Government Museum: |
This is located on Bharathidasan Road. Bronze and stone
sculptures are on display here. Admission is free, the museum is open on all days except
Fridays.
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Kudumiyanmalai (25 km): |
The Siva temple here has some interesting
inscriptions as well as beautiful sculptures. One of the inscriptions deals with the
musical treatise of Mahendravarman Pallava and his experimentation with an eight-stringed
instrument called Parivadini.
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Sittannavasal (58 km): |
In this village are the remains of a 2nd
century B.C. Jain cave temple. Fresco paintings reminiscent of Ajanta adorn the walls.
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 Ardhamandapam. There
are many pre-historic burial sites around Sittannavasal and among the relics unearthed are
burial urns, cists and Kungupatarai. |
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Manora (72 km): |
The eight-storeyed victory tower here was
built by the Maratha King Serfoji in the year 1814 to commemorate the victory of the
British over Napoleon Bonaparte at Waterloo. The name 'Mannora' is derived from the word
minaret meaning small minar. From this 30 metre high tower one can have a panoramic view
of the palm fringed Bay of Bengal. This tower also served as a light house.
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Gangaikondacholapuram (100 km): |
The Brahadeeswarar temple at
Gangaikondacholapuram was conceived and constructed by the Chola King Rajendra - I after
his victory over the kingdoms bordering the river Ganga. Apart from the huge Nandi, there
are some beautiful sculptures including a dancing Ganesha, a lion-headed well and a
stunning figure of King Rajendra being crowned by Siva and Parvati.
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Thanjavur (54 km): |
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The
capital of the imperial Chola dynasty a thousand years ago. The magnificent Brahadeeswarar
temple dedicated to Lord Siva bears witness to the glory of Chola architecture, sculpture
and paintings. A museum in the temple countyard has interesting Chola artefacts.The
Saraswathi Mahal Palace was started by the Nayaks of Madurai around 1550 AD and completed
by the Maratha rulers of Thanjavur. The Palace Library instituted by Maharaja Serfoji has
a collection of 30,000 palm leaf manuscripts and many rare European books. The Thanjavur
Art Gallery has priceless collection of bronze icons and granite sculptures dating from
the 9th century AD. Thanjavur is a good place to shop for Thanjavur Art Plates,
handicrafts, handwoven silk, bronze icons, intricately inlaid brass work and bejewelled
paintings. |
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St.Joseph's chruch: |
This church built in 1812 has louvred doors which open to
convert it into an airy pavillion and is located near the Theppakulam. |
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Grand Anaicut - Kallanai (24 km): |
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Not far from
the island is one of the greatest engineering marvels of India. The Grand Anaicut built by
Karikalan Chola in the 2nd century A.D. to harness the waters of the Kaveri. Made of
stone, the dam is 329 m long and 20m wide and still very much in use. Additions have been
made in the form of a road bridge on top of the dam. This is a good picnic spot. |
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Mukkombu (Upper Anaicut) (18 km) : |
At the head of the Srirangam Island, there
is another dam called Upper Anaicut or Mukkombu which is about 685 m long. Constructed in
the 19th century across Kollidam, this dam has been forced into three sections instead of
one long stretch because of the shape of the island. This is also good spot for picnics.
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Narthamalai (17 km) : |
Narthamalai has some of the oldest structural stone temples,
built by the Mutharaiyars. This temple has six large skillfully carved statues of Vishnu
in the central hall. A 9th century Pallava cave temple dedicated to Siva lies to the
south, and in front of this is the Vijayalaya Choliswaran temple. Vijayalaya was the first
of the Later Cholas and as such, this Siva temple is one of the earliest Chola creations,
but not as grand as the ones that were to follow. However, glimpses of an artistic
greatness that was still to come can be seen in the beautiful figures of the dancers
in front of the |
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vimana, the elegantly carved dwarapalakas and the figures of other gods.
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Tirumayam (79 km) : |
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Tirumayam is
one of the most interesting places around Pudukkottai. There are a couple of rock cut cave
temples and an old fort, both of which are worth stopping for. The cave temples which lie
side by side are dedicated to Siva ( Sathyagireeswarar ) and Vishnu ( Sathyamoorthy ) and
were built by Mahendravarnan and Narasimhavarman Pallava. Atop the hill is the old fort
called OOMAIYAN KOTTAI where captured |
rebels were imprisoned by the
British. It was built in the year 1687 by King Sethupathi of Ramanathapuram. The Siva
temple has some inscriptions of music. There are two shrines in the Vishnu temple, and one
where the Lord is represented in a reclining posture is particulary remarkable as it is
the largest of its kind in the country. On the walls behind the idol are beautiful
carvings depicting Vishnu and the serpent Adisesha chasing away rakshasas (demons) by
spewing fire and poison.
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Kodaikanal (194 km) Princess of Hill Stations : |
Kodaikanal is a beautiful hill station and
is at an altitude of 2133 m on the southern tip of the upper Palani hills in the Western
Ghats. This place has a bracing climate where temperatures do not vary very much from
summer to winter. Fruits like plums and plantains grow abundantly on the wooded slopes
apart from a variety of flowers, among which is the famous Kurinji flower which blooms
once in every twelve years. Kodai's most enchanting sights include the star-shaped lake,
spread over an area of 24 hectares where fishing is allowed and boating facilities are
available. One of the world's oldest Solar Observatory that was built in 1899 is worth
visiting; and the Orchidorium at the Sacred Heart College where about 300 species of
orchids can be seen. There are also a number of picturesque walks like Coaker's Walk and
Priest's Walk. Kodai' s best view points are Pillar Rocks and Green Valley View. Bear
Shola Falls, Silver Cascade, Fairy Falls and Glen Falls are popular with picnickers while
the Perumal Peak is a favourite with trekkers. The Kurinji Andavar Temple 3.2 km away is
dedicated to Lord Subramanya.
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Kolli Hills (90 km) : |
This hill station in Namakkal district at an
altitude of 1190 mts, is an unexploited pleasure. Sri Arappaleeswarar Temple on top of the
hills called Chathuragiri is one of the oldest. The terrace type serpentine ghat road, the
fruits culitvated here, honey and the unchanged tribal cultures are unique memories. The
wonderful Agasangangai Waterfall flowing from a height of over 200 feet is a unique scene.
Valvil Ori Festival and Tourism Festival are celebrated during August every year.
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Puliancholai (72 km) : |
Puliancholai is a beautiful picnic spot at the foot-hills of
the Kolli Hills.
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