Trichy Heritage Experience - Jan 2023 

RATHAM - Road Access to Temples, Heritage And Monuments organized its heritage experience for the month of January, 2023 at Trichy. The charming city, part of which served as an ancient capital of the Chola's is visited by tourists all around the year. However not many visit places other than Srirangam, Tiruvanaika and Rock Fort. But RATHAM curated this trip to Trichy with places that are in and around Trichy, steeped in history and of immense cultural value, few temples around Trichy hardly has heritage enthusiasts visiting them. Titled " Trailing Around Trichy" the 2 day journey covered the following temples:

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1. Brahmapureeshwarar Temple, Tirupattur : A temple that witnessed architectural developments under the Pallava, Chola, Hoysala and Vijayanagara dynasties.

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2. Ayyanar Koil, Tirupattur : An elaborate shrine dedicated to Sastha run on agamic traditions, this shrine has a significant role played in the life of Cheraman Peruman Nayanar.

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3. Upper and Lower Caves, Rockfort: The highly debated Pandya cave that is hardly visited by people at the foothills of Rockfort and the ornate Mahendra Period cave with Gangadhara Panel and interesting inscriptions uphill were visited. Thanks to ASI staffs who made the visit possible. We also climbed up and visited the shrine of UchiPillaiyar and Thayumanavaswamy.

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4. Pundareekaksha Perumal, Tiruvellarai: This mysterious town with a temple in striking contrast with the size of the settlement poses several puzzles. The grand courtyards of the shrine, the famous Pandya inscription and the miniature panels from 12th century CE made this place special to us.

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5. Swasthik Tank, Tiruvellarai : The maapidugu perum kinaru is a rare occurrence here. The original 9th century Pallava structure has some interesting inscriptions and the later Hoysala rebuilding included some bas reliefs.

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6. Koranganatha Temple, Srinivasanaloor : This early Chola monument is near Musiri. We decided to visit here as it is not covered by visitors to Trichy. The koshta sculptures, early Chola columns and a few inscriptions speaking about temple rituals makes this temple unique and special.

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7. Erumbeeshwarar Temple, Tiruverumbur : The final stop in our trip is this jewel on the hillock in the outskirts of Trichy. A padal petra sthalam, this temple maintained by ASI has classic pre Rajaraja period koshta sculptures, miniature panels and inscriptions clearly etched and hence good enough to read.

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We tried this place called "Chellamal Mann Panai Samayal" very popular on social media. An all woman enterprise this place specialises in traditional cooking and a wide spread lunch of around 40 dishes.

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Another of a thoroughly well received heritage experience and we are already looking forward for Marching to Madurai in March 2023.