu. The Ranganathaswamy temple is the first and foremost among the 108 Divya Desams, the holy abodes of Lord Vishnu. The temple sprawls over an area of about 156 acres (6,31,000 sq m), making it one of the largest temples in India. A total of seven concentric walls enclose the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple and the total length of these walls is 32,592 enclosed by 21 Gopurams (towers). The temple amazes us with its astounding architecture and sculptural beauty. The “hall of 1000 pillars” (actually 953) is a fine example of a planned theatre-like structure and opposite to it, “Sesha Mandap”, with its intricacy in sculpture, is a delight.

Tiruvanaikkaval or 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. The Jambukeshwara temple, not less than 2 km from Shrirangam is yet another awe-inspiring tourist attraction. The infrastructure of the temple is excellent and praiseworthy. There are 7 Gopurams and 5 concentric circular concrete walls, leaving the visitors completely absorbed in its magnificence.

Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple
GangaikondaCholapuram 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 GangaikondaCholapuram as his capital city and built a magnificent temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The architecture of this temple is an exhibition of intricate carvings on the hard southern granite stones, discarding the earlier Chola and Pallava style of subtlety and simplicity. Few sculptures found here are as great as the sculptures found in any other Chola temples. The walls tell us stories of many victories of the warrior king, the land donations made during the period, kings ascending to thrones etc.

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