PROFILE OF TRICHIRAPPALLI Trichirappalli, situated on the banks of the river Cauvery is the fourth largest city in Tamil Nadu.

It was a citadel of the early Cholas which later fell to the Pallavas. Trichy is a fine blend of tradition and modernity built around the Rock Fort. Apart from the Fort, there are several Churches, Colleges and Missions dating back to the 1760s. The town and its fort, now in Trichy were built by the Nayaks of Madurai. This city has given great Tamil scholars whose contributions to the Tamil literature have been very significant. 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. It was one of the main centers around which the wars of the Carnatic were fought in the 18th century during the British-French struggle for supremacy in India. The city is a thriving commercial centre in Tamil Nadu and is famous for artificial diamonds, cigars, handloom cloth, glass bangles and wooden and clay toys. Woraiyur, a part of present day Tiruchirappalli, was the capital city of Cholas from 300 B.C. onwards. This is supported by archaeological evidences and ancient literatures. There are also literary sources which tell that Woraiyur continued to be under the control of Cholas even during the days of Kalabhra interregnum (A.D. 300 - 575). Later, Woraiyur along with the present day Tiruchirappalli and its neighbouring areas came under the control of Mahendra Varma Pallava I, who ascended the throne in A.D. 590. Till A.D. 880, according to the inscriptions, this region was under the hegemony of either the Pallvas or the Pandyas. It was in 880 AD, Aditya Chola brought a downfall to the Pallava dynasty. From that time onwards Tiruchirappalli and its region became a part of Greater Cholas. In 1225 A.D the area was occupied by the Hoysulas. Afterwards, it came under the rule of later Pandyas till the advent of Mughal Rule. Tiruchirappalli was for some time under the Mughal rule, which was put to an end by the Vijayanagar rulers. The Nayaks, the Governors of Vijayanagar empire, ruled this area till A.D. 1736. It was Viswanatha Nayaka who built the present day Teppakulam and the Fort. The Nayak dynasty came to an end during the days of Meenakshi. The Muslims ruled this region again with the aid of either the French or the English armies. For some years, Tiruchirappalli was under the rule of Chanda Sahib and Mohamed Ali. Finally the English brought Tiruchirappalli and other areas under their control. The

district was then under the hegemony of British for about 150 years till the independence of India. Situated on the banks of river Kaveri, Tiruchirappalli, the fourth largest city in the state was a citadel of the Early Cholas which later fell to the Pallavas. But the Pallavas never really managed to retain control of this strategic city and lost it to the Pandyas several times. This tug of war finally ended when the Cholas reasserted themselves in the 10th century. Trichy continued to be in their possession until the decline of the empire after which it became a Vijayanagara stronghold. When this empire collapsed in 1565, Trichy came to be occupied in turn by the Nayaks of Madurai, the Marathas, the Nawabs of Carnatic, the French and finally the

British. But it was under the Nayaks of Madurai that Trichy flourished and prospered in its own right and grew to be the city that it is today. Trichy flourished and prospered in its own, built around the Rock Fort. Apart from the fort there are several churches, colleges and missions dating back to the 1760s. With its excellent infrastructural facilities Trichy will serve as a good base to see central Tamilnadu. It was one of the main centers around which the wars of the Carnatic were fought in the 18th century during the British-French struggle for supremacy in India. 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. Tiruchi is a thriving commercial centre in Tamil nadu, situated on the banks of the river Cauvery. The rock fort is a well known landmark of the city. It is also famous for artificial diamonds, cigars, handloom cloth, glass bangles and wooden and clay toys. (Trichy, Tiruchy, Thiruchi, Tiruchirapalli) 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. It is reached by the flight of steep steps cut into the rock and from its summit you get a fantastic view of the town plus its other main landmark, 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 kilometers. There is also another huge temple complex near by the

Jambukeshwara

Temple.

Tiruchi: Tiruchi itself is an industrial town, where a number of industries flourish. The important industries are BHEL, OFT, HAPP and Golden Rock Railway Work Shop. Karur (74 km): Karur is a place where handloom industry is one of the main occupations of the people. The bed linen and floor spreads are very famous all over India. Karaikudi (103 km): Karaikudi and the neighbouring towns hold excellent examples of Chettinadu architecture. The people of Chettinadu were traders and financiers who valued high living and maintained old traditions. They built sprawling houses which today stand testimony to their taste and love for beautiful things. Kumbakonam (92 km): Kumbakonam is well known for its brassware. Pugalur (87 km): Pugalur is the paper-town, housing the Tamilnadu Newsprint and Papers Limited, a major paper - manufacturing company of south India. Bharathidasan University, named after the revolutionary Tamil Poet, Bharathidasan, was established by the Government of Tamilnadu in 1982 through an act, Bharathidasan University Act 1981 and come into inception. The University is one among those recognized by University Grants Commission for receiving grants as per section 12B of UGC Act. It is a member of the Association of Indian Universities and the Association of Commonwealth Universities. The University carries out teaching, research and extension activities through its Schools and Departments. The University has jurisdiction over eight districts including Tiruchirappalli, Karur, Permbalur, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Ariyalur and Pudukkottai. The colleges located in those districts are affiliated to this University. There are 11 autonomous colleges and 13 approved institutions. The Composition of the affiliated colleges is as follows: 74 Arts and Science Colleges, 18 Engineering Colleges, 1 Uni-Faculty Institution, 3 Colleges of Fine Arts and 2 Colleges of Education. The University carries out teaching, research and extension activities through its Schools and Departments. The University has jurisdiction over eight districts including Tiruchirappalli, Karur, Permbalur, Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur, Ariyalur and Pudukkottai. The colleges located in those districts are affiliated to this University. There are

11 autonomous colleges and 13 approved institutions. The Composition of the affiliated colleges is as follows: 74 Arts and Science Colleges, 18 Engineering Colleges, 1 Uni-Faculty Institution, 3 Colleges of Fine Arts and 2 Colleges of Education. Samayapuram Mariamman Festival Every year three important festivals namely Poochoriyal, Pancha Prakaram and Brahmotsavam attract pilgrims to this temple. During Poochoriyal, flowers worth Rs.35, 000 to 50,000 are showered on the deity for 24 hours. Thousands of people from various castes and communities throng the temple, when Brahmotsavam is performed in the month of April. Devotees from Malaysia, Singapore, Srilanka and other far-off place visits Samayapuram to fulfill their vows for the many benefits they received through her grace. Those who are unable to personally present their offerings, send it by post. Several worship services are offered throughout the day here. Offerings of salt, jaggery (brown sugar), lentils, jewelry are made by devotees. Annual festivals are celebrated during Thai Poosam, and in the tamil months of Pankuni and Chittirai. The last Sunday of Pankuni marks the commencement of the festival, while the chariot festival is celebrated on the first Tuesday in the month of Chittirai, and the float festival is celebrated a week later. In Suriyur, Manama and a few villages around Tiruchy, during the Pongal festival, Bull catching (Jallikattu) is taking place on mostly Kanum Pongal days. SILLAMBATAM in ancient days is being used for defense and for good physic. In this district Chola vadiyar is familiar for this art. Almost every village is having training centers for this martial art. One grandmaster named Chola vadiyar at Tiruchirappalli, is giving good training in this martial art (photo) In Puratasi Ammavasai, the woman of folk give the money and ask the potter to make new cow and calf for the pooja and collect them next month(same new moon day). Totally 9 days they will conduct pooja with chanting of religion songs for the cow and calf. 10 th day they will have Kollatam dance and will have procession with cow and calf at Allur on the banks of the river Cauvery submerging the same in the river. They will offer sweet Pongal and distribute to one and all the same type at Jallatharai, place at Madurai, Tirunelveli, Chinnamanur. The fragrance hits you, even as you turn to the Saathara street in Srirangam , which gives an impression of a garden. It doesn't take you long to realise that you are in the midst of

a bazaar flooded with a variety of fresh and colourful flowers. The flower bazaar on the Saathara street has been a renowned place for more than five decades , being an epicente of wholesale and retail dealers. Also, it has been a meeting ground for horticulturists from a number of villages in Trichy and neighbouring districts. Trichy is 128 year - old Gandhi Market is situated in the heart of the city. Being one of the biggest and oldest markets of Tamil nadu , it has a rich historic heritage. In fact , being the nerve centre of trichy's trade, it attracts public from in and around Trichy district. It always pulsates with activity. Woraiyur is also famous its handmade cigar and handloom saris. The handmade cigar of Woraiyur were said to be famous in overseas, so much that even Winston Churchill is said to have relished them though he remainded loyal to cuban cigars.