PLACES OF INTEREST - In NAMAKKAL

Aiyaru River : Beautiful river, its constituent streams are Aroychi Aru, Kanappadi Moolai Aru, Maasimalai Aruvi, Nakkattu Aru, and Thazhigai Aru. It Orignates in the Siddhan Kuttu Peak (4500) as Vellaipaazhi Aru. At various points of its course in the kolli malai, this river is known as the Arappalli Isvarar Aruvi. Beyond the Arappalli Isvarar Kovil it falls down as Akaasa Gangai and flows out of the district at Puliyamsolai to join with the Kaveri.

Akasagangai Water Falls : Kolli Hills situated on the Eastern Ghats at an altitude of 1190 meteres in Namakkal Dist. It is situated at 40 Kms from Namakkal. Kolli Hills is known for medicinal herbs and plants. Arappaleeswarar Temple, Govt. Herbal Farm, Aiyaru (River), Akasagangai Waterfalls, Botanical Garden, Telescope house are the important tourist attractions. Every year in the month of May ‘Valvil Ori’ festival is celebrated.

Anjaneyar Koil : Namakkal is famous for a life size Hanuman Statue (Anjaneyar) of about 200 foot height carved out of a single stone. The city lies at the foot of a huge rock, upon which there is a fort. There are two rock cut cave temples here.

Arthanari Isvarar Koil : The only Siva temple in Tamil Nadu dedicated to the Halved-woman lord. The temple is situated on the Thiruchengode mountain at a height of 465 metres. The chief deity is a statue of 5' high and is believed to have been created by siddhas out of a herbal compound. The temple also contains shrines for Murugan (Chengottu Valavar) and Vishnu.

Bhavani Kuduthurai : The Sangameswarar Temple here is situated at the confluence of the Rivers Bhavani, Kaveri and Amutha Nathi. It is one of the most important pilgrim centres in South India.

Kailasanathar Koil : This Siva temple is known as the Keezh Kovil (Lower temple) with reference to its location in the town as against the Mael Kovil (upper temple) of Arthanari Isvarar which is up on the hill. Its chief deity was referred to as Vikrama, Pandeesvarar after the Pandian King Vikrama who is said to have begun the construction of the temple. A well in the southeastern part of the town is still known as the Parian Pazhi.

Kavinger Raamalingam Pillai Memorial: He was born on 10-10-1888. From his young age he was involved in the Independence movement respecting Gandhism and nationalised principle. In 1932 he participated in the Salt Sathyagraha. He won the honour as government poet and Padmabhushan. As a mark of respect his memorial was opened on 21-2-2000. His Memorial Illam is located in 39, Kavinger Ramalingam Street, Namakkal dist. at the area of 341.24 sqm.

Kolli Hills: Kolli Hills is a major mountain range and is an outliner of the Eastern Ghats. It is eighteen miles (28 Kilometeres) long (north south) twelve miles (19 Kilometers) wide (east/west) and covers approximately 400 square miles. The name Kolli Malai refers to the mountain’s once hostile nature; the unsuspecting aliens, attracted by natural beauty. Viewed from plains of Namakkal the mountain appears as a flat-topped mass

Namakkal Dhurgam Fort : The fort is on the summit of Namagiri. It is one of the naturally strong forts steeped in bloody history of the district. It was under Mysore until it was captured by the British in 1769. It was retaken by Hyder Ali a few months afterwards and was lost again to the British in 1792. It contains the ruins of a Vishnu temple dedicated to Ethirili(Peerless) Perumal with in inscription of Sadaiyavaraman Sundhara Pandiyan.The fort covers an area of one and a half acres of flat surface and is accessible from the southwest by a flight of narrow steps.

Tiruchengode Malai : Mountain of the Holy Red Peak (1923) high. The legends have spawned a multitude of names fir the hill such as Aravagiri, Brahmagiri, Bogimalai, Chakkiri Meru, Dhenugri. According to the Ramayana legends, the hill fell off from the Sanjivi when it was carried aloft by Anjaneya, the Monkey God.