Ariyalur

How to Reach

Air

The nearest International airport is Trichy Airport (75Km).

Train

Ariyalur Railway station comes under Trichy Railway Division, connected with Trichy(70Km) and Chennai (267Km) – Chord Line section.

Road

Ariyalur is situated 65Km from Trichy. It is 30Km from Perambalur on National Highways NH45. It is 44Km from Thanjavur on National Highways NH226.

I Square Taxi in Ariyalur

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Ariyalur is a well-connected district. It is accessible by road and rail. This makes it a key destination for our I Square Taxi services. Major highways like NH226 (Perambalur-Ariyalur-Thanjavur-Manamadurai) and NH227 (Trichy-Jayankondam-Chidambaram) pass through this region, providing seamless connectivity. Additionally, SH143 connects Ariyalur to Thungapuram and Thittakudi. Ariyalur Railway Station links to major cities like Chennai, Madurai, Trichy, and Erode. This offers easy access to our Drop Taxi and Intercity Taxi services.

Travel 267 km from Chennai Egmore. Travel 70 km from Trichy Junction. Travel just 2 km from Ariyalur Bus stand. I Square Taxi is here. We are ready to serve you. We ensure a smooth and hassle-free journey.

Tourism with I Square One Way Drop Taxi in Ariyalur

I Square Taxi is the ideal travel partner for exploring Ariyalur’s rich cultural and natural landmarks. It offers key services like One-way Drop Taxi and Round Trip options. Our service caters to those interested in comfortable and efficient travel solutions. We offer Outstation Taxi, Drop Taxi, Intercity Taxi, and One-way Taxi.

Ariyalur boasts a wealth of historical and cultural attractions. The Gangaikondacholapuram temple, established by Rajendra Chola-I (1012-1044 A.D.), is a must-see for history enthusiasts. This temple, built after his northern conquests, stands as a symbol of the Chola dynasty’s might. Additionally, the Sri Kaliuga Varatharaja Perumaal Temple is located just 5 km from Ariyalur. It is famous for its annual Car Festival held in March/April. The festival attracts many devotees seeking blessings of prosperity, health, and longevity.

A visit to Thirumazhapadi, located along the Kollidam River, offers a scenic view of paddy and sugarcane fields. Here, the famous Sri Vaithiyanatha Samy Koil houses a statue of Thiruvalluvar and is a popular tourist destination. The Nandikesvarar Thirukalyanam festival is another significant event celebrated in March/April.

For nature lovers, the Vettakudi-Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary is a must-visit. It is located 65 km from Tiruchirappalli. The sanctuary is home to over 50 species of resident and migratory birds. These include storks, pelicans, egrets, and kingfishers. This bird sanctuary offers a serene retreat for birdwatchers, especially during the winter months from November to February.

The Dasaavathara Mandapam in Ariyalur is renowned for its intricate sculptures. These sculptures depict the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, including the Narasimha avatar. Efforts are underway to restore the temple’s car, with the support of devotees and the government. The Pancha Loka Vigrahas showcase idols of Lord Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita. These idols are a stunning sight. They are believed to be among the largest in the world.

I Square Taxi ensures that your journey to these fascinating sites is hassle-free. They offer both One-way Drop Taxi and Round Trip services. This makes your experience seamless and enjoyable.

Melapaluvur & Keezhaiyur, Temples

The ancient name of this village was Mannuperumpaluvur, Periyapaluvur and Melaipaluvur. It was the capital of the Paluvettaraiyar Chiefs from Kerala. They ruled the Ariyalur area as feudatories of the Chola Kings. Their rule spanned from Aditya I to Rajendra Chola I.

Paluvettaraiyar Kumaran Kandan , Kumaran Maravan, Kandan Amudan and Maravan Kandan were some of the important Kings of this family. The Sundaresvarar temple in this place dates back to the period of Aditya Chola – I. Its name was Pagaividai Isvaram.

The eastern part of this village is called Kilaiyur. It was known as Avani Kandarvapuram in the era of the Cholas. It was a mercantile town of itinerant trade guilds. The Siva temple at Kilaiyur was called Avani gandarva Isvaram and built in A.D. 884 during the 13th year of Aditya –I by Paluvettaraiyar chief Kumaran Kandan.

This temple is one of the finest stone temples. It is also one of the best-preserved early Chola temples. It offers different architectural styles and has an array of beautiful and charming sculptures. Chola Kings had marital alliances with the Paluvettaraiyar family.

Parantaka Chola married Arumolinangai. She was the daughter of the Paluvettaraiyar Chief Kumaran Maravan. The Chola King Arinjaya Chola was born to this princess. Uttamachola (970-986) also married a princess of this family. Panchavanmadevi, wife of Rajaraja–I, was native of Avani Kandarvapuram.

The Chola Kings seem to have had their minting factory at this Capital. This place formed a part of the capital of the Paluvettaraiyar. It was called as Sirupaluvur, a Brahmadeya village in Kunra Kurram. Poems to the Alanduraiyar temple here were sung by Thirugnanasambandar during

the 7th Century A.D. Sage Parasurama did penance in this place. He got rid of his sins of having killed his Mother. This temple was worshipped by the Malayali Brahmins at the time of Saint Sambandar. It was built of stone in the time of Parantaka Chola – I and Uttama Chola .

Vaithiyanaatha Swami Thirukkoyil – Thirumazhapadi

The antiquity of this place goes back to the Sangam Period. It was an army camp of the valiant Malavar Clan from the Sangam Age. Hence, it was called Malavar-padi and later changed to Thirumalapadi.

The Siva temple of this place called Vaidyanatha Swami was worshipped and sung by the Devaram Nayanmars viz., Appar, Sambandar and Sundarar. It was also visited by Ayyadigal Kadavarkon who praised it in his hymns of Shetravenba.

This saint has been identified with the Pallava king Simhavarman(540-558), the grandfather of Mahendra Varman pallava (598-630). The Deity of this place appeared in the dream of Saint Sundarar. He asked Sundarar to visit this place and praise Him. The saint then came to this temple and sung peons in his famous Devaram hymns ‘Ponnar meniyane’.

Karkodeshwarar Thirukkoyil – Kamarasavalli

The Soundaresvarar temple with goddess Valambal in this village was built in the time of Sundra Chola in A.D. 962. Local traditions say that this was the place where Rathi did penance. She got back her husband Manmatha here. Hence, the village is named Kama-rathi-valli. A village called Alagiyamanavalam is located east of this village.

It is held that it was named after the beautiful husband of Rathi i.e., Alagiyamanavalan (beautiful husband-manmathan.) A beautiful bronze image of Rathi is also preserved in this temple.

Another story preserved in this temple is about Karkotaka, the serpent King. He got relieved of his curse by worshipping Lord Siva in this village. Hence, the God of the temple is called Karkodaka Isvaram. A slab with figures depicting this lore is also preserved in this temple.

There are more than 40 inscriptions of Chola, Pandya and Hoysala periods in this temple. Inscriptions mention this temple name as Tirunallur Srikovil Mahadevar, Tirunallurparamesvarar and Tirukkarkotaga Isvarattu Mahadevar.

Inscriptions refer to this village as Kamadavallichaturvedi Mangalam a brahmadeya in Mirai kurram. There are beautiful sculptures and bronzes of Chola period in this temple.

Ganga Jadadisvarar Temple, Govindaputtur

Govindaputtur, a village in Udaiyarpalayam taluk, is located on the northern bank of the Kollidam River. The Siva temple in this village is called Ganga Jadadisvarar. Saint Appar and Sambandar lived in the era of Mahendravarma Pallava. They praised the Deity of the temple in their Devaram hymns.

From their songs, we learn about Parthan (Vijayan, son of King Pandu of Mahabharatha). He worshipped Siva in this place. Parthan received a boon from the God. The celestial cow (kamadenu) also worshipped the God here. It poured its milk over the Sivalinga. Because of this, the place was called ko– karanda – puttur. Later, it became known as Govindaputtur.

Inscriptions of Chola, Pandya and Vijanagar kings are engraved on the walls of the temple. The current temple was built of stone in A.D.980. This occurred during Uttamachola’s era (970-986). His officer, Ambalavan Paluvur Nakkan, a native of Kuvalalapuram (modern Kolar in Karnataka), undertook this construction.

The temple is preserved with beautiful sculptures and bronzes of early Chola period. Inscriptions refer this place as Vijayamangalam, a Brahmadeya village in Sri Parantakachaturvedimangalam. A Devaram hymn of saint Sambandar is found in this temple. It is engraved at the beginning of a record of Rajendra – III.

Buddha Statues – Vikkiramangalam

This village came into existence during the reign of Rajendra – I. It was called Vikkiramacholapuram, after a surname of the king. Inscriptions of Vikramachola, Kulothunga–II and Kulothunga-III show that this place was a sub capital for the Chola kings. They resided in the royal palace here. The kings issued royal orders granting lands to many temples in the Chola country.

During the Chola period Vikramacholapuram was also a famous trade and mercantile centre of the itinerant trade guilds. Beautiful Jain and Buddha sculptures of Chola period is also preserved in this village.

This village has an existing Siva temple called Rajendra Cholisvaram. It dates back to the period of Rajendra Chola – I (1012-1044).

Sendurai, Sennivanam and Sripurandan, Temples

Epigraphically evidences show that the Siva temples at Sendurai, Sennivanam and Sripurandan belong to the periods of Rajaraja-I (985-1014), Rajendra–I (1012-1044) and Kulothunga–III (1178-1218) respectively

Gangai konda cholisvarar temple, Gangai konda cholapuram

Ariyalur is best known for the Gangaikondacholisvarar temple in Gangaikondacholapuram. This is the biggest temple constructed during the reign of Rajendra–I in the Ariyalur region. After the conquest of the Gangetic plains in A.D. 1023, Rajendra–I built a great city called Gangaikondacholapauram. He also built a Siva temple, Gangaikondacholisvarar, and a lake, Chola Gangam, to commemorate his victory.

The place, the temple, and the lake (Chola Gangam) represent the heroism of the Tamils. They unfurled the Chola’s Tiger flag on the banks of the River Ganges. He also shifted his capital from Thanjavur to this newly built town. From his period to the end of the Chola family rule in A.D.1279, this city was the capital for the Chola Empire for 256 years.

The gigantic stone temple which he built in this place is rich repository of beautiful sculptures of middle Chola period. This city is celebrated in the literature of Muvar ula of Ottakuttar and Kalingattuparani of Jayankondar.

Rajendra’s Gangetic expedition was over by his 11th regal year (A.D.1023). The earliest reference which mentions the city of Gangaikondacholapuram is a record of A. D. 1027 of him. Hence it is clear that the city was built in memory of his great victory between A.D. 1023 and 1027.

The recently discovered Esalam Copper plates of A.D. 1036 of Rajendra–I give concrete evidence that he built the Gangaikondacholisvarar temple. Another record of A.D. 1068 of Virarajendra in Gangaikondacholapuram which is the earliest record in the temple mentions about. the grant of villages to the Gangaikondacholisvarar temple by Rajendra-I in his 24th year (A.D. 1036).

These evidences show that the siva temple was built between A.D. 1023 and 1036 although the earliest extant record in this big temple belongs to A. D. 1068 of Virarajendra. This temple is a living history of the Cholas in stone from the period of Rajendra-I. It is also a beautiful gallery of Chola art and architecture.

Many sculptures were brought as war trophies from Andhra, Karnataka, and Bengal. These sculptures are preserved in the temple and in the nearby villages. Chandesura Anugraha Murthy and Sarasvathy are the most beautiful sculptures of the temple.

At now, it is under the control of ASI and the HR&CE. Recently, UNESCO declared the temple as one of the world heritage monuments.

Kondandaramaswamy kovil, Ariyalur

A Vishnu temple called Kondandaramaswamy kovil exists in Ariyalur. The presiding deity in this temple is Srinivasaperumal. But, it is popularly called as Kodandaramaswamy kovil. This is because of the existence of a shrine where Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita are enshrined.

The temple faces the east. The main shrine is dedicated to Srinivasa Perumal and His two consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi. It has a garbagruha (15 feet square) and ardhamandapa (17 feet long) and Mahamandapa.

The Kodandaramar shrine is a later addition. It is built of chalk stone. It is attached to the ardhamandapa of the main temple and faces the south. The shrine houses the stone sculptures of Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita on a Pitha. It also holds bronze images of them.

The idols were reportedly found from the Kollidam river bank near Vikramangalam. They were brought here by a Chief of Ariyalur. He built a shrine and installed the deities in it. In front of the main temple is built a spacious mandapa called Dasavatara mandapa. Four rows of pillars (20 feet heigh) with 10 pillars in each row are set up in the mandapa.

In these pillars the figures of the ten avatars of Vishnu are carved out. The figure is about 6.6 feet high. At the entrance of the row, the sculptures of a Chief and his Queen are also carved out. The whole complex is surrounded by a raised compound wall. A 6 storied Gopura, standing 90 feet high, is built at the entrance.

The basement of the Gopura is built of chalk stone and the upper stories are built of brick and mortar. A shrine for Garuda is built in front of the Gopura. A tank called Kodanda pushkarani is excavated in the southern side of the temple.

There are two inscriptions and one Copper plate in this temple. The earliest record is dated to A.D. 1635 and it is engraved in the south base of the main temple. It is damaged. It refers to an order of Ariyalur Arasu nilaiyitta Oppila Malavarayar. He agreed not to collect some taxes in anju parru nadu in Vitta parru.

A Copper plate charter dated to A. D. 1729 was issued during the reign of Arasu nilaiyitta Rangappa Malavarayar. It refers to the decision reached by the shepherd community (called Ayppadi Gopala vamsattar). They agreed to contribute one panam per person. Each house of their community would also contribute this amount to the temple during family marriages.

Lastly an inscription of A.D. 1742 mentions Vijaya Oppilada Malavarayar, son of Rangappa Malavarayar. He was also the grandson of Vijaya Oppilliada Malavarayar. This inscription mentions a brahmana named Venkatapathi Ayyan. But the last two records now disappeared from this temple. The above records show that this temple came into existence in the time of Arasu Nilaiyitta Oppilada Malavarayar.

The portrait sculptures in the Dasavaratara mandapa may be that of this Chief and his Queen. The beautiful ornamental workmanship of the adhishtana and kumbapanchara in the sanctum is remarkable. The Dasavatara sculptures and the Gopura contribute significantly. Together, they make this temple a beautiful centre of the architectural achievements of the Ariyalur Chief.

Karaivetti Birds Sanctuary, Vettakudi

The Karaivetti Birds Sanctuary with an area of 453.71 ha. has been notified under section 18(1) of Wildlife Protection Act 1972 as per Government Order No.219 E&F (FR.VI) Dept dt. 10.06.1997. The sanctuary is basically an irrigation tank. It receives water from the Mettur dam starting from September. This water is supplemented by the northeast monsoons from October till January.

The sanctuary is one of the most important fresh water feeding grounds for migratory water birds. It is located in the state of Tamil Nadu. The tank is one of the largest in the state. It has recorded the largest congregation of water birds among all the state’s tanks. Of the 188 species of birds recorded in the sanctuary, 82 are water birds. Among the important visitors to the tank is the endangered Bar Headed Goose. The best time to visit the sanctuary for bird watching is September-March.

Elakkurichi Temple

Elakurichi is one of the most famous places of Ariyalur district. It is a sacred pilgrimage place for the Roman Catholics. Constantine Beschi (popularly known as Virama Munivar) from Italy came to Ariyalur region and spread Chirstianity between A.D. 1710 to 1742.The Adaikala Matha temple here was built by him. With the blessings of the Holy Mother Mary he cured a dangerous disease of the Ariyalur Palayakarar. Pleased by the service of Virama Munivar the Chief granted 60 acres of land to the temple. An inscription engraved on a stone slab written in A.D. 1763 is preserved in this Church makes a mention of this grant.

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