Pudukkottai Travel Guide

Pudukkottai was organised as a separate district, on 14th January 1974, comprising the former Pudukkottai Division of Tiruchirappalli district with some additions from Thanjavur district. At present, this district is composed of two Revenue Divisions, namely, Pudukkottai and Aranthangi and nine Taluks, namely, Kulathur, Illuppur, Alangudi, Pudukkottai, Gandarvakottai, Thirumayam, Aranthangi, Avudaiyrakoil and Manamelkudi. The district depends a great deal on the monsoon for its water supply.

Sangam Tamil literatures mention some place names of the district. Oliyamangalam (Thirumayam Taluk) is called as Ollaiyur in Purananuru. It was the birth place of poet Ollaiyur Kilan Makan Perumchattan and Ollaiyur Thantha Budha Pandyan. Agananuru also mentions Ollaiyur. It seems to have been an important city of the Pandyas. Four other places also find place in the Sangam classics. They are Ambukkovil, the ancient Alumbil, referred to in Agananuru; Avur the home of the poets Avurkilar, Avur Mulamkilar; Erichi, the ancient Erichalur which had been identified with Erichi Village in Pudukkottai - Aranthangi road (But according to recent researches a village near Illupur). It was probably the home of the poet Madalan Madurai Kumaranar. Avayapatti is traditionally associated with Avvaiyar, who is believed to have lived here for some time.

This district was under the Pandyas of the first empire during Sangam period, but some part of it's northern boundary had been under the influence of the Cholas of Uraiyur, since a few villages here bear the prefix like "killi" and "valavan" both of which are the titles of the Cholas.

Places of Interest
Chirhannavasal
This ancient abode of Jains dating back to the 2nd Century B.C. is about 16 Kms. from Pudukkottai . The Rock–cut cave temple here has beautiful fresco Paintings in natural colours as in Ajanta. The Natural cavern with stone beds in which the Jain monks were said to have sought refuge for meditation. This cave contains lithic record (Brahmi Script of 2nd Century B.C.) There are a few sculptures of Jain Thirthanharas in the ardhamandapam and the inner shrine of the cave temple. The ceiling of the ardhamandapam contains fresco paintings of the 9th Centure A.D. The cave temple is said to have been excavated in 9th century A.D. and it is a pandya creation and art. Sittannavasal is one the oldest habitation of man in the district and is rich in megalithic sites. The cave temple and other sites are under the control of Archaeological Survey of India. Admission by tickets, open all days. Frequent bus service is available from Pudukkottai.

Kodumbalur
Kudumbalur is 36 Kms. from Pudukkottai and 42 Kms. from Thiruchirappalli. It was formerly the seat of Irukkuvelirs, who were related to the Cholas. Kodumbalur is one of the ancient places in the district and is mentioned in Silappadikaram, The epic hero and his wife are said to have passed through this place on their way to Madurai. The early Chola temple here is known as "Muvarkoil". Of the three shrines of Moovarkoil only two exist now. These temples were build by But Vikramakesari in the 10th Century A.D. The Architecture of the temple is unique among South Indian temples and is the forerunner of all the grand Chola monuments. The Sculptures of Kalarimurthi, Gajasamharamurthi, Ardhanaari, Gangadaramurthi. etc., are interesting masterpieces of art. The Muchukundeswarar temple of the early Chola period is another important temple of archaeological importance. Open on all days. Admission to Moovarkovil is by ticket.

Thirumayam Fort
The Fort, the Siva and Vishnu temples are the tourist attractions here. The fort played an important role in the history of Tondaiman rulers of Pudukkottai and the British. The erection of this 40 acre-wide fort in 1687 A.D. is attributed to Sethupathi of Ramanathapuram. There are two cave temples one for Siva - Satyagiriswarar - and another for Vishnu - Satyamurti. Vishnu is in the form of Ananthasayi, called Adivangam. It is one of important Vishnavite centre.

Kudumianmalai
Kudumianmalai is 20 Kms from Pudukkottai. The presiding deity of the temple here is Sikhagiriswarar. There are beautiful sculptures in the temple. The temple is noted for numerous inscriptions. Remarkable among them is the one relating to a musical treatise. It is the only of it's kind , dating to 8-9th century AD., and the notations can be played in a Veena called ‘Pirivadini’ with 8 Strings. There is a rock-cut cave temple with massive bas-relief dwarapalakas and with the architectural features of Hoysala style and belongs to 8-9th century A.D. The Anna Agricultural Farm and Agriculture Research Institute are the other interesting features of this place.

Viralimalai
The temple of Lord Subramanya at this place is on a hillock It is a peacock sanctuary, It is 30 Kms. from Trichy and 40 Kms. From Pudukkottai. The Principal idol Lord Subramanya with Valli and Devasena is seated on a peacock. It is one of important centre of Lord Muruga worship and various festivals relating to Lord Muruga are celebrated.

Avur
The old chapel here was constructed in 1547 A.D. by Father John Venantius Bouchet and the new Roman Catholic Church was constructed in 1747 A.D. The Tamil Scholar Rev. Father Joseph Beschi (Veerama Munivar) also served in this church. The Easter Passion play followed by car Festivals, takes place in summer, which attracts people of all faiths.

Sri Gokarneswara Temple - Thirugokarnam
The Rock-cut cave temple of Sri Gokarneswara - Brahadambal at Thirugokarnam is a Pandya art and belongs to 9th century A.D. It is the tutelary deity of Thondaiman rulers of Pudukkottai. The Pudukkottai Museum is situated at Thirugokarnam. It has rare collections in Geology, Zoology, Paintings, Anthropology, Archaeology, Numismatics, Economics, Botany and Philately. The Fine Sculptures and bronzes of various periods are the, attractive items of the Museum. Open on all days Except Fridays, Second Saturdays of the month and three National Holidays. Open Between 9.30 to 5.00 P.M. through. Admission is Free

Pallivasal
One of the Islamic Pilgrim Centres, this is located on the Pudukkottai – Madurai highways. The saint entombed here is Bava Fakruddin, popularly called as Kattubava, is the grandson of the celebrated saint of Nagore Shahul Hameed. Both Hindus and Muslims visit this place and it is a symbol of religious harmony in the district. Annual ‘Urs’ takes place in the month of Rabiyul Ahir.

Avudaiyarkoil
This is the most ornate temple in the district full of bursting barogue sculptures, the temple of Athmanatha. It is called Thirupperundurai in inscriptions and intimately associated with Siva saint Manickavasakar. The sacred book Saivism, Thiruvasakam of Manickavasakar originated from this shrine. The God is worshiped formless and no images in the sacnithanam. The utsavamurti of the temple is Manikkavasakar. The mandapams are full breath - taking sculptures, a varitable galary of sculptures. Avudaiyarkoil is 49 Kms from Pudukkottai.