Rockfort Temple

The Rock Fort Temple tops on a 83m high outcrop. This temple was built by the Pallavas as a small cave temple, but the Nayaks made use of its naturally fortified position. It is a stiff climb, up the 437 steps cut into the stone to the top but well worth for the view. Non-Hindus are not allowed into the Vinayaka Temple at the summit and at the bigger Sri Thayumanaswamy Temple dedicated to Siva, halfway up.

The monument is open daily from 6 am to 8 pm. Entry is Rs. 0.50, plus Rs 10 if you have a camera. Shoes have to be left at the entrance near the temple elephant which passes each monotonous day blessing devotees in exchange for money.

Tiruchy's most famous landmark is 83-m high rock which is the only outcrop in the otherwise flat inland of the city. The most amazing fact about the rock is that it is one of the oldest in the world. The sheer abruptness of its rise is an attention grabber. But the actual centre of attraction is not the fort itself, of which very little remains, but the temple at the summit. 420 steps carved out of rock lead to the top where there are inscriptions dating back to the 3rd century B.C Hardly anything remains of the ramparts but the Main Guard Gate is still intact The fort played an important part during the Carnatic wars and according to an inscription, mainly contributed to lay the foundations of the British empire in India.

A top the rock is the Uchipillaiyar Koil, a temple dedicated to Lord Vinayaka from where one can enjoy a panoramic view of Tiruchy. A flight of steps leads to the Mathrubutheswarar or Thayumanaswami temple. Dedicated to Lord Siva where the lingam is the projection of the rock itself. There are two Pallava cave temples that have beautiful sculptures of the 6th and 7th centuries. At the foot of the Rock Fort is a tank and a pavilion which is used during the float festival of the temple. Facilities for boating in the tank is available. Near the tank is the house where Robert Clive lived when he was in Tiruchy . The house is now part of Tiruchy's famous St.Joseph college. The 18th century Christ church build by Schwartz of Denmark is nearby.

The Rock fort Hillock is said to be 2300 million years old. Ponmalai, Ramji Nagar, Nadumalai, Edamalaipatti, rapattimalai,Kuttimalai,Thiruverumbur Erumbeeswarar malai, Thuvakudi malai and Rock fort Hillock are protruded portions of the Rock plates existing below. This is charnokite,considering the plastic flow. It is named as GENISSIC CHARNOKITE. The materials like Quartz used in glass making and feldspar used in ceramic are found in this Rock formation. There has no trace of life in this Rock like the one found in Ariyalur belt nearby. While the age of the earth is 4600 million years old, the age of Rock fort hillock is just half while the age of Himalayas is only 40 million years.