Trichy (Tamil Nadur) - January 25th, 2007

I am off to Trichy this morning. This city has two extraordinary temples, one of them located very high on a rocky mount. Trichy was a Chola citadel before the Christian era, and the Rock Fort temple was built by the Nayaks of Madurai. I went to visit this Rock Fort temple, that can be seen from far away since is on an elevation of 83 meters on a massive rock.
I walked up the 437 stone-cut steps and it gave me the feeling that it was only 100 instead. I guess I am in better shape that I think, I am surely glad since I still got a long ways to go. The big backpack, the walking and all these vegetarian meals keeps me light on my toes!
The views from the top were excellent, most of the Hindus were sitting on the rocks all over and definitely, it was a lot of steps for many of them.
Nearby, I visited the Lourdes Church, modelled on the neo-Gothic Basilica in Lourdes, France. Very impressive with so many stipples pointing up to the sky and all in white.
I saw more tourists in Madurai than in this town.