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The main
temple is dedicated to Vishnu. Even muslims are said to have prayed here
after the fall of the Vijayanagar Empire. Non-Hindus are not allowed
into the gold – topped sanctum, but they are allowed into the sixth
wall. The whole place is fascinating. Bazaars and Brahmins’ houses fill
the space between the outer four walls, and you don’t have to take your
shoes off or deposit your bicycle until you get to the fourth wall. Just
past the shoe deposit is an information centre, where you buy the ticket
to climb the wall for a panoramic view of the entire complex. A temple
guide will unlock the gates and tell you what’s what. It’s worth
engaging one of these guides as there is much to see and you could
easily spend all day wandering around the complex. There’s also a small
museum containing sculptures.
An annual
Car Festival is held here in January during which a decorated wooden
chariot is pulled through the streets between various walls. In
mid-December, the Vaikunda Ekadasi, or Paradise Festival will be
celebrated in the Vishnu Temple. Ivory sculptures of Lord Vishnu in
various poses and the images of Nayak Kings with consorts donated by
Nayak kings who ruled Madurai during the 17th century are available
here.
Pavai
lamps of Marati period who ruled Thanjavur, the rest of the period, made
the Nataraja image in a pearl made screen. Coins of British, Dutch,
Tiruvanquor, Hyderabad, Gowalior, princely states are available. Firm
leaves inscriptions, stone sculptures, very big temple lamps, copper
plates of Vijayanagara Kings are available.
The temple
is a must visit and is one of the major Hindu temples in the country.
Tiruchirappalli International Airport or Trichy International
Airport is an international airport serving Tiruchirapalli
metropolis. This Airport is the nearest airport
to this Temple.
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