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Esalam

Built by Rajendra Cholan I (1012 AD.) the presiding deity is lord sri Ramanatha Eswarar. The legend found in sanskrit language and in grantha chara­cter. Written on the periphery of the seal is as follows, Rajad-rajanya Makuta sreni-ratnesu sasanam Etad Rajendra cholasya parakesari varmanah.

Ennairam

The chola temple of Narasimma swamy koil Built by Rajaraja chola I (985-1014 A.D). 8,000 Samanaras lived in this village. Another temple Narasimma Perumal Koil also found here.

Kamalakkanni Amman Temple

This small shrine dedicated to Kamalakkani Amman (Goddess Durga), a local deity, is found on the way of the citadel on Rajagiri Hill. It contains a sacrificial altar and well-preserved mural paintings belonging to the Nayak period.

Koovagam

The village of Koovagam is next to Ulundurpet taluk in Villupuram district. The Koothandavar temple is situated in this village. This is the only temple for eunuchs, and their family deity is the "Koothandavar".

A fifteen day Chitrai festival based on Mahabaratha is celebrated every year in grand style. According to the Mahabaratha, Rajakumaran, a eunuch was born to Arjuna and Naga Kannigai. The Pandavas, decided to sacrifice a human to ensure victory in the war and Rajakumaran was the sacrificial 'goat'. His last wish was to get married. No one came forward to marry Rajakumaran. Lord Krishna appeared as a female and married him. The next day he was killed. To signify this, the marriage is held the previous night and breaking of the 'thali' the next morning is done every year as a ritual.

Mayilam

Arulmigu Subramaniya Swami Temple located on a small hillock at Mailam is a famous place of pilgrimage. It is about 32 kms from Viluppuram on the Pondicherry Thindivanam road. The Panguni Uthiram festival held in March - April fascinates a large crowd of devotes from all over Tamil Nadu.

Mel Chittamur

Which is 20 kms of Thindivanam and 10 kms east of Gingee. Head quarters of Digambara sect in Tamilnadu with the JlNAKANCHI MATHA presided over by the Pontiff. Two temples, one dedicated to Parsvanatha and other known as 'Mailanatha temple was originally a boulder containing roc-cut images of Bahubali, Parsvanatha, Adinatha, Mahavira and Ambika yakshi carved in the 9th century AD.

Mandagapattu

A famous Archaeological Temple site is 20 kms from Viluppuram and 17 kms from Gingee. It is a 100 feet hillock, where the Mahendraverma (I) of Pallava king, 580-630 made a cave temple.

Melmalayanur Temple

The temple of Angala Parameswari is situated here. In the inner sanctum there is a snake pit which is being worshipped. There is a congregation of devotees on every new moon day.

Melnaariyappanoor Church

Very old famous church is situated in Chennai - Salem highway and 8 km from Chinna Salem. The church is constructed by the Kunchaan, a devotee of St.Anthoniyar.

Marakanam Beach

It is 22 kms from Pondicherry across East Coast Road in Vanur Taluk. The salt field is very  famous in this beach.

Pachaiamman Temple

This was worshipped by special  chittars. 7 Jadamuni shapes of pachaimalai is in the back side. Medicine plants are there. This medicine cannot be found even in the kollimalai. Purathana temple is on the top. There is no statue there.

Ponds

The way to the Hanuman Temple, outside the lower fort, abounds in temple ponds and many impressive structures. Chakkarakulam and chettikulam are the two famous ponds in this fort. Chettikulam was built by Raja shetty during the Maratha occupation of the place, towards the end of the 18th century. To the north of this pond is a platform believed to be Raja Desingh funeral pyre, where his young wife committed sati (self immolation).

Thirunarungondai

It is 16 kms Northwest of Ulundurpet and 21 kms East of Thirukkoilur. Hillock at the village contains a Jaina cave and two temples dedicated to Parsvanatha and Chanraprabha. Cave served as the monastery of the monks of Virasangha in the 8th - 9th century A.D. Rich collection of bronze images found in the temple. Annual festival (Jan-Feb) celebrated on a grand scale and attended by Jains from all over Tamilnadu.

Thirukkoilur

It is situated on the Cudclalore - Chittoor trunk road and 37 kms from Viluppuram. The presiding deities of the Vishnu Temple are Ulagalanda Perumal and Pushpavalli thayar. Kabilar Kundru is also yet another picnic spot at Thirukkoilur which is situated in the middle of the river Pennayar.

Thiruvennainallur

It is 20 kms from Viluppuram on the Thirukkoilur road which is the birth place of Sadayappar, the patron of Kambar.

Singavaram

The temple of Lord Ranganatha, the tutelary god of Raja Desingh is on a hill top. It is a good specimen of south Indian type of rock - cut shrine. The idol of Lord Ranganatha, in a reclining posture, measures 24 ft, in length which together with the inner Sanctorum, is carved out of a single rock.

Thalavanur

Malleswaralayam - Rock cut temple built by the pallava King Mahendra varman (B.C.580 to 630). Sculptures and Tamil and sanskrit inscriptions are found here.

24 Theerthangarargal

It is 2 kms north of Gingee town. The hillock on the western side of the road has two jaina caverns and a huge boulder containing sculptures of all the 24 Theerthankaras in the 9th Century style. It is only place where all the 24 Theerthankaras are shown in a single large composition. A open rock nearby was the place where monk Chandranandi observed 57 days of fasting and died (5th- 6th century A.D).

Tiruvakarai

In and around this village there are a number of petrified tree trunks called fossil wood. There is also an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, dating back to the Chola period. 

Thiruvaamathoor

This is an ancient chola temple. Dedicated to Lord Sri Abiramaeshwarar. This temple is 1500 years old. As the temple seems to have changed many hands between Rajaraja Chola (AD 985-1012) and seerangadeva Maharayar. (1584.AD) The amman is Named Muththambigai.

Thumpoor

The Temple of lord Nagamman. This temple is more than 1500 years old.

Gingee fort

Fortifaction Walls: The massive fortification walls of Gingee interconnect the three inaccessible hills - Krishnagiri, Chandragiri, and Rajagiri. The Rajagiri citadel is the highest about 800 ft. in height and the most inaccessible. The 20 meters deep chasm is now connected by a bridge.

Barracks and Stables

A series of low vaulted and arched cells on the western side of the Kalyana Mahal are referred to as the barracks and stables. The Archaeological conservation train­ing camp is located here.

Anaikulam

Located on the south of the Barracks, the Anaikulam (Elephant Tank) is a fine tank built of stone with cloistered mandapa surrounding it.

Granary/Gymnasium

This is the largest granary built in stone with a spacious entrance passage. The walls are nearly 3 meters thick. The stucco decorations outside are typical of the Vijayanagar period. A stone structure, with barrel vaulted roof, found on the north-eastern Side of the granary is said to be the Gymnasium.

Sad-At-Ullah Khan Mosque

The mosque was erected by Sad-At-Ullah Khan to commemorate his victory over Desingh and the capture of the fort. According to a Persian inscription found here, the mosque is said to have been constructed in 1717-1718 AD.

Venkataramana Temple

This sprawling temple, with its striking pillars, with carved sculptures narrates the aesthetic skills of the Nayaks. Many Tamil inscriptions are also found in the walls of the Mandapas.

Venugopalaswami Temple

Located to the west of the inner gate of the lower citadel, this temple contains a remarkable sculpture depicting Lord Krishna playing on the flute with consorts on his tow. A finely polished, broad and smooth slab found in front of the temple is an­other striking feature.

Kamalakanni Amman Temple

This temple contains a sacrificial altar and well preserved mural paintings belonging to the Nayak period.

Citadel on Rajagiri Hill

On top of the Rajagiri hill, an Audience hall built in typical Indo Islamic style, is a domed roof supported by a Series of graceful little pointed arches. The magazine building is also a note worthy structure. The Ranganath temple is built in typical Vijayanagar style. A big iron cannon, 4 meters long and 2 meters circumference can be seen here.

Koovagam Festival

The village of Koovagam is next to Ulundurpet taluk in Villupuram district at Koothandavar temple.

 

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