Adhiyaman kottam - Tamilnadu

The name "Adhiyaman Kottai" is derived from the Tamil word "Adhiyaman", which refers to the legendary king Adhiyaman Neduman Anji, while "Kottai" means fort or palace. This fort is considered to be one of the oldest fort is South India. According to legend, Adhiyaman Neduman Anji was a powerful ruler of the region during the Sangam period and he was known for his courage and kindness towards his subjects, and the castle was said to be his residence and administrative centre. The main attraction of Adhiyaman Kottai is the statue of Adhiyaman receiving a gooseberry from Avvaiyar – a famous Tamil Poetess. It is said that the poetess visited the king’s fort and sung a lot of elegies for him. Impressed by her performance the king gave her gooseberries that he had for himself. It was believed that those who consume gooseberries will have a longer life so he insisted that fruit that gives longevity was only meant for person like Avvaiyar. The fort premises also houses a temple called Chenraya Perumal Temple which was built during the Hoysala Empire. This temple is a fine example of Khajuraho architectural style as many erotic expressions sculptures can be seen.

How to reach Adhiyaman kottam?

Salem airport is the nearest to reach Adhiyaman Kottai. Drive from Salem airport to Adhiyaman Kottai covers about 42 km.