Central Tamil Nadu

Tiruchirappalli

Headquarters: Tiruchirappalli

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27,22,290

Population

Census 2011

4,509 km²

Area

83.23%

Literacy

Census 2011

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Overview

Tiruchirappalli, commonly known as Trichy, is a district in central Tamil Nadu situated on the banks of the Cauvery (Kaveri) river, with the city of Tiruchirappalli as its headquarters and one of the state's principal urban and industrial hubs. Lying close to the geographic centre of Tamil Nadu, it recorded a population of 2,722,290 at the 2011 Census and covers an area of about 4,404 sq km. The district has a deep history spanning Chola, Pallava, Pandya, Vijayanagara and Madurai Nayak rule, and was known as Trichinopoly during the colonial era before being renamed. Its landscape is shaped by the Cauvery and its distributary the Kollidam, which together frame the temple island of Srirangam.

Economy

The district is a major engineering and defence-manufacturing centre. Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) runs one of India's largest high-pressure boiler plants at Tiruchirappalli, while the area also hosts the Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli with its Heavy Alloy Penetrator Project (HAPP) and the Golden Rock Railway Workshop at Ponmalai, which builds and overhauls rolling stock. Traditional industries include leather tanning, synthetic and artificial gem cutting, and the historic Trichinopoly cigar trade, while agriculture along the Cauvery, such as paddy, sugarcane and banana, remains important. The district recorded a literacy rate of 83.23% at the 2011 Census.

Heavy engineering (BHEL)Boiler and fabrication manufacturingDefence and ordnanceRailway workshopsLeather tanningAgriculture

Tourism

Landmarks include the Rockfort, an ancient fortress crowned by the Ucchi Pillayar temple atop an 83-metre rock in the heart of the city, and the historic temple town of Srirangam. Along the river lie the Grand Anicut (Kallanai), an ancient Chola-era dam, and the Upper Anicut at Mukkombu, a popular picnic spot where the Cauvery divides to form the Kollidam.

Temples & heritage

The Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple at Srirangam, dedicated to Vishnu, is the foremost of the 108 Divya Desams and among the largest functioning Hindu temple complexes in the world. Nearby stands the Jambukeswarar Temple at Thiruvanaikaval, one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams representing the element water. Other major shrines include the Ucchi Pillayar (Vinayaka) temple atop the Rockfort and the Samayapuram Mariamman Temple.

Infrastructure

Tiruchirappalli International Airport connects the city with the Middle East and Southeast Asia, while Tiruchirappalli Junction is one of the busiest railway hubs in Tamil Nadu. The district sits on a network of national highways radiating towards Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore and Thanjavur, and its water resources are anchored by the Cauvery and Kollidam rivers.

Education & healthcare

Tiruchirappalli is a leading education centre, home to the National Institute of Technology (NIT Tiruchirappalli) and Bharathidasan University. Other institutions include an Anna University regional campus, St. Joseph's College, Jamal Mohamed College and the K.A.P. Viswanatham Government Medical College.

Gallery

The Rockfort, crowned by the Ucchi Pillayar temple, rising above Tiruchirappalli city. · 📷 Adam Jones / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Jambukeswarar Temple at Thiruvanaikaval, one of the Pancha Bhoota Sthalams representing water. · 📷 Ssriram mt / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

The Grand Anicut (Kallanai), an ancient Chola-era dam across the Cauvery river. · 📷 Ashwin Kumar / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

The Upper Anicut at Mukkombu, where the Cauvery divides to form the Kollidam. · 📷 Wesleyneo / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Videos

Rock Fort, Tiruchirappalli: a Hindu temple on an 83-metre rock, travel guide

Sources & references

Source: Census of India 2011 (via census2011.co.in); Data note