Rock Fort, Tiruchirappalli Tourism
Rock Fort, atop which the Uchi Pillayar Kovil is situated, is an attraction in itself. Experts deem this rock to be 3800 million years old, making it older than the Himalayas and as old as the ancient rocks of Greenland. The rocky outcrop is 83 m high. There are 420 steps leading to the summit, where there are inscriptions dating back to the 3rd century B.C. Not much of the fort remains, but the Main Guard Gate is intact. The fort played a crucial role in the Carnatic Wars and according to an inscription, helped in laying the British Empire’s foundation in India. Beide the tank at the foot of Rock Fort is the house where Robert Clive of the East India company lived while he was in Tiruchirappalli.
Tiruvanaikkaval Temple also called the Jambukeswara temple, is famed for its architectural splendor. It is one of the panchalingam shrines of Lord Shiva. He is represented in the form of water here. The lingam installed under an ancient Jambu or Jamoon tree is partially submerged by water. The temple is named after an elephant which is believed to have worshipped the Lord Shiva here.
