Rock Fort Temple, Trichy
As part of our vacation at Trichy (Tamilnadu, India), we had full day sight seeing around Trichy. We employed a cab. After going to other places during the day we went to Rock Fort in the evening.
We reached rock fort around 5:30 PM evening. This is also the right time to visit this place. This is because the biggest attraction here is the Ganesh temple at the top of the rock and rock will be very hot during the day. So it is always comfortable to visit during the evenings or early morning. Most of us would prefer evening since getting up early would be always not comfortable. There is not much evidence to a fort other than some walls and arch. Actually there is a big Siva temple called as Thayumanavar temple (possible English translation might be Motherly God?).
Even though the rock is located almost at the north end of the city, it is a central place for all shopping and city bus stand (Chatram bus stand) is very near. Those who are staying near the central bus stand or Tiruchi Junction railway station can always take a bus to reach this place. Going to this temple in the evening followed by shopping in the nearby roads ( NSB Road, Saalai Road, Gandhi Market etc... all are very near). However I haven’t seen a good parking area nearby. Our driver parked in some place and was standing nearby to guard the same. Moreover it was a Sunday and many shops were closed and we are able to park.
As you step into the entrance crowded with petty shops and shopping crowd, you will see a small Ganesh temple called as Manicka Vinayagar. There is a footwear room available before going to this temple. Either you can leave the footwear here or you can climb up to find another one after few steps. After worshipping Lord Ganesh we need to buy entrance ticket for Rock top Ganesh temple ( Rs.2/- per head and Rs.20/- for Camera)we can climb up the steps. First you would reach Siva temple. The security at the bottom of the rock gave me milk can and requested me to carry till the Siva temple. I thought for a moment and then decided that God has given me an opportunity serve him and took the milk can.
So we went to the Siva temple first. Usually many devotees would distribute banana fruit here. But this time we did not get any even though I could see some evidence of being distributed. Looks like we were late! After that we started climbing towards Rock Top Ganesh.
Immediately after the Siva temple, we can see a rock cut cave (carved during Mahendravarma Pallava period, ~800 AD). Finally we can reach the top of the rock where Lord Ganesh presides. We need to walk on steps carved out of rock. The view of Tiruchi City or the River Cauvery or Srirangam temple is awesome!
We spend good amount time sitting in the rocks and relaxing. However we did not go for shopping or dinner, since we were very much tired because of extensive travel to other places in the morning. So we did that next day.
The total steps are also only 200. So don’t worry to climb. An evening here is a great experience.
We reached rock fort around 5:30 PM evening. This is also the right time to visit this place. This is because the biggest attraction here is the Ganesh temple at the top of the rock and rock will be very hot during the day. So it is always comfortable to visit during the evenings or early morning. Most of us would prefer evening since getting up early would be always not comfortable. There is not much evidence to a fort other than some walls and arch. Actually there is a big Siva temple called as Thayumanavar temple (possible English translation might be Motherly God?).
Even though the rock is located almost at the north end of the city, it is a central place for all shopping and city bus stand (Chatram bus stand) is very near. Those who are staying near the central bus stand or Tiruchi Junction railway station can always take a bus to reach this place. Going to this temple in the evening followed by shopping in the nearby roads ( NSB Road, Saalai Road, Gandhi Market etc... all are very near). However I haven’t seen a good parking area nearby. Our driver parked in some place and was standing nearby to guard the same. Moreover it was a Sunday and many shops were closed and we are able to park.
As you step into the entrance crowded with petty shops and shopping crowd, you will see a small Ganesh temple called as Manicka Vinayagar. There is a footwear room available before going to this temple. Either you can leave the footwear here or you can climb up to find another one after few steps. After worshipping Lord Ganesh we need to buy entrance ticket for Rock top Ganesh temple ( Rs.2/- per head and Rs.20/- for Camera)we can climb up the steps. First you would reach Siva temple. The security at the bottom of the rock gave me milk can and requested me to carry till the Siva temple. I thought for a moment and then decided that God has given me an opportunity serve him and took the milk can.
So we went to the Siva temple first. Usually many devotees would distribute banana fruit here. But this time we did not get any even though I could see some evidence of being distributed. Looks like we were late! After that we started climbing towards Rock Top Ganesh.
Immediately after the Siva temple, we can see a rock cut cave (carved during Mahendravarma Pallava period, ~800 AD). Finally we can reach the top of the rock where Lord Ganesh presides. We need to walk on steps carved out of rock. The view of Tiruchi City or the River Cauvery or Srirangam temple is awesome!
We spend good amount time sitting in the rocks and relaxing. However we did not go for shopping or dinner, since we were very much tired because of extensive travel to other places in the morning. So we did that next day.
The total steps are also only 200. So don’t worry to climb. An evening here is a great experience.
Labels: Rock Fort, Rock Fort Ganesha, Rockfort, Thayumanavar, Tiruchirappalli, Trichy, Uchipilliar Temple
posted by ramesh83 at 2:54 AM
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