The 7 Famous Temples In Trichy

Tiruchirappalli, popularly known as Trichy is an important temple town in the state of Tamilnadu. The town has been mentioned in the Sangam texts as a major trade center with Rome and Greece during the first-second century B.C. Though it came under the rule of many dynasties, the British had it from 1791-1947. The city has many attractions, temples are what dominate the places of interest in this city. Most of the temples were built centuries back and stand tall and beautiful even today. The temples are filled with spectacular architectural splendor and historical significance. They are a treat to the eyes, reminding the glorious past of this ancient city, and have impressed several travelers throughout their existence. Let’s explore 7 of the most famous temples in Tiruchirappalli.

1. Rockfort Ganpathi Temple

The Rockfort Ganpathi Temple is the history of 3 centuries and is located in the city of Trichy, right in the center, very close to the famous ​ Tirumalai Nayakkar Mahal. It is a nice example of medieval period architecture, with the idols of the Lord Ganesha wearing fascinatingly ornate crowns on His head.

A rock-cut structure from the Pallava age, the Rockfort Ganpathi Temple is also home to some of India’s most historic monuments and sculptures. Featuring a massive hilltop Indian temple complex, it’s easy to see why the Rockfort Ganpathi Temple’s surrounding structures have been compared to Rome and Athens.

2. Koodal Azhagar Temple

Located at the heart of the city, Koodal Azhagar Temple, Trichy is one of the most revered temples in Trichy city. The temple was built by King Thondaiman, who ruled between 1103 and 1120 A.D. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu. Koodal Azhagar means "the one who cannot be destroyed". It is believed that God Vishnu manifested himself as a log of wood (koodal) floating down river Cauvery and got stuck in the mud on the banks of the river near Thiruvanaikoil (the place where this temple is located). 

Koodal Azhagar Temple is unique in many ways. This temple has no walls. The sanctum sanctorum (garbha gudi) or sanctum sanctorum of this temple has a 6 ft tall idol of Lord Vishnu with his consort Padmavati in a sitting position. There are also idols of Lord Hanuman, Goddess Lakshmi, and Ganapathy within the sanctum sanctorum. All these idols face east towards the main idol of Lord Vishnu. There are also idols of Lord Narasimha and Krishna around the main sanctum sanctorum.

3. Samayapuram Amman Temple

Samayapuram Amman Temple is a Hindu temple located in the city of Trichy, Tamil Nadu. The temple was built by the Nayak dynasty and has been renovated several times since then. It is one of the most popular temples in Tamil Nadu and attracts a lot of devotees from all over India.

The temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati, also known as Amman or Mariamman. The deity is believed to be a form of Shakti or female energy that can be found in many Hindu temples across India. The goddess statue at Samayapuram Amman Temple is made out of black stone and has four arms with weapons in each hand. She has three eyes on her forehead with her hair tied up into a bun with an elephant-shaped ornament on top.

4. Vekkali Amman Temple

The Vekkali Amman Temple is one of the most popular temples in Trichy. It is located near the Panchayat Union Elementary School, which is about 2 km from Trichy Central Bus Stand.

The temple was built in the year 1823 by a devotee named Vekkali Ammal. The temple has a deity of Goddess Kali and an idol of Lord Ganesha near it. The temple also has a small pond inside it with lotus flowers and lilies on its borders. The temple consists of a sanctum with a pyramidal tower and a mandapa at its center. The mandapa has sculpted pillars with images depicting scenes from Ramayana.

5. Thiruvanaikoil Temple

The Thiruvanaikoil Temple is a Hindu temple situated in the town of Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the oldest temples in Tamil Nadu and one of the most famous Shiva temples in India.

The temple is located on the banks of the river Cauvery. The presiding deity, Shiva, is called Thiruvanai Koil or Lord Thiruvanai. The name "Thiruvanai" means "sacredness" and "Koil" means temple.

The temple was built by a Chola king during the period from 1010 to 1035 CE. The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt several times over its history, but it still retains its original structure from 1100 CE. The temple is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, which are revered by the followers of Shaivism. The temple is also classified as a "Divya Desam", the 108 temples that are revered by both Shaivas and Vaishnavas.

6. Viralimalai Murugan Temple

The Viralimalai Murugan Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Murugan. It is situated in the town of Viralimalai, near Trichy in Tamil Nadu. The temple is one of the six abodes or "Padaiveedu"s of Lord Muruga and it is considered as one of the most ancient temples in India.

The temple was built by a Pandya king as per Hindu legend. There are many legends associated with the temple and it has been a place for learning for many students from various parts of India.

The temple has a beautiful gopuram (tower) which is carved with intricate designs. There are many sculptures inside the temple too which are worth admiring. The statue of Lord Muruga can be found on top of the entrance gate to the temple while there are sculptures depicting scenes from his life inside.

7. Brahmapureeswarar Temple

The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located in the city of Trichy, Tamil Nadu. It has been built on the banks of the river Cauvery. The temple is believed to be one of the 108 Shiva temples built by Adi Shankaracharya.

The Brahmapureeswarar Temple, also known as Dakshinamurthy Temple or Dakshina Kailasam, is a Hindu temple in the city of Trichy, Tamil Nadu, India. It is located on the banks of River Cauvery and it is one among 108 Shiva Temples that are said to have been created by Adi Shankaracharya.

People visiting Tamil Nadu mostly prefer to go on a temple trip being attracted by the architectural marvel these places of worship reflect. Each is unique in its way with some enshrining idols of the Gods for worshipping and others are those which are built to keep the memory of good people alive.