4 Tourist Places In Pudukkottai To Explore The Old-World Charm Of Tamil Nadu

Situated on the banks of the River Vellar, Pudukkottai is a town in Tamil Nadu. This town is endowed with history, as it has been governed by Cholas, Pandyas, Thondaimans and the Britishers, during various periods. The tourist places in Pudukkottai range from historical monuments, which are presently under the Archaeological Survey of India, to ancient temples, which were built and reformed by the rulers of various dynasties. The destination is ideal for historians, researchers, archaeologists, photographers, and simply art lovers. All this makes Pudukkottai a gem of a town waiting to be discovered by the people craving to explore new destinations.

4 Tourist Places In Pudukkottai

Here is a list of the tourist places in Pudukkottai to get an insight into the town and plan your trip accordingly:

1. Thirumayam Fort

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Constructed in 1687 by Ragunatha Sethupathi, Raja of Ramanathapuram, Thirumayam Fort is a perfect example of an ancient architectural marvel. Presently, it is under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India. Initially, the fort was built as a ring fort with seven walls erected in concentric circles, but because of the wars and deterioration, only four have stood the test of time. One can also spot a tiny pond, shrines of Lord Ganapathi, Hanuman, Karuppar and Sakthi, and two rock-cut temples of Sathya Murthy Perumal Temple (dedicated to Lord Vishnu), who is the Vaishnavite deity and Sathya Gireeswarar Sivan Temple (dedicated to Lord Shiva) of the Shaivites. The top of the fort provides breathtaking views of the surroundings, making it among the top tourist places in Pudukkottai.

Location: Middle Street, Thirumayam, Tamil Nadu 622507
Timings: 6 am to 12 noon and 4 pm to 6 pm
Entry Fee: ₹ 20 for Indians & SAARC Nationals and ₹ 250 for foreigners

Must Read: 5 Best Places To Visit In Tenkasi

2. Sittanavasal Caves

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Nestled in the tiny hamlet of Sittanavasal, Sittanavasal Caves are a 2nd-century Jain complex of caves with temples and paintings that narrate the story of the past. Presently, under the Archaeological Survey of India, Sittanavasal translates to “abode of the great saints.” The site became a major centre for Jainism after the settlement of some monks from the eastern parts of India, who used to preach lessons of Jainism to the followers. One can spot seventeen stone beds that were used by the monks with carvings of Tamil Brahmi. The caves have a rock-cut temple, Arivar Koil (temple of the Arhats), where the wall paintings are made out of vegetable and mineral dyes using colours on the surface of the lime plaster, making it one of the major places to visit in Pudukkottai.

Location: Sittannavasal Cave Rd, Madiyanallur, Tamil Nadu 622101
Timings: 10 am to 6 pm
Entry Fee: ₹ 20 for Indians & SAARC Nationals and ₹ 250 for foreigners

3. Brahadambal Temple

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Built by King Mahendravarma I of the Pallava Dynasty in the 7th century, the Brahadambal Temple is dedicated to Kokarneswarar, a form of Lord Shiva. The temple has been known by other names such as Thirugokarnam, Kokarneswarar and Gokarneswarar Temple. Kokarneswarar is worshipped in the temple along with his consort Goddess Brahadambal, who was the guardian deity of the Thondaiman Kings. There is a history associated with the temple that once the king of the Thondaiman empire lost an important document and prayed to Goddess Brahadambal to get it back. After finding the lost document, he was overjoyed and minted the coins featuring Goddess Brahadambal on one side, which he distributed during festivities. Devotees believe that praying at this temple will liberate them from sins and curses.

Location: Palaniappa Nagar, Pudukkottai
Timings: 6:30 am to 12 noon and 4 pm to 8:30 pm
Entry Fee: N.A.

Suggested Read: 5 Best Places To Visit In Masinagudi

4. Avudairyarkoil Athmanathar Swamy Temple

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Exhibiting the Dravidian style architecture, Avudairyarkoil Athmanathar Swamy Temple is famous for its granite roofwork. The deities worshipped here are Athmanathar (Lord Shiva) and Yogambikai (Goddess Parvati). Some contrasting elements differentiate this Shiva temple from other Shiva temples. Firstly, the Shiva temples generally face towards the east, whereas the Avudairyarkoil Athmanathar Swamy Temple faces towards the south. Secondly, there is an absence of a statue of Nandi (bull vahana of Shiva), a flag and Bali peetam (sacrificial pedestal) at the temple. Thirdly, Shivalingam here is worshipped as a soul and not in the form of a statue. The annual festivals of Aani Thirumanjanam (June-July) and Margazhi Thiruvadhirai (December-January), conducted for ten days each, are celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm on the temple premises.

Location: Avudaiyarkoil village, near Aranthangi, Pudukkottai district, Tamil Nadu
Timings: 6 am to 12 noon and 4 pm to 9 pm
Entry Fee: N.A.

Further Read: 7 Best Tourists Places In Nagapattinam

Whether it is a religious shrine or a historical site, one must explore tourist places in Pudukkottai on their next trip to Tamil Nadu. The ancientness of all these locations will surely intrigue an explorer to visit these sites. Make sure you save this list for the future so that it comes in handy for a hassle-free vacation experience.

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