SkyscraperCity Forum banner

Trichy Cityscapes

271K views 707 replies 70 participants last post by  Rajit 
#1 · (Edited)
Hi

One of the most important pilgrimage places in India is the city of Tiruchirappalli (Ti-ru-chir-ap-pa-li), or "Trichy" as its more commonly known.

Tiruchirappalli, situated on the banks of the river Cauvery is the fourth largest city in Tamil Nadu. The city has a rich history dating back nearly 2,500 years and over many empires. The architecture goes back to the centuries before the Christian era.

It was a citadel of the early Cholas until the 12th century, when the Cholas were subverted by the Vijayanagar kings of Hampi, who proudly withstood the invading Muslims. Less than fifty years later, the Nayaks of Madurai came to power, constructed the famously unassailable Rock Fort and what is now known as the Old City of Trichy, and firmly established Tiruchirappalli as trading city. Apart from the Fort, there are several Churches, Colleges and Missions dating back to the 1760s.


Trichy has been a place of religion and pilgrimage since pre-historic times. The very name "Tiruchirappalli" means “city of the three-headed demon”, in reference to legendary battle in which Hindu Lord Siva had with a three-headed demon named Trisiras reputedly at this spot. It's religious universities have created entirely new forms of theistic philosophy in the world, and for 2,000 years the temples of Srirangam have been a center of the teaching of Bhakti Yoga, which may be defined as the practice of devotional love of god as a spiritual path leading to enlightenment. This city has given great Tamil scholars whose contributions to the Tamil literature have been very significant.

Apart from being a pilgrimage center, it is a specialized manufacturing hub, one of the world's biggest producer of artificial diamonds and gemstones, and their related jewelry. It's also famous for its traditional cigars, handloom cloth, and glass bangles.


No thread about Trichy can start off without mentioning the most prominent landmark in the city, the Rock Fort.


^ The Rock Fort, built upon an 83m rock outcropping, dominates over the otherwise flat land of the city. The rock is one of the oldest in the world -- approximately 3.8 million years -- which makes it as old as the rocks of Greenland and older than the Himalayas.



^ The sheer abruptness of its rise is a thrill in itself, but the actual centre of attraction is not the fort itself, of which very little remains, but the ancient temple at the summit, where there are inscriptions dating back to the 3rd century. B.C. ...but more on that in a bit.



From the fort, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the lush city below. Here are some views of the city during the monsoon rains.


^ Here you can see one of the bridges over the river Cauvery, with the Old City in the foreground, and newer developments in the opposite bank. The small park is waterlogged under the monsoon deluge.



^ Looking to the left of the above shot, you see some newer redevelopment going on in the middle, while the limestone-constructed medieval buildings of the Old City stretch to the bank in the background and the direct foreground. The land in the where the construction is taking place used to be a shooting range and parade ground for the armies of the many ancient rulers of this city.



^ Turning counterclockwise from the previous shot, you can see modern Trichy rising up, with newer flats and buildings springing up around the many green grassy areas. The city makes an effort to preserve the paddy land that the new construction are built in as lush parks and grassy areas.



^ Turning counterclockwise once again, you can see the Old City, post-downpour, in the very direct foreground with the new city behind it. The Old City surrounds the Rock Fort, and dates back to the 1700s. It is now one huge open air produce and goods market. Plans are being formulated to restore the Old City to its former glory, and demolish encroachments and latter-day construction that blemish this historical and potential tourist goldmine.



^ Tiruchirapalli is equally well-known as a centre for learning of both spiritual and temporal matters. It is home to the prestigious Regional Engineering College and the St Joseph's College. St. Lourdu's Church is seemingly within touching distance from the ramparts of the fort. Built in 1812, the church has lovered doors, which when opened turns the church into an airy pavilion.



^ Continuing our clockwise turn, you can see the rather soaked-looking Old City in the foreground, with some newer bungalows poking up. Behind them is the protected green paddy fields, and behind that in the distance, modern Trichy.



^ Turning left again, we see the river Cauvery once more. The river swells its banks during the wet (monsoon) season. In the middle part of the picture, though its hard to see, you can see some of the traditional bungalow housing.



^ Speaking of the river, the Cauvery, Sometimes called 'the Ganga of the South,' is one of India's great sacred rivers, and many of India's most sacred pilgrimage centers are built along its banks. It's source is 500 miles across India, 5,000 feet above sea level in the W. Ghats mountain range in Karnataka, flowing eastwards and entering the Bay of Bengal a few hundred miles south of Chennai.


------==--=--==-------
CONTINUED BELOW
------==--=--==-------
 
See less See more
10
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top