Ucchi Pillayar Temple

Ucchi Pillayar Temple is a famous Ganesha temple located at the summit of Rockfort Hill in Tiruchirappalli (Trichy), Tamil Nadu. The temple sits atop a ~83-meter-high ancient rock, estimated to be over 3 billion years old, making it one of the oldest rock formations in the world. Devotees climb around 400+ steps carved into the rock to reach the shrine, passing the Thayumanaswamy (Shiva) Temple midway.

The temple is closely linked to the Ramayana legend, where Lord Ganesha is believed to have tricked Vibhishana (brother of Ravana) and placed the idol of Lord Ranganatha at Srirangam. After the incident, Ganesha is said to have rested on this rock hill, which is why the temple exists here. Apart from its religious importance, the location is known for its 360-degree views of Trichy city, Srirangam island, and the Kaveri river, making it a major attraction for both pilgrims and tourists.