Tiruchirapalli, in short Trichy, is the fourth largest city in Tamil Nadu. A city with a rich past, it is now home to many prestigious educational institutions and industries. This changing demographic of the city resulted has resulted in better infrastructure within the city, but has also given way to the negative impacts of urbanization, including poverty and food insecurity as a result of urban migration. Modernization of architecture in Trichy and the influx of a culturally diverse community have a direct impact on its architectural fabric.
Located at the centre of the Tamil Nadu state, Trichy lies on the banks of the river Kaveri. The river separates it from Srirangam, which is a delta formed by the river Kaveri. Srirangam, which is also an administrative part of the Trichy District, is known for its rich architectural heritage since it has the largest Hindu living temple complex in the world. The river is seen to be an integral part of the lives of the people and is culturally significant. Kaveri is seen as the mother, referred to as “Amma” since it is believed that the river is sacred, and she provides life to the city.
Historically, Trichy has been ruled by a variety of rulers, starting from the Cholas, Pandyas and Pallavas to the British. The capital of the city under the Cholas – Uraiyur, is a part of Trichy today. It played an important role in the Carnatic Wars in the mid-eighteenth century. The transition of power in the city between various rulers is evident in the architecture. An important historical and cultural landmark in the city, the Rockfort Temple complex is a group of structures built by different rulers. The British established Trichy, as Trichinopoly – as a railway hub. The city has an advantageous location within the state and serves as a connecting point to the many temple towns in the state of Tamil Nadu. The city has also been home to many Tamil scholars, implying its importance in Tamil Literature and culture.
Studying the important historical landmarks of the city often helps us understand its present. Two important landmarks, among many others, are the Rockfort and The Temple Complex at Srirangam. Rockfort is a fort and temple complex built on an ancient rock. There is a commercial belt that surrounds the Rockfort. As a result of its historical and religious significance, the Rockfort is the most visited part of the city, by both pilgrims and tourists. It consists of the Ucchi Pillayar Temple, and the Thayumanaswami Temple, located at the top and bottom of the Rockfort respectively. There are also two rock-cut temples in the fort complex, called the lower and the upper cave temples, built during the Pallava era. The Rockfort is the highest point in the city, and hence acts as an element of visual connection between the past and the present.
The Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangam is a magnificent piece of Dravidian Architecture. It was rebuilt in the 14th century after being destroyed by the Delhi Sultanate, following which it continued to be expanded with many more gopurams in the 16th and 17th centuries. It is a complex that consists of temples, tanks, towers, and pavilions. There is a layering of enclosure around the temple, with 7 concentric enclosures and courtyards, which form an integral part of this temple town. The two outer courtyards are residential, and also consists of commercial activity with markets and bazaars, leading inwards to the several shrines dedicated to the Hindu god – Vishnu and his avatars. The temple is aligned on the North-South and East-West axis. The importance of this temple complex to the city is evident in its status as a temple town. It is also a major tourist attraction, not just within the city, but in the country and worldwide.
Religion plays an important role in the lives of the people, even today. The culture of the city is kept alive, through daily prayers and offerings at the various temples. Hinduism is the most widely practised religion, followed by Christianity. Churches such as the St. Mary’s Cathedral, are also an important part of the city’s landscape. The city has a multi-cultural and multi-lingual demographic.
Even though modernism and industrialization have had definitive impacts on the city, it is evident that historical and cultural heritage is still a significant part of it. There is a unanimity between the old and the new – an intermixing of cultures and traditions, which is evident even in the architecture. The Rockfort, and the temples around are monumental and serves as a reminder of its glorious past. Glimpses of urbanism have seeped into the city, mostly from educational, industrial and infrastructural origin. The two sides to the story, and in turn, the two sides of the city in Trichy co-exist in harmony.
References : Architecture in Trichy
https://www.tamilnadutourism.com/trichy/history-culture.php
https://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/115962/8/08_chapter%202.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiruchirappalli
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv3IhTjRWdE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=js5NHkHHPvg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiruchirapalli_Rock_Fort
