Tourism Places | Ariyalur District

Gangaikondacholapuram

Rajendra Chola-I (1012-1044 A.D) son of the Great Rajaraja-I, established this temple after his great victorious march to river Ganges on Northern India. He was originally called Madurantakan. He assumed the title of Rajendra during his coronation and continued to rule along with his father Rajaraja-I for a while. He achieved the supreme title of Cholas called Parakesari.

His empire extended the whole of southern India to river Thungabathra in the north India, for administrative and strategic purpose he built another capital and named Gangaikondacholapuram. The Gangaikondacholapuram temple, he constructed consists of 3 stories and surrounded by a huge fort like wall, the outer wall was greatly destructed during the English rule (1896 A.D) to reuse the building material (Granite rocks) for constructing the Lower Anicut (Dam across river Kollidam). He built around 10 temples at various places.

He assumed the title of Gangaikonda Cholan and named his new capital as Gangaikondacholapuram and he also constructed a huge Lake known as Chola Gangam that spreads 22 km mainly used for drinking and irrigation. A statue of Rajendra-I is found in Kolaram temple at Kolar of Karnataka state in India.

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Sri Kaliuga Varatharaja Perumaal Temple

Sri Kaliyaperumal temple is a major attraction of Ariyalur. It is situated at 5 km away from Ariyalur. This temple is famous for its "Car festival" (March/April) which is conducted yearly. The people of Ariyalur celebrate the festival grandly.

The temple is also famous for the Puraittasi Saturdays. Every year in the month of 'Puraittasi' (September), special Pujas, 'Arathanai', 'Abishekams', etc are done on the four Saturdays. This also is a major attraction of the Kaliyaperumal temple.

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Thirumazhapadi

Once it was the region of Chola's dynasty. The place Thirumazhapadi is situated on the bank of Kollidam river which is a branch of Cauvery River. Entire surroundings are filled with paddy and sugar cane fields. The famous Siva Temple is located in Thirumazhapadi. This Temple is called Sri Vaithiyanatha Samy Koil.It also has a statue of Thiruvalluvar.One of the touriest place in ariyalur.This temple is famous for its "nandikesvarar thirukalyanam " (March/April) which is conducted yearly. The people of thirumalapadi celebrate the festival grandly.

Vettakudi - Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary

Vettakudi - Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary situated in Ariyalur District, 65 km away from Tiruchirappalli and 35 km north of Thanjavur, this bird sanctuary sprawls over 454 Ha. of area. Water birds congregate here during November - February. About 50 species of resident and migratory birds are recorded here. The list includes varieties of Stork, Pelicans, Heron, Darter, Ibis, Egrets, Coot, Terns, Cormorants, King Fisher, Plovers etc.