Tiruchirapalli, India

Tiruchirappalli also called Tiruchi or Trichy, is a major tier II city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Tiruchirappalli District.

The city is an important educational centre in the state of Tamil Nadu, and houses nationally recognised institutions such as the Bharathidasan Institute of Management - BIM, Trichy, Indian Institute of Management (IIMT), Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) and National Institute of Technology (NITT). Industrial units such as Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Golden Rock Railway Workshop, Ordnance Factory Tiruchirappalli (OFT) and Heavy Alloy Penetrator Project (HAPP) have their factories in the city. The presence of a large number of energy equipment manufacturing units in and around the city has earned it the title of "Energy Equipment and Fabrication Capital of India". Tiruchirappalli is internationally known for a brand of cheroot known as the Trichinopoly cigar, which was exported in large quantities to the United Kingdom during the 19th century.

During British rule, Tiruchirappalli was known for its tanneries, cigar-manufacturing units and oil presses. At its peak, more than 12 million cigars were manufactured and exported annually. Tanned hides and skins from Tiruchirappalli were exported to the United Kingdom. The city has a number of retail and wholesale markets, the most prominent among them being the Gandhi Market, which also serves people from other parts of the district. Other notable markets in the city are the flower bazaar in Srirangam and the mango market at Mambazha Salai. The suburb of Manachanallur is known for its rice mills, where polished Ponni rice is produced. Tiruchirappalli is a major engineering equipment manufacturing and fabrication hub in India.

The Kaveri and Kollidam rivers flow around Srirangam Island, which is known for sacred Hindu sites Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, with intricately carved gopurams (towering gateways), and Jambukeswarar-Akilandeswari Temple, dedicated to the god Shiva. The Rock Fort Temple complex towers over the city center.

Connectivity

A major road and railway hub in the state, the city is served by an international airport (TRZ) which operates flights to the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Tiruchirappalli Junction is the second biggest railway station in Tamil Nadu and one of the busiest in India.

Tiruchirappalli is served by Tiruchirappalli International Airport 5 km (3.1 mi) from the city centre.