Anna Science Centre, Tiruchirappalli

Tiruchirapalli, also known as Trichy, is an ancient city with a rich history of being the citadel of various empires over the past two millennia. Located in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Tiruchirapalli nestles on the banks of the scenic Kaveri River and is the fourth largest city in the state. It is an amazing mix of heritage and tradition in tandem with contemporary growth and infrastructure. Modern-day Trichy is a bustling commerce center with many prestigious science and technology colleges located here along with numerous temples with interesting legends attached to them.

Trichy has numerous tourist attractions, with the two most outstanding features being the Rockfort temple complex and the huge Sri Ranganathaswamy temple complex located on Srirangam Island. Aside from these, there are numerous other important tourist attractions including other temples, museums and the world’s second-oldest functional dam built around the second century.

The Anna Science Center here is also worth a visit. It’s located along the National Highway 210 between Trichy and Pudukkottai and is adjacent to Trichy airport. It’s very popular with the younger generation too as it renders educational services in the relationship of science to our environment. There is an educational gallery here with many exhibits available to showcase the effects of biodiversity, conservation, ecosystem themes, pollution and sustainable energy sources as well as biogeochemical cycles. Financial support for this educational facility was obtained from Indian Oil Corporation Limited and it was dedicated to the nation in 2006.

The main attraction of this Anna Science Center however is the planetarium. The planetarium project and its accessories were donated by the Government of Japan under the Cultural Grant-in-aid Scheme. The planetarium has been a magnetic crowd-puller as well as a source of great inspiration for the young and old alike from the neighboring cities as well as towns. Schools and colleges from surrounding areas of Pudukkottai, Thanjavur, Perambalur, Karur and Dindigul regularly arrange trips for their students to the Anna Science Center.

Aside from the mind-boggling visual treat of basic science, astronomy and space missions at the planetarium amphitheater which is in both English and Tamil, there are around 11 galleries too with each displaying characteristic of earth, nature, science and technology. Aside from these, there is also a wonderful 3D ‘Shark Island’ film that leaves you with goosebumps. You can also enjoy roller coaster rides, magic shows, etc.

Trichy city offers easy rail, road and airport connectivity and has great hotels like the gracious, yet homely Sangam hotel located in the city center, for a stay-over.