Samayapuram Mariamman Temple

The largest functioning Hindu temple complex in the world, spanning around 156 acres across seven concentric enclosures and 21 gopurams, and foremost among the 108 Divya Desams of Lord Vishnu. Lord Ranganatha is worshipped here in his reclining form, and the temple's Vaikunta Ekadasi festival draws vast crowds each year.

The 'Apas' (water) Pancha Bhoota Sthalam, where a natural spring in the sanctum keeps the Shiva lingam partially submerged despite being underground. Located near Srirangam and dedicated to Shiva as Jambukeswarar and his consort Akhilandeswari, it is one of the few shrines where the goddess holds greater prominence than the god.

A Ganesha temple atop the 83-metre rock fort in the heart of Trichy city. The 437-step climb rewards with panoramic views of Srirangam island, the Kaveri, and the Kollidam rivers. The Rock Fort has both a Shiva cave temple (7th century Pallava) and this Ganesha shrine at the summit.

A UNESCO World Heritage Chola-era temple built by Raja Raja Chola I and completed around 1010 CE, crowned by a 66-metre vimana capped with a single granite block weighing an estimated 80 tonnes. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it remains a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture and Chola engineering.