AIR
IA has regular flights from Chennai and also from destinations in the Middle East. Air Lanka flies weekly from Colombo. Airport: About 7 km from downtown, a taxi transfer to the airport would cost anything between Rs 150 and 200, while autorickshaws cost around Rs 75. Alternatively, you can avail of the local bus service (Bus Nos. K1, 7, 63, 63A and 59) to take you to town. Trichy does not have a designated international airport though immigration and customs facilities are available at the terminal.

RAIL
Lying on the Chennai-Madurai main route, Trichy is an important railhead on the Southern Railway. Regular trains connect Trichy with Thanjur, Tuticorin, Kollam and Rameswaram on the metre gauge, and Bangalore, Coimbatore, Ooty, Kochi, Kanyakumari and Mangalore on the broad gauge. Railway station: Trichy Junction, off the Madurai Road-Junction Road intersection, lies in the southern part of the town, within convenient distances of the major hotels and the Central Bus Stand. Apart from city buses, cycle rickshaws are also available to commute to and from the station.

ROAD
Good roads link Trichy with the rest of Southern India, with frequent state-run services to nearby Madurai. Bus stands: The Central Bus Stand off the Royal Road-Rockins Road intersection is the most important hub for State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) buses leaving for Thanjavur, Madurai, Chennai, Bangalore, Coimbatore and Tirupathi. Inter-city services are also available from the Thiruvalluvar Bus Stand near the Central Bus Stand. For local services go to the Chathram Bus Stand near the Main Guard Gate, Rock Fort.

Area
146 sq. kms

Population
23,88,831 ( census 2001 )

Climate
Summer-Max.37.10C Min.26.40C
Winter-Max.31.30C Min.20.60C

Languages spoken
Tamil and English

STD Code Number
0431

Viralimalai Sanctuary
Viralimalai is a small town situated at a distance of 30-km from Tiruchirappalli and 40-km from Pudukkottai. It is famous for its Murugan temple and the Peacock sanctuary. The town is bestowed with a large number of wild peacocks, which roam around the Murugan temple.

Sittanavasal
Located at a distance of 58-km from Trichy is Sittanavasal, a site of an ancient Jain monastery with fine fresco paintings in a rock cave. Many of them are typical of the 9th century Pandyan period and include exquisitely detailed pictures of animals, fish, ducks, people gathering lotuses from a pond and two dancing figures. There are also inscriptions dating back to the 9th and 10th centuries. Fresco paintings from the 7th century can be seen on the ceiling of the Ardhamandapam.

There are many pre-historic burial sites around Sittanavasal and among the relics unearthed are burial urns, cists and Kurangupatarai.

Government Museum
Situated at Thirukokarnam, the museum is located near the Pudukkottai station, at a distance of 40 km from Trichy. The rare collections in the sections of Geology, Zoology, Paintings, Anthropology, Epigraphy,Historical Records, etc., are very interesting. The museum is open on all days except Mondays.

Kudumianmalai
Kudumianmalai temple is located at a distance of 25-km from Trichy. The presiding deity is Lord Sikhagireeswara. There are beautiful sculptures and a thousand pillar-hall within the temple.

Temples

Rock Fort Temple
The Rock Fort temple complex in Tiruchirappalli is a collection of three temples - the Manikka Vinayakar temple at the foot of the hill, the Uchhi Pillayar Koyil at the top of the hill and the Taayumaanavar Koyil (Shivastalam) on the hill. This Shivastalam is a rock cut temple on a hill and is the most prominent landmark in Tiruchirappalli that can be reached by a flight of steps on the way to the famous Ucchi Pillayar temple.

Gangaikondan Cholapuram
GangaikondaCholapuram is located in Udayarpalayam Taluk (also spelt as Taluka) of Perambalur district, at a distance of 100-km from Trichy. Rajendra I, a Chola ruler established GangaikondaCholapuram as his capital city and built a magnificent temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Apart from the huge Nandi, there are some beautiful sculptures including a dancing Ganesha, a lion-headed well and a stunning piece depicting Rajendra being crowned by Lord Shiva and Parvati.

Kodumbalur
Also known as "Moovarkoil", Kodumbalur is 36-km from Pudukkottai and 42-km from Tiruchirappalli. It was formerly the seat of Irukkuvelirs, who were related to the Cholas. Of the three shrines of Moovarkoil only two exist now. Boodhi Vikramakesari built these temples in the 10th century AD. The architecture of the temple is unique among south Indian temples. The sculptures of Kalarimurthi, Gajasamharamurthi Ardhanariswara, Gangadaramurthi, etc. are interesting masterpieces of art. Nearby is the Muchukundeswarar temple of the early Chola period.

Sri Ranganathaswami Temple At Srirangam
Located 7-km from Trichy is Srirangam, the abode of the Supreme Lord, Sri Ranganatha, the reclining form of Lord Vishnu. The temple of Ranganatha, the largest in India, is of particular reverence to all Hindus. Srirangam is also listed as one of the Nava Graha Sthalas, or temples representing the planets.

Tiruvanaikkaval or Jambukeswara Temple
Situated 2-km east of Srirangam, this beautiful Shiva temple steals the show from the larger Ranganathaswami temple due to its excellent architectural design. The temple is named after the elephant.

Avadayar Koil
Avadayar Koil, previously known as "Thiruperunthurai", is an important Shivasthala located at a distance of 8 miles from the Arantangi railway station and about 94-km from Trichy. The sculptural work of the temple is exquisite. It is perhaps the best architectural marvel in South India.

Gunaseelam
Located at a distance of 22-km from Trichy is Gunaseelam, a place famous for its temple for Lord Vishnu, known as "Prasanna Venkateswara".

Churches

St. John s Church
Built in1812, St. John s Church has louver doors which open to convert it into an airy pavilion. The surrounding cemetery is also interesting.

Elakurichi
At a distance of 65-km from Trichy is Elakurichi, a place famous for the ancient church built by the famous Catholic Missionary, Constantine Joseph Beschi, popularly known as "Veeramamunivar".

Avur
Located at a distance of 30-km from Trichy is Avur, which is famous for an old church constructed by Father John Venantius Bouchet.

Trichy is famous for its cigars and cheroots. Amongst handicraft are brassware, handloom textiles, pith models of temples and Rock Fort, wood and clay toys, jewellery, ornamental carved brass and copper plates inlaid with silver (Tanjore plates), brassware, silks, carpets and musical instruments.
Cigars, Handloom Saris, Pith models etc. are available at the Big Bazaar street.

Following are some of the popular places to shop in Trichy
Khadi Kraft, opposite Railway Station, Junction Road (open on all days except government holidays) Poompuhar Sales Emporium, near Main Guard Gate
Ramjee & Co., Andal Street, Near Fort (for Veena, Violin and other musical instruments)
Saraswati Stores, Alimal Street
Kannan & Co., Big Bazaar Street (for Indian musical records).