This is twenty-first in the series on the rich cultural heritage of ancient temples in India. The ancient temples are richly carved and they behold ones attention for their craftsmanship. One of the prominent sculpture of different type are Yali which has a catlike graceful body, but the head of a lion with tusks of an elephant and tail of a serpent.
This beautiful sculpture of Yali with a warrior is in 10th century Ranganathswamy Temple at Srirangam.
This sculpture of Yali is in the 100 pillar Kalyanmantap at 1624 A.D Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple at Madurai.
This fabulous sculpture of Yali with a warrior is in 16th century Veerabadhra Temple of Lepakshi.
This sculpture is prominently seen in South Indian temples. First one is from 1515 A.D Bala Krishna Temple at Hampi, 6th century Thayumanaswami Temple at Trichy and 1010 A.D Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur.
Prev 20 Next 22
At Trichy, the Rock Fort is a a huge 83 meter rock which is approximately 3800 million years. Thayumanaswami Temple is located close to the base of the rock and was constructed by the Pallava king Mahendravarman I in the 6th century AD.
This temple has a tower covered with gold. It is dedicated to Lord Siva where the lingam is a projection of the rock itself. The temple can be reached by a flight of steps on the way to Ucchi Pillayar Temple which is at the top of Rockfort.
The temple has a 100-pillar wall and there are beautiful sculptures carved on the pillars.
At Trichy, the Rock Fort is a a huge 83 meter rock which is approximately 3800 million years. Uchhi Pillaiyar Temple is located right on top of this peak. One can reach this Lord Ganesh shrine by climbing a series of steps approximately 350 steps.
This impressive 7th century temple during reign of Pallavas and completed during the period of Nayaks of Maduri. One can reach this shrine by climbing a series of steps approximately 350 steps carved out of the rock. Half way to the peak, we have to pass through another ancient temple Sri Thayumanavar Temple. Tough climb to the top is eased by the soothing cool breeze. Though the temple is small it is worth the visit.
At Trichy, the Rock Fort complex comprises of fort and temple built on an ancient rock. This is an important landmark in the city and visible from anywhere. This 83 meter rock is one of the oldest which is approximately 3800 million years.
The main attraction is not the fort of which only very little still remains. Only Main Gate of the fort is still intact. The actual center of attraction here is the temple at the summit. There are approximately 350 steps that lead to the Ganesha temple popularly known as Ucchi Pillayar Temple on the summit.
Other oldest structure in the fort is a cave temple known as Thayumaanavar Temple built by Pallavas in 580 AD. This temple of Lord Shiva is on the way to summit. In the first image one can see the Ucchi Pillayar Temple at the top, while in the second image the the top of Shiva temple which is on the way to summit.
In our tour of State of Tamil Nadu from Thanjavur we traveled to Tiruchirappalli more popularly known as Trichy. As for 16th century a rock inscription Tiruchirappalli is mentioned as Tiru-ssila-palli meaning "Holy Rock Town" in Tamil language.
The city was under the control of several dynasties Cholas, Pandyas, Pallavas, Sultanate, Vijayanagar and Nayak in the olden days. The places of interest that I have seen here are:
Another important town close to this place is the island temple town of Srirangam.
