KORANGANATHA TEMPLE- SRINIVASANALLUR

Koranganatha temple situated on the banks of the river Cauvery at Srinivasanallur about 50 kms from Tiruchy on the Tiruchy - Salem highway, has some of the finest early Chola stone sculptures and with good architecture .This heritage temple, declared as a monument by ASI , is not a living temple.

VENKATESA PERUMAL TEMPLE- GUNASEELAM

Arulmigu Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal Temple lies 16 Kms from Tiruchirappalli at Gunaseelam, on the northern banks of the river Cauvery During the Uchi kala pooja ( 11:30 am to 12:30 hrs ) and Artha Jama Pooja ( 08: 30 PM ) the holy water is sprinkled on the devotee which is said to be expiating all kinds of evil effects and mind diseases. During the whole Dhanu month( Dec - Jan ) Koodaravalli and Vaikunda Ekatasi festivals take place. Apart from that Purattasi saturdays , float festival and Brahmotsavam are also important festivals here . Annual festival is celebrated during the month of September-October with the famous car festival.

NEELLIVANESWARAR TEMPLE THIRUPAINGILI

Arulmigu Viswanathar temple , otherwise called Neelivaneswarar temple lies 20 kms north - west of Tiruchirappalli . The Sorudaieeswarar shrine associated with the divine poet Appar , Athikara Vallavar ( Somaskander ) who gave rebirth to Yama ( god of death ) cave shrine , the Siva rock hewn shrine is said to be done by Mahendravarma Pallava , otherwise called Gunabaran ,during 640 AD .

Plantain tree is workshipd here and poojas are performed to the tree .which has been decorated and worshipped . Both men and women, including Christians and even Muslims perform poojas to the plantain tree especially on the Sundays and Fridays. All the articles needed for the special poojas are also available in the temple campus itself, he added. The temple has preserved hundreds of invitations received from those whose marriages have been solemnized after they performed the poojas.

There is no Navagraha shrine separately as the steps leading to the main shrine is said to be Navagrahas. In front of statue of the Nandhi, the Navagrahas are prayed by lighting the stone cavern hole lamps made on the floor. The name of the goddess is Vishalakshi/ Neelnedunkanni amman.

There are many stone inscriptions in this temple. Rajendra chola - I Rajathi Rajan-I and Chola kings donated for regular daily poojas and maintenance of the temple. Chinnandavar & Periyandavar, rural guardian deities are also located in the temple premises. Karthigai festival is a noted festival here. This temple is also called ' south kailash'. The statue of Suthamahamunivar lies in the outer precincts of the temple. The shrine of lord vishnu named Senthamaraikannan lies inside the temple.

There is also a good fresh water spring 2 kms north of the temple on the way to Arulmigu Pundarikatsha Perumal temple, Thiruvellarai 2 kms from the spring .

MARAGATHALESWARASWAMI TEMPLE THIRUENGOIMALAI

Thiruengoimalai Arulmigu Maragathaleswara swami Temple lies 40 kms from Tiruchirappalli and 5 kms from Musiri, Taluk headquarters in Tiruchirappalli District. Thiruengoimalai lies between Musiri and Thottiam. The hillock is otherwise called Maragathamalai / Thenkailayam / Sivasakthimalai / Malaikovil / Erattaimalai. Name of the Goddess is Maragathambigai / Maragathavalli. God is also named as Maragathasalanathar/ Malaikozhundar / Achutheeswarar / Birameswarar / Indreekarar / Threethar.

The river Cauvery passes nearby the hillock. The river 'Surpanathi' passes adjoining the hillock. The river is otherwise called Kondayurumarai or Kondamarai. The name is said to be a corruption of Thiru-i-ongaimalai ('the' holy high bees 'mountains')and to have been so called because the sage Agastya , finding the gates of the Siva temple closed one evening, turned himself into a bee and so obtained entrance to perform his worship. The lingam of the temple is said to be transparent and also to throw a green shadow when camphor is burned. It is therefore called the ('Emerald') Maragathalingam.The god is connected with the deities of kadambarkovil and Ratnagiri. At all these three temples Mondays in Karthigai and the Taipoosam day are special holy days. The temple is sung in Devaram also. At the base of the temple lies Bogar Sidha temple. 500 vertical steps lead to the temple at the top of the hillock. Poet Nakkeerar has sung a booklet named Eengoi-Ezhupathu ( 70 Eengoi songs)

AMALEESVARAR TEMPLE- GOPURAPATTI

This is a small village west of Tiruvasi (alias Tirupachil Asramam). There is an early Chola temple in ruins here, but scientifically renovated and restored to its barest original form. Lord of the temple is called Thiru Amaleesvaram Udaiya Mahadevar in the inscriptions. Other temples in the Agri., field are also worth visiting.

SAPTHARISHEESWARAR TEMPLE- LALGUDI

Thiruthavathuri, now called lalgudi, is situated on the banks of river Coleroon,(known also as north Cauvery,) about 20 kms from Tiruchy. The temple here has won a unique place among the temples of Tamilnadu, in that it was here that the seven rishes,atri, brihu, pulsithar, vasistar, gauthamar, aangeerasar and marichi, prayed the presiding deity, Saptharisheeswarar, to ward off the bad period they were passing through.The temple areas and mandapams were extended by the Parantaka kings.

THIUPARAITHURAI NATHAR TEMPLE- THIRUPPARAITHURAI

Thirupparaithurai is 20 kms from Tiruchy in Karur road. Name of the God is Paraithurainathar and the name of the Goddess is Ponmylambigai. Sambandar, Appar and Manikkavasagar have sung the deities here.The temple has huge walls and lies on the banks of Cauvery in green setting.

KAMALAVALLI NACHIYAR TEMPLE, WORAIYUR

The presiding deity here is in the sitting posture with Shri Azhahiya Manavala Perumal standing behind . .This is the second of the 108 famous shrines of vishnu blessed with Mangalasasanam by Nammalvar. The temple is in existence even before 7 th century. The inner wall of the shrine of Nammalvar has brilliant wall paintings over 200 years old repainted 60 years back ,depicting the Matsa and Narashimha avatars , Acharyas, Alwars, Vaishnavite mythology ,the law of justice and dharma as enunciated by Ambarisha etc .

NANDRUDAYAN TEMPLE , EAST BOULEVARD ROAD, TIRUCHY

The Nandrudayan temple In Devadhanam ,in the east Boulevard Road , Tiruchy boasts Adi Vinayaga Granite Idol depicting Lord Ganesa with his original divine face without the usual elephantine head and the trunk.The four- feet tall Adi Vinayakar is installed In a separate shrine close to the sanctum sanctorum in the Nandrudayan Vinayakar Temple and the divine grace of the brilliantly sculptured granite idol is indeed captivating.

VADA TIRTHANATHAR TEMPLE -ANDANALLUR

Andanallur called Andavanallur in inscriptions lies on the road from Tiruchy to Karur, between Allur and Tiruchchendurai and 12 kms from Tiruchy. It has an ancient chola temple called Vada Tirthanathar ( or ) Thiru Alandurai Mahadevar.

SUNDARESWARER TEMPLE -NANGAVARAM

Nangavaram is 18 kms north west of Tiruchy .It has an ancient Sundareswarar temple and a Pidari temple. It is said that the daughter of a Chola king of Uraiyur was born with the face of a jackal and by her devotion to the lord of this place, she came to have the normal human features. Hence this place is called Mangai-varam ( or) Nangai-varam, whose correct form is Nangavaram. The village is called Arinjigai Sathur vedhimangalam. A stone panel with 24 Jain Theerthangaras is worth visiting here.

KAILASAMUDAIYAR TEMPLE- CHOLAMADEVI

Amidst lush green paddy fields and sylvan surroundings on the northern banks of Uyyakondan channel in a hamlet named Cholamadevi near Thiruverumbur, 12 kms from Tiruchy City, stands the dilapidated Kailasmudaiyar temple. It dates back to the 11th century (1065 A.D) and is a treasure house of historic information.

Uyyakondanthirumalai is 5 kms from Tiruchirappalli. It is otherwise called Karkudi.Name of the God is Uyyakondanathar / Ujjivaneswarar and name of the Goddess is Maivizhiammai .The Temple lies in a small hillock and the main deity is facing western direction. There are two shrines for the Goddesses here. Sambandar, Appar and Sundarar have sung the God here.

RAJAKESARI VINNAGARAM TEMPLE- KOTTAMANGALAM

Sri Rajakesari Vinnagara Emperuman Temple Kottamangalam is about a kilometer and a half west of Kattur, which is 3 kms from Lalgudi in the Tiruchy district. In this village, there is a ruined Siva temple called that of Brahmesvara Udaiya Nayanar. Ayyanar temple, a Pidari temple and a ruined Vishnu temple are also here.

AGASTEESWARAR TEMPLE - PERUNGUDI

On the northern wall of the central shrine of Agasteeswarar Temple , there is an inscription of Parakesarivarman.(Adithya II). It records a gift of land for a lamp to the temple by the wife of Sembiyan Uratturnattukkon alias Mayilan Tindan of Pudukkudi.The Agasteeswarar temple is a monument of the days of Sundara Chola and Aditya.

MASILAMANEESWARAR TEMPLE- UTATUR (URATUR)

Uttattur, whose ancient name was Urrattur is about 3.2 kms south-east of Padalur, which is 34 kms from Tiruchy on the Tiruchy - Chennai trunk road. It has an early Chola temple, constructed by Rajaraja Chola. The Gopuram and a few Mandapams have been constructed by Nayaks. The presiding deity is Suttha Rathneswarar with the consort Akhilandeswari. This temple near Nandiar is associated with the seven sacred rivers of India. Once the Siva here adjudged Ganges as the supreme among them and so ordered his vahana nandhi to face her side than his, the scene can be seen now. The Brahma Theertham well lies in between the main deity and nandhi devar, which is very sacred. The wooden temple car has exquisite sculptures.

Gothanda Ramar ancient temple, Muruga temple in the nearby Hillock, and Chelliamman temple are worth visiting here.

This temple lies ½ a km near kollidam bridge in Musiri Road. This is a temple for Lord Brahma, siva,& vishnu. This is one of the 108 important shrines for Lord vishnu. For goddess Sarawathi separate shrine is here .This temple is sung by Thirumangai Alwar, one of the 12 important vaishnavite saints.

PONNAR SANKAR- VEERAPUR AND VALANADU

Verappur is a place of pilgrimage connected with the history of Ponner-Sankar those who ruled this region. There are Temples for Ponner- Sankar & Periyakandi Amman.
Ponnar-Sankar are said to have lived at Valanadu and Veerapur.The Neeli Valanadu Fort is rectangular in shape (460 feet x 295 feet). There was a moat around the palace. Ichi tree, the basement of the entire fortification, some remains of the moat are existing.

The flower garden for the sister Arukkani, a well are now called Sadayandi Thoppu. At Gowndanpatti, Nellipatti, Velankulathur temples for Ponner Sanakar are existing, At Usilampatti Oorani (Kulam) near Manaparai a temple for Thangal is existing.

There are stories that at Veeramalai now (Veerapur ) Sankar along with his friend Sambhuvan died in the war with Thalaiyur Kali King. His brother after fulfilling the religious vow, learnt the death of his brother and ended his life. Their sister Thangal also prayed the Periya Kandi Amman at Veerapur and went west. From 15th century the people of this region are praying Ponner, Sankar, Periyakandi Amman, Thangal and Arukkani. Veerapur is 45 kms from Tiruchirappalli, 12 kms from Manaparai, 20 kms from Vaiyampatti. The annual festival at Veerapur takes place during Masi (Feb.- Mar.)

From Tiruchirappalli town on the Thuraiyur road it surprises the visitor with its many ancient monuments dating back to the Pallavas.The temple is built on a rock and the village is at the foot of it. An important landmark is the large and ancient well, with four entrances all similarly cut. The four flights of steps are in the shape of a Hindu Swastika.The tank was excavated by kamban arayan the official of nandi varman II , the pallava king it’s other wise called marvidugu perun kinaru .Adi Jambukeswarar temple, a rock cut one is 500 mts from the Vishnu Temple.

Poovalur is situated on Tiruchirappalli-Ariyalur road near Lalgudi and 20 Kms from Tiruchirappalli. Brahma, Indran, Manamathan, Agnidevan and Chandrasudan worshipped this God Thirumoolanathar to attain ‘mukthi’. Manmathan was fired by Lord Siva and he got back life at this place. Hence, this place is called as “Poovaliyur” and later this place is renamed as “Poovalur”. The main temple measures 130’ width and 170’ length facing east and there are four prakara. There is a sub-shrine for Vinayakar. This temple was sung by Saint Arunagirinathar. Panguni river flows nearly. The Goddess is called Kunkuma Sundari and a temple tree is Vilvam. The festivals are Tamil New Year (April); Chitra Pournami (April-May); Masi Magam (Feb-March); Panguni Uthiram (March-April); Thai Poosam (Jan-Feb); and Vinayakar Charthurthi (September)