Many families come to Trichy for a temple trip with grandparents and children. The temples are wonderful, but they involve walking barefoot on stone, queues and heat. A little planning makes the trip much easier for everyone.

Plan around the heat

  • Visit temples from early morning until about 10:30 am, rest through the afternoon, and go out again after 4 pm.
  • Stone floors get very hot by late morning, so stay on the shaded paths where you can.
  • Keep water, snacks and a small towel in a bag for each outing.

Temple by temple

  • Srirangam (about 10 km from our homes): the complex is huge. Plan two to three hours, and decide in advance which shrines you want to cover. Read our Srirangam tips.
  • Thiruvanaikaval (about 8 km): flatter and calmer, good for elders. See the Jambukeswarar guide.
  • Rockfort (about 6 km): a long climb of rock-cut steps. Children usually love it, but elders with knee or breathing problems can visit the temple at the foot of the rock instead. See the Rockfort guide.
  • Samayapuram (about 16 km): very crowded on Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays and during festivals. Go on a weekday morning. See the Samayapuram guide.
  • Vayalur (about 7 km): quiet and open, good for a relaxed evening. See the Vayalur guide.

Getting around

A cab for the day is the most comfortable choice with elders, as you can leave bags in the car and rest between temples. With small children, carry a light baby carrier rather than a pram; temple corridors and steps are not pram-friendly.

Food and rest

Staying in a home with a kitchen helps a lot: you can make simple breakfasts, warm milk for children and light meals for elders who prefer home food.

For a full route, see our one- and two-day Trichy temple circuit.

Where to stay

Our two homes in Ramalinga Nagar, the Ground Floor and the First Floor, are entire 2-bedroom houses for up to 5 guests each, with air-conditioned bedrooms and a kitchen. See distances to every major temple or check free dates and book directly.

Timings, entry rules and charges can change, especially on festival days and holidays. Please check locally before your visit.

Photo: Giridhar Appaji Nag Y, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.