Location: In Pudukkottai District, Tamil Nadu
Founded By: Raghunath, Raja Of Tondaimandalam
Was Formerly: One Of The Princely States Of India
Main Attractions: Sri Kokaraneswara Temple, Government Museum, and Sittannavasal
Pudukkottai district, located in the southeastern part of the state is one of the new districts formed after the 1971 census, on 14th January 1974. It is one of the small districts of Tamil Nadu with an area of 4,661-sq-kms. Tiruchirappalli bound Pudukkottai district in the north, Thanjavur in the northeast, Bay of Bengal in the east and Ramanathapuram in the south. It has a coastline of about 39-km. The headquarters of the district is Pudukkottai.
Pudukkottai was founded by Raghunath, Raja of Tondaimandalam (the region around the ancient port of Tondi on India's southeastern coast). Industries include peanut (groundnut) oil and sesame oil extraction.

The History Of Pudukkottai: Pudukkottai was formerly one of the princely states of India. It was a unique state with all sovereign powers in reign by the Maharaja of Pudukkottai. Pudukkottai state comprised of three Taluks (also spelt as Talukas), viz, Alangudi, Tirumayam and Kulattur, with its headquarters at Pudukkottai.
Pudukkottai was under the control of the Muslims during the first half of the 15th century, the Naickers in the middle of the 15th century, and the Moghuls in the 17th century. During the last half of 17th century, the Marathas of Thanjavur ruled Pudukkottai area along with their territory in Thanjavur district.
Later, Pudukkottai came under the suzerainty of the Thondaiman kings. The Thondaiman kings ruled Pudukkottai state till 1948, i.e., before it was merged with the union of the Government of India on 3rd March 1948.

PRIME ATTRACTIONS

Sri Kokaraneswara Temple: The rock cut cave temple of Sri Kokaraneswara and Brahadambal at Thirukokarnam is of Mahendravarma Pallava's period. It is a famous temple and often visited by tourists.

Government Museum: Situated at Thirukokarnam, the museum is located at a distance of 5-km from Pudukkottai railway station. The rare collections in the section of Geology, Zoology, Paintings, Anthropology, Epigraphy, Historical Records, etc. are very interesting.

Sittannavasal: Pudukkottai is 53-km from Tiruchirappalli and 57-km away from Thanjavur. Pudukkottai was a princely state in the 17th century AD and it has rich reserves of archaeological and cultural remains at Kodumbalur, Narthamalai, Kudumianmalai, Kunnandarkoil, Sittannavasal, Thirumayam and Avudaiyarkoil.

Sittannavasal located 16-km north west of Pudukkottai town, is a celebrated Jaina center having a cave inhabited by monks in the 2nd century BC and a rock-cut temple of the 7th century AD. The cave contains stone beds of an early Brahmi record and some 7th century AD inscriptions. The rock-cut temple has exquisite sculptures and paintings of the 9th century AD The Archaeological Survey of India protects both the monuments.

The Anna Agricultural Farm And Agriculture Research Institute: The Anna Agricultural Farm and Agriculture Research Institute in Pudukkottai are interesting places often visited by tourists. In fact these institutions took shape as a result of the special efforts of the former Director of Census Operations, Shri K. Chockalingam who was the then Collector of Tiruchirappalli in the pre-bifurcation period of the two districts of Tiruchirappalli and Pudukkottai. Visit Tamil Nadu

Kodumbalur: Also known as "Moovarkoil", Kodumbalur is 36-km from Pudukkottai and 42-km from Tiruchirappalli. It was formerly the seat of Irukkuvelirs, who were related to the Cholas. Of the three shrines of Moovarkoil only two exist now. Boodhi Vikramakesari built these temples in the 10th century AD. The architecture of the temple is unique among south Indian temples. The sculptures of Kalarimurthi, Gajasamharamurthi Ardhanariswara (also spelt as Ardhanareeshwara), Gangadaramurthi, etc. are interesting masterpieces of art. Nearby is the Muchukundeswarar temple of the early Chola period.

Viralimalai Sanctuary: Viralimalai is a small town situated at a distance of 30-km from Tiruchirappalli and 40-km from Pudukkottai. It is famous for its Murugan temple and the Peacock sanctuary. The town is bestowed with a large number of wild peacocks, which roam around the Murugan temple.

Narthamalai: Narthamalai is a place of historical importance and the headquarters of the Mutharaiya chieftains. An earliest structural stone temple, circular in shape, built by the Mutharaiyar and the Vijayalaya Choleeswaram cave temple built by the Vijayala Chola, the first king of the later Cholas are located here.

Tirumayam: Tirumayam, a Taluk (also spelt as Taluka) headquarters is 19-km from Pudukkottai, the district headquarters. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams and has two cave temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. Mahendravarman and Narasimhavarman Pallava built the cave temples, which lie adjacent to each other.

Avadaiyarkovil: Avadayar Koil, previously known, as "Thiruperunthurai" is an important Shivasthala located at a distance of 8 miles from the Arantangi railway station and about 48-km. from Pudukkottai. The sculptural work of the temple is exquisite. It is perhaps the best architectural marvel in South India.

HOW TO GET THERE

Air: The nearest airport is at Tiruchirappalli, 50-km away.

Rail: Pudukkottai lies on the Chennai Rameswaram railway line and is connected to places like Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, and Thanjavur.

Road: Pudukkottai is connected to Rameswaram, Madurai, Tiruchirappalli, and Thanjavur and all other nearby towns by road. Tourist taxis and city buses are available for local transportation. Local buses cover all tourist centers in and around Pudukkottai.

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS: Adi Pooram Festival (July - August) at Sri Kokarneswarar Brahadambal Temple, Thirukokarnam and Manikkavasagar Festival at Avudayarkoil are celebrated every year in a grand manner.

GENERAL INFORMATION

NEARBY CITIES

Alangudi - 18-km 
Chennai - 336-km
Sivaganga - 156-km
Sivakasi - 180-km