Kanchipuram

Kanchipuram (or Conjeeveram), one of the most ancient towns of southern India, traces its history to the 2nd century BCE as an early Chola capital. From the 3rd to the 9th century CE it was the Pallava capital, and from the 10th to the 13th century it served as the late Chola capital. An important Vijayanagar town from the 15th to the 17th century, it was conquered by Muslim and Maratha armies in the 17th century and by the British in the 18th century, after which it was twice sacked by the French.
Throughout its history, Kanchipuram remained an important pilgrimage centre and was once a Jain and Buddhist centre of learning; the great Hindu philosopher Ramanuja (1017-1137 CE), the single most influential thinker of bhakti (devotional Hinduism akin to Sufism), was educated here. He provided an intellectual basis for the practice of bhakti, organized temple worship and founded centers to spread his doctrine of devotion to Vishnu and his wife Sri. Kanchipuram today is known for its silk fabrics and, with its 108 Shiva and 18 Vishnu temples, is considered one of the seven great sacred Hindu cities of India (the other six include Varanasi, Ayodhya, Mathura, Dwaraka, Haridwar, and Ujjain).

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Rock Fort Temple at trichy

Trichy's most famous landmark is an 83m high rock which is the only outcrop in the otherwise flat land of the city. The most amazing fact about the rock is that it is one of the oldest in the world-approximately 3,800 years, which makes it as old as the rocks of Greenland and older than the Himalayas. Atop of the rock is the Ucchi Pillayar Koil,a temple dedicated to Lord Vinayaka, from where one can enjoy a panoramic view of Trichy. A flight of steps leads to the Mathrubutheswarar or Thayumanaswami temple dedicated to Lord Siva where the lingam is a projection of the rock itself..Rock Fort, the view from the fort is spectacular. The Vinayaka temple at the top is reached by climbing a tunnel in rock. Half way up is the Sri Thayumanaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Siva. It has a 100-pillar hall and a Vimana covered with gold. On the southern face of the rock are several beautifully carved rock-cut cave temples of the Pallava period. Rock Fort, the view from the fort is spectacular. The Vinayaka temple at the top is reached by climbing a tunnel in rock. Half way up is the Sri Thayumanaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Siva. It has a 100-pillar hall and a Vimana covered with gold. On the southern face of the rock are several beautifully carved rock-cut cave temples of the Pallava periodrichy is one of the famous ancient historical cities of Tamilnadu. This city is known for its educational Institutions, Industries, and Temples. Trichy has also its name for tourists attraction. The most famous land mark of this bustling town is the Rockfort Temple, a spectacular monument perched on a massive rocky out crop which rises abruptly from the plain to tower over the old city.Sri Ranganatha Swami Temple (Srirangam). Shrouded in a haze of coconut palms away to the north, Sri Ranganatha Swami temple is one of the largest and most interesting temple complexes in India, built on an island in the middle of Cauvery river and covering a staggering 2.5 square kilo meters. There is also another huge temple complex near by the Jambukeshwara Temple.

Tiruchi itself has a long history going back to the centuries before the Christian era when it was a Chola citadel. During the first millennium AD, it changed hands between the Pallavas and Pandyas many times before being taken by the Cholas in the tenth century AD. When the Chola empire finally declined, Tiruchi passed into the hands of the Vijaya Nagar kings of Hampi and remained with them until their defeat, in 1565 AD by the forces of the Deccan Sultans.

Monuments aside, the city offers a good range of hotels and an excellent local bus system which does not demand the strength of an Ox and the skin of an Elephant to use.

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Ancient Tamilagam

The land of the Ancient Tamilagam was divided into five geographical divisions, namely Kurinchi, Mullai, Marudam, Neydal and Palai, based on occupations that had close relations with the geographical divisions of the land.

The Kurinchi was the hilly and mountainous region where hunting was the main occupation. Murugan was the distinctive deity of the Kurinchi region. The Mullai was the forest tract. Tirumal was the distinctive deity of this region. The domestication of animals was their occupation. Marudam was the region suitable for cultivation. Indran was the deity of Marudam region. Agriculture was their occupation.Neydal was the coastal region. Fishing was their occupation. The God of the Neydal region was Varunan. Palai was the dry land. Whenever any one of the other four regions lost its natural facilities owing to any freak of nature, it declined into Palai, the sandy region. Kotravai or Kali was their deity.

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Sittannavasal

Sittannavasal is one the oldest habitation of man in the district and is rich in megalithic sites.

The cave temple and other sites are under the control of Archaeological Survey of India. Admission by tickets, open all days. Frequent bus service is available from Pudukkottai..This ancient abode of Jains dating back to the 2nd Century B.C. is about 16 Kms. from Pudukkottai . The Roc? cut cave temple here has beautiful fresco Paintings in natural colours as in Ajanta. The Natural cavern with stone beds in which the Jain monks were said to have sought refuge for meditation. This cave contains lithic record (Brahmi Script of 2nd Century B.C.)
There are a few sculptures of Jain Thirthanharas in the ardhamandapam and the inner shrine of the cave temple. The ceiling of the ardhamandapam contains fresco paintings of the 9th Centure A.D. The cave temple is said to have been excavated in 9th century A.D. and it is a pandya creation and art.

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