Pudukkottai

Pudukkottai was organised as a separate district, on 14th January 1974, comprising the former Pudukkottai Division of Tiruchirappalli district with some additions from Thanjavur district. At present, this district is composed of two Revenue Divisions, namely, Pudukkottai and Aranthangi and nine Taluks, namely, Kulathur, Illuppur, Alangudi, Pudukkottai, Gandarvakottai, Thirumayam, Aranthangi, Avudaiyrakoil and Manamelkudi. The district depends a great deal on the monsoon for its water supply. We provide tourist transport in India.

Sangam Tamil literatures mention some place names of the district. Oliyamangalam (Thirumayam Taluk) is called as Ollaiyur in Purananuru. It was the birth place of poet Ollaiyur Kilan Makan Perumchattan and Ollaiyur Thantha Budha Pandyan. Agananuru also mentions Ollaiyur. It seems to have been an important city of the Pandyas. We provide tourist transport in India.Four other places also find place in the Sangam classics. They are Ambukkovil, the ancient Alumbil, referred to in Agananuru; Avur the home of the poets Avurkilar, Avur Mulamkilar; Erichi, the ancient Erichalur which had been identified with Erichi Village in Pudukkottai - Aranthangi road (But according to recent researches a village near Illupur). It was probably the home of the poet Madalan Madurai Kumaranar. Avayapatti is traditionally associated with Avvaiyar, who is believed to have lived here for some time.

This district was under the Pandyas of the first empire during Sangam period, but some part of it's northern boundary had been under the influence of the Cholas of Uraiyur, since a few villages here bear the prefix like "killi" and "valavan" both of which are the titles of the Cholas.

Chirhannavasal :
This ancient abode of Jains dating back to the 2nd Century B.C. is about 16 Kms. from Pudukkottai . The Rock–cut cave temple here has beautiful fresco Paintings in natural colours as in Ajanta. The Natural cavern with stone beds in which the Jain monks were said to have sought refuge for meditation. This cave contains lithic record (Brahmi Script of 2nd Century B.C.) There are a few sculptures of Jain Thirthanharas in the ardhamandapam and the inner shrine of the cave temple. The ceiling of the ardhamandapam contains fresco paintings of the 9th Centure A.D. The cave temple is said to have been excavated in 9th century A.D. and it is a pandya creation and art. Sittannavasal is one the oldest habitation of man in the district and is rich in megalithic sites. The cave temple and other sites are under the control of Archaeological Survey of India. Admission by tickets, open all days. Frequent bus service is available from Pudukkottai. We provide tourist transport in India.

Thirumayam Fort :
The Fort, the Siva and Vishnu temples are the tourist attractions here. The fort played an important role in the history of Tondaiman rulers of Pudukkottai and the British. The erection of this 40 acre-wide fort in 1687 A.D. is attributed to Sethupathi of Ramanathapuram. There are two cave temples one for Siva - Satyagiriswarar - and another for Vishnu - Satyamurti. Vishnu is in the form of Ananthasayi, called Adivangam. It is one of important Vishnavite centre. We provide travel & tours in India.

Kudumianmalai :
Kudumianmalai is 20 Kms from Pudukkottai. The presiding deity of the temple here is Sikhagiriswarar. There are beautiful sculptures in the temple. The temple is noted for numerous inscriptions. Remarkable among them is the one relating to a musical treatise. It is the only of it's kind , dating to 8-9th century AD., and the notations can be played in a Veena called ‘Pirivadini’ with 8 Strings. We provide travel & tours in India.There is a rock-cut cave temple with massive bas-relief dwarapalakas and with the architectural features of Hoysala style and belongs to 8-9th century A.D. The Anna Agricultural Farm and Agriculture Research Institute are the other interesting features of this place.

Sri Gokarneswara Temple - Thirugokarnam
The Rock-cut cave temple of Sri Gokarneswara - Brahadambal at Thirugokarnam is a Pandya art and belongs to 9th century A.D. It is the tutelary deity of Thondaiman rulers of Pudukkottai. The Pudukkottai Museum is situated at Thirugokarnam. It has rare collections in Geology, Zoology, Paintings, Anthropology, Archaeology, Numismatics, Economics, Botany and Philately. The Fine Sculptures and bronzes of various periods are the, attractive items of the Museum. Open on all days Except Fridays, Second Saturdays of the month and three National Holidays. We provide travel & tours in India.

Pallivasal
One of the Islamic Pilgrim Centres, this is located on the Pudukkottai – Madurai highways. The saint entombed here is Bava Fakruddin, popularly called as Kattubava, is the grandson of the celebrated saint of Nagore Shahul Hameed. Both Hindus and Muslims visit this place and it is a symbol of religious harmony in the district. Annual ‘Urs’ takes place in the month of Rabiyul Ahir.

Avudaiyarkoil
This is the most ornate temple in the district full of bursting barogue sculptures, the temple of Athmanatha. It is called Thirupperundurai in inscriptions and intimately associated with Siva saint Manickavasakar. The sacred book Saivism, Thiruvasakam of Manickavasakar originated from this shrine. The God is worshiped formless and no images in the sacnithanam. The utsavamurti of the temple is Manikkavasakar. The mandapams are full breath - taking sculptures, a varitable galary of sculptures. Avudaiyarkoil is 49 Kms from Pudukkottai. We provide travel & tours in India.