Pudukkottai: Explore The Oldest Habitations Of Tamil Nadu!

Pudukkottai District, the former generous state that was the first to join the Indian Union after floating away from the foreign yoke, is indeed the archaeological gem house of Tamil Civilization.  Pre-historic and proto-historic finds such as megalithic burials, dolmens stone circles and many more, in the district, blaze forth the civilization of the Tamils of the past.

Sangam classics indicate this tract as a prominent place of extremely cultured elites.  The rich cultural heritage of this district is also shown by the archaeological and cultural remains of Kodumbalur, Thirumayam, Narthamalai, Kunnandar Koil, Kudumiyanmalai, Sittanna Vasal, and Avudayar Koil.

Its emergence as a generous state occurred during the 17th century and even before that, from time long-established, it has been a centre of culture, architecture, civilization, art, fine arts, and polity.  It is hence no wonder that historians, anthropologists, archaeologists, and lovers of art have an engrossing interest in Pudukkottai.

Pudukkottai District is governed by a family better known as Tondaiman Rajas, which was founded in 1686 by Raghunatha Raya of Tondaimandalam, who played an important part in South Indian history.  This former generous state is rich in ancient temples owing to its natural caves in the hills.  Below We have added a few best places to visit in Pudukkottai.

Primitive tribes had their dwelling destinations in most of these caves.  Later, Jain monks, concerned by the remote peacefulness of these caves, made their homes there.  Different Pandya and Pallava kings of those times were Jains and therefore the monks celebrated their patronage. 

The region of Pudukottai has some outstanding temples well-known for attractive architecture and several cave temples of the ancient days.  The Rajas of Pudukottai took a substantial interest in conserving these monuments.

Narthamalai

It is situated at a distance of 17 km from Pudukkottai. The Chieftain of Mutharaiyar Narthamalai is the head of Quarters. The initial structural stone temple is spherical in shape, vijayalaya choleeswaram cave temple, and kadambar malai temple are the foremost attractions of Narthamalai.

Nowadays the Narthmalai Muthu Mariamman temple also attracts different tourists to this location. A multipart procession is an attractive event for this temple.

Vijayalaya chozheewaram , one of the earliest of chozha temple. Narthamalai, Pudukkottai. pic.twitter.com/TplTDsNjek

— Lost Temples™ (@LostTemple7) June 2, 2019

Viralimalai

It is an extensively prevalent wildlife sanctuary present in Tamil Nadu. The Sanctuary is esteemed for its undulating forest, well-known for being the habitat of different species. Peacock exists in the Sanctuary and is the centre point of tourist lure.

The Sanctuary is nearly 4 km away from the Pudukkottai and approximately 30 km away from the Trichy. The most treasured peacock in the Sanctuary is Tandikan or Palawan peacock pheasant. A prevalent temple is also on topmost of the Temple, named Murugan Temple. To arrive at this Temple, one has to track 210 steps.

Chithannavasal

Chithannavasal is a Protuberant Tourist Centre of Pudukottai District. It is situated on the Annavasal – Pudukottai Road at a distance of nearly 17 km from Pudukottai. During ancient days the Jain Monks used to live in caves and hillocks to function in their ascetic life.

They polished the hill for the determination of poojas and forfeit in the open shelter. Such a type of Jain temple and Jain beds are found in Sittannavasal and nearby places. The Eastern side of sittannavasal hill has more than 17 beds.

The sporadic Brahmi Tamil script inscriptions are found nearby to the beds. The Jain Beds are cooperatively Known as Ezhadi pattam.

Avudaiyarkoil

Situated jaggedly 50 kilometres from the city centre, the Avudairyarkoil temple is a foremost tourist lure in Pudukkottai. Built-in the typical Dravidian style of architecture, the presiding divinity of the temple is Lord Shiva.

It is somewhat several Shiva Temple in the sense that there is no statue of Nandi the Bull or even a flag at the beautiful temple. Also, the Sivalingam is adored as a soul and not in the method of a statue.

Avur Church

Avur is situated at a distance of 20 km from Tiruchirappalli and nearly 40 km from pudukkottai A Roman Catholic church built in 1747 A.D has existed here. The prominent Tamil scholar Rev. father Joseph Beschi (Veermamunivar) began his religious service by introducing a mission in this church.

Periodically different foreign tourists visit this destination. Easter festival is an acquainted festival celebrated here in an impressive manner.

Kunnandar Koil

The Temple is enthusiastic about Lord Shiva. It is constructed on rock-cut architecture, and the Temple is supposed to be constructed by the Muttaraiyar Kings. Temple built on rock-cut architecture is a specimen of the late Pallava Art.

The Temple comprises different inscriptions from Cholas, Chalukyas, Pandyas, and Vijaynagar Empires. Department of Archaeological Survey of India is accountable for maintaining and managing the Temple, and ASI has put the structure into the “protected monument” group. The cave has 3 life-size structures of dissimilar forms of lord shiva.

The major shrine is on the east, and the sanctum comprises pictures of Lingam, the iconic description of Shiva. Dvarpalas sentinel the sanctum on either side. It also has two portrait pictures which are identified as Murtharaiyar chief, who had built the Temple, and the other his assistant.

Kathubhava Pallivasal

One of the Islamic centres is situated 30 kilometres from Pudukkottai on the Thirumayam – Madurai roads. Arcot Nawab was built in about the 17th century AD. This is the position of Pagruthin Avuliya allies Kattubhava samadhi.

The Annual URS Celebration is a better-known festival held around this centre. This site was patronized by both Muslims and Hindus.

Kodumbaloor

The name Kodumbaloor seems in the Tamil epic Silapathigaram. It is nearly 35 kilometres from Trichy and 40 kilometres from Pudukottai. The architectural structures that stood here were portents of the Dravidian style of building.

Different tourists visit this location because of the conserved buildings of Muvar Koil and Mujukundeeswarer temple. The popular Archaeological Survey of India is in charge of it.

Malaiyadipatty

Pdukkottai District, at Keezhayur panchayat, a Siva temple together with the Vishnu temple has been located at a distance of nearly 35 km from Pudukkottai and nearly 15km from Keeranur is better known as malaiadipatti. In 730 AD Nanthivarma Pallava engraved the Siva temple (Vakeewarer) from the Hill locks.

The Vishnu temple is built later than the Siva temple and Narashima Moorthy, Thirumal, Ananada sayana Moorthy, and Ahishasan statues are the beautiful statues located in this Vishnu temple.

Some of the paintings portraying the ten avadars of Thirumal have been gorgeously painted on the walls of the Thirumal cave Temple. The mudumakkal Thazhi is also accessible in some places of this village in a burial ground.

Kudumiyanmalai

It is nearly 20 kilometres from Pudukkottai. The cave temples situated here carry witness to ancient art and civilization. On a hill lock, there is a Shiva temple enthusiastic to Sikkanatheeswarer, and it is enclosed by life-size sculptures.

There are nearly 100 inscriptions, the most famous of which expresses the grammatical notes of Karnatic music. The Government of Tamil Nadu owns and functions a better-known agricultural college.

Best Time To Visit Pudukkottai

It’s always good to have a foretaste of the weather or climate conditions while making a journey to any destination. When it comes to Pattukottai, all the periods are not perfect to visit this place.

Winter season is the only period when the weather remains in favour of tourists, and thus, the perfect season. On the other hand, summer durations are too hot which restricts tourists to celebrate activities and tours. However, monsoon is also not a good period to plan a trip to Pudukkottai as the town observes heavy rainfall throughout that time.

How To Reach Pudukkottai? 

Being one of the calmest and most serene tourist destinations in Tamil Nadu, Pudukkottai can effortlessly be arrived by any means of transport. The flight is the perfect mean to arrive at Pudukkottai for visitors who travel from far states.

However, one can also prefer the railway as the best manner to arrive at Pudukkottai.

BY AIR: Tiruchirappalli International Airport is the closest airport to Pudukkottai, which is nearly 93 km from the town. The airport links the town of Pudukkottai with other foremost states and cities through everyday flights.

From the airport, one can board a taxi or cab to cover the remaining distance to arrive at Pudukkottai.

BY RAIL: The Pudukkottai district does not have a railway station. Nidamangalam Junction attends as the closest railhead to Pudukkottai, which is nearly 45 km from the town. The railway station is well-linked with other parts of the country through everyday trains.

BY ROAD: One can also effortlessly get-in into Pudukkottai by a drive through roads and national highways. Unvarying buses to Pudukkottai are also accessible from other foremost southern cities. Cab service is also accessible from the foremost cities to Pudukkotai.

Conclusion 

Pudukkottai is a great municipality and astonishing town across the state of Tamil Nadu in India. The town is prevalent for being the hometown of Gemini Ganesan, the popular Tamil film star of the yesteryears. In January 1974, the district of the same name was introduced from the Thanjavur and Tiruchirappalli districts.

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