Tiruchirappalli Rock Fort

If you are planning to delve yourself in the history of fierce battles, then Tiruchirappalli Rock Fort is an ideal place for you. It is a famous historical fortification and temple complex built on an ancient rock which is said to be 3.8 billion years old. This makes it the oldest formations in the world; also older than the Himalayas. The fort complex has witnessed many historic battles between the Madurai Nayakas and Adil Shah dynasty of Bijapur, Maratha Imperial Forces, and Carnatic region.

The fort has a collection of three temples; The Manikka Vinayakar temple, the Ucchi Pillayar Temple, and the Taayumaanavar Koyli Shivastalam. This place got the name ‘Rockfort’ because of the various military fortification. Initially, it was fortified by the emperors of the Vijayanagara Empire and later by the Britishers during the Carnatic Wars. According to studies, the Pallavas built the cave temple which is known to be the oldest structure in the fort. There are two rock-cut temples in the fortress called the Lower Cave temple and the Upper Cave Temple. The main festival celebrated here is the Chittirai festival during April and May. It is observed for fifteen days.