The Trichy Fort — also known as the Old City Fort or Malaikottai — is an ancient fortified area at the base of the Rock Fort that contains a fascinating mix of religious and historical structures. Built initially by the Nayak rulers of Madurai and later expanded by the Maratha kings and British colonisers, this is the oldest and most historically layered part of Trichy.
"The Old City of Trichy is a place where mosques and temples share walls, where Arabic calligraphy faces Sanskrit inscriptions, and where history lives not in museums but in the stones beneath your feet."
Inside the Fort Walls
The fort walls enclose several remarkable structures that reflect the region's layered history of Hindu, Islamic, and later Christian and British influences:
- The Teppakulam (Temple Tank): A vast artificial tank measuring approximately 1.5 km in circumference, built in the 17th century by the Nayak king Viswanatha Nayak. The tank is used for the annual float festival (Teppam) where decorated rafts carrying temple idols are floated to the delight of thousands of spectators.
- The Nathar Shah Mosque: A 17th-century mosque with a beautiful painted interior and carved arches — a serene and architecturally significant structure that welcomes respectful visitors.
- The Arulmigu Ranganathar Temple (within fort): A smaller Vishnu temple within the fort complex.
The Old Bazaar Streets
The streets of the Old City surrounding the fort are a sensory experience unlike anywhere else in Trichy. Big Bazaar Street and the surrounding lanes are crammed with shops selling traditional brass lamps, silk sarees, bangles, religious items, street food stalls, and everything in between. Walking these streets is as much a cultural experience as the historical monuments themselves.
Visitor Tips
- The Old City bazaar is best explored on foot — traffic can be chaotic
- Evening visits to the Teppakulam are particularly atmospheric
- The float festival (Teppam) usually occurs in January/February — a spectacular event
- Try the local jigarthanda (a unique Madurai-Trichy cold drink) from the Old City stalls
How to Reach
On Foot
The Old City is just 1 km from DD Home 2 Suites — a pleasant 10-minute walk through busy city streets.
DD Suites Tips
1
Start your Old City walk early in the morning before the bazaars open — the old streets are quiet and photogenic.
2
Combine the Old City with Rock Fort above — they are in the same area and make a perfect half-day heritage walk.