tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58466084712383388862024-03-19T14:17:28.253+05:30Indian Columbus<i>It's about experiencing travel...</i>Krishnakumar T Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14590290180906033207noreply@blogger.comBlogger1629125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-63703463457475792012024-03-18T17:27:00.006+05:302024-03-18T17:27:43.402+05:30The First Birla Mandir of India<p><span style="font-family: arial;">"People from all castes should be allowed to enter the temple." With this condition, Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated the iconic Birla Temple on 18th March 1939, also known as the Lakshmi Narayana Temple. Situated in Delhi, this temple holds significant historical and religious importance, representing the ethos of inclusivity.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDTXegKeaeviFSc_PV8boyJM0FnAnCgRMqncWhH6T-FsgA1Lj9DnHb-bwlHN_gpYi58wlkwenIkfSEXGzk4uC-zqvpcHDY4YjjtoD2ZlT-NwSync2m5ne01SfbYhmjAdHgGHIJXY0WmFrd4oCP_FtFMO5liayml5BP8em6zbh59l2kWZZUE5RoOcl7FoY/s1280/BirlaMandir-Delhi%20(15).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDTXegKeaeviFSc_PV8boyJM0FnAnCgRMqncWhH6T-FsgA1Lj9DnHb-bwlHN_gpYi58wlkwenIkfSEXGzk4uC-zqvpcHDY4YjjtoD2ZlT-NwSync2m5ne01SfbYhmjAdHgGHIJXY0WmFrd4oCP_FtFMO5liayml5BP8em6zbh59l2kWZZUE5RoOcl7FoY/w640-h480/BirlaMandir-Delhi%20(15).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Spread across 7.5 acres, the Birla Temple is the very first temple among the series of temples constructed by the renowned Birla family across North India. Initiated by industrialist and philanthropist Baldeo Das Birla, along with his son Jugal Kishore Birla, the foundation stone was laid on 26th March 1933. The temple's architecture was guided by eminent scholar Pandit Vishwanath Shastri and architect Sri Chandra Chatterjee, a leading figure of the "Modern Indian Architecture Movement."</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkw21yGdRwhms7NhyF3E9ReI4JAYiVZlkYo9UC4vynbVgsUcJMV8Y9wNp7r1qOnIJ08s5rzu_qwayrdYifJLcC8PzhHA08wjt9Wpqrjq3jNHHYgg7HJyqQP_kYEgSPW5DjG5WJ1AEG1L7s8iZ2_tRVEoorwTAbhShTAE8A50Xdm-_UAwKQUMnMiarqMjX/s1175/BirlaMandir-Delhi%20(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1175" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkw21yGdRwhms7NhyF3E9ReI4JAYiVZlkYo9UC4vynbVgsUcJMV8Y9wNp7r1qOnIJ08s5rzu_qwayrdYifJLcC8PzhHA08wjt9Wpqrjq3jNHHYgg7HJyqQP_kYEgSPW5DjG5WJ1AEG1L7s8iZ2_tRVEoorwTAbhShTAE8A50Xdm-_UAwKQUMnMiarqMjX/w640-h522/BirlaMandir-Delhi%20(7).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Embracing the Nagara style of temple architecture, its towering shikhara of the sanctum sanctorum rises approximately 160 feet high. Facing eastward on a raised plinth, the icons of the temple are in marble brought from Jaipur. Kota stone from Makarana, Agra, Kota, and Jaisalmer were used in the construction of the temple premises. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7I3FxlWlRBx-MIVbYdasBvyJAAXCFobCOM7FuvslPfC4At1B8lVTTQ_ZsALfG8EA5VEraSEILGAEEVe6OL1PNnTt3J3kPG9l7WcxxiBsOKDs52Jqs6JMFg4f8m6yiRRLOCsJGBx86_rehmFXS98x6eKSyaO_Qt0xwRCieG4ZWvj1MoWAGcC9KXAGyZgp_/s971/BirlaMandir-Delhi%20(9).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="971" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7I3FxlWlRBx-MIVbYdasBvyJAAXCFobCOM7FuvslPfC4At1B8lVTTQ_ZsALfG8EA5VEraSEILGAEEVe6OL1PNnTt3J3kPG9l7WcxxiBsOKDs52Jqs6JMFg4f8m6yiRRLOCsJGBx86_rehmFXS98x6eKSyaO_Qt0xwRCieG4ZWvj1MoWAGcC9KXAGyZgp_/w640-h574/BirlaMandir-Delhi%20(9).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The sanctum sanctorum enshrines the beautiful marble icon of Narayana with this consort Lakshmi. Narayana is in the standing posture and has four arms. Holding discus and conch in his two upper arms, he holds gadha and lotus in his lower arms. The lotus is facing downwards. Lakshmi is depicted with two arms. Her left arm holds the lotus facing the ground. A set of metal images of Lakshmi and Narayana are also kept in the same shrine. Outside the shrine, the colorful stucco image of Saraswati and Narada Rishi are seen.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgs1miHrKPiQCmy7lrXg-ENFJ39rf6dFUw49LgeStumT1R_8yvpbKj-HS4jDCCS8PcPDEyafuFF9JHw5n-CluHYAoiEYk-_1c0w7385-0SlNMguq3eBg3QoR8gZ-nkZy0XaX4A3ZApcGJ6EjixUnpZPZc8pjisX1Gry8sIO-TJcIsDqXCDK6oZ7INTxwK/s903/BirlaMandir-Delhi%20(12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="844" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgs1miHrKPiQCmy7lrXg-ENFJ39rf6dFUw49LgeStumT1R_8yvpbKj-HS4jDCCS8PcPDEyafuFF9JHw5n-CluHYAoiEYk-_1c0w7385-0SlNMguq3eBg3QoR8gZ-nkZy0XaX4A3ZApcGJ6EjixUnpZPZc8pjisX1Gry8sIO-TJcIsDqXCDK6oZ7INTxwK/w598-h640/BirlaMandir-Delhi%20(12).jpg" width="598" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">To the true right side of the main shrine, a four armed Durga seated on a lion is seen. On further right, there is an eight armed Durga seated on a tiger is found in a separate shrine. Outside her shrine, the stucco images of Bhairava and Kali are seen.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2Q5J9UwU5MYO8RhiOXdQ6SXfR0UZafuxVbbI3E8cjAad57OxryaU8u6HMBU7u3Bjihp6sAbzr0kYjPBbzEHL3RoDFdykp79JZ92or0Vm49S2NAymBbrRhGZs8YVRebauGgJRsslYKj6D-639ESXfkLpL6j4jdCQ3VBYcOp1Vvm_eq6DnDRDhJEMTFoiR/s1052/BirlaMandir-Delhi%20(13).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="1052" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2Q5J9UwU5MYO8RhiOXdQ6SXfR0UZafuxVbbI3E8cjAad57OxryaU8u6HMBU7u3Bjihp6sAbzr0kYjPBbzEHL3RoDFdykp79JZ92or0Vm49S2NAymBbrRhGZs8YVRebauGgJRsslYKj6D-639ESXfkLpL6j4jdCQ3VBYcOp1Vvm_eq6DnDRDhJEMTFoiR/w640-h532/BirlaMandir-Delhi%20(13).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">To the true left side of the main shrine, a sub-shrine has the marble image of Shiva in meditation. He is depicted with two arms. A small Linga, Uma and Nandi are also seen in the same shrine. Outside the shrine the stucco images of Kartikeya and Veerabhahu are seen.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeZl3uHq-t8pqkxmDxwSq5k64aCJhkDizKon8nKak1YDW7RG_TgU-HZRrhua-Yfj6ttWGlSxj6nAdSp8aNf9KBjlnTSCaAbA8jn4dV3aTcKkJh4biDYV0kmSZ7Jyz5NRbQf6QgNAqYvgdyX5B3-HacII88FEjFZ7rhTeWFKm4B7XhC7GRwu1le-2Urorp/s1280/BirlaMandir-Delhi%20(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeZl3uHq-t8pqkxmDxwSq5k64aCJhkDizKon8nKak1YDW7RG_TgU-HZRrhua-Yfj6ttWGlSxj6nAdSp8aNf9KBjlnTSCaAbA8jn4dV3aTcKkJh4biDYV0kmSZ7Jyz5NRbQf6QgNAqYvgdyX5B3-HacII88FEjFZ7rhTeWFKm4B7XhC7GRwu1le-2Urorp/w640-h480/BirlaMandir-Delhi%20(3).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The interior of the temple is a treasure trove of small carvings and frescoes depicting scenes from Indian history and Puranas. Figures such as Manu, Shivaji Maharaja, Chanakya, Chandragupta Maurya, Ramdas, Guru Nanak, Avatars of Vishnu and characters from the Mahabharata adorn the walls.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyzk_J7_fvf4tAWilmTj0qruNEJ_mWgxCIzxrcQbTJIg8hL3fLHmkfjzm7FsJPAZ7VyI98zDARxWhK1V226dlNOk06WyJp8vFGiWLvBk64S6Mlwg_gBv8EJkvunMnUq0ZGvPR775-N4nfQU7cpHciPBKXCD-r7hujNyo388650TjiFMRm9LbVdPaA4wms/s740/BirlaMandir-Delhi%20(11).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="740" data-original-width="690" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyzk_J7_fvf4tAWilmTj0qruNEJ_mWgxCIzxrcQbTJIg8hL3fLHmkfjzm7FsJPAZ7VyI98zDARxWhK1V226dlNOk06WyJp8vFGiWLvBk64S6Mlwg_gBv8EJkvunMnUq0ZGvPR775-N4nfQU7cpHciPBKXCD-r7hujNyo388650TjiFMRm9LbVdPaA4wms/w596-h640/BirlaMandir-Delhi%20(11).jpg" width="596" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Diagonally opposite to the main shrine, sub-shrines dedicated to Hanuman and Ganesha are found. Ganesha, holding a discus and an axe, presides in one of these sub-shrines.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Towards the left-hand side of the temple, Gita Bhavan stands, housing a large image of Krishna with a discus in his right arm. Flanked by smaller icons of Radha-Krishna and Rama-Sita-Lakshmana-Hanuman, Gita Bhavan's interior is adorned with captivating paintings and stucco images narrating scenes from the Mahabharata epic.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlO-rJRpczZ2t8-Slhd4rwpLOzQZqqDyUU-mtHsfHX_vGK-w1oSOVqr0kCDxsutt8A3ZeeEkwlSocoD8cpTgsvw8l3wTelpTu76IME7RhZXGAWeRDTB5zc5jXetE36L0AMLmG-pJG18w9H6YUiKpsYkfhVirMFXOLM4BaGTZdpprimPXTZ2tHnr7nyzQO/s882/BirlaMandir-Delhi%20(20).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="882" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFlO-rJRpczZ2t8-Slhd4rwpLOzQZqqDyUU-mtHsfHX_vGK-w1oSOVqr0kCDxsutt8A3ZeeEkwlSocoD8cpTgsvw8l3wTelpTu76IME7RhZXGAWeRDTB5zc5jXetE36L0AMLmG-pJG18w9H6YUiKpsYkfhVirMFXOLM4BaGTZdpprimPXTZ2tHnr7nyzQO/w640-h548/BirlaMandir-Delhi%20(20).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The Birla Temple, with its blend of historic significance and architectural magnificence, stands as a beacon of cultural heritage and religious devotion.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Within the complex, a spacious Dharmasala stands ready to welcome and accommodate the devotees who journey to the temple.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Every year, the vibrant celebration of Janmashtami, Lord Krishna's birthday, resonates throughout this temple's hallowed halls. Birla Mandir has earned renown for its grand observance of this auspicious occasion, drawing countless devotees to partake in its spiritual festivities.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy travelling.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>
<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3501.754156560584!2d77.20018527375285!3d28.63712938387516!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x390cfdc286076505%3A0x1eac577c3a1e9372!2sBirla%20mandir!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1710762958870!5m2!1sen!2sin" width="600" height="450" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe>Indian Columbushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13606838039118213820noreply@blogger.com0Delhi, India28.7040592 77.1024901999999910.39382536382115418 41.946240199999991 57.014293036178842 112.25874019999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-65316815620937243052024-03-16T12:36:00.001+05:302024-03-16T12:36:03.974+05:30San Thome Cathedral Basilica<p><span style="font-family: arial;">The San Thome Cathedral Basilica, also known as St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica and National Shrine of Saint Thomas, is a Roman Catholic Minor Basilica located in Santhome, Chennai. This iconic basilica holds a significant place in history, being one of only three known churches in the world built over the tomb of an apostle of Jesus. The other two such churches are St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City and Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Spain.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The story of St. Thomas, the apostle of Jesus, in the region of Madras (now Chennai) is one of deep historical and religious significance. Roman Catholic tradition holds that St. Thomas arrived in this area soon after the crucifixion of Jesus and commenced his preaching in Mylapore. However, faced with resistance, he eventually moved to a hill south of the city, which later became known as St. Thomas Mount.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhan68jiSba9APtBRYZoEI9i5FbPTNHv3JNLNjvUG4-myrt6mL3tBUos2AS5dKtVYVcQIsYHZA3gLFxCVj9hUpuODKexTGkaI8cDd9YHUS0aBlkbMi9u735BMPAz6BYuVNZ8SZ8Z22EVIqHNLtqkIwZ0_Cze1y2AE-Vuy-3wBedLOXl3QjDK71HvKcv5tIV/s1280/Santhome-Church%20(27).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhan68jiSba9APtBRYZoEI9i5FbPTNHv3JNLNjvUG4-myrt6mL3tBUos2AS5dKtVYVcQIsYHZA3gLFxCVj9hUpuODKexTGkaI8cDd9YHUS0aBlkbMi9u735BMPAz6BYuVNZ8SZ8Z22EVIqHNLtqkIwZ0_Cze1y2AE-Vuy-3wBedLOXl3QjDK71HvKcv5tIV/w640-h480/Santhome-Church%20(27).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Legend has it that as St. Thomas journeyed daily to Mylapore, he left behind a trail of churches wherever he rested. The magnificent San Thome Cathedral Basilica stands today as a testament to this belief, as it was built over the tomb of Saint Thomas in the 16th century by Portuguese explorers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The basilica holds relics associated with St. Thomas, including a small hand bone and a lance, the latter believed to be the instrument of his martyrdom. It is said that St. Thomas met a violent end in Madras and was buried where the San Thome Cathedral now stands. His relics were later transported to Mesopotamia in the 3rd century and then to Italy in the 13th century.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaluR15NQIlulTC936tlw3Em2I7KF_Ig2mianNB14RY_g18VEmx3hZ9HG3lJ4t5SX8x5_jjuwl-AFWE1LeFRALMASiCYjT19cBwL-bJb_hitcruGuJTiGrQV8mnfz7thE-IlLp_K7mlJ_6EC6s8iOwiT7oF0dY-evBJuFZVlQt2JEG08EiC7NDjSHErovy/s1024/Santhome-Church%20(45).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaluR15NQIlulTC936tlw3Em2I7KF_Ig2mianNB14RY_g18VEmx3hZ9HG3lJ4t5SX8x5_jjuwl-AFWE1LeFRALMASiCYjT19cBwL-bJb_hitcruGuJTiGrQV8mnfz7thE-IlLp_K7mlJ_6EC6s8iOwiT7oF0dY-evBJuFZVlQt2JEG08EiC7NDjSHErovy/w480-h640/Santhome-Church%20(45).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Despite the challenges faced during Golconda's occupation from 1662 to 1780, the original structure of the church, built in 1523, remained largely unchanged. The tomb of St. Thomas within the church became a pilgrimage center, attracting Thomas Christians from Kerala. Albert De Mandelslo, a traveler who visited Mylapore in 1638, mentioned the church without a steeple. The tomb was ceremoniously opened on April 29, 1729, allowing pilgrims to collect earth from the site.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The British rebuilt the church in 1896, giving it its current appearance with its imposing Neo-Gothic architecture. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">A significant renovation took place in 1952 CE, further enhancing the basilica's grandeur.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOkGbmd0-HWXSEQcEK3MIOl2gwASzhve1ykFODnInfKTS2DWzfPh2imSGxo5NcuCm5uT2_1LR2B5UBYgo-u8VrMkUf9qqU3uw1a5sn9E4E3hjTuO1TKqILbDUzfR49HPev6ObtTG8SWqiPPomXbjlLUNOwu98Lk9J5R-kbb47abwDlURQQWmn92rDn3dC/s1024/Santhome-Church%20(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdOkGbmd0-HWXSEQcEK3MIOl2gwASzhve1ykFODnInfKTS2DWzfPh2imSGxo5NcuCm5uT2_1LR2B5UBYgo-u8VrMkUf9qqU3uw1a5sn9E4E3hjTuO1TKqILbDUzfR49HPev6ObtTG8SWqiPPomXbjlLUNOwu98Lk9J5R-kbb47abwDlURQQWmn92rDn3dC/w480-h640/Santhome-Church%20(7).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The exterior of the basilica features two spires, the taller one reaching 47 meters at the western end over the entry. These spires have octagonal bases with tall, pointed faces supporting faceted conical tops. The interior boasts a large hall with a wooden false ceiling, adorned with vibrant colors on the walls and multicolored glass windows. A beautiful spiral staircase leads to the upper floor.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Inside the cathedral, visitors are greeted by the grandeur of the nave, illuminated by natural light filtering through arched stained glass windows. The main altar, adorned with stained glass depictions of St. Thomas and other apostles, is a highlight of the basilica. Two chapels, one above ground and another beneath, provide spaces for quiet reflection and prayer. A statue of the revered saint rests in a glass case and his tomb within the chapel, drawing pilgrims from near and far.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQWHIyPD_Caq_V3OBIOfseEpCwKm9ekQUzcemp51oPVlKMoAQB6mOqsMLVxc6Ge07l3CmgTMzl1OKJrVOfFniMRhUJ_xW_57n5wJwfU_d2HRu3k1jAP7LwKudCOutUjM2LqPfgG1RapMTaQ3s9WJeOryx7DGTifQWIrm9yMe70i9bvnIzi_T0PakQYB_G/s1280/Santhome-Church%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQWHIyPD_Caq_V3OBIOfseEpCwKm9ekQUzcemp51oPVlKMoAQB6mOqsMLVxc6Ge07l3CmgTMzl1OKJrVOfFniMRhUJ_xW_57n5wJwfU_d2HRu3k1jAP7LwKudCOutUjM2LqPfgG1RapMTaQ3s9WJeOryx7DGTifQWIrm9yMe70i9bvnIzi_T0PakQYB_G/w640-h480/Santhome-Church%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The basilica also houses a museum that offers a deeper insight into the life and legacy of St. Thomas. Among its treasures are the spearhead believed to have killed the apostle, a fingerprint attributed to St. Thomas, and remnants of his bones. Intricately painted wall murals narrate the story of St. Thomas, adding to the historical richness of the basilica.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Today, the San Thome Cathedral Basilica stands as a symbol of faith, history, and cultural heritage in Chennai. It continues to be a cherished pilgrimage site for believers, inviting visitors to explore its rich history and spiritual significance.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy travelling!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHPGx6apnR7d7tk50cIZzLL589zm0TUMQ5lmhY5ooni2qfVlJIFFXPoGEa2qgLwzE7GC73EuexDvyX7KOxBEcDwc2PRuujb2SYx4_g_B9tMKDMFJrpZ7xn3cHqeA_EXQjAt-PBiSzMWYBwxcEw6fHLkJ-I3IP_YSktBmCNsLpJ9ezLhhvZiNNp0U7iwce/s1024/Santhome-Church%20(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaHPGx6apnR7d7tk50cIZzLL589zm0TUMQ5lmhY5ooni2qfVlJIFFXPoGEa2qgLwzE7GC73EuexDvyX7KOxBEcDwc2PRuujb2SYx4_g_B9tMKDMFJrpZ7xn3cHqeA_EXQjAt-PBiSzMWYBwxcEw6fHLkJ-I3IP_YSktBmCNsLpJ9ezLhhvZiNNp0U7iwce/w480-h640/Santhome-Church%20(6).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3887.0326783593982!2d80.27510587321095!3d13.033591013519894!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3a52687f5255b81f%3A0xa148dd2e4ab794de!2sSanthome%20Cathedral%20Basilica!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1710572649176!5m2!1sen!2sin" width="600" height="450" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe>Indian Columbushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13606838039118213820noreply@blogger.com0Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India13.0367914 80.2676303-15.273442436178845 45.111380299999993 41.347025236178844 115.4238803tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-6197207034700763632024-03-13T19:07:00.001+05:302024-03-13T19:07:20.301+05:30Sculpted Majesty: The Noble Warrior of Nellaiyappar Temple<p><span style="font-family: arial;">This article continues the exploration of the Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple in Tirunelveli, focusing on the captivating sculptures gracing the pillars of the east-side frontside mandapa. Renowned for their artistic finesse and exquisite beauty, these sculptures offer a glimpse into the rich heritage of the temple.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In the previous installment, we delved into the first larger-than-life sculpture at the eastern end, portraying a tall, graceful native lady (Kurathi) with distinctive features. Now, let us turn our attention to the second sculpture, positioned to the true left side of Kurathi's magnificent depiction.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This striking sculpture represents a male warrior of noble stature. Adorned with a semi-circular ornamental crown atop his head, complemented by a bun of hair cascading down his back, he exudes an air of regality. Elongated earrings frame his face, which boasts a thick, distinguished moustache. In his left arm, he holds a bow, while his right arm is poised with an arrow, ready for action.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Some observers may mistake the bow for a sugarcane, leading to associations with Manmata or Kama Deva. However, I propose a different interpretation. To me, this sculpture embodies a royal figure—perhaps a king or prince—setting out on a hunting expedition. Draped over his right shoulder is a a quiver for his arrows. On his left shoulder, a sizable bag hangs, containing the remains of a tortoise, visible from behind.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">His attire includes a half-trouser, intricately detailed to reveal the musculature of his thighs and the strength in his stance. Every sinew and vein is meticulously carved into the stone, a testament to the skill of the sculptor. Adornments grace his abdomen, adding to his majestic appearance.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsD2FXeW5YvH8scGz5rXeRBE8kg5edFp0K4VViKpRrtwvxvqdGfp_HlcYSn-GD868chjg-CgbLts8aUiGzZzEZF6dXCNv1Z1ZdxMdyGansZ8JLmoOqQbkKCvv_OQH90X2-xnmTe3PUV9QdtcAfClQbJdbx3c1FfOIR7I4_MnfZshf1bC3_Twc9Zp-tq32e/s1427/Nellaiyappar-Sculptures%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1427" data-original-width="827" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsD2FXeW5YvH8scGz5rXeRBE8kg5edFp0K4VViKpRrtwvxvqdGfp_HlcYSn-GD868chjg-CgbLts8aUiGzZzEZF6dXCNv1Z1ZdxMdyGansZ8JLmoOqQbkKCvv_OQH90X2-xnmTe3PUV9QdtcAfClQbJdbx3c1FfOIR7I4_MnfZshf1bC3_Twc9Zp-tq32e/w370-h640/Nellaiyappar-Sculptures%20(1).jpg" width="370" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Courtesty - Sumathi Natan</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">To the east side of the pillar, positioned next to this commanding figure, stands a woman of lesser height. She too wears a semi-circular decorated crown, accompanied by circular earrings. Adorned in heavy jewelry, she boldly exposes her breasts, symbolizing fertility and maternal strength. Cradled in her arms is an infant, a tender depiction of motherhood and family.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On the west-facing side of the pillar, we encounter another male figure, smaller in stature. Sporting a moustache, he is clad in minimal attire, suggesting a role as an assistant or follower. Draped over his shoulder is the carcass of a dead antelope, evidence of a successful hunt. His dynamic pose suggests movement, as if trailing behind the central figure, ready to assist in any way.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76Hh2Q8vkDdavKbFJVxMOQvFwEcVR2qs4yojruxR82V_jokOL922QQTR_9MZtOQmzXWgYzOOhDhmCHr0ImIXpCXTVGTCDXrMm7u7goOu-vt0Y_Sq9xPZWlwyAiwMIILkKA5-EXmkpLMWKp73sewqT27yueMNTlGG2Maa_5ZsNebbn6mbkVRrTbbfZwVBx/s2048/Nellaiyappar-Sculptures%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1387" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76Hh2Q8vkDdavKbFJVxMOQvFwEcVR2qs4yojruxR82V_jokOL922QQTR_9MZtOQmzXWgYzOOhDhmCHr0ImIXpCXTVGTCDXrMm7u7goOu-vt0Y_Sq9xPZWlwyAiwMIILkKA5-EXmkpLMWKp73sewqT27yueMNTlGG2Maa_5ZsNebbn6mbkVRrTbbfZwVBx/w434-h640/Nellaiyappar-Sculptures%20(2).jpg" width="434" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo Courtesty - Sumathi Natan</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">These sculptures, each with its own story to tell, offer a glimpse into the lives and legends of ancient times, preserved in the enduring stone of the temple's pillars.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy travelling.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This article is Part 27 of the series of articles I write about Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The other parts of the series can be accessed through the below-listed links.<br /><br /></span></p><p><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/05/kantimati-sameta-nellaiyappar-temple.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 1</span></a></p><p><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/05/WoodenSculptures.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 2</span></a></p><p><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/05/Kantimati-Tower.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 3</span></a></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/05/KantimatiTempleMandapas.html" target="_blank">Part 4</a></span></p><p><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/05/Kantimati-MukhaMandapa.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 5</span></a></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/05/Kantimati.html" target="_blank">Part 6</a><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/06/KantimatiPrakara.html" target="_blank">Part 7</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/06/KarumariTeertham.html" target="_blank">Part 8</a><br /><br /><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/06/Bhootattar.html" target="_blank">Part 9</a><br /><br /><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/06/Pottramarai.html" target="_blank">Part 10</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/07/blog-post.html" target="_blank"><span>Part 11</span></a><br /><br /><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/07/bhandasuramardini.html" target="_blank"><span>Part 12</span></a></span></p><p><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/07/Kantimati-VasantaMandapam.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 13</span></a></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/07/blog-post_26.html" target="_blank"><span>Part 14</span></a><br /><br /><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/07/Nellaiyappar-Part15.html" target="_blank">Part 15</a><br /><br /><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/08/Nellaiyappar-Part16.html" target="_blank">Part 16</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/08/blog-post.html" target="_blank">Part 17</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/08/blog-post_15.html" target="_blank">Part 18</a></span></p><p><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/08/the-musical-pillars-of-nellaiyappar.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 19</span></a></p><p style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/08/Tirunelveli-Nellaiyappar-Part20.html" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 20</span></a><br /><br /><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/08/Nellaiyappar-Part12.html" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 21</span></a><br /><br /><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/08/ravana-lifting-kailasa-tirunelveli.html" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 22</span></a><br /><br /></p><div style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/09/TamraSabha.html" target="_blank">Part 23</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/09/nellai-murugan.html" target="_blank">Part 24</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2024/03/Nellaiyappar-Part25.html" target="_blank">Part 25</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2024/03/Nellaiyappar-Part25.html.html" target="_blank">Part 26</a></div><p style="font-family: arial;"></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" height="450" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d31548.89424696595!2d77.65197271083984!3d8.728363399999997!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3b04116355e5812b%3A0x8d841fd26850fd03!2sArulmigu%20Nellaiappar%20Temple!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1683301804888!5m2!1sen!2sin" style="border: 0;" width="600"></iframe></span></p>Indian Columbushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13606838039118213820noreply@blogger.com0Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India8.7150179999999988 77.765628-19.595215836178845 42.609378000000007 37.025251836178846 112.921878tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-89770325774596322024-03-09T08:41:00.003+05:302024-03-09T08:41:25.969+05:30Fort Museum - Chennai<p><span style="font-family: arial;">St. George's Fort in Chennai stands tall with its iconic <b>Fort Museum</b>, a captivating journey into history. Originally, this elegant colonial-era edifice was the residence of Peter Massey Cassin, a free Merchant whose legacy lingers in its walls.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>The Exchange House</b>, a haven for merchants, partially opened its doors in 1790 after a lottery-funded endeavor, reaching completion by 1795. Grounded in history, its ground floor once buzzed with warehouses, offices, and the Madras Bank, while the Exchange hall on the first floor witnessed bustling trade.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A fascinating historical nugget emerges from 1790 when the proposal for the <b>first Circulating Library of Madras</b> within the Exchange's premises stirred interest. Perched atop this hub of commerce, the <b>first lighthouse in Madras</b> illuminated the city's skyline from 1796 to 1837.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In a shift of fortunes, Governor Edward Clive led the merchant community to the First Line Beach by 1801. Later, in 1861, a new chapter dawned as the building transformed into the Regimental Officer's Mess, echoing tales of camaraderie until the 1930s.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The vision of Lt. Col D M Reid in 1944 heralded the museum's genesis, culminating in the Exchange Museum, now the famed Fort Museum, by 1948. Today, this three-floor marvel hosts a trove of over 3,700 antique artifacts, weaving a tapestry of India's historical epochs.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLhFeSbiRYQl-wWnDscHF6wdU7biXzKA_oRv2ENuaGNVQWaaOvmAhUo7vqo8WL9VRlad8xgWM0qP3qE75jqRHzAo5XdHZjy-M20yMhwNZOJcp5h5bI8FxXdzYQyYt99cHd03kbEHQGQNM7jjuZOonAWhEeeX7x45Sdj_HhXv77XS9Do4Ol0Zo-L2hfWoY/s1024/StGeorgeFort%20(18).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHLhFeSbiRYQl-wWnDscHF6wdU7biXzKA_oRv2ENuaGNVQWaaOvmAhUo7vqo8WL9VRlad8xgWM0qP3qE75jqRHzAo5XdHZjy-M20yMhwNZOJcp5h5bI8FxXdzYQyYt99cHd03kbEHQGQNM7jjuZOonAWhEeeX7x45Sdj_HhXv77XS9Do4Ol0Zo-L2hfWoY/w480-h640/StGeorgeFort%20(18).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On the ground floor, galleries abound:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Arms Gallery: A display of British-era weaponry, from petards to pistols.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Medal Gallery: Showcasing service medals and commemorative pieces.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Textile Gallery: Unveiling the hues of uniforms and regimental colors.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Porcelain Gallery: A glimpse into the treasures of English, French, and local rulers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Fort St. George Gallery: A model of the fort, church relics, and archival records.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Among the ground floor's gems are fragments from historical moments:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A shell shard from the German Cruiser Emden's 1914 bombardment of Madras.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A fragment of a bomb dropped by a Japanese Fighter Craft on Madras in 1943.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The ground floor also boasts two monumental statues:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A bronze likeness of Lord Willingdon, Viceroy of India, sculpted by MS Nagappa in 1930. This remarkable statue of Lord Willingdon depicts him standing with one arm on his hip, the other carrying an Earl’s coronet. Decorated with the Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Star of India, the statue stands poised, almost as if about to step off its pedestal. Originally placed at the Gymkhana Club, it was later relocated to the Fort Museum.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A marble portrait statue of Lord Cornwallis, shipped from Britain, unveiled in 1800. This statue commemorates Cornwallis' successful treaty with Tipu Sultan, showing the transfer of Tipu Sultan's sons as hostages. Originally placed on the parade ground of Fort St. George, it was later moved to the Ionic Cupola in front of the Secretariat. Post-Independence, it found its place in the reading room of the Connemara Library before finally resting in the Fort Museum.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFaV4mQTw0Gf2gpBbzRfwSfFBOZHS9Ru6c-VcKVWjSChNJL4F1G3-Ucd2qmJNTHXgBCL40AC6GLRe1jaoTZ6LPscl4ypAnqGa1uFSly2NP65VNmzyrX5TFg-z-68JsCItQi95WDnDtETca3AQjMC6ql0P1Wa3ZsNOTBWzPGc_UZbZzynS1ju2nw5e337Y/s1024/StGeorgeFort%20(14).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFaV4mQTw0Gf2gpBbzRfwSfFBOZHS9Ru6c-VcKVWjSChNJL4F1G3-Ucd2qmJNTHXgBCL40AC6GLRe1jaoTZ6LPscl4ypAnqGa1uFSly2NP65VNmzyrX5TFg-z-68JsCItQi95WDnDtETca3AQjMC6ql0P1Wa3ZsNOTBWzPGc_UZbZzynS1ju2nw5e337Y/w480-h640/StGeorgeFort%20(14).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Ascend to the first floor, that retains its original wooden flooring, a realm of regal portraits and numismatic treasures:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Painting Gallery: Portraits of British royalty and Indian rulers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Coin Gallery: A treasury of colonial and native rulers' coinage.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Prints by Thomas and William Daniells: A window to historical perspectives.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Temporary Exhibition Gallery: A rotating showcase of antiquities.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunEGzhfRy7sU4iVOzKAXc9eL5fzIujz-fecI7_D6Z9YXisI48bMmfky9sla5KPGzvXeJF7pW3x1wkgyTeaOpPvyhjhVbhJMZo7VtxuU_yPpkVZY13MJtylgEULciVEBJh-zCAee2hUBykArS7udt-g_rOIqAja7CODXVDlrUOGzle3xkfb0NlFQFt2Lms/s1280/StGeorgeFort%20(11).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjunEGzhfRy7sU4iVOzKAXc9eL5fzIujz-fecI7_D6Z9YXisI48bMmfky9sla5KPGzvXeJF7pW3x1wkgyTeaOpPvyhjhVbhJMZo7VtxuU_yPpkVZY13MJtylgEULciVEBJh-zCAee2hUBykArS7udt-g_rOIqAja7CODXVDlrUOGzle3xkfb0NlFQFt2Lms/w640-h480/StGeorgeFort%20(11).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On the second floor, a poignant relic awaits:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The sole surviving Indian tricolor from the August 15, 1947, flag hoisting.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Medals, Stamps, and Indian Independence-related memorabilia.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Freedom Movement Gallery: A tribute to Tamil Nadu's valiant freedom fighters.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Outside, the museum's surroundings are adorned with an array of cannons, standing silent sentinels to history's march. Explore the Fort Museum, where every corner resonates with the echoes of a bygone era, and every artifact tells a story of India's rich heritage.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy travelling.</span></p>
<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3886.292438911657!2d80.28504357321187!3d13.080643512481933!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3a5268ad0fe75195%3A0x4cff4a37449c92fd!2sFort%20St.George%20Museum!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1709953809932!5m2!1sen!2sin" width="600" height="450" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe>Indian Columbushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13606838039118213820noreply@blogger.com0Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India13.0826802 80.2707184-15.227553636178845 45.114468400000007 41.392914036178844 115.4269684tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-63444858316738847612024-03-08T07:30:00.002+05:302024-03-08T07:30:21.505+05:30Grace in Stone: The Stunning Lady Sculpture of Nellaiyappar Temple<p><span style="font-family: arial;">This article continues the exploration of the Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple in Tirunelveli. In the preceding segments, I detailed the sanctum of Nellaiyappar and the two surrounding prakaras, along with the Raja gopuram, outside mandapas, and wooden sculptures. Now, let's delve into the section connecting the main entrance with the third prakara, where numerous sub-shrines, the Nandi mandapa, and other structures await exploration in subsequent posts. Here, the focus will be on the strikingly beautiful and monumental sculptures adorning the pillars, renowned for their artistic finesse and exquisite beauty.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Crafted by Sivanthiappa Naicker in 1654 CE, a general under Tirumalai Naicker, this mandapa and its sculptures stand as remarkable artistic achievements. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCt8KjwDlPPMGoILqOpsLyVHkKTnXs_c1tJE_C8cb9_Tqlc0hV6Wjv73pIDxeagLmAjMmreGZAh_RqSHaiinkHFOadlonja4WLCmXrm43y6YkAMcbqghd1h0h8zQw8TyCvfbO5F7Ro4bNkXVdouvePexNOoW3o47GEQhW4Xv5qiVu2QQFsqteMNEGy50r/s1280/NellaiyapparTempleSculpture-1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="791" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCt8KjwDlPPMGoILqOpsLyVHkKTnXs_c1tJE_C8cb9_Tqlc0hV6Wjv73pIDxeagLmAjMmreGZAh_RqSHaiinkHFOadlonja4WLCmXrm43y6YkAMcbqghd1h0h8zQw8TyCvfbO5F7Ro4bNkXVdouvePexNOoW3o47GEQhW4Xv5qiVu2QQFsqteMNEGy50r/w396-h640/NellaiyapparTempleSculpture-1.jpeg" width="396" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The first larger-than-life sculpture to be discussed is positioned at the eastern end, facing north. It portrays a tall, graceful native lady (Kurathi) with distinct features: a sharp nose, large expressive eyes, defined eyebrows, and full, beautiful lips. Adorned with sizable circular earrings, she wears minimal jewelry, emphasizing her natural beauty. Her breasts are big and sharp. With noticeable, sharply defined breasts, her slender waist and small abdomen create an elegant contrast. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Carrying a bowl on her raised left arm, an infant is seated on her left shoulder, playfully eating with his right arm. The detailing, such as the realistic depiction of the infant's legs, is noteworthy and can be observed by viewing from the back of the pillar. While her upper body is mostly bare, her lower half is draped in an intricately folded dress, adding to her allure. Resting on a lad, she exudes a sense of bravery and dignity through her facial expression. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">The child is using both arms to mimic playing with a toy resembling a conch shell.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUaJ-T1ID5aFengOUpbwySp29vyfc0Fs2aUNVDVxVxSNy1YJlYIt2ZjeRLVSToXpV_VjngdBBPac0ItxiUB3t6KNfWGCyW7k3WeueHtCnq9du2yWEX7v7UXpNcHqv7uIJA3RfaXdQBBI5LhIw1syncy0q4RH4QNlFm6vIlR7eodcH3R5Q9BRaHTG_DbbS/s1280/NellaiyapparTempleSculpture-1a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="654" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUaJ-T1ID5aFengOUpbwySp29vyfc0Fs2aUNVDVxVxSNy1YJlYIt2ZjeRLVSToXpV_VjngdBBPac0ItxiUB3t6KNfWGCyW7k3WeueHtCnq9du2yWEX7v7UXpNcHqv7uIJA3RfaXdQBBI5LhIw1syncy0q4RH4QNlFm6vIlR7eodcH3R5Q9BRaHTG_DbbS/w328-h640/NellaiyapparTempleSculpture-1a.jpeg" width="328" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Adjacent on the same pillar, on the east-facing side, is a smaller sculpture of a male figure resembling a native warrior or Kuravan. Holding a stick in his left arm, he stands with crossed legs, bearing the cross belt, or cannaveeram, across his chest. Sporting a substantial moustache and a large bun atop his head, the intricate detailing extends even to the nerves and folds of his leg skin.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzEV_hDL6nPcrRg6q7Uu_ggGzmmBUk227iBQOOTUvL5qI7_8tvWj34eRMMh_sffzTz0KWxWmBXh-qm4zw50zttoh-DB8AOQC9OLLJoYZ-eOE9PaxRlN1liJn4Bv_GYPcWix-eyv0Xvd_e7CxYr868JO1TC27tTGbh6_ps03tiTMtcaPpknemzxK_bhuj8/s1233/NellaiyapparTempleSculpture-1b.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1233" data-original-width="740" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBzEV_hDL6nPcrRg6q7Uu_ggGzmmBUk227iBQOOTUvL5qI7_8tvWj34eRMMh_sffzTz0KWxWmBXh-qm4zw50zttoh-DB8AOQC9OLLJoYZ-eOE9PaxRlN1liJn4Bv_GYPcWix-eyv0Xvd_e7CxYr868JO1TC27tTGbh6_ps03tiTMtcaPpknemzxK_bhuj8/w384-h640/NellaiyapparTempleSculpture-1b.jpeg" width="384" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Turning to the west-facing side of the pillar, we encounter a smaller yet elegant depiction of a woman. Draped in a saree, one breast exposed, she stands stylishly with her left arm hanging down and her right arm raised towards the main sculpture, adding a touch of grace to the ensemble.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Let me continue with the other sculptures in the subsequent articles. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As the photography is not allowed nowadays, I had to depend on the photos that I shot two decades ago. I know the quality of these pictures are not good.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy travelling.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This article is Part 26 of the series of articles I write about Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The other parts of the series can be accessed through the below-listed links.<br /><br /></span></p><p><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/05/kantimati-sameta-nellaiyappar-temple.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 1</span></a></p><p><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/05/WoodenSculptures.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 2</span></a></p><p><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/05/Kantimati-Tower.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 3</span></a></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/05/KantimatiTempleMandapas.html" target="_blank">Part 4</a></span></p><p><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/05/Kantimati-MukhaMandapa.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 5</span></a></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/05/Kantimati.html" target="_blank">Part 6</a><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/06/KantimatiPrakara.html" target="_blank">Part 7</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/06/KarumariTeertham.html" target="_blank">Part 8</a><br /><br /><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/06/Bhootattar.html" target="_blank">Part 9</a><br /><br /><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/06/Pottramarai.html" target="_blank">Part 10</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/07/blog-post.html" target="_blank"><span>Part 11</span></a><br /><br /><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/07/bhandasuramardini.html" target="_blank"><span>Part 12</span></a></span></p><p><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/07/Kantimati-VasantaMandapam.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 13</span></a></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/07/blog-post_26.html" target="_blank"><span>Part 14</span></a><br /><br /><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/07/Nellaiyappar-Part15.html" target="_blank">Part 15</a><br /><br /><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/08/Nellaiyappar-Part16.html" target="_blank">Part 16</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/08/blog-post.html" target="_blank">Part 17</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/08/blog-post_15.html" target="_blank">Part 18</a></span></p><p><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/08/the-musical-pillars-of-nellaiyappar.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 19</span></a></p><p style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/08/Tirunelveli-Nellaiyappar-Part20.html" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 20</span></a><br /><br /><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/08/Nellaiyappar-Part12.html" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 21</span></a><br /><br /><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/08/ravana-lifting-kailasa-tirunelveli.html" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 22</span></a><br /><br /></p><div style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/09/TamraSabha.html" target="_blank">Part 23</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/09/nellai-murugan.html" target="_blank">Part 24</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2024/03/Nellaiyappar-Part25.html" target="_blank">Part 25</a></div><p style="font-family: arial;"></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" height="450" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d31548.89424696595!2d77.65197271083984!3d8.728363399999997!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3b04116355e5812b%3A0x8d841fd26850fd03!2sArulmigu%20Nellaiappar%20Temple!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1683301804888!5m2!1sen!2sin" style="border: 0;" width="600"></iframe></span></p>Indian Columbushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13606838039118213820noreply@blogger.com0Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India8.7150179999999988 77.765628-19.595215836178845 42.609378000000007 37.025251836178846 112.921878tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-22544331033840873742024-03-04T19:06:00.004+05:302024-03-04T19:06:45.279+05:30Ashta Lakshmis and Sahasra Lingam of Nellaiyappar Temple<p><span style="font-family: arial;">This article continues the series on the Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple in Tirunelveli. In the previous segments, we explored the eastern, southern, and western sections of the second prakara surrounding the sanctum of Nellaiyappar. Now, let's delve into the northern side of the prakara encircling the Nellaiyappar shrine.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">An intriguing and exquisite image of Lakshmi flanked by two elephants, known as Gaja Lakshmi, greets visitors facing the south direction. On either side, facing east and west, are seven forms of Lakshmi - Adi Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Santana Lakshmi, Dhariya Lakshmi, Vijaya Lakshmi, and Vidya Lakshmi, collectively forming Ashta Lakshmi, the Eight Lakshmis. Adjacent to these forms of Lakshmi, Shaneeswara resides.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHlTOLhLyGenWkZQl4IzPpUCYTeqxBWqIWLRyN7mku66mJal_DLHG535u0kBvBlc4kO_ebij21soHw8Znx4EMvSVsM0gNawmz1ln95Ck6neobQMRo-_Wz_TONKB5CHC23P0An2Ijf68r-Uo6USSFm9gGEM94zJGtU-NuCwyiMUnnY78Y7bBGrrIPojNec/s4032/nellai_007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfHlTOLhLyGenWkZQl4IzPpUCYTeqxBWqIWLRyN7mku66mJal_DLHG535u0kBvBlc4kO_ebij21soHw8Znx4EMvSVsM0gNawmz1ln95Ck6neobQMRo-_Wz_TONKB5CHC23P0An2Ijf68r-Uo6USSFm9gGEM94zJGtU-NuCwyiMUnnY78Y7bBGrrIPojNec/w480-h640/nellai_007.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy - Mr. Suresh Priyan</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Further ahead, there is an east-facing sub-shrine for Kubera Linga. A notable shrine beside the Kubera Linga is the Sahasra Linga, located along with a Mukha mandapa. This grand Linga is adorned with 1000 smaller Lingas, giving it the name Sahasra, meaning one thousand.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In the southeast corner, a substantial shrine with a long mandapa houses a majestic Nataraja panchaloha icon, accompanied by Sivakami and the devoted Karaikal Ammai, all facing southward. This Nataraja is known as Periya Sabhapati, and during the Tamil month of Markazhi, the shrine hosts a ten-day Tiruvadirai festival.<br /><br />On the east prakara, facing the Nellaiyapper shrine, the smaller dhwajastambha and bali peetha are seen.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">With this, the description of the four prakaras is complete. At the entrance linking the second and third prakaras, visitors will find images of Veda Bhattar, Adhikara Nandi, Ganesha, and a Shiva Linga, all facing the north direction.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy travelling.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This article is Part 25 of the series of articles I write about Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The other parts of the series can be accessed through the below-listed links.<br /><br /></span></p><p><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/05/kantimati-sameta-nellaiyappar-temple.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 1</span></a></p><p><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/05/WoodenSculptures.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 2</span></a></p><p><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/05/Kantimati-Tower.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 3</span></a></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/05/KantimatiTempleMandapas.html" target="_blank">Part 4</a></span></p><p><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/05/Kantimati-MukhaMandapa.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 5</span></a></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/05/Kantimati.html" target="_blank">Part 6</a><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/06/KantimatiPrakara.html" target="_blank">Part 7</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/06/KarumariTeertham.html" target="_blank">Part 8</a><br /><br /><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/06/Bhootattar.html" target="_blank">Part 9</a><br /><br /><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/06/Pottramarai.html" target="_blank">Part 10</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/07/blog-post.html" target="_blank"><span>Part 11</span></a><br /><br /><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/07/bhandasuramardini.html" target="_blank"><span>Part 12</span></a></span></p><p><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/07/Kantimati-VasantaMandapam.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 13</span></a></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/07/blog-post_26.html" target="_blank"><span>Part 14</span></a><br /><br /><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/07/Nellaiyappar-Part15.html" target="_blank">Part 15</a><br /><br /><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/08/Nellaiyappar-Part16.html" target="_blank">Part 16</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/08/blog-post.html" target="_blank">Part 17</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/08/blog-post_15.html" target="_blank">Part 18</a></span></p><p><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/08/the-musical-pillars-of-nellaiyappar.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 19</span></a></p><p style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/08/Tirunelveli-Nellaiyappar-Part20.html" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 20</span></a><br /><br /><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/08/Nellaiyappar-Part12.html" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 21</span></a><br /><br /><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/08/ravana-lifting-kailasa-tirunelveli.html" style="font-family: "Times New Roman";" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part 22</span></a><br /><br /></p><div style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/09/TamraSabha.html" target="_blank">Part 23</a></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2023/09/nellai-murugan.html" target="_blank">Part 24</a></div><p style="font-family: arial;"></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" height="450" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d31548.89424696595!2d77.65197271083984!3d8.728363399999997!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3b04116355e5812b%3A0x8d841fd26850fd03!2sArulmigu%20Nellaiappar%20Temple!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1683301804888!5m2!1sen!2sin" style="border: 0;" width="600"></iframe></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Indian Columbushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13606838039118213820noreply@blogger.com0Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India8.7150179999999988 77.765628-19.595215836178845 42.609378000000007 37.025251836178846 112.921878tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-84926684807898971352024-02-28T19:04:00.000+05:302024-02-28T19:04:03.207+05:30Jeyachandran Nagar Lake (Water bodies of Chennai - 73)<p><span style="font-family: arial;">The 0.75-acre waterbody in Jeyachandran Nagar is not officially designated as a lake, yet locals refer to it as Jeyachandran Lake. This area, once an unknown extension of the Pallikkaranai village, has now transformed into a posh residential locality. Recently renovated, a park now surrounds the waterbody, making it a favored walking spot for residents.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy travelling.</span></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeGZZs7__-AnVNJaTRSL5EXu4rhEUi5hhfN8eH_R_OlxC1MS0Sj9fwe52ceby_aEb8zZFtmfKlJYMjjS9PevgBaY8kMtBWG4ae8FYcD1mv0D7Q0hZqdX9ocdQpdOcRMWniWB2d3j8xznK1AofpNTVDxgApvh8PPog52aTLC6cZSO8xZj3RlaM8dy4yl13/s4624/Jeyachandran%20Nagar%20Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3468" data-original-width="4624" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeGZZs7__-AnVNJaTRSL5EXu4rhEUi5hhfN8eH_R_OlxC1MS0Sj9fwe52ceby_aEb8zZFtmfKlJYMjjS9PevgBaY8kMtBWG4ae8FYcD1mv0D7Q0hZqdX9ocdQpdOcRMWniWB2d3j8xznK1AofpNTVDxgApvh8PPog52aTLC6cZSO8xZj3RlaM8dy4yl13/w640-h480/Jeyachandran%20Nagar%20Lake.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">Note: </em></strong><em style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #0e101a; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">As per a report, there were about 650+ waterbodies in the Chennai region till the 1980s. Today, only a fraction of them exist. Most of those surviving waterbodies hardly have water, and even some of them that have water had been poorly shrunk. In Chennai, there are tank roads without tanks nearby and lake-view roads without any lake in the vicinity. There is a high possibility that even the few water bodies we have today might vanish soon. I thought of visiting the currently surviving waterbodies of Chennai and its suburbs and write about them in my blog as a series.</em></p>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" height="450" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d972.1937649625963!2d80.20033572657478!3d12.922173977973774!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3a525d7fd88f4aa1%3A0x2f910c1ce1cd5a29!2sJeyachandran%20Nagar%20Lake%20Park!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1709127051254!5m2!1sen!2sin" style="border: 0;" width="600"></iframe>Indian Columbushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13606838039118213820noreply@blogger.com0Jeyachandran Nagar, Green Court, Pallikaranai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600100, India12.9222413 80.200757-15.387992536178846 45.044506999999996 41.232475136178849 115.357007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-33137112389428847172024-02-26T19:39:00.001+05:302024-02-26T19:39:16.270+05:30Varam Tharum Perumal - Thachanallur<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Dating back to the 1300s during the illustrious Pandya era, this temple in Tirunelveli stands as a hidden gem, its secrets waiting to be discovered. Renovated in the 1700s, this grand structure located in the Thachanallur locality holds within its walls a remarkable sight: a towering green-colored Stucco image of Lord Vishnu, known as Varam Tharum Perumal. Flanking him are two divine consorts, Sree Devi depicted in a light-colored stucco image and Bhoo Devi in a green-colored stucco image.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtNLsCBdqkKqitDkjB5mJc1LHKuYUy8yl8BTPkJtQb8D6JKhAzmWjJEnwsT1jNCjTpi7Y7wGiU2gCvolFU1ahM6UR_tixGj9KwlxM-QmwHuXzfgpjsPz9_iMkGEOPreEtPY1Y1VzTd-xj3ucbtvX-b6jfG9PKLuHzkppsdNYC8Dv2UMRCxGV0wamahw3L/s4000/Thachanallur-VaramTharumPerumalTemple%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="1320" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAtNLsCBdqkKqitDkjB5mJc1LHKuYUy8yl8BTPkJtQb8D6JKhAzmWjJEnwsT1jNCjTpi7Y7wGiU2gCvolFU1ahM6UR_tixGj9KwlxM-QmwHuXzfgpjsPz9_iMkGEOPreEtPY1Y1VzTd-xj3ucbtvX-b6jfG9PKLuHzkppsdNYC8Dv2UMRCxGV0wamahw3L/w212-h640/Thachanallur-VaramTharumPerumalTemple%20(2).jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The ancient origins of the temple are evident in the weathered outer walls, adorned with friezes of lions (Simha vari) along the upper portions. Five shallow niches without any icons add to the temple's enigmatic charm. Above these niches, the Yazhi torana boasts intricate bas-relief images, with Narasimha gracing the west side and various postures of Krishna adorning the remaining four.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AgSoWf30NHXpLUZopaL7GLYo6iMTBg1PJUqW5p07CytY4yCwo0jWI-SaqnRCkSfsB3y7tMQbEuz1pX-SfIZPh1_fkpwfi8uM5kOFW0GKDSAUWR1aLRT6KUGXPpTW2rwPX2wp7B3Pv2fu0pbVx5XIZV66asQXPq9Hwzlc152iultSMM8l-ZQhZ-65TAny/s2449/Thachanallur-VaramTharumPerumalTemple%20(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2449" data-original-width="890" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AgSoWf30NHXpLUZopaL7GLYo6iMTBg1PJUqW5p07CytY4yCwo0jWI-SaqnRCkSfsB3y7tMQbEuz1pX-SfIZPh1_fkpwfi8uM5kOFW0GKDSAUWR1aLRT6KUGXPpTW2rwPX2wp7B3Pv2fu0pbVx5XIZV66asQXPq9Hwzlc152iultSMM8l-ZQhZ-65TAny/w232-h640/Thachanallur-VaramTharumPerumalTemple%20(3).jpg" width="232" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As you enter, you'll be greeted by the sculptures of Rama and Lakshmana, standing sentinel at the threshold. The mystery lingers as to why and when these images found their place in this unexpected location.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Embark on your journey of exploration and discovery amidst the ancient marvels of Tirunelveli!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy travelling.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4iGj4BmE0hxWmzHhKOrYb0pxtbLxZJj_-FoQ6vMfSWtdyvE3JbV0wMwTWt56hRWkgfFPJJR7yJg6zPKRZMz-fQGdMLSLFj7T4Bug9bIB4dqnF-30YIYLvPX5kLwJX8tkIq_zVzTUqf5ET5tVX36XP8wS4Y8lwE8HMcdMTSDog-OeKV5FA7QV9fsBKXOB/s2543/Thachanallur-VaramTharumPerumalTemple%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1907" data-original-width="2543" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4iGj4BmE0hxWmzHhKOrYb0pxtbLxZJj_-FoQ6vMfSWtdyvE3JbV0wMwTWt56hRWkgfFPJJR7yJg6zPKRZMz-fQGdMLSLFj7T4Bug9bIB4dqnF-30YIYLvPX5kLwJX8tkIq_zVzTUqf5ET5tVX36XP8wS4Y8lwE8HMcdMTSDog-OeKV5FA7QV9fsBKXOB/w640-h480/Thachanallur-VaramTharumPerumalTemple%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JvjQLzE-hyx2qx2rFtNgAJ5vIlWuPNADa9PPDrRnaVJu-Gom1lXkrIMUmC-9tv-ioXOWYDQ8jrCGYBDMCNWg7EaYqwtHxX5-SFlhPEzFt6jjenubTHvAvF62KDF_FcuqBb9UUCOb6o_h4WkY9ah0UMcz_3Y8S_1Q55W7Tllb8hHOvtFUw5G7Q5bq9k9u/s2371/Thachanallur-VaramTharumPerumalTemple%20(8).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1907" data-original-width="2371" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JvjQLzE-hyx2qx2rFtNgAJ5vIlWuPNADa9PPDrRnaVJu-Gom1lXkrIMUmC-9tv-ioXOWYDQ8jrCGYBDMCNWg7EaYqwtHxX5-SFlhPEzFt6jjenubTHvAvF62KDF_FcuqBb9UUCOb6o_h4WkY9ah0UMcz_3Y8S_1Q55W7Tllb8hHOvtFUw5G7Q5bq9k9u/w640-h514/Thachanallur-VaramTharumPerumalTemple%20(8).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAl32GiG5aynMOpoQbdT_4P-oEFJofjlmwhUm7_r1XdIXovAzZ-vSO2zcjWA1AviLBYkRMJbQCnjbs7FkQOMo2XCLKOwQuN1Chglp4ElMcVgcC8GD5pxn9Z2tGJJcI-FelYOVkeOH3nhNz2rlD2Nsw1OYL-mo_rn0wGfNwKDOhnu25NrYoctYNXPfAGwhU/s1907/Thachanallur-VaramTharumPerumalTemple%20(18).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1907" data-original-width="1726" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAl32GiG5aynMOpoQbdT_4P-oEFJofjlmwhUm7_r1XdIXovAzZ-vSO2zcjWA1AviLBYkRMJbQCnjbs7FkQOMo2XCLKOwQuN1Chglp4ElMcVgcC8GD5pxn9Z2tGJJcI-FelYOVkeOH3nhNz2rlD2Nsw1OYL-mo_rn0wGfNwKDOhnu25NrYoctYNXPfAGwhU/w580-h640/Thachanallur-VaramTharumPerumalTemple%20(18).jpg" width="580" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxq1WTrUTsn5MK9o9IYahriahwbvGFq8fpUI8IkETkXkrwsrNAsjJOGfilgplYGQgcLHu8uG3d0pvSVIH9dG5T6jWEeUpr1abXppq5p3niq2_c55kUbJ8OeB9n88K_IqZbGtZpfCPZjR3OlQuOY97rgOftgD8QSxFu40NsRH7e4TPpaKMTYWb5qlkElthP/s3837/Thachanallur-VaramTharumPerumalTemple%20(21).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3837" data-original-width="2196" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxq1WTrUTsn5MK9o9IYahriahwbvGFq8fpUI8IkETkXkrwsrNAsjJOGfilgplYGQgcLHu8uG3d0pvSVIH9dG5T6jWEeUpr1abXppq5p3niq2_c55kUbJ8OeB9n88K_IqZbGtZpfCPZjR3OlQuOY97rgOftgD8QSxFu40NsRH7e4TPpaKMTYWb5qlkElthP/w366-h640/Thachanallur-VaramTharumPerumalTemple%20(21).jpg" width="366" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p>
<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d985.8599857812666!2d77.7049737263164!3d8.744609836406491!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3b0411a2018886b7%3A0x9e20ad432af4b427!2sVaram%20Tharum%20Perumal%20Temple%2C%20Thachanallur!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1708956462196!5m2!1sen!2sin" width="600" height="450" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe>Indian Columbushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13606838039118213820noreply@blogger.com0Thachanallur, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India8.7450011 77.704603900000009-19.565232736178846 42.548353900000009 37.055234936178849 112.86085390000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-79289245079414136442024-02-25T16:17:00.001+05:302024-02-25T16:17:29.751+05:30Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple of Thachanallur<p><span style="font-family: arial;">When the whole of Tamil Nadu is familiar with the grand twin temples of Kantimati and Nellaiyappar in Tirunelveli, it's a lesser-known fact that another pair of temples by the same names resides in the Thachanallur locality of Tirunelveli.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Historically referred to as Thachanoor, meaning "the place of carpenters," this village is believed to have been home to the sculptors who crafted the magnificent Nellaiyappar and Kantimati temples in Tirunelveli town. They established a Shiva Linga here for their daily worship, naming it Shalivadeeswarar or Nellaiyappar after the main temple. Locals regard this temple as the original, calling it the Aadi Nellaiyappar temple.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJi3Iqba98Ct6afkXFMj9GvZ1AQv2pkHTitBufN0wUmpbe4-hBLV5faSZWHU-rVWAFqH_IAoEB3KwKdbgo1tRAwlDx1YaSIA0N_irmoNxuCEVNcbToTSmdHTBxbSvhBZmLrFvBQ5iEBwa-DdFYSUyWzj9ffD1BTNN77ZDUvG0rycRuKsBf13hGB96qf_uZ/s1024/Thachanallur-NellaiyapparTemple%20(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJi3Iqba98Ct6afkXFMj9GvZ1AQv2pkHTitBufN0wUmpbe4-hBLV5faSZWHU-rVWAFqH_IAoEB3KwKdbgo1tRAwlDx1YaSIA0N_irmoNxuCEVNcbToTSmdHTBxbSvhBZmLrFvBQ5iEBwa-DdFYSUyWzj9ffD1BTNN77ZDUvG0rycRuKsBf13hGB96qf_uZ/w480-h640/Thachanallur-NellaiyapparTemple%20(6).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Thought to date back to the 11th century, this temple's age is not clearly inscribed. Adhering to the typical style of Tirunelveli, the entire structure is whitewashed, making it challenging to pinpoint its age based solely on sculptures or architectural features. I've heard there are stone inscriptions and copper plate at the Mandiramurti temple within the complex, but unfortunately, I couldn't access them or gather further details.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The main sanctum houses a moderately sized Shiva Linga named Nellaiyappar, facing east with a striking vimana atop. This spacious temple boasts multiple mandapas aligned in an east-west axis, including the Moolasthana, Ardha mandapa, Maha mandapa, Mukha mandapa, and even an exterior mandapa at the temple entrance.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYya2y8GUf7fNPOl08G4TEn7VF5qpsKS_wGHor4MRkJCCyQlme1nQ1rLfHphG-SBIgePYaVa9vlVOVQPdb1Lw1ny_GnzdKRchHCl9Z8QG_jMlX-6XPVMy18U75hA-HcP094V9mZku1YOOV44ijOClneiyXki1jW7STzqpJc_zi5jzaEly0lqT_ZR-OGdF/s1280/Thachanallur-NellaiyapparTemple%20(4).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYya2y8GUf7fNPOl08G4TEn7VF5qpsKS_wGHor4MRkJCCyQlme1nQ1rLfHphG-SBIgePYaVa9vlVOVQPdb1Lw1ny_GnzdKRchHCl9Z8QG_jMlX-6XPVMy18U75hA-HcP094V9mZku1YOOV44ijOClneiyXki1jW7STzqpJc_zi5jzaEly0lqT_ZR-OGdF/w640-h480/Thachanallur-NellaiyapparTemple%20(4).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Outside the entrance, the Dhwajastambha, Bali peetha, and Nandi, all facing the temple's direction, are found. Within the prakara, Dakshinamurti, Durga, and Chandikeswara are seen. While Dakshinamurti and Durga appear to be later additions, small images of Ganesha and Subramanya stand guard at the sanctum entrance. Metal icons like Nataraja-Sivakami, Subramanya-Valli-Devasena, and Ganesha are housed in a shrine within the Maha mandapa.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In the prakara, there are sub-shrines dedicated to Kannimoola Ganapati, Navaneetha Krishna, Iyappa, Subramanya-Valli-Devasena, and Nataraja-Sivakami. The temple also venerates Shaneeswara and Bhairava among its deities.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5AT59xZGGGoNLzZOX3mKRQUTDe9ObsycaXq2hDGiADGzp2SejMdZWccVAejPoc9HvLhBUrIwtTbH2aONNHV91BHIBWeF3WpoZG_eroPjiwcKk1cctJC56T9AlZiKXPBxkZyHpma096v-CJYWl8Dr3_KTs6eTNCrVNOO3l6siChNf6Eq0Ii31iigJC2sGT/s1280/Thachanallur-NellaiyapparTemple%20(8).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5AT59xZGGGoNLzZOX3mKRQUTDe9ObsycaXq2hDGiADGzp2SejMdZWccVAejPoc9HvLhBUrIwtTbH2aONNHV91BHIBWeF3WpoZG_eroPjiwcKk1cctJC56T9AlZiKXPBxkZyHpma096v-CJYWl8Dr3_KTs6eTNCrVNOO3l6siChNf6Eq0Ii31iigJC2sGT/w640-h480/Thachanallur-NellaiyapparTemple%20(8).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">To the true right of the Nellaiyappar temple stands a grand temple dedicated to Kantimati. Here, she is depicted in an elegant tri-bhanga posture, holding a flower in her right arm. Chandikeswari accompanies her within the prakara, while Nandi stands outside the temple entrance, facing the Goddess.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Within the same temple complex lies a shrine housing two ancient Ganeshas named Mandiramurti and Vedamurti, believed to be a thousand years old. Legend has it that Tavamani Siddha from Courtallam intended to visit the Nellaiyappar temple but found his eternal abode in the Thachanalloor temple. He had two disciples, Mandiramurti and Vedamurti. Twin-Ganeshas are installed atop Mandiramurti's Jeeva samadhi, while a kamandala (kettle) is found atop the Jeeva samadhi of Vedamurti Swamigal. Nearby, a dedicated temple for Mandiramurti Swamigal is found.<br /><br />Happy travelling.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0tK74Pd3aj4CVncp8rDXKtaN5449Mr0aHo5GZYIEsZJi2E9mVSmHTAY8yQnQGcqrQI0lGf-G2g1lBMKEtfGPMLXNarzNmQtsUNVyBc0YGC7fB-7_l-1sIGDjEU-941rWV8ml85YLGw2RbbS6Xukld3uns7fgcV_6mYCBIl7d6apP0_hTWFtCgiyxvXh7/s1024/Thachanallur-NellaiyapparTemple%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS0tK74Pd3aj4CVncp8rDXKtaN5449Mr0aHo5GZYIEsZJi2E9mVSmHTAY8yQnQGcqrQI0lGf-G2g1lBMKEtfGPMLXNarzNmQtsUNVyBc0YGC7fB-7_l-1sIGDjEU-941rWV8ml85YLGw2RbbS6Xukld3uns7fgcV_6mYCBIl7d6apP0_hTWFtCgiyxvXh7/w480-h640/Thachanallur-NellaiyapparTemple%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p>
<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d2344.785710015011!2d77.70391143153087!3d8.744245876809101!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3b041198a5d7f12b%3A0xf19fbebfbc6ca159!2sSIVAN%20KOVIL!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1708857895119!5m2!1sen!2sin" width="600" height="450" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe>Indian Columbushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13606838039118213820noreply@blogger.com0Thachanallur, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, India8.7450011 77.704603900000009-19.565232736178846 42.548353900000009 37.055234936178849 112.86085390000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-13410350305294357112024-02-22T20:08:00.001+05:302024-02-22T20:08:26.799+05:30Keezhakkalloor Viswanatha Temple<p><span style="font-family: arial;">In the lesser-known village of Keezhakkallor near Tirunelveli, stands the ancient <a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2024/02/Keezhakkalloor-PuraveliNathar.html" target="_blank">Puraveli Nathar temple</a>, a topic I've covered before. Nearby, there's the Kasi Vishwanatha temple, estimated to be around 150-200 years old. What catches the eye in this small temple is the vimana atop the main shrine—a circular Vesara style structure made of brick and mortar, resembling the domes seen in Islamic architecture.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_wh1wYDUOGn-ZGzzk02WCDvCQUOapZ07cByWplfFNUtGbUde2O7zrmKNFJ705AtsCoQrtxQi8eJznsNitH661KTpPlfPKzH3Pzflxg8oceW8vGZ272tIuXt3wb3wrAxEsctO88x3M6qE7gdaQMfDRo3Fn0sloSo6c9IdcnFvSvrgm679euBGcP9WaxLH/s2543/Keezhakkalloor-KasiViswanathaTemple%20(8).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1907" data-original-width="2543" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_wh1wYDUOGn-ZGzzk02WCDvCQUOapZ07cByWplfFNUtGbUde2O7zrmKNFJ705AtsCoQrtxQi8eJznsNitH661KTpPlfPKzH3Pzflxg8oceW8vGZ272tIuXt3wb3wrAxEsctO88x3M6qE7gdaQMfDRo3Fn0sloSo6c9IdcnFvSvrgm679euBGcP9WaxLH/w640-h480/Keezhakkalloor-KasiViswanathaTemple%20(8).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The temple enshrines smaller images of Shiva Linga and Devi, known as Kasi Vishwanatha and Visalakshi, respectively. Alongside them, the temple houses representations of Ganesha, Subramanya, Shaneesvara, Bhairava, Surya, Chandra, and Chandikeswara.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The path for circumambulation within the temple is remarkably narrow. The unique design of the vimana raises intriguing questions. Could it have been influenced by a nearby mosque, or is it simply an unconventional architectural choice? The mystery adds to the allure of this charming temple.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy travelling.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxo8JzPLBm0Y287qhQxeH7cAtGF1GqU3QIaPi_pXKL5ScDHhRCRTS4FR59Gw25VKD4W45CetWJaC-KIR3iWZg4EPnTE7LKJBN_EgUR6w1_NR72sO8c0Y_Kw3Hz4OKwacKxSyuCqUKhE7WjnsR_qJawnuNc-pZ6s3gXN5J6b0a3o4RwuZ3MNMc0NYoYAW8/s3784/Keezhakkalloor-KasiViswanathaTemple%20(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3784" data-original-width="2123" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxo8JzPLBm0Y287qhQxeH7cAtGF1GqU3QIaPi_pXKL5ScDHhRCRTS4FR59Gw25VKD4W45CetWJaC-KIR3iWZg4EPnTE7LKJBN_EgUR6w1_NR72sO8c0Y_Kw3Hz4OKwacKxSyuCqUKhE7WjnsR_qJawnuNc-pZ6s3gXN5J6b0a3o4RwuZ3MNMc0NYoYAW8/w360-h640/Keezhakkalloor-KasiViswanathaTemple%20(2).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD13iFK0w4E0yOqGnraOMOtQmicySuYKvWcX23xk-2JgbViuRcavZAO6-bolRfaVEORgiXvOs0ggEPEVdZ6WYWTUKZtKrfNCjiF-rZPiqSZqa8-G2oANSViHsMluDxD5oPivkvBqg6cRQPvUOWgRYto5t4IS6w4X23SuKuMrliZbP9ztU74_GOHT0dj97-/s3507/Keezhakkalloor-KasiViswanathaTemple%20(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3507" data-original-width="1893" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD13iFK0w4E0yOqGnraOMOtQmicySuYKvWcX23xk-2JgbViuRcavZAO6-bolRfaVEORgiXvOs0ggEPEVdZ6WYWTUKZtKrfNCjiF-rZPiqSZqa8-G2oANSViHsMluDxD5oPivkvBqg6cRQPvUOWgRYto5t4IS6w4X23SuKuMrliZbP9ztU74_GOHT0dj97-/w346-h640/Keezhakkalloor-KasiViswanathaTemple%20(3).jpg" width="346" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqo0b7s8Ko6_LYhhCfqrxhqOF9rhAUj_SeijQLnHdiuRNTLiNU6gzVfGejM1dy_nLdu6dRQAOtGuk0lGwOl300m4bmWF8k-sYnIzK9rqhiOX9csNOpr9uD_ejPeY7rT6oPrqCTHiOF9lafUDPFFj369fVYeKfXY_d6El1qZgjHOiUpIf_IZVcV9Z0cVt6/s2200/Keezhakkalloor-KasiViswanathaTemple%20(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="2200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUqo0b7s8Ko6_LYhhCfqrxhqOF9rhAUj_SeijQLnHdiuRNTLiNU6gzVfGejM1dy_nLdu6dRQAOtGuk0lGwOl300m4bmWF8k-sYnIzK9rqhiOX9csNOpr9uD_ejPeY7rT6oPrqCTHiOF9lafUDPFFj369fVYeKfXY_d6El1qZgjHOiUpIf_IZVcV9Z0cVt6/w640-h480/Keezhakkalloor-KasiViswanathaTemple%20(6).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" height="450" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d11154.94589153922!2d77.59390946109252!3d8.70399385232346!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3b0415728d7654bf%3A0x7c639a2e93c84ca1!2sSRI%20PURAVELINATHA%20SIVAN%20TEMPLE!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1708523884446!5m2!1sen!2sin" style="border: 0;" width="600"></iframe></span></p>Indian Columbushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13606838039118213820noreply@blogger.com0PH5W+2XQ, Kodaganallur, Tamil Nadu 627010, India8.7075874999999989 77.5974844-19.602646336178847 42.4412344 37.017821336178841 112.7537344tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-38711166951359633242024-02-21T19:30:00.001+05:302024-02-21T19:30:07.191+05:30Unveiling Puraveli Nathar Temple: A Hidden Gem of Keezhakkalloor<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Keezhakkalloor, a secluded village near Tirunelveli, holds a hidden gem that once supplied vital offerings to prominent temples in the region. Let's delve into the intriguing history of Puraveli Nathar temple.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Known for yielding the high-quality Kodakan Samba rice, Keezhakkalloor and its neighboring villages caught the attention of Rajaraja Chola I. Impressed by the rice's longevity and taste, he decreed that one-sixth of their cultivation be offered as tax, known as Puravu vari, to the Dhenupureeswarar temple in the village. This rice was then distributed to revered temples such as Sankaran Kovil, Sri Vaikuntham, Papanasam, and Brahmadesam. As Lord Shiva of this temple assumed the role of a revenue officer, locals began referring to him as Puravu Vari Nathar, eventually evolving into Puraveli Nathar.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8kEAHTdYJdraRYT7BXN4-poCw2SyPONMP6jxrSPB8wjR6j3YsprVUj_Xgnz98_iW_a1f07LuCtqcP9SX6Pdr2BDz7ir5rnZxN8gDNAvw1WwzMcyWsbNjEIwLqqPK2B4GM128o8UqqXFu5aENELXx3tN2KQYuz7cjuluadceS_FJPRZ1kAjVlmE31cy_u/s2950/Keezhakkalloor-PuraveliNathar%20(9).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2950" data-original-width="1986" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn8kEAHTdYJdraRYT7BXN4-poCw2SyPONMP6jxrSPB8wjR6j3YsprVUj_Xgnz98_iW_a1f07LuCtqcP9SX6Pdr2BDz7ir5rnZxN8gDNAvw1WwzMcyWsbNjEIwLqqPK2B4GM128o8UqqXFu5aENELXx3tN2KQYuz7cjuluadceS_FJPRZ1kAjVlmE31cy_u/w430-h640/Keezhakkalloor-PuraveliNathar%20(9).jpg" width="430" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Legend has it that a miraculous cow would regularly milk at a specific spot. When its owner aimed a stone at the cow, it accidentally struck a bleeding stone. Upon investigation, a self-manifested Shiva Linga was discovered. Informed of this divine event, the king erected the temple, naming the deity Dhenupureeswarar (with "Dhenu" meaning cow). It's said that the Linga still bears the marks from the cow's inadvertent strike.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Puraveli Nathar, also known as </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Chidambareswarar,</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> stands majestically in the form of a grand Shiva Linga within the east-facing shrine, while his consort Azhagambikai graces a south-facing shrine. Nandi adorn the Ardha mandapa and another one at the exterior near the bali peetha.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60PrEWpB2DvCDyblXV2h8GNxtkG5DGnkHJoWMYW2L3F4UdL52meHf5eX9XlgjR9J60rwfRZFlSriKlJs1cdkRoVFqxJD3il7XdtRAOKsoEn6dR7cxJGvf5tpW4fEPVF954lBfNnSa1jwe40xkasbXGpDYsCottf-3-cq4GINWp8zGYeb4nAEcNBTy91pP/s3261/Keezhakkalloor-PuraveliNathar%20(7).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3261" data-original-width="2614" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60PrEWpB2DvCDyblXV2h8GNxtkG5DGnkHJoWMYW2L3F4UdL52meHf5eX9XlgjR9J60rwfRZFlSriKlJs1cdkRoVFqxJD3il7XdtRAOKsoEn6dR7cxJGvf5tpW4fEPVF954lBfNnSa1jwe40xkasbXGpDYsCottf-3-cq4GINWp8zGYeb4nAEcNBTy91pP/w514-h640/Keezhakkalloor-PuraveliNathar%20(7).jpg" width="514" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Guarding the entrance to the main shrine are small images of Ganesha and Subramanya-Valli-Devasena. The images of Surya, Chandra, Bhairava, Chandikeswara, and Dakshinamurti are also present in their customary locations. Notably, the temple features an exquisite sculpture of Magilampoo Shasta, seated in his characteristic posture, holding a Magilampoo flower, a symbol of timeless beauty. Another remarkable sight is Bhootattar, positioned at the shrine entrance. Shasta's vahana, the elephant, faces his shrine.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The vimana, above the main shrine boasts exquisite craftsmanship, and the sacred Bilva tree stands as the sthala vruksha, offering a serene atmosphere for spiritual exploration.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy travelling.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiil4yMyZn4gs70poZaJihhG7k6o_z9jbJyK9oZGb_cTsdFzSVXyVOLDIZFGeaMhgcnW4qXFUsnM21dKLp0R7WY5dO35TqRwEI4QIB7udV2jPd5K7DZmEmk9xJ_jJxn5A6caF-2n96tsumt9Ngc6YGORb2PCIrD_xlYKT3R3nPKlm7kxd4HuHugLGA4IAaT/s2543/Keezhakkalloor-PuraveliNathar%20(6).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2543" data-original-width="1907" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiil4yMyZn4gs70poZaJihhG7k6o_z9jbJyK9oZGb_cTsdFzSVXyVOLDIZFGeaMhgcnW4qXFUsnM21dKLp0R7WY5dO35TqRwEI4QIB7udV2jPd5K7DZmEmk9xJ_jJxn5A6caF-2n96tsumt9Ngc6YGORb2PCIrD_xlYKT3R3nPKlm7kxd4HuHugLGA4IAaT/w480-h640/Keezhakkalloor-PuraveliNathar%20(6).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoOgool6unsg4OeuK3DrlWnFuaRfPoHLU3gXe3ztT2ztIPxF7K1AsgkURZcdS8agV8buiXqFOCGTr26UkCSgkp3ZmRQDrVbGbzwGkHdmaKeIRDjZQhXq_4zJhtK0ragnrX1XrcbiFGrvRMb3qWeNpAU7V4DGHh9Y-maxmm47q3k9AH6DNZybyhmqFFT8n/s3000/Keezhakkalloor-PuraveliNathar%20(14).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2865" data-original-width="3000" height="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigoOgool6unsg4OeuK3DrlWnFuaRfPoHLU3gXe3ztT2ztIPxF7K1AsgkURZcdS8agV8buiXqFOCGTr26UkCSgkp3ZmRQDrVbGbzwGkHdmaKeIRDjZQhXq_4zJhtK0ragnrX1XrcbiFGrvRMb3qWeNpAU7V4DGHh9Y-maxmm47q3k9AH6DNZybyhmqFFT8n/w640-h612/Keezhakkalloor-PuraveliNathar%20(14).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><br /></p>
<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d11154.94589153922!2d77.59390946109252!3d8.70399385232346!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3b0415728d7654bf%3A0x7c639a2e93c84ca1!2sSRI%20PURAVELINATHA%20SIVAN%20TEMPLE!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1708523884446!5m2!1sen!2sin" width="600" height="450" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe>Indian Columbushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13606838039118213820noreply@blogger.com0PH5W+2XQ, Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu 627010, India8.7075778 77.5974742-19.602656036178846 42.441224199999994 37.017811636178848 112.7537242tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-61850862470897512182024-02-18T11:48:00.003+05:302024-02-19T18:20:17.303+05:30Gotha Parameswara - The Nava Kailasham Temple on the banks of Tamraparani<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Romasa Maharishi, the grandson of Lord Brahma and disciple of Sage Agastya, embarked on a divine mission under his Guru's guidance. He placed nine flowers into the Tamraparani River, each marking the spot where he installed a Shiva Linga. These nine temples, collectively known as Nava Kailasham, hold profound significance in the Tirunelveli and Tiruchendur regions. This article zooms in on Kunnathur, the fourth Nava Kailasham temple, intricately linked with the shadow planet Rahu.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Situated just one kilometer away from the renowned Mela Tiruvenkatanathapuram temple (the Southern Tirupati), and a mere 300 meters from the Keezha Tiruvenkatanathapuram temple, lies the ancient Shiva temple. The picturesque village is Kunnathur, also known as Chenkani or Keezha Tiruvenkatanathapuram.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GQg-9AfuowoM_sOvKQvF4LHAB2CwBGEMYNMPj9xhoRluz5oqsyOJV0_sTBKVuXFO8k-NrPJlZ0G5ORzafErXzepfPOw7EyzT7im056vdsELlcbfbQzJxagqhM8vhKd9wie9Sx7GecP6Ji5HZ33gPFEw-LBYT7OPk6eLdf23ZjajEjtUlmsIcNV6maT2T/s3962/Chenkani-KothaParameswararTemple%20(13).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3962" data-original-width="3468" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2GQg-9AfuowoM_sOvKQvF4LHAB2CwBGEMYNMPj9xhoRluz5oqsyOJV0_sTBKVuXFO8k-NrPJlZ0G5ORzafErXzepfPOw7EyzT7im056vdsELlcbfbQzJxagqhM8vhKd9wie9Sx7GecP6Ji5HZ33gPFEw-LBYT7OPk6eLdf23ZjajEjtUlmsIcNV6maT2T/w560-h640/Chenkani-KothaParameswararTemple%20(13).jpg" width="560" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br />At its heart of the temple stands a moderately sized Shiva Linga named Gotha Parameswarar, adorned with a sarpa rekha, in the east-facing sanctum. Known by other names such as Nageesar and Kailasanathar, this Linga is housed within a beautifully crafted vimana. The presiding Goddess, Sivakami, embodies the quintessential Tirunelveli style, standing gracefully in Tribhanga posture, holding a flower in her right arm, within a south-facing shrine situated in the Mukha mandapa.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Evidence of the temple's antiquity is manifest in its architectural elements, visible on the outer walls and sculpted pillars of the maha mandapa. The mukha mandapa boasts a Kerala-style stone roof, reminiscent of wooden roofing, adorned with enchanting Yazhi and Gaja friezes. Within the prakara, devotees encounter Dakshinamurti, Chandikeshwara, and Bhairava, alongside sub-shrines dedicated to Kanni Moola Ganapati and Arumuga Nayinar. Notably, Arumuga Nayinar, depicted as a six-headed, twelve-armed Skanda seated atop a peacock with a Tiruvasi behind him, showcases exceptional artistic craftsmanship, flanked by Valli and Devasena.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwX5aazV4psZZr-HCQwuAzSaSlxpjigFev8UMxZ3-VPmyRJJ5_poNtXS9KeD_98d1FBtXQA30gbW6KX6PquucTQa5tzIgmoLpRN16uDYcquNsDJoOgznXrlMJKmTtGXqhj_m4u7JLWTcfhP53RVRLzNQDpnaDRnwF2nLQBhkQvoxWuSHjnJSzyX_hf95s/s2774/Chenkani-KothaParameswararTemple%20(9).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2774" data-original-width="2080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwX5aazV4psZZr-HCQwuAzSaSlxpjigFev8UMxZ3-VPmyRJJ5_poNtXS9KeD_98d1FBtXQA30gbW6KX6PquucTQa5tzIgmoLpRN16uDYcquNsDJoOgznXrlMJKmTtGXqhj_m4u7JLWTcfhP53RVRLzNQDpnaDRnwF2nLQBhkQvoxWuSHjnJSzyX_hf95s/w480-h640/Chenkani-KothaParameswararTemple%20(9).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The entrance to the Ardha mandapa boasts ancient sculpture of Ganesha and a Linga with a serpent, adding to the temple's allure. While lacking a dhwajastambha, the temple features a bali peetha and a Nandi facing the main shrine, with the Bilva tree serving as the sthala vruksha. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Three hollow niches are found on the outer walls of the main shrine. Dakshinamurti, as stated above, is a new addition on the south facing niche. Toranas above the niches and the bas-relief images are gone, except for west side where Yoga Narasimha is seen.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A big bas-relief image of a monkey is an additional attraction that can be seen on the inner wall of Ardha mandapa.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">An inscription from the 1170s CE, discovered during the reign of Veera Pandya, refers to the village as Keezh Vembu Naattu Brahmadeyam Chenkani, alias Avani Narayana Chaturvedi Mangalam. It sheds light on the temple's history, mentioning donations made by Veera Pandya towards its upkeep and revealing the presence of a land measuring tool used to settle disputes within the village. Additionally, a copper plate at the Nellaiyappar temple identifies this site as TiruNangeesaneri, with the deity revered as Tirunageesar.<br /><br />Happy travelling.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6qviQ9KkNcm0xksAjDshS8HoWMdcjkKRjOmTUdMwHjSbt8UeBLh9-fr5nOI9bLH-aJsOzks-96YC5fp0G6WXauoUoRXmA_y8kachfEN1wg3INFeraCM-W-PxQl4jRg62RTgUsk7fOxX2RqtQEyjl9r1Ie2MH7ePUKSfUBFsNz1jx_mXYb0Pq0FQ_FSCv/s4160/Chenkani-KothaParameswararTemple%20(3).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="2176" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6qviQ9KkNcm0xksAjDshS8HoWMdcjkKRjOmTUdMwHjSbt8UeBLh9-fr5nOI9bLH-aJsOzks-96YC5fp0G6WXauoUoRXmA_y8kachfEN1wg3INFeraCM-W-PxQl4jRg62RTgUsk7fOxX2RqtQEyjl9r1Ie2MH7ePUKSfUBFsNz1jx_mXYb0Pq0FQ_FSCv/w334-h640/Chenkani-KothaParameswararTemple%20(3).jpg" width="334" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpN6MBf-QorVfHxsyXjVy6FkqnahTcaG91sP7BStyXtzuZyKY2NiyWnAq96-lfoK7zWjAI0UpP6g6JI1CMKx9nea1QC8c7PJlC0Tlnck_GgCrrjxz7_KmrkXgX2J00aqpsHHRK4t7F0qXBzBRda7fML2tBAzqC5Lz7_AI6JiTYmi4-993PS-Q8Fxhm9soo/s3454/Chenkani-KothaParameswararTemple%20(28).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1947" data-original-width="3454" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpN6MBf-QorVfHxsyXjVy6FkqnahTcaG91sP7BStyXtzuZyKY2NiyWnAq96-lfoK7zWjAI0UpP6g6JI1CMKx9nea1QC8c7PJlC0Tlnck_GgCrrjxz7_KmrkXgX2J00aqpsHHRK4t7F0qXBzBRda7fML2tBAzqC5Lz7_AI6JiTYmi4-993PS-Q8Fxhm9soo/w640-h360/Chenkani-KothaParameswararTemple%20(28).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" height="450" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d15775.988885796432!2d77.65306351437222!3d8.69181224543372!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3b041397e7375cb3%3A0xee4a558395164779!2sSri%20Gotha%20Parameswarar%20Temple%20(Ragu%20temple)%20Nava%20kailayam%204!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1708236976817!5m2!1sen!2sin" style="border: 0;" width="600"></iframe>Indian Columbushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13606838039118213820noreply@blogger.com0Melathiruvengadanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, India8.6917575 77.656476-19.618476336178844 42.500226 37.001991336178847 112.812726tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-10788869273199148152024-02-15T20:34:00.002+05:302024-02-15T20:34:35.028+05:30Keezha Tiruvenkatanathapuram<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Chenkani, a quaint village situated just one kilometer away from Mela Tiruvenkatanathapuram on the banks of the beautiful Tamraparani river, also known as Keezha Tiruvenkatanathapuram, is home to the ancient Varadaraja Perumal temple. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8o93KFKCyMn5gTYarnx-7FiYdCQq5VIJhqGqLFWGlaRCpeTaqEmXoAz-E59wmIhBWJDJc-dolaovfiUYOXcYwkrbBUKLep4-2UeZD3DmfeM-6axCAKBQXkKNaJAsBVrId2dsirdWxJDPC5lJ3XHKc9nwCrjV6SvDYuXQoj6N4iA5rFez8xMhnQ0uLS7D5/s2851/Tiruvenkatanathapuram.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2138" data-original-width="2851" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8o93KFKCyMn5gTYarnx-7FiYdCQq5VIJhqGqLFWGlaRCpeTaqEmXoAz-E59wmIhBWJDJc-dolaovfiUYOXcYwkrbBUKLep4-2UeZD3DmfeM-6axCAKBQXkKNaJAsBVrId2dsirdWxJDPC5lJ3XHKc9nwCrjV6SvDYuXQoj6N4iA5rFez8xMhnQ0uLS7D5/w640-h480/Tiruvenkatanathapuram.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Gaining access to this temple isn't straightforward; devotees often wait for hours for the priest to unlock its doors. On a lighter note, it is a practice that has endured for centuries. Legend has it that some 700 years ago, a king seeking the deity's darshan faced a similar predicament when the priest was absent. In a twist of fate, Vishnu himself assumed the role of the priest, guiding the king into the temple and conducting the rituals, thus safeguarding the priest. Hence, Vishnu earned the title Vazha Vaikkum Perumal, symbolizing the deity who ensures his devotees' safety and well-being.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8bjRB6u_1QuVCYnm9ZbPh8kyNlozNujWakQxNBp92tUnQgtvvnSyiNFw8jdFIT_cG0FzrWeWchSTqjv5EOxv3ZIrmt6BJwG-dVgMMFhBdTdRlABKSLh0r52SPMflUvHlMl_CIyEvGLJqPXmvbF0eumQsVX9H8fst3n2-C3MvrFXIDGUwmX8wk1Bd2D3-/s3110/KeezhaTiruvenkatanathapuram%20(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2332" data-original-width="3110" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8bjRB6u_1QuVCYnm9ZbPh8kyNlozNujWakQxNBp92tUnQgtvvnSyiNFw8jdFIT_cG0FzrWeWchSTqjv5EOxv3ZIrmt6BJwG-dVgMMFhBdTdRlABKSLh0r52SPMflUvHlMl_CIyEvGLJqPXmvbF0eumQsVX9H8fst3n2-C3MvrFXIDGUwmX8wk1Bd2D3-/w640-h480/KeezhaTiruvenkatanathapuram%20(6).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Vishnu, called Varadaraja Perumal here, is in the standing posture. The four-armed deity is flanked by Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi.</span>Notably, Vishnu's right arm bears the auspicious dhana rekha, believed to possess the power to multiply wealth, earning him the epithet Dhanarekha Perumal. With roots tracing back to the Pandya era, approximately 800 years ago, this ancient temple also features separate shrines dedicated to Hanuman and Garuda, enriching the spiritual experience for visitors.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Similar to Nellaiyappar temple and Mela Tiruvenkatanathapuram, this temple also has bamboo tree as the sthala vruksha.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy travelling.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPa5RrrIdRSQtiINfSjqzt_aE8527-RdvkbT_-bOdqsfx46ArA6tjAbIjU9xI4SNa_2watZJ6DKGWTzsfQi9S3ighB0aWjC8u7OAtIUPDgthofItY0SY6vH8_uCGEGHBBC3mzccsjGNmArgEfql5h3M5Utd9wD97qWbDhy-sd8AUnH8V5LwKitTfhs1fA/s3119/KeezhaTiruvenkatanathapuram%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2469" data-original-width="3119" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPa5RrrIdRSQtiINfSjqzt_aE8527-RdvkbT_-bOdqsfx46ArA6tjAbIjU9xI4SNa_2watZJ6DKGWTzsfQi9S3ighB0aWjC8u7OAtIUPDgthofItY0SY6vH8_uCGEGHBBC3mzccsjGNmArgEfql5h3M5Utd9wD97qWbDhy-sd8AUnH8V5LwKitTfhs1fA/w640-h506/KeezhaTiruvenkatanathapuram%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MroHZJQoM5gL8cYAugwvvngPH7RdhL0znvZ8wqSzDujWicdDgGX9eCYo8heUISbwU0hZfuS7nY0Efw4y6uhPkA0cXnCBWr2aNkYZ5x3f6sSTGQYpQHZt4mm_QNMhZCEw4VxKpQgoSVRIiqmaNdK4HWktO3KQb8ksbzBHdR2MdH0VZ2ifU4ORGR0eNghD/s2851/KeezhaTiruvenkatanathapuram%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="2851" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0MroHZJQoM5gL8cYAugwvvngPH7RdhL0znvZ8wqSzDujWicdDgGX9eCYo8heUISbwU0hZfuS7nY0Efw4y6uhPkA0cXnCBWr2aNkYZ5x3f6sSTGQYpQHZt4mm_QNMhZCEw4VxKpQgoSVRIiqmaNdK4HWktO3KQb8ksbzBHdR2MdH0VZ2ifU4ORGR0eNghD/w640-h448/KeezhaTiruvenkatanathapuram%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p>
<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d4690.27275203329!2d77.67094301572814!3d8.688359951677347!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3b0413978e314b97%3A0x676f89ae86f0a937!2sKeezha%20Thiruvenkatanathapuram%20Temple!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1708009380974!5m2!1sen!2sin" width="600" height="450" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe>Indian Columbushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13606838039118213820noreply@blogger.com2Melathiruvengadanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, India8.6917575 77.656476-19.618476336178844 42.500226 37.001991336178847 112.812726tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-8894927284787380502024-02-11T10:35:00.002+05:302024-02-11T10:35:39.024+05:30Manur Ambalavana Swami Temple<p><span face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #212529; font-size: 12px; text-align: justify;"></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Counting the stars in the sky may prove elusive, but attempting to enumerate the exquisite temples adorning the banks of Tirunelveli's radiant Tamraparani river presents an equally daunting task. Among these treasures lies the picturesque village of Manur, home to the grand Ambalavana Swami temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, where tales of divinity intertwine with local lore.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXk2z1cl8a4JGYXVRl3lHeobsBrMporvdkhLY0vUGUNJoDdQvDDpTeLPNSTeiRrTFm1dLKdV8hq6sFjKDK-RuOqb3u2YolDFzs63EIqDaqCXw-RR-MDo6EF3Ihx0LYgzBUz_t3HJJEA9xiCHeG95Ok-qvn9dnwfM4CweXtz_8DivfxZQaPG9g0IDf_gdIQ/s3375/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(3)-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3375" data-original-width="2901" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXk2z1cl8a4JGYXVRl3lHeobsBrMporvdkhLY0vUGUNJoDdQvDDpTeLPNSTeiRrTFm1dLKdV8hq6sFjKDK-RuOqb3u2YolDFzs63EIqDaqCXw-RR-MDo6EF3Ihx0LYgzBUz_t3HJJEA9xiCHeG95Ok-qvn9dnwfM4CweXtz_8DivfxZQaPG9g0IDf_gdIQ/w550-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(3)-.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>Legend</b></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Legend has it that within this village resided a sage known as Ambalavanar, blessed with divine visions of Lord Shiva in His Nataraja form. In reverence to this encounter, the temple's principal deity bears the sage's name, Ambalavana Swami.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Another narrative recounts the arrival of Karuvur Siddha, a sage endowed with the power to summon Lord Shiva with a mere invocation of His name. In a moment of vexation, Siddha cast a curse upon the Tirunelveli temple, rendering it barren. However, Shiva, in the form of a radiant light, appeared to Siddha in Manur, leading to the temple's restoration and the presence of the revered Nellaiyappar Linga alongside his consort, Kantimati.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Similarly, during the reign of Sri Vallabha Pandya, a milkman incurred the king's wrath for his perceived negligence. Mystified by the milkman's cows pouring milk at a specific location, the king's punishment led to a divine revelation, prompting the construction of the temple upon unearthing a sacred Linga. Miraculously, the king's lost faculties were restored upon completing the temple's construction.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5ia-GCQGemPSpeIGM75W6kJfLteYGVgNUaTveZvbeSNiY3jsBBABjzDL7O_qAzS_mnVaR36ADs6e7m67P7kS_qeg0Ediwhg-jlFhyphenhyphenJGxjfHlw3Q-EuSrea7eOPR4GisqbcF63V8NZgGV-QTIbOkp9jdJR0bSQtj2mJ4tMpf3wQmLQrblLkB9iHTKVQDP/s2710/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(23).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="2710" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5ia-GCQGemPSpeIGM75W6kJfLteYGVgNUaTveZvbeSNiY3jsBBABjzDL7O_qAzS_mnVaR36ADs6e7m67P7kS_qeg0Ediwhg-jlFhyphenhyphenJGxjfHlw3Q-EuSrea7eOPR4GisqbcF63V8NZgGV-QTIbOkp9jdJR0bSQtj2mJ4tMpf3wQmLQrblLkB9iHTKVQDP/w640-h228/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(23).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In another tale, the Daruka vana sages sought the divine spectacle of Shiva's cosmic dance, leading them to the adorned halls of Manur. As per Vishnu's orders, Viswakarma embellished the sacred space as Shiva graced the sages with his mesmerizing Ascharya Tandava, immortalizing the Ascharya Sabha as one of the six celestial halls within the Nellaiyappar temple complex.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Continuing the saga of divine interventions, the rituals at the Nellaiyappar temple unveil yet another mystical tale steeped in devotion and providence.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Each morning, as part of the temple's sacred customs, the previous day's floral adornments, known as Nirmalya, are ceremoniously removed from the deity and cast into the flowing waters of the Tamraparani river. Drifting downstream, these offerings find their way to the Marudur dam, where a tortoise and a swan reside, regarding the discarded flowers as sacred gifts from Nellaiyappar himself.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0k_Z00kbIXiU1xEPIeppvh11dYifILR-AItsJefndUHRU9o9KXZMqgvAiLXWuSq1jPpIC1Ihk-RrBC_u3oFNQQ1ghRvLgHYgb9MtqZAnGskaicWLD2fVzuGMbceZaSAy_fAiCputOyJQUtaOlHpddexoTNn5Aece3NJD4lCyrrk_1mIgNjM-ERT-x6K8W/s4624/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(32).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="2478" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0k_Z00kbIXiU1xEPIeppvh11dYifILR-AItsJefndUHRU9o9KXZMqgvAiLXWuSq1jPpIC1Ihk-RrBC_u3oFNQQ1ghRvLgHYgb9MtqZAnGskaicWLD2fVzuGMbceZaSAy_fAiCputOyJQUtaOlHpddexoTNn5Aece3NJD4lCyrrk_1mIgNjM-ERT-x6K8W/w342-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(32).jpg" width="342" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="font-family: arial;">However, when the curse of Karuvur Siddha befell the temple, stripping it of all vegetation save for the hardy Erukku (Calotropis), the swan and tortoise sensed impending peril. In a remarkable display of loyalty and devotion, the swan carried the tortoise upon its back, embarking on a pilgrimage to Tirunelveli. There, they came to know that Shiva traveled to Manur to give darshan to Karuvur Siddha.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Upon arriving in Manur, where Shiva had revealed himself to Karuvur Siddha in a radiant form, the devoted duo bore witness to the divine light once more. In this sacred setting, amidst the aura of celestial grace, the swan and tortoise found eternal liberation, their souls ascending to realms beyond earthly bounds.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In the tapestry of legends woven around the Ambalavana Swami temple, this tale stands as a testament to the unwavering devotion of all creatures, big and small, drawn to the divine presence that graces the tranquil village of Manur.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqNLbSGuYxW0wzALqp0iYXV0Qk15IosMMBoI7DCTKNBbmAutzbYAQdvg8ukNHyUrBpN7RUbNwl3FIQSrcD00ux_6n6kt_NgBn-heH5Sl1pWT0oNo_vDYQbD5R3yESF52iCoEmGOOw0DZlckYE-0hYWgmMBYuaSzczypQgONOiewWKyalUX6tf6mtuKGAe/s1969/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(35).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1969" data-original-width="1160" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOqNLbSGuYxW0wzALqp0iYXV0Qk15IosMMBoI7DCTKNBbmAutzbYAQdvg8ukNHyUrBpN7RUbNwl3FIQSrcD00ux_6n6kt_NgBn-heH5Sl1pWT0oNo_vDYQbD5R3yESF52iCoEmGOOw0DZlckYE-0hYWgmMBYuaSzczypQgONOiewWKyalUX6tf6mtuKGAe/w378-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(35).jpg" width="378" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>History</b></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Originally, the Ambalavana Swami temple stood as a humble mandapa, featuring perhaps only the Ascharya Sabha adorned with a mural painting of Lord Nataraja. It was an integral part of the illustrious Nellaiyappar temple, yet positioned outside its complex. Over time, the temple underwent expansions and additions, evolving into the magnificent structure it is today.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Within its sacred precincts, two inscriptions from the reigns of Pandya kings offer glimpses into its storied past. One, inscribed in Vattalezhuthu characters, hails from the era of Parantaka Varaguna Varma Pandya I, while the other bears the mark of Konerimai Kondan. These rulers, entrenched in the annals of Tamil history, symbolize a dynasty's endurance and the enduring legacy of their reigns.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Parantaka Varaguna Varma Pandya I, a name echoed in inscriptions across Gangaikondan, Kalugumalai, Ambasamudram, and Tirukkurungudi, left an indelible mark on the region's cultural landscape. Meanwhile, Konerimai Kondan, potentially identified with the Kulasékhara Dharmaperumal, represents a lineage that persisted amidst the transition to Nayakka rule, their authority veiled in nominal sovereignty.</span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzgfuubI_B6BTk9zR2Aucybi0lcZlnXTXiTWIQieLar0MXJyRfRgc1dSVV72Hf2LC6uTZyXgM-KR3q2jSYYMGXhzcmI2xy7y33FV0jy47HZldDOYKmOXs1E4yduZyJYknN6Bv_gOYI7948sQsRklJ4WSJ8yxy_KvcFO3ewuEOE3yuBcoH1zrjKiwxfQII/s1693/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(81).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1693" data-original-width="1203" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzgfuubI_B6BTk9zR2Aucybi0lcZlnXTXiTWIQieLar0MXJyRfRgc1dSVV72Hf2LC6uTZyXgM-KR3q2jSYYMGXhzcmI2xy7y33FV0jy47HZldDOYKmOXs1E4yduZyJYknN6Bv_gOYI7948sQsRklJ4WSJ8yxy_KvcFO3ewuEOE3yuBcoH1zrjKiwxfQII/w284-h400/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(81).jpg" width="284" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The 9th century inscription is a testament to Tamil Nadu's democratic heritage. This ancient relic reveals the presence of an elected judiciary, its governance guided by stringent protocols ensuring the integrity and competence of its judges. Serving as custodians of justice, these officials upheld the sanctity of the law, relying solely on written evidence to adjudicate matters. Dating back to the 9th century CE Pandya era, this inscription sheds light on the active role played by village assemblies in administering justice across ancient Tamilagam. A detailed article about this inscription is found <a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2024/01/Manur-Inscription.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Based on these inscriptions, the temple can be considered as 9th century Pandya-era temple and was under the control of Pandyas for about 700 years. </span></p><p><b style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;">Temple Layout and Deities</b></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Unlike many temples adorned with towering Gopurams, the Ambalavana Swami temple presents a modest yet serene layout. It boasts two entrances, positioned to the east and south. While the eastern gateway, serving as the primary entrance, remains closed for most of the year, it opens its doors ceremoniously during festival seasons. In contrast, the southern entrance welcomes devotees regularly, facilitating their spiritual journey into the sacred precincts.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div>Nestled before the eastern entrance lies a vast holy tank, a tranquil reservoir symbolizing purity and renewal.</div><div><br /></div><div>Within the sanctum facing east, the divine presence of Nellaiyappar manifests in the form of a Shiva Linga, radiating an aura of timeless grace. Adjoining the Linga, to its true right, stands Kantimati, her graceful form depicted holding a flower in her right hand, with the left arm hanging down, gracefully standing in Tribhanga posture. Facing these revered deities are their respective Nandi vahanas, embodying unwavering devotion and guardianship.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkdIvTiAx9jucXTHcG0-fJghga7QSNF9rqT1X-XbldGbJKc3MrUl6YQkckdxSp0aXxBtBdKXheCAWfVLTSZYT3F0kiOrs5Gc3GDheAvmhOIPUYYQFbhpsj_PA0hss_UQR1iMdtU8MGjymn1GmbJ4gZN6jO30Y4LGYe30xwCpMzr_1biMXV6F6x1b6YYe8/s2200/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(85).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="2200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAkdIvTiAx9jucXTHcG0-fJghga7QSNF9rqT1X-XbldGbJKc3MrUl6YQkckdxSp0aXxBtBdKXheCAWfVLTSZYT3F0kiOrs5Gc3GDheAvmhOIPUYYQFbhpsj_PA0hss_UQR1iMdtU8MGjymn1GmbJ4gZN6jO30Y4LGYe30xwCpMzr_1biMXV6F6x1b6YYe8/w640-h480/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(85).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Not far from the sanctum, the hallowed presence of Ambalavana Swami, personified as Nataraja, is revered through a bronze icon, accompanied by Sivakami and Manickavasagar. These smaller-sized bronze icons emanate a divine presence, adorned with intricate details. Adorning the wall behind them, vibrant mural paintings depict the divine trio, enriching the ambiance with celestial splendor.</div><div><br /></div><div>This southern facing shrine of Ambalavana Swami is considered as the sacred Ascharya Sabha. A spacious mandapa preceding it features four slabs adorned with thirty wooden sculptures, narrating tales of revered deities and Puranic legends, captivating the hearts of devotees with their exquisite craftsmanship. </div><div><br /></div><div>(I have covered all the wooden sculptures in detail in four different articles. Links for the same:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-wooden-sculptures-of-manur-part-1.html" target="_blank">The wooden sculptures of Manur - Part 1</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-wooden-sculptures-of-manur-part-2.html" target="_blank">The wooden sculptures of Manur - Part 2</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-wooden-sculptures-of-manur-part-3.html" target="_blank">The wooden sculptures of Manur - Part 3</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-wooden-sculptures-of-manur-part-4.html" target="_blank">The wooden sculptures of Manur - Part 4</a>)</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjF2tBC0WFntFlOoM02wx9s-CHR9jyPIhpQKPCFSa3XYz5OHjMb9Ffoq4ZuFzA47XxMaG-Z7qAkVYIXbWzb-XHQO0LWkd_YxFPSbtY5Gn_M8AwIpi6VJMUQtxSUsQ_ll1VfPbny7VBluFbkitUKU0oA2f1lnMRp8Mmwhlka1ylTIQDhlSLjW-tU92zi0hA/s4165/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3068" data-original-width="4165" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjF2tBC0WFntFlOoM02wx9s-CHR9jyPIhpQKPCFSa3XYz5OHjMb9Ffoq4ZuFzA47XxMaG-Z7qAkVYIXbWzb-XHQO0LWkd_YxFPSbtY5Gn_M8AwIpi6VJMUQtxSUsQ_ll1VfPbny7VBluFbkitUKU0oA2f1lnMRp8Mmwhlka1ylTIQDhlSLjW-tU92zi0hA/w640-h472/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(3).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Scattered across the temple precincts, small sub-shrines host revered deities such as Kanni Moola Ganapati, Dakshinamurthy, and Subramanya-Valli-Devasena, offering devotees avenues for varied forms of worship and spiritual communion.</div><div><br /></div><div>Other deities such as Surya, Chandra, Chandikeshwara, Bhairava, and Shaneesvara, are also found in the prakara.</div><div><br /></div><div>An intriguing addition to the temple's landscape is a separate mandapa housing relief images of the tortoise and swan, immortalized in legend, serving as testaments to divine providence and unwavering devotion.</div><div><br /></div><div>Adding to the temple's mystique, a pillar of unknown origin stands resolute before the southern entrance, known locally as "Tiruvadi Pottri," believed to have been sourced from Mecca. This enigmatic relic, steeped in legend and lore, lends an air of sacred reverence to the temple's ambiance, inviting devotees on a journey of spiritual discovery and transcendence. (I have written in detail about <a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2024/01/pillar-from-mecca-in-temple-of-nataraja.html" target="_blank">Tiruvadi Pottri</a> in a separate article.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Happy travelling.</div></span></div><p><iframe allowfullscreen="" height="450" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3942.249318035728!2d77.65040457314173!3d8.85636549167122!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3b04197e07f36627%3A0xf687d0f506163637!2sAmbalavanar%20Kovil!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1706971185807!5m2!1sen!2sin" style="border: 0;" width="600"></iframe></p>Indian Columbushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13606838039118213820noreply@blogger.com0Manur, Tamil Nadu 627201, India8.855005499999999 77.6521807-19.455228336178848 42.4959307 37.165239336178843 112.8084307tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-45040567697961975692024-02-06T19:20:00.006+05:302024-02-08T21:44:46.577+05:30The Wooden Sculptures of Manur - Part 4<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Nestled on the banks of the enchanting river Tamraparani, Tirunelveli is a treasure trove of distinctive and captivating temples, and among them, the Ambalavana Swami temple in Manur stands out. While I've previously explored two remarkable aspects of this temple in my articles, the exquisite wooden sculptures within its sacred precincts remain an overlooked marvel. In a landscape where numerous narratives have delved into the legend and history of this site, the intricate wooden sculptures deserve their own spotlight. Gracing four distinct slabs in two rows on either side of the Nataraja sanctum's front, these artistic creations of 1700s offer a unique dimension to the temple's charm. Join me as we delve into a list and attempt to identify these captivating wooden sculptures, complemented by corresponding photographs. </span></p><div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The first slab facing the west side has the below listed nine sculptures. Check my earlier article on this <a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-wooden-sculptures-of-manur-part-1.html" target="_blank">link</a>, where I have accompanied the list with all photographs.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Hanuman carrying Rama; Rama holds bow and arrow. It depicts a scene in Ramayana Yuddha Kanda where Rama seated on Hanuman fighting his enemies.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Krishna flanked by Rukmini and Satyabhama</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Manmatha (Kama Deva) holding a sugarcane bow in his arm; he generally has a parrot as his vahana. However, he is seated on a mythical animal having the face of a lion and body of a bird.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">4) A tall tribal woman carrying an infant on her shoulders and having a big pot in her arm; a dwarf is seen accompanying her.</span></p><span style="font-family: arial;">5) Garudantika Vishnu; Garuda carrying the four-armed Vishnu</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">6) Vishnu flanked by Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">7) Multi-armed Tri Vikrama with his right leg raised facing the sky; Brahma is seen at his right foot; Bali is seen below.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">8) The ferocious Kali with her Simha (lion) Vahana</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">9) Three women (I wonder if they are three wives of Dasharata)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The second slab facing the east side, opposite to the first slab, has the below listed seven sculptures. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Check my earlier article on this</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-wooden-sculptures-of-manur-part-2.html" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">link</a><span style="font-family: arial;">, where I have accompanied the list with all photographs.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">10) A form of Shiva, as he holds deer in his upper left arm. As the sculpture is eroded, I am unable to identify the exact form.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">11) Shiva seated on Nandi with the small figure of Uma on his left lap. A Gana is seen holding a chhatri (umbrella) above the divine couple.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;">12) Vishnu and Lakshmi (possibly) gently rocking the swing to and fro. I believe it is the Oonjal practice that is part of divine wedding of Shiva and Parvati. However, the swing is seen empty in this sculpture.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">13) A couple romancing each other.</span><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></p></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;">14) Rama holding bow and arrow in his arms.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">15) A man and woman romancing each other. I am unable to identify the large object that the woman carries.</span><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></p></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;">16) Two women playing musical instruments.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;">The third slab facing the west side, adjacent to the first slab, has the below listed eight sculptures. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Check my earlier article on this</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-wooden-sculptures-of-manur-part-3.html" target="_blank">link</a><span style="font-family: arial;">, where I have accompanied the list with all photographs.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;">17) A saint is found seated and he is flanked by two men. I believe the saint must be Karuvur Siddhar. The two men are with crowns on their heads and hence they should represent two kings/princes.</span></p>18) Kuratti (a female belonging to Kuravar community) is found carrying an infant on her shoulders and a big basket in her arms. She places her right arm on the head of another infant.<br /><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;">19) Four-armed Bhairava holding trishul, damaru and serpent in his arms accompanied by his dog (Shvan) vahana.</span></p>20) Twenty-armed and ten-headed Ravana trying to lift Kailasha with Shiva seated with a small figure of Uma on his left lap - Ravana Anugraha Murti</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><p>21) Ten-armed ferocious Narasimha is found killing Hiranyakashipu. Hiranya is found holding a sword in his right arm. Narasimha holds the tiny thighs of Asura with two of his arms and he uses another arm to strangle the neck of Asura. The fight scene and the defeat of Hiranya are beautifully depicted.</p><p>22) Multi-armed Veerabhadra with beard crumpling an Asura with his feet.</p><p>23) The beautiful Mohini and the sages seduced by her.</p><p>24) Nataraja and Sivakami</p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The fourth slab facing the east side, adjacent to the second slab, has the below listed seven sculptures.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">25) A ferocious four-armed deity holding a big sword in his arm</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Vh4JAQZmHjn5DjtNJNK9aPNRlTJMs70-NJTFGfykeJGCZLGiZ6d9gkATwrC26bUD83Mzavn5mTs0Sl22r469yOsTPQvIA8yQ3td3Rh2iOa85YR7y3RcRATmiwk-hBr44IoSaASww4nToPSx9WyM2D9eVOpLnXgLEH5yY1H80dL5ce9GLOJDTugK4slmj/s3027/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%2012.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3027" data-original-width="1939" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Vh4JAQZmHjn5DjtNJNK9aPNRlTJMs70-NJTFGfykeJGCZLGiZ6d9gkATwrC26bUD83Mzavn5mTs0Sl22r469yOsTPQvIA8yQ3td3Rh2iOa85YR7y3RcRATmiwk-hBr44IoSaASww4nToPSx9WyM2D9eVOpLnXgLEH5yY1H80dL5ce9GLOJDTugK4slmj/w410-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%2012.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p>26) Shiva in the Lingodbhava form with Brahma and Vishnu with folded hands in his either side; Boar (Vishnu), Swan (Brahma) and the Ketaki flower are also seen below and above Lingodbhava.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNkm_UJj0aiNmLTBoAVxzOXPQr-sS8SCbCH354NyM7zfeR4VtI9ccd70ImWqQef1eO_lPbqRbtcYOWuuiGkEf4vH1VUc6IbzU7xZoHrRlovSVg0eRdyRBBpNUNo2kWS98hmPfMWJSkICuRCs1Ef1tkBGHK4dnvXVwi_6XlvmbViJg7uLTYVGW_bLELmwj/s3313/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(12).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3313" data-original-width="1862" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmNkm_UJj0aiNmLTBoAVxzOXPQr-sS8SCbCH354NyM7zfeR4VtI9ccd70ImWqQef1eO_lPbqRbtcYOWuuiGkEf4vH1VUc6IbzU7xZoHrRlovSVg0eRdyRBBpNUNo2kWS98hmPfMWJSkICuRCs1Ef1tkBGHK4dnvXVwi_6XlvmbViJg7uLTYVGW_bLELmwj/w360-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(12).jpg" width="360" /></a></div><br /><p>27) A man and woman romancing each other</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKbsIrbURXwQl_QK3X4NSjeIkpW9ALSQROSLTHFSHTjsFugba1DLh0hlVjYxzW4SlC7kRhrl2b-mw9BJ5eXNd1ASFnrQGxJ04l8zqzzJlznFUEdUQMGKlOBw79QY4C1KFbRyDPwOdUgugp4KN8VGcIVtp-fShkZPH8A2qXAfOoaXPArlzHfC_Glq-AZyO/s3207/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple13.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3207" data-original-width="1779" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBKbsIrbURXwQl_QK3X4NSjeIkpW9ALSQROSLTHFSHTjsFugba1DLh0hlVjYxzW4SlC7kRhrl2b-mw9BJ5eXNd1ASFnrQGxJ04l8zqzzJlznFUEdUQMGKlOBw79QY4C1KFbRyDPwOdUgugp4KN8VGcIVtp-fShkZPH8A2qXAfOoaXPArlzHfC_Glq-AZyO/w356-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple13.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><br /><p>27) A portion of Rama Pattabhisheka scene. Bharata holding chhatri (umbrella), Sugreeva and Angada with folded hands are seen.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJ3rSRp59ygODFiweG3E97S16uJmF1NKAzPSB_oT3LoHBGDrnlD7OeKm1fJw2R8pxvZO3YbSo_MIPe43ZwXJfGoYC68s1ihondRTWu1-ZZk0IqPGFqA2ZDcqGnD0uNUxIBUzz0E0A2RIt8Q_F0f-2kIZ3u818OhkQOKKSaHdq3yR6XTGZiZVvFo2MTfZs/s3240/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(13).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="2005" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizJ3rSRp59ygODFiweG3E97S16uJmF1NKAzPSB_oT3LoHBGDrnlD7OeKm1fJw2R8pxvZO3YbSo_MIPe43ZwXJfGoYC68s1ihondRTWu1-ZZk0IqPGFqA2ZDcqGnD0uNUxIBUzz0E0A2RIt8Q_F0f-2kIZ3u818OhkQOKKSaHdq3yR6XTGZiZVvFo2MTfZs/w396-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(13).jpg" width="396" /></a></div><br /><p>28) Three women holding small pots in their arms. I believe they are Kausalya, Sumitra and Kaikeyi with divine porridge. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85jOxBxYjUS3roO1eAIgcUAOLssf5CkU3tS7TFhQO6nOB0DG1BvOr3KHumfpCic1FEXDMnNXG3Y4oY2Hs7VbldQE0Cb5GqjOEiQOPQtu0YuUVfJblxW5MfWuKZN1Ln5f65dvRo7Fl-4O_7fMauZXkMrBnXtBG1iyrnO5bdojSka2LiCAAtYMpHbk0BcQP/s3000/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(14).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="1582" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh85jOxBxYjUS3roO1eAIgcUAOLssf5CkU3tS7TFhQO6nOB0DG1BvOr3KHumfpCic1FEXDMnNXG3Y4oY2Hs7VbldQE0Cb5GqjOEiQOPQtu0YuUVfJblxW5MfWuKZN1Ln5f65dvRo7Fl-4O_7fMauZXkMrBnXtBG1iyrnO5bdojSka2LiCAAtYMpHbk0BcQP/w338-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(14).jpg" width="338" /></a></div><br /><p>29) Shiva Linga and Uma under a holy tree</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mz8evMvTzI8HsoEg3lnBXKgL3AV1vX3ubMtxtyYWTQg-_LvMcYugS8YcfDdLKpndjWfhZs6NiRKdaEX5lGkB-rWkNFFkGj8J7CzkKkcMQ7mlfwWXDL0manN1p_C8escKcGNSLuaRGA6lkqfuKg1wM3ki3f8xrjsOJs-bAukV5kxvVGI5pn-rDRISuwev/s2346/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%2015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2346" data-original-width="1256" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mz8evMvTzI8HsoEg3lnBXKgL3AV1vX3ubMtxtyYWTQg-_LvMcYugS8YcfDdLKpndjWfhZs6NiRKdaEX5lGkB-rWkNFFkGj8J7CzkKkcMQ7mlfwWXDL0manN1p_C8escKcGNSLuaRGA6lkqfuKg1wM3ki3f8xrjsOJs-bAukV5kxvVGI5pn-rDRISuwev/w342-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%2015.jpg" width="342" /></a></div><br /><p>30) A romantic couple</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutX2vmzEL_sAFEaiys-dy9GE0qySs9-6vNPGRVClqcR5LgbRUClyBlfgKpI4c3MY2AkRAuDpOh1_h4q75XUs2573Oo0QpTUfgmu6Fi6sX_Q9TN-QNmXsTP1k2BO0lCCmcNv8ClaggDe4Js8fWPSsIe36RapscxbDuWqlZ55fY-yTOg9rm1Ms_XHHB90At/s2449/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(15).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2449" data-original-width="1591" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutX2vmzEL_sAFEaiys-dy9GE0qySs9-6vNPGRVClqcR5LgbRUClyBlfgKpI4c3MY2AkRAuDpOh1_h4q75XUs2573Oo0QpTUfgmu6Fi6sX_Q9TN-QNmXsTP1k2BO0lCCmcNv8ClaggDe4Js8fWPSsIe36RapscxbDuWqlZ55fY-yTOg9rm1Ms_XHHB90At/w416-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(15).jpg" width="416" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy travelling.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" height="450" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3942.249318035728!2d77.65040457314173!3d8.85636549167122!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3b04197e07f36627%3A0xf687d0f506163637!2sAmbalavanar%20Kovil!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1706971185807!5m2!1sen!2sin" style="border: 0;" width="600"></iframe></span></p></span></div></span></span></div></span></span></div></span></div></div>Indian Columbushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13606838039118213820noreply@blogger.com2Manur, Tamil Nadu 627201, India8.855005499999999 77.6521807-19.455228336178848 42.4959307 37.165239336178843 112.8084307tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-89723305476034242562024-02-05T21:33:00.003+05:302024-02-06T18:54:05.208+05:30The Wooden Sculptures of Manur - Part 3<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Nestled on the banks of the enchanting river Tamraparani, Tirunelveli is a treasure trove of distinctive and captivating temples, and among them, the Ambalavana Swami temple in Manur stands out. While I've previously explored two remarkable aspects of this temple in my articles, the exquisite wooden sculptures within its sacred precincts remain an overlooked marvel. In a landscape where numerous narratives have delved into the legend and history of this site, the intricate wooden sculptures deserve their own spotlight. Gracing four distinct slabs in two rows on either side of the Nataraja sanctum's front, these artistic creations of 1700s offer a unique dimension to the temple's charm. Join me as we delve into a list and attempt to identify these captivating wooden sculptures, complemented by corresponding photographs. </span></p><div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The first slab facing the west side has the below listed nine sculptures. Check my earlier article on this <a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-wooden-sculptures-of-manur-part-1.html" target="_blank">link</a>, where I have accompanied the list with all photographs.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Hanuman carrying Rama; Rama holds bow and arrow. It depicts a scene in Ramayana Yuddha Kanda where Rama seated on Hanuman fighting his enemies.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Krishna flanked by Rukmini and Satyabhama</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Manmatha (Kama Deva) holding a sugarcane bow in his arm; he generally has a parrot as his vahana. However, he is seated on a mythical animal having the face of a lion and body of a bird.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">4) A tall tribal woman carrying an infant on her shoulders and having a big pot in her arm; a dwarf is seen accompanying her.</span></p><span style="font-family: arial;">5) Garudantika Vishnu; Garuda carrying the four-armed Vishnu</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">6) Vishnu flanked by Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">7) Multi-armed Tri Vikrama with his right leg raised facing the sky; Brahma is seen at his right foot; Bali is seen below.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">8) The ferocious Kali with her Simha (lion) Vahana</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">9) Three women (I wonder if they are three wives of Dasharata)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The second slab facing the east side, opposite to the first slab, has the below listed seven sculptures. </span><span style="font-family: arial;">Check my earlier article on this</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-wooden-sculptures-of-manur-part-2.html" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">link</a><span style="font-family: arial;">, where I have accompanied the list with all photographs.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">10) A form of Shiva, as he holds deer in his upper left arm. As the sculpture is eroded, I am unable to identify the exact form.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">11) Shiva seated on Nandi with the small figure of Uma on his left lap. A Gana is seen holding a chhatri (umbrella) above the divine couple.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;">12) Vishnu and Lakshmi (possibly) gently rocking the swing to and fro. I believe it is the Oonjal practice that is part of divine wedding of Shiva and Parvati. However, the swing is seen empty in this sculpture.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">13) A couple romancing each other.</span><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></p></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;">14) Rama holding bow and arrow in his arms.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">15) A man and woman romancing each other. I am unable to identify the large object that the woman carries.</span><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></p></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;">16) Two women playing musical instruments.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;">The third slab facing the west side, adjacent to the first slab, has the below listed eight sculptures.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;">17) A saint is found seated and he is flanked by two men. I believe the saint must be Karuvur Siddhar. The two men are with crowns on their heads and hence they should represent two kings/princes.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: "Times New Roman"; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIV-O9uG9e-NFJD_dwmRn_7a5tplWflwO_h3eIbrUqjVGch6qyId19AxqMMacCTWm3UgLfcEAu2hnw-qHANIZMnaIJaAVL67w3OMqGTOMjQvrTe9TVCUlvpOiySnHyae2IU6KV6twRFj4-K5xw-SMASwF91jQp1BFUEfPqDiVKhzmwMnAVqOY1rKYcfun-/s3874/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(65).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3874" data-original-width="2708" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIV-O9uG9e-NFJD_dwmRn_7a5tplWflwO_h3eIbrUqjVGch6qyId19AxqMMacCTWm3UgLfcEAu2hnw-qHANIZMnaIJaAVL67w3OMqGTOMjQvrTe9TVCUlvpOiySnHyae2IU6KV6twRFj4-K5xw-SMASwF91jQp1BFUEfPqDiVKhzmwMnAVqOY1rKYcfun-/w448-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(65).jpg" width="448" /></a></div><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></p>18) Kuratti (a female belonging to Kuravar community) is found carrying an infant on her shoulders and a big basket in her arms. She places her right arm on the head of another infant.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXevIOVByJliNERQgvsf1bt7mGcU6JD37oT4IqVVSCmODFB6BQtu1-HCUmO7sjMDH5JHfwTAOZT4BYcZryj47BQfjR8Sugez7dm3IiQgC3Leb-rUHSneBCeKhuUEThhOTuXJIlXudlkQ4HLUqsPRFJVExAzje64kAjXFL1sxk8k-5Ndby6pQPRlj_ILhs/s3968/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(66).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3968" data-original-width="2201" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXevIOVByJliNERQgvsf1bt7mGcU6JD37oT4IqVVSCmODFB6BQtu1-HCUmO7sjMDH5JHfwTAOZT4BYcZryj47BQfjR8Sugez7dm3IiQgC3Leb-rUHSneBCeKhuUEThhOTuXJIlXudlkQ4HLUqsPRFJVExAzje64kAjXFL1sxk8k-5Ndby6pQPRlj_ILhs/w356-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(66).jpg" width="356" /></a></div><br /><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;">19) Four-armed Bhairava holding trishul, damaru and serpent in his arms accompanied by his dog (Shvan) vahana.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGVpJ3wIpKkH-UerY1Beo2pcDYy_KdNQ_BjEE1MNPKQi7cbPuXJJdB22M8VqN_0vOpPE4H9rCIzkBLIAvy5oei54zqUkeZ8hLRQrzlM1CBP1pbJDpIVgws3CL3G-aEXjWPzRVYebId15V8rN_Av5lh1Rnr-7pj_L-PGote7OcdmSVcsps-DKzU0VzHdI8/s4014/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(67).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4014" data-original-width="2321" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRGVpJ3wIpKkH-UerY1Beo2pcDYy_KdNQ_BjEE1MNPKQi7cbPuXJJdB22M8VqN_0vOpPE4H9rCIzkBLIAvy5oei54zqUkeZ8hLRQrzlM1CBP1pbJDpIVgws3CL3G-aEXjWPzRVYebId15V8rN_Av5lh1Rnr-7pj_L-PGote7OcdmSVcsps-DKzU0VzHdI8/w370-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(67).jpg" width="370" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>20) Twenty-armed and ten-headed Ravana trying to lift Kailasha with Shiva seated with a small figure of Uma on his left lap - Ravana Anugraha Murti</span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTq1ZugWQhkKUf00uaevYb-t24pe0yNMDREFqZarpTfpgU0_Gse2wSRmxtp-xCWfDXSYLtIKMdKy92c1e2A5eqOhIOrdhyphenhyphen7zdXXKTgLAfahoWx3UpsWnKuxwC_WSHN5nZU9FLLkeo4LKZnUxOfGKM9BSqkez1YB51S-uMKBINfyle_9tL8P7nGEcjCwPEh/s3935/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(68).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3935" data-original-width="2321" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTq1ZugWQhkKUf00uaevYb-t24pe0yNMDREFqZarpTfpgU0_Gse2wSRmxtp-xCWfDXSYLtIKMdKy92c1e2A5eqOhIOrdhyphenhyphen7zdXXKTgLAfahoWx3UpsWnKuxwC_WSHN5nZU9FLLkeo4LKZnUxOfGKM9BSqkez1YB51S-uMKBINfyle_9tL8P7nGEcjCwPEh/w378-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(68).jpg" width="378" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><p>22) Ten-armed ferocious Narasimha is found killing Hiranyakashipu. Hiranya is found holding a sword in his right arm. Narasimha holds the tiny thighs of Asura with two of his arms and he uses another arm to strangle the neck of Asura. The fight scene and the defeat of Hiranya are beautifully depicted.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCeEPG6XKwOKamK_ouoISCpYAKvW0-vXvxYCaZ8XfJMvB8Kluh05xbNJ74eIRTfB7GF7yG215HXkY3aKFIEr9eDBlzFC-kQMcW5NDsPIAD95ErP4FsQOKIgCE4OVH4rR4Jz7toD2s8PhkThCW7VErSk0hHEOxzjBKsYE2b3xJ8iKCGFnNo7JuFtSY9arZ/s3871/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(69).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3871" data-original-width="2303" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwCeEPG6XKwOKamK_ouoISCpYAKvW0-vXvxYCaZ8XfJMvB8Kluh05xbNJ74eIRTfB7GF7yG215HXkY3aKFIEr9eDBlzFC-kQMcW5NDsPIAD95ErP4FsQOKIgCE4OVH4rR4Jz7toD2s8PhkThCW7VErSk0hHEOxzjBKsYE2b3xJ8iKCGFnNo7JuFtSY9arZ/w380-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(69).jpg" width="380" /></a></div><br /><p>23) Multi-armed Veerabhadra with beard crumpling an Asura with his feet.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCMw8J7D17rmR-Taqsme67Rf2C1mN0FsmTWCsDM34JUAlR1y4hwydgJisPGbouEbR2uZI4WtNHwny6ZDB09iHOY_3vF4P4rJZkzp3CAJpKz4_1Xe1Lbg5YWXrnzjhL-176TGXXdFftPxhPIlmnk0LX1L33cFcsHv4Kl0otGn7niL394yN8GB4-P4BRYZv/s3748/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(70).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3748" data-original-width="2190" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLCMw8J7D17rmR-Taqsme67Rf2C1mN0FsmTWCsDM34JUAlR1y4hwydgJisPGbouEbR2uZI4WtNHwny6ZDB09iHOY_3vF4P4rJZkzp3CAJpKz4_1Xe1Lbg5YWXrnzjhL-176TGXXdFftPxhPIlmnk0LX1L33cFcsHv4Kl0otGn7niL394yN8GB4-P4BRYZv/w374-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(70).jpg" width="374" /></a></div><br /><p>24) The beautiful Mohini and the sages seduced by her.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Q-DTuRY4kKucm8WZSKxA80N8hBiw43DLYDp0nI4PLT4izF_FpMlC8S3LcbtplV2MDv3LFSHoiutQdVijUPfnEm-_hprvbvtH4A7HITuZ6hW9YhpwDCVVPCv4wDJHASPB6GkN12XVe7DPs5Q9GCqgA92tGeUKm-kn8g9KlkwBOOPw-IygfRQR1gq3CBct/s3603/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(71).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3603" data-original-width="2092" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Q-DTuRY4kKucm8WZSKxA80N8hBiw43DLYDp0nI4PLT4izF_FpMlC8S3LcbtplV2MDv3LFSHoiutQdVijUPfnEm-_hprvbvtH4A7HITuZ6hW9YhpwDCVVPCv4wDJHASPB6GkN12XVe7DPs5Q9GCqgA92tGeUKm-kn8g9KlkwBOOPw-IygfRQR1gq3CBct/w372-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(71).jpg" width="372" /></a></div><br /><p>25) Nataraja and Sivakami</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbvKNZGlWnC3jH7sqIq5rQozfzm2c33zZU9qBDU8uu2G2xcbUU1KAMvqPqVkMnrmHCLc_1Nzse8SmWIeq4azlnshQhnCsjPxPZb_yvT6jeXpndu4bv1DKt6ayfQdvH8pWllhLLk3SZiINiwz17JrOPj3VFjOI9zxq5HZs091fhtkYGWgd_ftF3EW-A0b7/s4027/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(72).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4027" data-original-width="2224" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbvKNZGlWnC3jH7sqIq5rQozfzm2c33zZU9qBDU8uu2G2xcbUU1KAMvqPqVkMnrmHCLc_1Nzse8SmWIeq4azlnshQhnCsjPxPZb_yvT6jeXpndu4bv1DKt6ayfQdvH8pWllhLLk3SZiINiwz17JrOPj3VFjOI9zxq5HZs091fhtkYGWgd_ftF3EW-A0b7/w354-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(72).jpg" width="354" /></a></div><br /><p><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;">Let me continue with the remaining sculptures in the forthcoming posts.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy travelling.</span></p><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: arial;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" height="450" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3942.249318035728!2d77.65040457314173!3d8.85636549167122!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3b04197e07f36627%3A0xf687d0f506163637!2sAmbalavanar%20Kovil!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1706971185807!5m2!1sen!2sin" style="border: 0;" width="600"></iframe></span></p></span></div><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></p></span></span></div><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></p></span></span></div><p style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"></p></span></div><p></p><p style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></p></div>Indian Columbushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13606838039118213820noreply@blogger.com0Manur, Tamil Nadu 627201, India8.855005499999999 77.6521807-19.455228336178848 42.4959307 37.165239336178843 112.8084307tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-176922451302476042024-02-04T11:29:00.003+05:302024-02-05T20:49:18.634+05:30The Wooden Sculptures of Manur - Part 2<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Nestled on the banks of the enchanting river Tamraparani, Tirunelveli is a treasure trove of distinctive and captivating temples, and among them, the Ambalavana Swami temple in Manur stands out. While I've previously explored two remarkable aspects of this temple in my articles, the exquisite wooden sculptures within its sacred precincts remain an overlooked marvel. In a landscape where numerous narratives have delved into the legend and history of this site, the intricate wooden sculptures deserve their own spotlight. Gracing four distinct slabs in two rows on either side of the Nataraja sanctum's front, these artistic creations of 1700s offer a unique dimension to the temple's charm. Join me as we delve into a list and attempt to identify these captivating wooden sculptures, complemented by corresponding photographs. </span></p><div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The first slab facing the west side has the below listed nine sculptures. Check my earlier article on this <a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-wooden-sculptures-of-manur-part-1.html" target="_blank">link</a>, where I have accompanied the list with all photographs.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Hanuman carrying Rama; Rama holds bow and arrow. It depicts a scene in Ramayana Yuddha Kanda where Rama seated on Hanuman fighting his enemies.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Krishna flanked by Rukmini and Satyabhama</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Manmatha (Kama Deva) holding a sugarcane bow in his arm; he generally has a parrot as his vahana. However, he is seated on a mythical animal having the face of a lion and body of a bird.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">4) A tall tribal woman carrying an infant on her shoulders and having a big pot in her arm; a dwarf is seen accompanying her.</span></p><span style="font-family: arial;">5) Garudantika Vishnu; Garuda carrying the four-armed Vishnu</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">6) Vishnu flanked by Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">7) Multi-armed Tri Vikrama with his right leg raised facing the sky; Brahma is seen at his right foot; Bali is seen below.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">8) The ferocious Kali with her Simha (lion) Vahana</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">9) Three women (I wonder if they are three wives of Dasharata)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The second slab facing the east side, opposite to the first slab, has the below listed seven sculptures.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">10) A form of Shiva, as he holds deer in his upper left arm. As the sculpture is eroded, I am unable to identify the exact form.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_U0_BqnNFRC9nxhDeMuzdDuL5VNZ674VPpcBwxaCxbiidLPIiBrDMKpuOeGqb_t2fs0IzW_Q1Km4-r11dlTEurDk9bUnc51FUyesw8PkPw3xQbBt1P99Uo44xHHbat10UY6D6-gdMjgeBmCMqdjRv1LKVyiy5tNPFb9INRrfxtF_1jC7F0HEMM0j-0n1v/s3054/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple-4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3054" data-original-width="1555" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_U0_BqnNFRC9nxhDeMuzdDuL5VNZ674VPpcBwxaCxbiidLPIiBrDMKpuOeGqb_t2fs0IzW_Q1Km4-r11dlTEurDk9bUnc51FUyesw8PkPw3xQbBt1P99Uo44xHHbat10UY6D6-gdMjgeBmCMqdjRv1LKVyiy5tNPFb9INRrfxtF_1jC7F0HEMM0j-0n1v/w326-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple-4.jpg" width="326" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">11) Shiva seated on Nandi with the small figure of Uma on his left lap. A Gana is seen holding a chhatri (umbrella) above the divine couple.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbMiNfzCLpN3rp3IMF0QUidZjYk-seFE1QbCLTAVDTRa1WHmvs538nv-lB8gdv27vgufw2Tvd4HYojlEgkLw8ZcNq82K8uPlyeIR_a220mXmxsOIDJgWXNJmYRjs2updx5LUnV3wwwKKD01mBEeUfvf3eMYfDo-N-v_vkg0N24dTafrgUqufqbuDT8ofd/s3148/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(4).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3148" data-original-width="1600" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtbMiNfzCLpN3rp3IMF0QUidZjYk-seFE1QbCLTAVDTRa1WHmvs538nv-lB8gdv27vgufw2Tvd4HYojlEgkLw8ZcNq82K8uPlyeIR_a220mXmxsOIDJgWXNJmYRjs2updx5LUnV3wwwKKD01mBEeUfvf3eMYfDo-N-v_vkg0N24dTafrgUqufqbuDT8ofd/w326-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(4).jpg" width="326" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">12) Vishnu and Lakshmi (possibly) gently rocking the swing to and fro. I believe it is the Oonjal practice that is part of divine wedding of Shiva and Parvati. However, the swing is seen empty in this sculpture.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6cSsA_RqZAhXHS4eHgZc5KPATyNefSfscel6XHAzc03NeoD9p5GVjJN22ieDulcPrS8n8QLltDmedvjUM0PW_i_PKPTY4_Nki58vuOeD5VrBJEFY2_hpDa2zcroySNwlA3vGudPDWVxm0RdWsngsBb1yNFfXj5sjAnDAPCYlxmo6FLf6VA4rK2AxmJT1/s2963/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2963" data-original-width="1869" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw6cSsA_RqZAhXHS4eHgZc5KPATyNefSfscel6XHAzc03NeoD9p5GVjJN22ieDulcPrS8n8QLltDmedvjUM0PW_i_PKPTY4_Nki58vuOeD5VrBJEFY2_hpDa2zcroySNwlA3vGudPDWVxm0RdWsngsBb1yNFfXj5sjAnDAPCYlxmo6FLf6VA4rK2AxmJT1/w404-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple5.jpg" width="404" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">13) A couple romancing each other.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RTKw3RQLOrnQfxQSmRmJWTqha78OpN3vOd9klT8vhA_WA5QVaJBNNK2JxoeJt7OOrP1jIlFD5gH4xWG2I4ovmLZ1Y2U6Tcg6YK2gigfKsCZjOBdgCGG_Ja1NNN5ysestBBF7KmtS2bokFZaC2vjWCP0ObcqDIBEcIqIzqGlpugvJghi4aqP4xMP6p-BU/s2853/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(5).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2853" data-original-width="1705" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1RTKw3RQLOrnQfxQSmRmJWTqha78OpN3vOd9klT8vhA_WA5QVaJBNNK2JxoeJt7OOrP1jIlFD5gH4xWG2I4ovmLZ1Y2U6Tcg6YK2gigfKsCZjOBdgCGG_Ja1NNN5ysestBBF7KmtS2bokFZaC2vjWCP0ObcqDIBEcIqIzqGlpugvJghi4aqP4xMP6p-BU/w382-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(5).jpg" width="382" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;"></p></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">14) Rama holding bow and arrow in his arms.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVd7dC6NgqrnCNKo6MU768BvKLgJSMYTQzV9iBQbCrN78svQoXM6BOh7fN5McJCnc3MsmkFhKaduSZCSughRyBmIYgZAbPpHmGQ3EAqqVWfghy8wGWEw2LdHmHeFCdFnM3FhVVIteZxQfxIQ8-uC-SOJOqruJQuL-rOz_5bg3hRqHkmR-EnwLPIi5KA0N/s2960/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2960" data-original-width="1609" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiVd7dC6NgqrnCNKo6MU768BvKLgJSMYTQzV9iBQbCrN78svQoXM6BOh7fN5McJCnc3MsmkFhKaduSZCSughRyBmIYgZAbPpHmGQ3EAqqVWfghy8wGWEw2LdHmHeFCdFnM3FhVVIteZxQfxIQ8-uC-SOJOqruJQuL-rOz_5bg3hRqHkmR-EnwLPIi5KA0N/w348-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple6.jpg" width="348" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">15) A man and woman romancing each other. I am unable to identify the large object that the woman carries.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITFv8sRuSKqAsRNUW-plditQKtK77pIzK9jYPg1QRWPj-r4I1zv-SDxFItiN149vQyVI8hmM2FeRobHrw5V4HwrQJEnEd17CgvqEY4laEnxKzNgax6gv98lsylS11gG4Tt3IefGUJTAbFsH9AHgMxxSzru9u2_dLkm1Nnw13xnPbOTlhr5nwf1LMVAyFa/s3027/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(6).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3027" data-original-width="1806" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiITFv8sRuSKqAsRNUW-plditQKtK77pIzK9jYPg1QRWPj-r4I1zv-SDxFItiN149vQyVI8hmM2FeRobHrw5V4HwrQJEnEd17CgvqEY4laEnxKzNgax6gv98lsylS11gG4Tt3IefGUJTAbFsH9AHgMxxSzru9u2_dLkm1Nnw13xnPbOTlhr5nwf1LMVAyFa/w382-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(6).jpg" width="382" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">16) Two women playing musical instruments.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSAIzYQ5DV2cY3N_8c1UjHUt0JTXPtVSr-fOgyKJX_MPS42Jk8tuUWkMoGOcZAzPtpn_jMyrVPnkOyGIIuhaTth8KQBODDHvoa3zgVRv6iSUtpXPRRMaSdBbQHGqs5rWNwyr7xpBHLp_OmB7rmYbozHDuE-UfDbkhAwZky8bHlaKsRl7h_DKbizAMoeAG/s2880/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(7).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2880" data-original-width="1799" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzSAIzYQ5DV2cY3N_8c1UjHUt0JTXPtVSr-fOgyKJX_MPS42Jk8tuUWkMoGOcZAzPtpn_jMyrVPnkOyGIIuhaTth8KQBODDHvoa3zgVRv6iSUtpXPRRMaSdBbQHGqs5rWNwyr7xpBHLp_OmB7rmYbozHDuE-UfDbkhAwZky8bHlaKsRl7h_DKbizAMoeAG/w400-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(7).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Let me continue with the remaining sculptures in the forthcoming posts.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy travelling.</span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" height="450" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3942.249318035728!2d77.65040457314173!3d8.85636549167122!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3b04197e07f36627%3A0xf687d0f506163637!2sAmbalavanar%20Kovil!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1706971185807!5m2!1sen!2sin" style="border: 0;" width="600"></iframe></span></p></div>Indian Columbushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13606838039118213820noreply@blogger.com0Manur, Tamil Nadu 627201, India8.855005499999999 77.6521807-19.455228336178848 42.4959307 37.165239336178843 112.8084307tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-76920595406047559712024-02-03T20:11:00.001+05:302024-02-03T20:11:06.842+05:30The Wooden Sculptures of Manur - Part 1<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Nestled on the banks of the enchanting river Tamraparani, Tirunelveli is a treasure trove of distinctive and captivating temples, and among them, the Ambalavana Swami temple in Manur stands out. While I've previously explored two remarkable aspects of this temple in my articles, the exquisite wooden sculptures within its sacred precincts remain an overlooked marvel. In a landscape where numerous narratives have delved into the legend and history of this site, the intricate wooden sculptures deserve their own spotlight. Gracing four distinct slabs in two rows on either side of the Nataraja sanctum's front, these artistic creations of 1700s offer a unique dimension to the temple's charm. Join me as we delve into a list and attempt to identify these captivating wooden sculptures, complemented by corresponding photographs. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHigbIwHJwTN2fz3h7pO3GyojtGnYlWVfpgKlLeH1lEKN85lf8TsD0Ti-4oiB2m8tRaUUpSsLc9lX-Zrs_NDlkd7Z1tQTZKQWTzFBEhb5tYyiHMbe3qU_GgsMKtrLihM20lhL-RK0QF6r279-_PiOgGU5DKKKX10aStBPd5FTY6aMofhUWlUbxN3Ox7Os2/s3199/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(19).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="3199" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHigbIwHJwTN2fz3h7pO3GyojtGnYlWVfpgKlLeH1lEKN85lf8TsD0Ti-4oiB2m8tRaUUpSsLc9lX-Zrs_NDlkd7Z1tQTZKQWTzFBEhb5tYyiHMbe3qU_GgsMKtrLihM20lhL-RK0QF6r279-_PiOgGU5DKKKX10aStBPd5FTY6aMofhUWlUbxN3Ox7Os2/w640-h232/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(19).jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The first slab facing the west side has the below listed nine sculptures.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">1) Hanuman carrying Rama; Rama holds bow and arrow. It depicts a scene in Ramayana Yuddha Kanda where Rama seated on Hanuman fighting his enemies.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51p3wyOd_BbYB0_-1b9_Io-gau289GE3rpAXCtqiaeB9mT6QvKz-xGnDZ5RYOCLzyZSmb6-bO1CUetxYxotDvsU0mwf9R-eqesCJXSYjOgkOGc72AUPqZcEQF_wq4KZ_4YEPMFlipq33H93S5F-fnQztOdMDQFMPOMDcQuKMYxJ8GyWqMsGoZyeo8LGhT/s4022/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(41).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4022" data-original-width="1846" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg51p3wyOd_BbYB0_-1b9_Io-gau289GE3rpAXCtqiaeB9mT6QvKz-xGnDZ5RYOCLzyZSmb6-bO1CUetxYxotDvsU0mwf9R-eqesCJXSYjOgkOGc72AUPqZcEQF_wq4KZ_4YEPMFlipq33H93S5F-fnQztOdMDQFMPOMDcQuKMYxJ8GyWqMsGoZyeo8LGhT/w294-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(41).jpg" width="294" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">2) Krishna flanked by Rukmini and Satyabhama</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJ0aULTg-4XPTjQpOelRHltJ48TKxQIcJ8yzZL_eYPCERJVcqtr55BDFic_UW4NGpRTYHZyUmWquGx8fesUhuomnqFsDlbgEvjitjLo4W3NJMcJnaoroT9qiI-xMWx3tnYbK8Yce-TXQs_wxoq2KAxyDupzqc1zMe0ZT3u3m3cZ_sNvVAKw_rw8JIEWmT/s4049/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(42).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4049" data-original-width="2096" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJ0aULTg-4XPTjQpOelRHltJ48TKxQIcJ8yzZL_eYPCERJVcqtr55BDFic_UW4NGpRTYHZyUmWquGx8fesUhuomnqFsDlbgEvjitjLo4W3NJMcJnaoroT9qiI-xMWx3tnYbK8Yce-TXQs_wxoq2KAxyDupzqc1zMe0ZT3u3m3cZ_sNvVAKw_rw8JIEWmT/w332-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(42).jpg" width="332" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">3) Manmatha (Kama Deva) holding a sugarcane bow in his arm; he generally has a parrot as his vahana. However, he is seated on a mythical animal having the face of a lion and body of a bird.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbESuubLLi7QH3Jrf6W22F-btuoUxZ-LI09jR2Aggaq4_Cr56qq3iE6Tb5CitLkNzymVGUfQauiWca2qBxBTnq-Jm9pEYIxeGMjX9uC1dzJpb0FlZujOAfe3YLtm_vnckblApjfjqD3sKHs6WSF4s44DdayXv76zIugky3V6H_adRcrQInAXqYM6To-E_/s4216/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(43).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4216" data-original-width="2143" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMbESuubLLi7QH3Jrf6W22F-btuoUxZ-LI09jR2Aggaq4_Cr56qq3iE6Tb5CitLkNzymVGUfQauiWca2qBxBTnq-Jm9pEYIxeGMjX9uC1dzJpb0FlZujOAfe3YLtm_vnckblApjfjqD3sKHs6WSF4s44DdayXv76zIugky3V6H_adRcrQInAXqYM6To-E_/w326-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(43).jpg" width="326" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">4) A tall tribal woman carrying an infant on her shoulders and having a big pot in her arm; a dwarf is seen accompanying her.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekCUN3o8fcdADwDQHtgp-_fkMQPcr7akEp6c_zH6l3lQlRWGVe3W6CVrJDjFL-vn9Srf-Z7NQm8fmHyrgvvBp3sw0nD7w7y2dc0Pdz1-59ErIINamjMnkcfrDmbMXfQUbF6_UEQWqhyZI-yvJXZnH4pL1p1siZhe0ENOR1stiQTMRmRk_HU-HGtqVnkzi/s4075/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(44).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4075" data-original-width="2180" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiekCUN3o8fcdADwDQHtgp-_fkMQPcr7akEp6c_zH6l3lQlRWGVe3W6CVrJDjFL-vn9Srf-Z7NQm8fmHyrgvvBp3sw0nD7w7y2dc0Pdz1-59ErIINamjMnkcfrDmbMXfQUbF6_UEQWqhyZI-yvJXZnH4pL1p1siZhe0ENOR1stiQTMRmRk_HU-HGtqVnkzi/w342-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(44).jpg" width="342" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> 5) Garudantika Vishnu; Garuda carrying the four-armed Vishnu</span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrNpYffE3GXRzYtr6Yxvw9DIGwCH4r3_3Ca1SJsI41dIygfx17W54-oSrLfA59ci22lezl4fO76zODnPw9ppkcxqg8kOKwVTNFKvpY9wOzYC0jsJp-ruEcDoC8Emjse3x4jcMksC_DxxgAwfYYTmeu4B5QFgR9LoFrSc-qjXZ4Mp3lot1x2HGY-IpAuj-/s4249/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(45).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4249" data-original-width="2040" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcrNpYffE3GXRzYtr6Yxvw9DIGwCH4r3_3Ca1SJsI41dIygfx17W54-oSrLfA59ci22lezl4fO76zODnPw9ppkcxqg8kOKwVTNFKvpY9wOzYC0jsJp-ruEcDoC8Emjse3x4jcMksC_DxxgAwfYYTmeu4B5QFgR9LoFrSc-qjXZ4Mp3lot1x2HGY-IpAuj-/w308-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(45).jpg" width="308" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">6) Vishnu flanked by Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkvp8207AH_wKZ9leqqwwMl6t4pSidfOiI9ruNRECF9JW_jEqcde2GOEGh_XrN_N8t99kEw6qtVy5zGExc1Pgw2v-3KxYu7Wh9-2-mSHyiD81qncczaTiLn3NsxeP5kknd_jswY5vF7I39QOZPcCHrQGIHgf3-L3Cu5arrQUmaweeB-_omzqeVunq3cug/s4382/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(46).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4382" data-original-width="2047" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkvp8207AH_wKZ9leqqwwMl6t4pSidfOiI9ruNRECF9JW_jEqcde2GOEGh_XrN_N8t99kEw6qtVy5zGExc1Pgw2v-3KxYu7Wh9-2-mSHyiD81qncczaTiLn3NsxeP5kknd_jswY5vF7I39QOZPcCHrQGIHgf3-L3Cu5arrQUmaweeB-_omzqeVunq3cug/w298-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(46).jpg" width="298" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">7) Multi-armed Tri Vikrama with his right leg raised facing the sky; Brahma is seen at his right foot; Bali is seen below.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvievcgDePGI_nKyoq8QhsKBQulBTGwWkFneWv63JD9HV_eBQ794eWFOVbLFL66-r95qKXDELSudlBaokBfj8Xdpl_YxTFTn8sbZyi3bN2a3ollvOe_bKFpUuokSXjTlWy-Y01fIyuEARxzqu0JBzEG6ZPwgNYdrtEmgCnEBwpqjMaTWzwihd9wojkatn/s4289/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(47).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4289" data-original-width="2056" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvievcgDePGI_nKyoq8QhsKBQulBTGwWkFneWv63JD9HV_eBQ794eWFOVbLFL66-r95qKXDELSudlBaokBfj8Xdpl_YxTFTn8sbZyi3bN2a3ollvOe_bKFpUuokSXjTlWy-Y01fIyuEARxzqu0JBzEG6ZPwgNYdrtEmgCnEBwpqjMaTWzwihd9wojkatn/w306-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(47).jpg" width="306" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">8) The ferocious Kali with her Simha (lion) Vahana</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgAM-JMVwMYamScC_9dwn4UqqgQrDY1aMwrTUKaP7gEDcjM2ktc31f7yGcL6hgwadt3vv8NqeF9hQcnwcwZ9lX06VkHyp7ArSvvKVHn1XUGJbSu03ctWHfz6C0wSWBO8610QPyobvJRaoW9Jx-JCQjbxOj59mI9hM8CTAnVUKnRsu21XxYaEcNeS-2tF-/s3988/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(48).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3988" data-original-width="1850" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwgAM-JMVwMYamScC_9dwn4UqqgQrDY1aMwrTUKaP7gEDcjM2ktc31f7yGcL6hgwadt3vv8NqeF9hQcnwcwZ9lX06VkHyp7ArSvvKVHn1XUGJbSu03ctWHfz6C0wSWBO8610QPyobvJRaoW9Jx-JCQjbxOj59mI9hM8CTAnVUKnRsu21XxYaEcNeS-2tF-/w296-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(48).jpg" width="296" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">9) Three women (I wonder if they are three wives of Dasharata)</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0C8nqa1LDeG7leIRoOphwLB5d-So6jPurOSxWoy13qPHaXKjxBp5jgC1pWnu1l-1D4eabrFgNnQi7_GMMmRpoEalBLYFYoJITX00mGjcFmzE-5_vBj287n0fwKzE2OURTWF2rVEEDvdo4YxZXcy91YAIqxjF50Ww5lptneFamfoNBxPcWwSdGOAhY03K/s3434/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(49).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3434" data-original-width="2161" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0C8nqa1LDeG7leIRoOphwLB5d-So6jPurOSxWoy13qPHaXKjxBp5jgC1pWnu1l-1D4eabrFgNnQi7_GMMmRpoEalBLYFYoJITX00mGjcFmzE-5_vBj287n0fwKzE2OURTWF2rVEEDvdo4YxZXcy91YAIqxjF50Ww5lptneFamfoNBxPcWwSdGOAhY03K/w402-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(49).jpg" width="402" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Let me continue with the remaining sculptures in the forthcoming posts.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy travelling.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" height="450" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3942.249318035728!2d77.65040457314173!3d8.85636549167122!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3b04197e07f36627%3A0xf687d0f506163637!2sAmbalavanar%20Kovil!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1706971185807!5m2!1sen!2sin" style="border: 0;" width="600"></iframe>Indian Columbushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13606838039118213820noreply@blogger.com2Manur, Tamil Nadu 627201, India8.855005499999999 77.6521807-19.455228336178848 42.4959307 37.165239336178843 112.8084307tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-8047917470466421302024-01-29T20:31:00.002+05:302024-01-29T20:31:36.743+05:30Pillar from Mecca in the Temple of Nataraja<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Tirunelveli, a city adorned with ancient temples and rich in spiritual heritage, never fails to reveal hidden wonders. Nestled near Tirunelveli is the village of Manur, home to an ancient Shiva temple named Ambalavana Swami. While the 9th-century Pandya period temple itself is famous for its Nataraja, it is the seven-foot-high black stone pillar in front of it, known locally as "Tiruvadi Pottri," that holds a captivating tale.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This pillar, unlike the conventional deepa stambhas found in temples, boasts a distinctive name, shape, and a history enveloped in legend. Local lore suggests that this sacred pillar was brought from Mecca by a Pandya king, endowing it with mystical significance and extraordinary powers.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJS3f3pv9dpd2W_H87s1sHZ84WUV_3oVtFaDrXcM-CB3GHCyfl9OxoLKgdyLdU8vus94RSspviKT12DXxkRs1I6gNYgNJA2bhB-1B1cL-VW1njCHJHNZVkrU8N91DsQVzdWVBUOtTNbhu2Up946vDywv0LXs7mTi2Ey5uaizMzFE_IKZW3JZ18o8b2P1_t/s4165/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3068" data-original-width="4165" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJS3f3pv9dpd2W_H87s1sHZ84WUV_3oVtFaDrXcM-CB3GHCyfl9OxoLKgdyLdU8vus94RSspviKT12DXxkRs1I6gNYgNJA2bhB-1B1cL-VW1njCHJHNZVkrU8N91DsQVzdWVBUOtTNbhu2Up946vDywv0LXs7mTi2Ey5uaizMzFE_IKZW3JZ18o8b2P1_t/w640-h472/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(3).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A detailed account of this enigmatic pillar is found in the Madras District Gazetteers: Tinnevelly, Vol. I, authored by H. R. Pate in 1917. The book narrates the prevailing local beliefs of that era, capturing the essence of the mysterious Tiruvadi Potri.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The below paragraph is from that book, as written by the author.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">"In front of the Ambalavanaswami temple stands a granite pillar, about seven feet high, locally known as 'Tiruvadi-Potri.' By a curious tradition, it is supposed to contain the spirit of Muhammad, having been brought over from Mecca by a Pandya king. It bears inscriptions in a mixed character, which have not been deciphered. Daily puja is performed by the Othuvan of the temple, and the thick coating of ghee with which the stone is plastered is evidence of long-continued devotion. Vows for the cure of diseases and for rain in its season are made to the pillar."</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As we gaze upon the Tiruvadi Potri, we are not just witnessing a pillar but unraveling the mystique that connects us to centuries past, bridging the gap between ancient legends and our contemporary understanding of spirituality.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy travelling.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><iframe allowfullscreen="" height="450" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3942.249318035728!2d77.65040457314173!3d8.85636549167122!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3b04197e07f36627%3A0xf687d0f506163637!2sAmbalavanar%20Kovil!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1705817294316!5m2!1sen!2sin" style="border: 0;" width="600"></iframe></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Indian Columbushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13606838039118213820noreply@blogger.com0Manur, Tamil Nadu 627201, India8.855005499999999 77.6521807-19.455228336178848 42.4959307 37.165239336178843 112.8084307tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-19794543685743015122024-01-21T11:40:00.000+05:302024-01-21T11:40:05.922+05:30Echoes of Democracy: Tracing Tamilagam's Ancient Governance<p><span style="color: #374151; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The foundation of democracy and electoral practices in Tamilagam dates back more than a millennium, with the <b>Uthiramerur inscriptions</b>, originating around <b>920 CE</b> during the <b>Parantaka Chola</b> reign, serving as a significant historical testament. These inscriptions, effectively constituting the village assembly, provide valuable insights into the organization of wards, the qualifications expected of election candidates, the establishment and roles of committees, and the authority to address wrongdoing.</span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol, Noto Color Emoji" style="color: #374151;"><span style="font-family: arial; white-space-collapse: preserve;">While the Uthiramerur inscriptions are widely recognized, Tamil Nadu's democratic legacy extends even further, evidenced by an ancient elected judiciary detailed in an inscription found at the <b>Ambalavana Swami temple in Manur near Tirunelveli</b>. Governed by specific regulations, this judiciary mandated judges to uphold impeccable character, pass rigorous legal examinations, and rely exclusively on written evidence. The inscription, shedding light on justice administration in the <b>9th century CE Pandya region</b>, underscores the active role played by the village assembly in ancient Tamilagam. This historical backdrop draws intriguing parallels with contemporary events, notably the enactment of the National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC) Bill in 2014, signifying a substantial shift in the appointment procedure for judges to the Supreme Court and High Courts.</span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol, Noto Color Emoji" style="color: #374151;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol, Noto Color Emoji" style="color: #374151;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-3HD79MF6825z_90scR8lDwUbpS3Ca0SuG9TfNybKzjdiukgCmGivEB87YLEUcvL7dnJDweEefTK2O4SSx6wvDVGCCf7Atd8vv-0kqh31JSk3nqI6mqgD_A6r9ZzULGq-2gsnKr0YdSwUEOh3GMBwrbIWFeqOCKXPMDTDCx-0pzTZ3Zas213L6AtA1fw/s3375/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3375" data-original-width="2901" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix-3HD79MF6825z_90scR8lDwUbpS3Ca0SuG9TfNybKzjdiukgCmGivEB87YLEUcvL7dnJDweEefTK2O4SSx6wvDVGCCf7Atd8vv-0kqh31JSk3nqI6mqgD_A6r9ZzULGq-2gsnKr0YdSwUEOh3GMBwrbIWFeqOCKXPMDTDCx-0pzTZ3Zas213L6AtA1fw/w550-h640/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(3).jpg" width="550" /></a></span></div><span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol, Noto Color Emoji" style="color: #374151;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol, Noto Color Emoji" style="color: #374151;"><span style="font-family: arial; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Pandya ruler in whose reign the decision was taken by the Manur Sabha is identified with <b>Parantaka Varaguna Varma I</b>, who came to the throne in 765 CE. The date of this inscription would then fall in <b>800 CE</b>. Manur is mentioned as <b>Mananilainallur of Kalakkudi Nadu</b>. It is recorded as No. 37 of South Indian Inscriptions Vol. XIV and in the Page 5 in Epigraphia Indica Vol. XXII. </span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol, Noto Color Emoji" style="color: #374151;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol, Noto Color Emoji" style="color: #374151;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzmOxLUihfk9JalcDAr3A2BbhPQZrCbaWP4GK_m6p9mTO2I4kFR0dIgCMZ9aYvblIWIFYScxysRuyhmQsPUNt19vIMKvmXIuVtHOKpY16wAedRPzxc7BcQXCTo_FxcR0z_GDKFg5CYIOBBzLofoJiIufj4Ef3jxIL_vUpNIQKI0ALZymjE5_aivm8keO3/s2851/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2138" data-original-width="2851" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSzmOxLUihfk9JalcDAr3A2BbhPQZrCbaWP4GK_m6p9mTO2I4kFR0dIgCMZ9aYvblIWIFYScxysRuyhmQsPUNt19vIMKvmXIuVtHOKpY16wAedRPzxc7BcQXCTo_FxcR0z_GDKFg5CYIOBBzLofoJiIufj4Ef3jxIL_vUpNIQKI0ALZymjE5_aivm8keO3/w640-h480/Manur-AmbalavanaSwami-Temple%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol, Noto Color Emoji" style="color: #374151;"><br /><span style="font-family: arial; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol, Noto Color Emoji" style="color: #374151;"><span style="font-family: arial; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Dr. Nagaswamy, a well-known scholar had translated this inscription as below. </span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="color: #374151; font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">"1. The representation for the descendents of the shareholders of the village in the court :- One, who is well-learned in Mantra and Brahmana, and one dharma sastra, and is of virtuous conduct alone is eligible, that too only one representative for each share. They will enquire cases in the sabha.</span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="color: #374151; font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">2. Among those who bought, received as gift or as stridhana, a land in the village, only those learned in mantra brahmana, and one dharama sastra, and of virtuous conduct are eligible to hear the cases in the sabha.</span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="color: #374151; font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">3. Further, those who got land, by purchase, gift or as stridhana, will be eligible to serve as hearers, sravanai puhuvar. They will not be permitted or ordered to hear quarter, half or three fourth of the case (as hearers) but only the full case.</span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="color: #374151; font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">4. Among buyers of the shares, only those who pass an examination in all parts of one Veda, including its parisishtas, are to be admitted as hearers.</span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="color: #374151; font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">5. Further those who enter as hearers apart from this decisions should hear cases, only as directed in this kacca (stipulation).</span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="color: #374151; font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">6. One who does not become a full hearer, as per this stipulation should not be appointed for any Varyam, sub-committee.</span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="color: #374151; font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">7. Those who satisfy the above conditions should not refuse (or obstruct) to serve.</span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="color: #374151; font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">8. Those who obstruct or abet obstruction should be fined, five Kasu individually and even after paying the fine, they should serve as per this resolution.</span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span face="Söhne, ui-sans-serif, system-ui, -apple-system, Segoe UI, Roboto, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Noto Sans, sans-serif, Helvetica Neue, Arial, Apple Color Emoji, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol, Noto Color Emoji" style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #374151; font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><p style="--tw-border-spacing-x: 0; --tw-border-spacing-y: 0; --tw-ring-color: rgba(69,89,164,.5); --tw-ring-offset-color: #fff; --tw-ring-offset-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-ring-offset-width: 0px; --tw-ring-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-rotate: 0; --tw-scale-x: 1; --tw-scale-y: 1; --tw-scroll-snap-strictness: proximity; --tw-shadow-colored: 0 0 transparent; --tw-shadow: 0 0 transparent; --tw-skew-x: 0; --tw-skew-y: 0; --tw-translate-x: 0; --tw-translate-y: 0; border: 0px solid rgb(217, 217, 227); box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 1.25em;"><span style="color: #374151; font-family: arial;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">We the members of the Sabha, took the decision as resolved above."</span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial;">The text of inscription in Grantha and Vattezhuthu is as shown below:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ஸ்வஸ்தி ஶ்ரீ கோமாறஞ் ச</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">டையற்க்கு யாண்டு</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">முப்பத்தைஞ்சு</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">நாள் நானூற்றறு</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">பத்து ஒன்பது இ</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ந்நாளால் களக்குடி</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">நாட்டு ப்ரஹ்மதேயம் மான</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">நிலை நல் ஊர் மஹா ஸ</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">பையோம் பெருங்குறிச் சா</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ற்றி ஶ்ரீ கோவர்த்தனத்துக் கூடி</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">இருந்து இவ்வூர் ம</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ஹாஸபையோம் கூடி மன்றா</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">டுவதனுக்கு செய்த வ்யவஸ்தை</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">யாவது இவ்வூர் பங்குடை</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">யார் மக்கள் ஸபையில் மன்</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">றாடுகிறது ஒரு தர்மம் உட்ப</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ட மந்திர ப்ரஹ்மாணம் வல்லார் ஸு</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">வ்ருத்தராய் இருப்பாரே ஒரு பங்</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">கினுக்கு ஒருத்தரே ஸபையில்</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">மன்றாடுவதாகவும் விலையும்</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ப்ரதிக்ரஹமும் ஸ்த்ரிதநமமுடை</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">யார் ஒரு தந்மமுப்ப</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ட மந்திர ப்ரஹ்மாணம்</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">வல்லாராய் ஸுவ்ருத்தராய்</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">இருப்பாரே மன்றாடு</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">வதாகவும் இதன் மேற்</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">பட்டது விலையாலு</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ம் ப்ரதிக்ரஹத்தாலும் ஸ்த்ரி</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">தநத்தாலும் ஶ்ரவணை</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">புகுவார் முழு சிராவ</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ணை அன்றி கால் சிராவ</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ணையும் அரைச் சிராவணை</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">யும் முக்கால் சிராவணையு</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ம் புகவும் பணிக்கவு</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ம் பெறாதாறாகவும் ப</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ங்கு விலைக்கு கொள்வ்</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">வார் ஒரு வேதம் எல்லா</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">இடமும் ஸபரிசிஷ்ட</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ம் பரிக்ஷை தந்தார்க்கே</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ஶ்ராவணை பணிப்பதா</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">கவும் இப்பரிசு அன்</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">றி ஶ்ராவணை புக்காரையும்</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">பின்னையும் இக்கச்</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">சத்தில் பட்ட பரி</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">சே மன்றாடுவதாக வ</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">வும் இப்பரிசினா</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ல் முழுச் சிராவணை</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">இல்லாதாரை எவ்வகை</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ப்பட்ட வாரியமு</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ம் ஏற்றப் பெறாதாராகவு</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ம் இப்பரிசு செய்கின்</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">றாரும் அன்றென்று குத்து</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">க்கால் செய்யப் பெறாதா</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ராகவும் குத்துக்கால் செய்</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">வாரையும் குத்துக்கால் செ</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">வ்வார்க்கு உபோக. நி</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ப்பாரையும் வெவ்வெற்று</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">வகை ஐய்யஞ்சு காசு தண்</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">டங் கொண்டு பின்னையும்</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">இக்கச்சத்தில் பட்ட பரி</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">சே செய்வ்வதாகவும் இ</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ப்பரிசு பணித்து வ்யவ</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">ஸ்தை செய்தோம் மஹாஸபை</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">யோம் மஹாஸபையார் பா<br /></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy travelling.</span></div>
<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3942.249318035728!2d77.65040457314173!3d8.85636549167122!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3b04197e07f36627%3A0xf687d0f506163637!2sAmbalavanar%20Kovil!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1705817294316!5m2!1sen!2sin" width="600" height="450" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe>Indian Columbushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13606838039118213820noreply@blogger.com0Manur, Tamil Nadu 627201, India8.855005499999999 77.6521807-19.455228336178848 42.4959307 37.165239336178843 112.8084307tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-74646186340507930302024-01-20T13:27:00.001+05:302024-01-20T13:27:07.279+05:30A Memoir of Ayodhya's Spiritual Odyssey in 2004<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Amidst the nationwide anticipation for the grand consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, I find myself reminiscing about my visit to this sacred city back in 2004.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Having been a resident of Delhi for two years, my exploration of the surrounding areas had been extensive, yet Ayodhya remained untouched. It was my mother's fervent desire to visit the holy site of Ram Janma Bhoomi that led to the booking of train tickets from Delhi to the then Faizabad railway station (now Ayodhya Cant).</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The train journey from Delhi to Faizabad turned out to be quite an adventure. Despite being in a reserved compartment, chaos reigned, with passengers occupying every available space. In this crowded setting, my mother and I seemed like the only outsiders. To add to the peculiarity, some village women were smoking inside the train, turning our journey into a unique cultural experience.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXYTAqFJxE7QYU9P3cpJ5zJ8JhYdTpoF5-BVCHpzuJZGoFBET26pEsJ5KrwrkAcb-YuCUzXpjngcXQdBffg0BtrdwWgNdZG0kGP9U3LUV0iSoTd4NCFIPDWfXLz8PgoSyRkT9qL7aF-ppZT8u_kFeUm3QEt0aD5VrGwqnejpNKEUW79B358piyCeG-ItW/s975/ayodhya.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="975" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXYTAqFJxE7QYU9P3cpJ5zJ8JhYdTpoF5-BVCHpzuJZGoFBET26pEsJ5KrwrkAcb-YuCUzXpjngcXQdBffg0BtrdwWgNdZG0kGP9U3LUV0iSoTd4NCFIPDWfXLz8PgoSyRkT9qL7aF-ppZT8u_kFeUm3QEt0aD5VrGwqnejpNKEUW79B358piyCeG-ItW/w640-h390/ayodhya.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Upon reaching Ayodhya, we found accommodation at the Birla Dharmasala, seemingly the only option at that time. The village, engulfed in dusty streets, presented a unique feature—monkeys everywhere. These primates, oddly either pregnant or carrying babies, even roamed around the Dharmasala. While the omnipresence of monkeys was slightly unnerving, they turned out to be harmless.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Our pilgrimage took us to Naya Ghat or Swarg Dwar, where we took a holy dip in the Sarayu River. Although the bathing facilities were not as convenient as in Haridwar or Kashi, this site held immense significance, as it was where Rama, Bharata, and Shatrughna sacrificed their lives to reach Vaikuntha.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Hanuman Garhi, a popular temple then, was bustling with crowds and flower vendors in its narrow streets. Despite common belief, the presiding deity is not Hanuman but Anjana Devi, cradling the infant Hanuman. The temple, perched atop a small hill, was a spectacle of adorned walls. With so much alankara and the surrounding crowd, recognizing Anjana or Hanuman became a task in itself.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Nageswaranath Temple, a Shiva temple in the land of Rama, built by Kusha, Rama's son, stood adjacent to a massive holy tank. On the way, a small temple for the holy river Sarayu caught our attention. It is a rare and unique temple.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The Kale Ram Temple, or Treta Ke Thakur Temple, was a prominent structure in Ayodhya in those days. The current structure was built around 300 years ago by King of Kulu. Situated where Rama performed the Ashwamedha yagna, it housed icons of Rama, Sita, and his brothers carved from a single block of black sandstone—the oldest icons found in Ayodhya today.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Valmiki Bhavan Temple, with sculptures scattered across the huge complex, featured deities Valmiki Rishi, Lava, and Kusha. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Every corner of Ayodhya seemed to hold a connection to the Ramayana, from Lakshmana Ghat to Ratna Sinhasana Temple, Dasharat Bhavan to Kanak Bhavan, Birla Mandir to Mani Prabat. Lakshmana Ghat was the site where Lakshmana sacrificed his life. Ratna Sinhasana is believed to be the site where Rama was coronated as the Emperor. Dasharat Bhavan is the place where his place stood in the ancient times. Kanak Bhavan had the icons of Rama and Sita with golden crowns on their heads. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The pinnacle of our journey was the darshan of Rama Janma Bhoomi. We queued up and entered the heavily guarded premises to get darshan of the </span><span style="font-family: arial;">infant Rama and his brothers. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Staying in Ayodhya proved challenging. With regular power cuts after 6 pm, the village plunged into darkness. Our Dharmasala, almost empty except for us, became eerie at night. Limited dining options added to the struggle, but we managed to sustain ourselves on minimal chapatis we had brought.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The return journey to Delhi added a chapter to our adventure. Despite reaching Faizabad on time, our train to Delhi was delayed indefinitely. Stranded on the platform, we were accompanied by hundreds of monkeys. When the train finally arrived the next morning, relief washed over me, only to discover it was headed away from Faizabad. Canceling our tickets, we embarked on a bus journey to Lucknow and then another to reach Delhi, turning a Monday morning arrival into an unforgettable Wednesday odyssey.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy travelling.</span></p><div><br /></div>Indian Columbushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13606838039118213820noreply@blogger.com2Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India26.7921605 82.1997954-1.5180733361788441 47.0435454 55.102394336178847 117.3560454tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-73427191863414613682024-01-14T19:11:00.005+05:302024-01-14T19:11:43.215+05:30Suthamalli Symphony: Discovering the Serenity of Hills, River, and Temples<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Suthamalli</b>, a remarkable village, unfolds its wonders with hills, a stunning river, lush fields, vibrant gardens, the melody of chirping birds, serene temples, and a captivating dam. This hidden gem in Tirunelveli holds the charm of an undiscovered paradise.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Nestled amidst verdant pasture fields on the outskirts of Suthamalli village, the river adds to the tranquility of the rural surroundings. Bathing in its gentle waters is a delightful experience, and the river gracefully separates into the paddy canal. A small hill emerges in the midst of the river, crowned by a charming temple. From its summit, a breathtaking view of the valley and the river unfolds. For those seeking respite from the summer sun, a refreshing bath awaits at the <b>Suthamalli Anaicut</b> (dam) area.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSJWnxtZ7rXExkdtkNAEr2F-EjsN-OUbOHpV58Srepy7m2-PN0ff1oODjecq5GGKMgTpFNpH5zIdrDnMIGEhxAQY6wwBMS7e6MwsyFIdJb54OYdJuFRW2gSTVRkw9qf-4Nj657lBnnNrukSE_QsjkGzQI3vbTUu83PNnFkulMHP8O7UlpK6Aut_VbxFBw/s1821/Suthamalli%20(33).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1668" data-original-width="1821" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFSJWnxtZ7rXExkdtkNAEr2F-EjsN-OUbOHpV58Srepy7m2-PN0ff1oODjecq5GGKMgTpFNpH5zIdrDnMIGEhxAQY6wwBMS7e6MwsyFIdJb54OYdJuFRW2gSTVRkw9qf-4Nj657lBnnNrukSE_QsjkGzQI3vbTUu83PNnFkulMHP8O7UlpK6Aut_VbxFBw/w640-h586/Suthamalli%20(33).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In close proximity to the dam stands a petite yet venerable temple dedicated to Shasta, known as <b>Vanneeswara Shasta</b>, with the divine presence of Poorna and Pushkala by his side.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Regrettably, the heart of the village holds a grand ancient temple, now unfortunately neglected. At its core resides a modest-sized Shiva Linga named <b>Bhagavateesvara</b>. The temple honors the Goddess of the entire world, aptly named <b>Loka Nayaki</b>.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_p72fAHAIq2U-g-AQiObELrqwZjpYug5J13eaer89iSrMG6BtBEKF1yGPudJVdtzeuSHK35GAjJBWgmjHoFRybJRM_LLrWBGAZ02HyT4lw54zh55CIxvAWBP4smNzPAO-KDJUdSm3Lh4S_15BeqboUDZm0b9ZqBE3QNgwcsAfFxeCefpeQNk6AJrH0nE/s1470/Suthamalli%20(34).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1470" data-original-width="921" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_p72fAHAIq2U-g-AQiObELrqwZjpYug5J13eaer89iSrMG6BtBEKF1yGPudJVdtzeuSHK35GAjJBWgmjHoFRybJRM_LLrWBGAZ02HyT4lw54zh55CIxvAWBP4smNzPAO-KDJUdSm3Lh4S_15BeqboUDZm0b9ZqBE3QNgwcsAfFxeCefpeQNk6AJrH0nE/w250-h400/Suthamalli%20(34).jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Betal</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Adorning the prakara are various divine sculptures, including Surya, Chandra, Adhikara Nandi, Jwara Deva, Shaneeswara, and Sapta Matas, accompanied by Ganesha and Veerabhadra. Other Murtis include Ganesha and Subramanya at the main shrine entrance and Nandi facing the primary sanctum. The prakara also hosts Kanni Moolai Ganapati, Subramanya with Valli and Devasena, and additional Shiva Linga sub-shrines. A separate shrine showcases bronze icons of Nataraja and Sivakami.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Following the architectural tradition of Pandya-era temples, the outer walls feature hollow niches without images. Above these niches, toranas exhibit bas-relief images of Dakshinamurti, Yoga Narasimha, and Yoga Brahma. Notably, Dakshinamurti and Brahma sub-shrines have been later added in front of the southern and northern Koshtas. The awe-inspiring friezes of Bhutas, Vyalas and Simhas (known as Bhuta vari, Vyala vari and Simha vari) grace the four outer walls of the shrine.</span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxyL6XdC6ut3Z4GAgVrAW5jYwuzRQupakSFoDXghvqFrcRgDr16dOhUGZIYWkHCIRXHR1OOS4zTJekgaZmDVsrk21M3GrRLliilXH1Z2_PLSPt_tJHj5QBpNfnPNt41hymojORgD6izyD5-mYNLsxqn_tH-9y5QcrJDoQskLII0KdSsBgEmHdtdNDZej5n/s4624/Suthamalli%20(13).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4624" data-original-width="3468" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxyL6XdC6ut3Z4GAgVrAW5jYwuzRQupakSFoDXghvqFrcRgDr16dOhUGZIYWkHCIRXHR1OOS4zTJekgaZmDVsrk21M3GrRLliilXH1Z2_PLSPt_tJHj5QBpNfnPNt41hymojORgD6izyD5-mYNLsxqn_tH-9y5QcrJDoQskLII0KdSsBgEmHdtdNDZej5n/w300-h400/Suthamalli%20(13).jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brahma</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The village's Grama Devata, <b>Nalla Thai</b>, finds homage in a moderate-sized temple dedicated to this revered deity. It is located at about 2 km from the Bhagavateesvara temple. The temple precinct also houses various village deities such as Mada Swami, boar-headedBrahma Rakshasi and Brahma Rakshasa. An imposing form of Vedalam (Betal) stands in the vahana mandapa, bearing exposed breasts and facing the principal deity.</span></p><div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Nestled within the village is an ancient Vishnu temple, known as <b>Azhagiya Mannar</b>. True to its name, the majestic sculpture of Vishnu seated in a serene posture is exceptionally beautiful. The temple is also home to other revered deities such as Alarmel Mangai, Nammalvar, Vishvaksena, and Garuda. The striking superstructure (vimana) crowning the main shrine adds to the temple's allure.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbeEtKoe60IoG58VAFzOdOXyJ5WXJJf_EXWyxgmhMxr6VHhpsd8uVq9RhtBEulQghmTWZ67eeEu0nfab_dsXvF9rPizTHUmD8RcRDZ90TOh77eptBqhPtfy-8tIFwxHU9eL6Y1U_NdlKJ6GbF6zFdQa5pjJIpO0YOxj7o2iJw9D_Cxbc76MDdNsqvxQ_x/s3369/SuthamalliDam%20(9).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2527" data-original-width="3369" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbeEtKoe60IoG58VAFzOdOXyJ5WXJJf_EXWyxgmhMxr6VHhpsd8uVq9RhtBEulQghmTWZ67eeEu0nfab_dsXvF9rPizTHUmD8RcRDZ90TOh77eptBqhPtfy-8tIFwxHU9eL6Y1U_NdlKJ6GbF6zFdQa5pjJIpO0YOxj7o2iJw9D_Cxbc76MDdNsqvxQ_x/w640-h480/SuthamalliDam%20(9).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Don't miss the opportunity to explore this enchanting village situated along the banks of the picturesque Tamraparni river on your next visit to Tirunelveli.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy travelling.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTf_GHAf2EqBNMV8Yo3qyaneIBbIu9wfh7dXxwjZrVPji_9Z0GHXZ52KguE4gdkvbQFXLn9Vb3xy08CWJqSFVGS25NBJyXzNG_sASIT4IcrIwTLjbiSuPCiXpG_LYfzcu3OFFYy31r2xv2ReRlP5Gz218fCFzzDSSZ_gq6LMnYyWc2lvewqYOm46arXLk/s4567/Suthamalli%20(5).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1830" data-original-width="4567" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglTf_GHAf2EqBNMV8Yo3qyaneIBbIu9wfh7dXxwjZrVPji_9Z0GHXZ52KguE4gdkvbQFXLn9Vb3xy08CWJqSFVGS25NBJyXzNG_sASIT4IcrIwTLjbiSuPCiXpG_LYfzcu3OFFYy31r2xv2ReRlP5Gz218fCFzzDSSZ_gq6LMnYyWc2lvewqYOm46arXLk/w400-h160/Suthamalli%20(5).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFFiRsyFrkPpfWNjerWghheShxw25v9TiKJiUjnChvMmnQvTp9B3y4s_bqO-jfozfwS8-BwyMvMOkIPTN4uaWTSnzlQ-PUOH0K87ZyhEJTvXTfIvXi4z174Si7hRVCPWeGUAf00MqIMAlv9e3UA2t7asQ2nhdkvF9_PzUieKBLADeO-qYbxpSNGEpYoV4/s3014/Suthamalli%20(12).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3014" data-original-width="2728" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFFiRsyFrkPpfWNjerWghheShxw25v9TiKJiUjnChvMmnQvTp9B3y4s_bqO-jfozfwS8-BwyMvMOkIPTN4uaWTSnzlQ-PUOH0K87ZyhEJTvXTfIvXi4z174Si7hRVCPWeGUAf00MqIMAlv9e3UA2t7asQ2nhdkvF9_PzUieKBLADeO-qYbxpSNGEpYoV4/w363-h400/Suthamalli%20(12).jpg" width="363" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LPXnSSsPTbH36TFfN9WA52HqR5qF4qkZa9UIW5thlDtOpJLovV8XE3FEXQR5tK5xOg1qHRWqly97EkfxSyIPQYC3Y4jxpGth4Xgieq1pycmFm_xisbvm7O0DUDmG2D2-2C3jfQiuoiGrkkCOqi262leOPbE3Le2lfPmPuQt3KRJxn8qjDg17Olytlmsr/s3247/Suthamalli%20(31).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3085" data-original-width="3247" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3LPXnSSsPTbH36TFfN9WA52HqR5qF4qkZa9UIW5thlDtOpJLovV8XE3FEXQR5tK5xOg1qHRWqly97EkfxSyIPQYC3Y4jxpGth4Xgieq1pycmFm_xisbvm7O0DUDmG2D2-2C3jfQiuoiGrkkCOqi262leOPbE3Le2lfPmPuQt3KRJxn8qjDg17Olytlmsr/w400-h380/Suthamalli%20(31).jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brahma Rakshasa and Brahma Rakshasi</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxkEg527OysPtqzPpxlXoamhS51NgYWtoyb67TMzroGLdY879cjaIC3plvUqgdOi9JskUx196QAsrKAamR_DJmzu__8HPQEpIxgaSRIXUKnq7VUGCphgXSx7k-xj57HzdBPwS96tr3zmjJ_fm8BBV4g3fb_DFXkD2qo2Zmqnzl0AfILWwBoncND9xmWep/s2200/Suthamalli%20(41).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="2200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmxkEg527OysPtqzPpxlXoamhS51NgYWtoyb67TMzroGLdY879cjaIC3plvUqgdOi9JskUx196QAsrKAamR_DJmzu__8HPQEpIxgaSRIXUKnq7VUGCphgXSx7k-xj57HzdBPwS96tr3zmjJ_fm8BBV4g3fb_DFXkD2qo2Zmqnzl0AfILWwBoncND9xmWep/w640-h480/Suthamalli%20(41).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIklqZyFGvKdQktIXisXUIETsy2N62C2W9PmzRCsfEBQpm2n_gTjHqsDbLmPO4yDkVzaw0ldViKG1fqzebMbJ_ETBmcYkvdWc5HXj4anKSsUhLiyKjv68A1QcVoHL530tOpI8a6BoRZWgv6FSV9rXhx74Zw_Rn4swR5spzJg_7cfmkdRfvnaLnHtFK6wjg/s3369/SuthamalliDam%20(19).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2527" data-original-width="3369" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIklqZyFGvKdQktIXisXUIETsy2N62C2W9PmzRCsfEBQpm2n_gTjHqsDbLmPO4yDkVzaw0ldViKG1fqzebMbJ_ETBmcYkvdWc5HXj4anKSsUhLiyKjv68A1QcVoHL530tOpI8a6BoRZWgv6FSV9rXhx74Zw_Rn4swR5spzJg_7cfmkdRfvnaLnHtFK6wjg/w640-h480/SuthamalliDam%20(19).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" height="450" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d22311.41643012427!2d77.61945646509933!3d8.67838004322122!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3b04150ffb4d7157%3A0x1a1792d69b34e975!2sVannesswarar%20Sastha%20Kovil!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1705239620393!5m2!1sen!2sin" style="border: 0;" width="600"></iframe>Indian Columbushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13606838039118213820noreply@blogger.com2Suthamalli Vilakku, Tamil Nadu 627604, India8.6996977 77.63132-42.71771481110958 7.3188200000000023 60.117110211109583 147.94382000000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-16252417782752127072024-01-13T11:43:00.002+05:302024-01-13T11:43:19.729+05:30Pazhavoor Temples<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Why does this hidden gem of Tamil Nadu, nestled around the Tirunelveli/Tiruchendur regions, remain undiscovered? Why do people persist in revisiting sites extensively documented in countless texts? The village of Pazhavoor, tucked away in the embrace of water bodies, fields, gardens, and hills, unveils itself as a haven. True to its name (Pazhavoor, meaning an ancient site), it stands untouched by modern technology, preserving its age-old charm. Pazhavoor is indeed Tirunelveli's best-kept secret.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Within this village lie three temples from the Pandya era. The first temple houses Dharma Shasta, accompanied by Poorna and Pushkala. The exquisite iconography suggests a Pandya-era origin. Tirumeni Azhagar, the charming deity with a beautiful physique, captures our attention, making it hard to look away. The icon is ancient but the temple is a modern-day temple. It also hosts other deities such as Ganesha, Karuppu Swami, Madan, and Peichi, recent additions to the sacred space.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_6cWdO6wEBhWNI7NcveMR-SV1Y1xxOnK9hEQpM6FWzNrh5L0Io5gpKL-SsMoBpD6FRiUC73bkQKg_4MdqkyxZRCl_dIfWgTAWTgALQoKQPxDF6vlh7Pnn9NMek2jamsZIguZaArOlG0PB2PCQPi7sI4RThlWQbtyGpVXpRMemXtQ0K77e8mAOcyYS2MV/s4089/Pazhavoor%20(16).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3144" data-original-width="4089" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL_6cWdO6wEBhWNI7NcveMR-SV1Y1xxOnK9hEQpM6FWzNrh5L0Io5gpKL-SsMoBpD6FRiUC73bkQKg_4MdqkyxZRCl_dIfWgTAWTgALQoKQPxDF6vlh7Pnn9NMek2jamsZIguZaArOlG0PB2PCQPi7sI4RThlWQbtyGpVXpRMemXtQ0K77e8mAOcyYS2MV/w640-h492/Pazhavoor%20(16).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Adjacent to the Shasta temple stands the Srinivasa Perumal temple, where Srinivasa, in a standing posture, is flanked by Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. This temple, from a later Pandya era, underwent recent renovations. Following the Pandya region's tradition, the outer walls of the sanctum feature hollow niches without images, while bas-relief images of Dakshinamurti, Yoga Narasimha, and Brahma adorn the toranas above the Koshtas. Garuda faces the main shrine with devotion.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The third and oldest temple, nestled amidst banana gardens, dates back to the Jatavarma Kulasekhara Pandya period. Thazhuvakkuzhaintheesar is the presiding deity, accompanied by his consort, Perun Devi, also known as Samaya Valli. Legend has it that Durvasa Rishi installed the Shiva Linga in Karisoolnda Nalloor, designating it the Southern Kalahasti. Eight Shiva Lingas were then installed in eight directions around the temple, with Pazhavoor Thazhuvakkuzhaintheesar positioned to the north.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQAtWjr86Xv0BN75rCgN5W7bz05GjReOCHLkc_XsA69tJybH6pKol1zbWJJ_q9J4JAVLuK61EFgAtKpA40hheFZC6vLmSD26TVgGJlJX3gQKZcl9hSYYa3R0h8S41wLhI8hBuOU8YD-Tb6V6qs68LtfoI5Bk5MK2hxdLK1GKgyt2zqR9txk5aUGgWcb0e/s2774/Pazhavoor%20(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2080" data-original-width="2774" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFQAtWjr86Xv0BN75rCgN5W7bz05GjReOCHLkc_XsA69tJybH6pKol1zbWJJ_q9J4JAVLuK61EFgAtKpA40hheFZC6vLmSD26TVgGJlJX3gQKZcl9hSYYa3R0h8S41wLhI8hBuOU8YD-Tb6V6qs68LtfoI5Bk5MK2hxdLK1GKgyt2zqR9txk5aUGgWcb0e/w640-h480/Pazhavoor%20(3).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">According to another tale, Uma Devi crafted a Shiva Linga with sand and worshipped it. When Tamraparani threatened to wash it away, Devi embraced the Linga, ensuring its preservation. The Linga was named Thazhuvak Kuzhainteesara, and Devi, recognized as Samayavalli, symbolized her timely protection.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Pazhavoor stands as an unexplored trove housing three exquisite temples. Make it a point to include this hamlet in your itinerary during your next exploration of the region.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy travelling!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLabUBStugpRi1HTPDdyTdc6HFyBokMSVKBYOudP5pKWvotGAUs1EH0Kq9Ch9Eui57o8-tp2EEOnkuzzcSbpmi6ZPn9hb3TdNcy7FdQDIiEpRJ5rVgslkiDlb7pSjxalCE9gvBli4BhvzRlAyWWesiwEzKtL9BRACd1IEhNov5AD77D9PNv7b3RGd8e5op/s2774/Pazhavoor%20(21).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2080" data-original-width="2774" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLabUBStugpRi1HTPDdyTdc6HFyBokMSVKBYOudP5pKWvotGAUs1EH0Kq9Ch9Eui57o8-tp2EEOnkuzzcSbpmi6ZPn9hb3TdNcy7FdQDIiEpRJ5rVgslkiDlb7pSjxalCE9gvBli4BhvzRlAyWWesiwEzKtL9BRACd1IEhNov5AD77D9PNv7b3RGd8e5op/w640-h480/Pazhavoor%20(21).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEz_t6MWFVYdIOogT9PievrjpOPIs2dNHcj86BJpdUyACte1cwT8SvijoHNKELN-JmfU0RT8GW-aAleiB0S6s6ZZIK2ogdJy3e6ne-IpmUpaWA0Pcarna__41IBRw4Jm6ayzljp3gOh1hQDeUuiWDontkFciGHmVgqlm0dEi6cgpu6rQ1WpWu8syfcehA/s2774/Pazhavoor%20(38).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2080" data-original-width="2774" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEz_t6MWFVYdIOogT9PievrjpOPIs2dNHcj86BJpdUyACte1cwT8SvijoHNKELN-JmfU0RT8GW-aAleiB0S6s6ZZIK2ogdJy3e6ne-IpmUpaWA0Pcarna__41IBRw4Jm6ayzljp3gOh1hQDeUuiWDontkFciGHmVgqlm0dEi6cgpu6rQ1WpWu8syfcehA/w640-h480/Pazhavoor%20(38).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p>
<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d1971.9900826228486!2d77.60625542245734!3d8.693432902113665!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3b0415b483ceff75%3A0xf99cc54cdbc8909d!2sPazhavoor%20Thirumeni%20Azhagar%20Sastha%20Temple!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1705126303855!5m2!1sen!2sin" width="600" height="450" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe>Indian Columbushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13606838039118213820noreply@blogger.com1Pazhavoor, Tamil Nadu 627010, India8.7069990999999991 77.60707029999999-19.603234736178848 42.45082029999999 37.017232936178843 112.76332029999999tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-20861348490645495352024-01-11T18:26:00.001+05:302024-01-11T18:26:07.635+05:30The Charms of Kodaganallur - Discovering Peace in a Spiritual Village<p><span style="font-family: arial;">How captivating is the Tamraparani River! Its unparalleled beauty unfolds at this exquisite location, where the surrounding village has maintained its authenticity since the 12th century, radiating fertility and tranquility. The spiritual riverbank, adorned with temples, stirs a profound sense of spirituality within. The yearning to forsake worldly affairs and embrace a life of spiritual solitude deepens, creating an irresistible allure to immerse oneself in the sacred waters of Tamraparani and offer prayers to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">To my surprise, I'm not alone in this spiritual awakening experienced upon visiting the village. Numerous others share this sentiment, each carrying a unique story. Join me in unraveling the tales of these enlightened individuals and exploring the captivating temples nestled on the banks of the majestic Tamraparani in the beautiful village of Kodaganallur.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">What enhances the profound sense of spirituality in this place? Is it the swift and beautiful flow of the Tamraparani River, or perhaps the tranquil and authentic surroundings? The answer remains uncertain. In a locale where the river and fertile land themselves hold immense allure, the presence of ancient temples nestled in the village adds an extra layer of charm, akin to a delightful bonus.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINOsAos5GFFYQjv63br0DSPX4wC_f_CZUAqy5a_HvBjJcDbEgdrEqir7lwmcxola4NrwNLcOWpWyfeiYQIY2tQrXGY46Tl1KX42Ky1ngzMl9jLhDoBFwSECQoR1v7tDXhSgBRI77q5PNhoMxHfIEgrCnBkcdjZVQyb2uVmU753JPFSwXnuZ8r6OPeIy_3/s3369/Kodaganallur%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2527" data-original-width="3369" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiINOsAos5GFFYQjv63br0DSPX4wC_f_CZUAqy5a_HvBjJcDbEgdrEqir7lwmcxola4NrwNLcOWpWyfeiYQIY2tQrXGY46Tl1KX42Ky1ngzMl9jLhDoBFwSECQoR1v7tDXhSgBRI77q5PNhoMxHfIEgrCnBkcdjZVQyb2uVmU753JPFSwXnuZ8r6OPeIy_3/w640-h480/Kodaganallur%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Gracefully positioned along the riverbanks, next to a small Vetri Vinayaka temple, a humble shrine houses the Vishwanatha Shiva Linga.According to legend, a Siddha brought this Linga from Kasi (Varanasi) and ceremoniously installed it here, enhancing the spiritual ambiance. The sacred space is further sanctified by the presence of the Siddha's samadhi within the shrine.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As we step ashore, our attention is drawn to the elegant Sringeri Shankara Mutt on our left. While Sringeri mutts are not uncommon, this holds historical significance as the first of its kind established in Tamil Nadu. Against the backdrop of Kodaganallur's scenic beauty, inspiring those on a spiritual path, the village earned the title of Dakshina Sringeri from the legendary Sankaracharya of Sringeri, His Holiness Abhinava Narasimha Bharati, who visited in the early twentieth century. Established under his auspices, the mutt stands as a testament to the village's spiritual allure.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKNRndS8Bu2OY_m4wMbyV0S5-9pcz4LnqJUUZKe-tEV-IPevmTeISaApW8AD-SlSd4s0HVrO5Zwpn7qe_YT19n0hYmEaadFMcAC_kouO4vcN6XgA-lhw-FMRDmQrDU5k9wMndzFiXkV_nvNClIfl6HIX8BFF6PfUEXwpZ4w3IvYxWre4POzdVzCOUBs0b/s1942/Kadaganallur-AviMukteeswaraTemple%20(29).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1643" data-original-width="1942" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKNRndS8Bu2OY_m4wMbyV0S5-9pcz4LnqJUUZKe-tEV-IPevmTeISaApW8AD-SlSd4s0HVrO5Zwpn7qe_YT19n0hYmEaadFMcAC_kouO4vcN6XgA-lhw-FMRDmQrDU5k9wMndzFiXkV_nvNClIfl6HIX8BFF6PfUEXwpZ4w3IvYxWre4POzdVzCOUBs0b/w640-h542/Kadaganallur-AviMukteeswaraTemple%20(29).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Notably, the celebrated Yoga Guru and spiritual leader, Swami Shivananda, spent formative years in this mutt during his youth, engaging in rigorous austerities. This village held special significance for him, being his mother's native place.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Opposite the mutt, a haven of divine tranquility awaits in the form of the <a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2024/01/Kodaganallur-AbimukteswaraTemple.html" target="_blank">Abhimuktesvara </a>temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. At its heart lies the Bana Linga, housed in a west-facing sanctum. This sacred Linga, adorned with a swarna sarapa rekha (golden serpent line) on its body, is believed to have been ceremoniously installed by the revered Romasa Rishi. Notably, the serpent disciple named Karkotaka found solace in worshiping this Linga, purging itself of sin.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A south-facing shrine reveals the presence of Goddess Soundarambikai. Adorned with a chakram on her forehead, the Goddess graces the sanctum with her divine presence. A unique shrine holds a rare form of Dakshinamurti. In this distinct representation, Dakshinamurti takes on the form of Ardhanari, embodying both masculine and feminine energies. Intriguingly, Dakshinamurti is depicted seated with his left foot on Apasmara and his right foot folded on his lap—a departure from the more conventional depiction where his left foot is typically folded. In this sacred space, Karkotaka is depicted worshiping Dakshinamurti, emphasizing the profound spiritual connection between the serpent and the divine.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This sacred temple received the patronage of Kodaganallur Sundara Swamigal, a prominent figure from the lineage of Appaiya Deekshitar. Known for his work "Nijananda Vilasam," Sundara Swamigal chose Kodaganallur for his austerities, spending numerous years in tapasya amid the Nanal bushes on the banks of Tamraparni. In his later years, he gained renown for lecturing on Suta Samhita and for extensively renovating temples across South India.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbMU4L33zgF98ZXgfe9XONRaSFGBojqVXb9HSF_zZjtsfc4xQj-Ocw56tOD7TvWf3cP49WNqw1BGQT1K6oXFMKrOboMVsS1WbpEHd8GU_-8WMvkLbMz1wHolggB2loVHHcvn1EJFbt0BPd_AsrJEA-QmOIwdzr0qujzseJ8sOwoZQuOI3o9_X3hs1hJw1/s2543/Kadaganallur-AviMukteeswaraTemple%20(8).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1907" data-original-width="2543" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbMU4L33zgF98ZXgfe9XONRaSFGBojqVXb9HSF_zZjtsfc4xQj-Ocw56tOD7TvWf3cP49WNqw1BGQT1K6oXFMKrOboMVsS1WbpEHd8GU_-8WMvkLbMz1wHolggB2loVHHcvn1EJFbt0BPd_AsrJEA-QmOIwdzr0qujzseJ8sOwoZQuOI3o9_X3hs1hJw1/w640-h480/Kadaganallur-AviMukteeswaraTemple%20(8).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Apart from the 12th-century temple, there exists another Shiva temple within this village.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Romasa Maharishi executed a sacred task under his Guru's (Agastya) guidance. He placed nine flowers into the Tamraparni River, installing Shiva Lingas at the spots where the flowers landed. These nine temples, collectively referred to as Nava Kailasham, hold a significant place in Tirunelveli and Tiruchendur zones. This temple, associated with the planet Chevvai (Angaraka/Mangal/Mars), is the third Nava Kailasham temple.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This modest temple, believed to have origins dating back to the later Pandya era in the 12th century, has <a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2024/01/Kodaganallur.html" target="_blank">Kailasanathar </a>as the presiding deity. The Goddess is Sivakami, who is also called Ananda Gauri or Avudai Nayaki.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVOO21YDxEuPohn0kzf_ZugbvCj2vpnD9a70MkXysqgrbOgzvWHl8w7gNSqxkbOzV9JT_4oUDC19KrOhs4vMIwLY0ygaAfbspu7Rmoqx4zbZh6WTUxsA97m-dIxfztZmGzhpGkuENpy6i70MAE6GyaGOAw64s_NBWGnl6Dz6IcT46AjoJFSGGa9kfX1aK/s2836/Kodaganallur-KailasanatharTemple%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2609" data-original-width="2836" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVOO21YDxEuPohn0kzf_ZugbvCj2vpnD9a70MkXysqgrbOgzvWHl8w7gNSqxkbOzV9JT_4oUDC19KrOhs4vMIwLY0ygaAfbspu7Rmoqx4zbZh6WTUxsA97m-dIxfztZmGzhpGkuENpy6i70MAE6GyaGOAw64s_NBWGnl6Dz6IcT46AjoJFSGGa9kfX1aK/w640-h588/Kodaganallur-KailasanatharTemple%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In addition to the pair of Shiva temples, there exists another venerable temple dedicated to Vishnu.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A Mahabharata narrative involves Nala, the king in disguise during exile. While rescuing Karkotaka, the serpent, from a forest fire, Nala is bitten. Plagued by sins for ingratitude, Karkotaka seeks redemption and knowledge from Nisaka Rishi in the Himalayas. Following the sage's guidance, Karkotaka performs penance on the banks of the Tamraparani River, where Vishnu blesses him. Agastya becomes Karkotaka's mentor, restoring his powers and blessing him with Brahma Gnana. Karkotaka gifts Nala a transformative robe, restoring his handsomeness.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Historically known as Kodanur and later designated Kulasekhara Chaturvedi Mangalam by royal decree, the village's name is tied to the legend of the great snake Karkotaka receiving a divine vision of Vishnu at this sacred site.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The principal deity, <a href="https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2024/01/Kodaganallur-PeriyaPiranTemple.html" target="_blank">Brihan Madhava</a>, is a striking green stucco image. In Sri Vaikuntham, Vishnu is referred to as Kallar Piran, and in Alwar Tirunagari, he is known as Adi Piran. However, in this sacred site, he is recognized as Periya Piran. The four-armed standing deity is accompanied by his two consorts, Bhoomi and Neela Devis, depicted in light yellow stucco images. Notably, unlike other temples where Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi accompany him, here Neela Devi takes the place of Sri Devi.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The Periapiran temple boasts six inscriptional records, dating from around 1165 CE to approximately 1230 CE. These inscriptions were documented in the Annual Reports of Epigraph of the year 1933, Nos. 203-208.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In conclusion, the village of Kodaganallur,with its blend of natural beauty and spiritual heritage, stands as a testament to the profound connection between the divine and those who seek it.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy travelling.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLRbbR20w_rFn-53lfxm0gUF63T2VMHt44oKKoD_R9tQTU3xuYwgSPeR2FdFs9-DTWAryjgvhMNEEbpHhsct-1lxzHUvCKUqiLS34j-av65LAiBgRdGHXwPCFdoHaP1-h0lVONStnbqXEVBVaDEGhgPr113wPBM5aGBM280csIgJmMgXUiRCZbmstzPeb/s2851/Kodaganallur-PeriyaPiranTemple%20(7).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2106" data-original-width="2851" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKLRbbR20w_rFn-53lfxm0gUF63T2VMHt44oKKoD_R9tQTU3xuYwgSPeR2FdFs9-DTWAryjgvhMNEEbpHhsct-1lxzHUvCKUqiLS34j-av65LAiBgRdGHXwPCFdoHaP1-h0lVONStnbqXEVBVaDEGhgPr113wPBM5aGBM280csIgJmMgXUiRCZbmstzPeb/w640-h472/Kodaganallur-PeriyaPiranTemple%20(7).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" height="450" loading="lazy" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d7887.891996079009!2d77.58421268386424!3d8.696678520941811!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x3b0415bf43d3ce6f%3A0x6318122fad2942ea!2sKodaganallur%2C%20Tamil%20Nadu%20627010!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sin!4v1704977507840!5m2!1sen!2sin" style="border: 0;" width="600"></iframe>Indian Columbushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13606838039118213820noreply@blogger.com0Kodaganallur, Tamil Nadu 627010, India8.6966432 77.5895225-19.613590636178845 42.4332725 37.006877036178849 112.7457725tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5846608471238338886.post-1806932796642627222024-01-09T07:46:00.005+05:302024-01-09T07:46:37.421+05:30Sacred Wonders: Tamraparani and Kodaganallur Periya Piran Temple<p><span style="font-family: arial;">What a captivating river! <b>Tamraparani </b>unveils its unmatched beauty at this exquisite location. The surrounding village, preserving its authenticity since the 12th century, emanates fertility and tranquility. The spiritual riverbank, adorned with temples, stirs a deep sense of spirituality within me. The longing to renounce worldly affairs and embrace a life of spiritual solitude grows stronger. The allure of immersing oneself in the sacred waters of Tamraparani and offering prayers to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva becomes irresistible.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Having previously explored two Shiva temples, Sringeri Ashram, and some notable individuals in the picturesque village of <b>Kodaganallur</b>, this article delves into the details of the ancient Vishnu temple known as <b>Periya Piran or Brihan Madhava</b>.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A Mahabharata tale involves Nala, the king in disguise during exile. While saving <b>Karkotaka</b>, the serpent, from a forest fire, Nala gets bitten. Karkotaka, plagued by sins for ingratitude, seeks redemption and knowledge from Nisaka Rishi in the Himalayas. Following the sage's guidance, Karkotaka performs penance on the banks of the Tamraparani River, where Vishnu blesses him. Agastya then becomes Karkotaka's mentor, restoring his powers and blessing him with Brahma Gnana. Karkotaka gifts Nala a transformative robe, restoring his handsomeness.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Historically known as Kodanur and later designated Kulasekhara Chaturvedi Mangalam by royal decree, the village's name is tied to the legend of the great snake Karkotaka receiving a divine vision of Vishnu at this sacred site.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The temple gains renown for a special pooja dedicated to Garuda, believed to alleviate the adverse effects of poisonous snake bites. Garuda, depicted with a pot carrying nectar, is revered in this sacred space.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgeQgBl8r7uEEmYYj5SIblVSb7ViHPST7F_vjTy9fRlcwsKJXIYAwEF-Wa4ArLiUC_Lpec0y67Yul6FAUQPzuxIouWhJ4IvQwzauDH9IjnetAx4Knrhr8Z32wcpaNRB6uQfwrD__SmbSdI8Wc7coSOnHWAxz4j2uU-akAECVK9WtUmVgSfLBiLOW8PS8G/s3369/Kodaganallur%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2527" data-original-width="3369" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZgeQgBl8r7uEEmYYj5SIblVSb7ViHPST7F_vjTy9fRlcwsKJXIYAwEF-Wa4ArLiUC_Lpec0y67Yul6FAUQPzuxIouWhJ4IvQwzauDH9IjnetAx4Knrhr8Z32wcpaNRB6uQfwrD__SmbSdI8Wc7coSOnHWAxz4j2uU-akAECVK9WtUmVgSfLBiLOW8PS8G/w640-h480/Kodaganallur%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>History</b></span></h2><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In the 4th year of King Tribhavanachakravartin Kulasekhara Pandya (1165 CE), the priests and Mahasabha of Kodanur's Periapiran temple sought a grant of Devadana Irayili for daily expenses. This was to be provided from the annual paddy yield of the temple land, and the revenue, previously paid in cash, was to be paid in paddy henceforth. In the seventh year (1168 CE), King Kulasekhara granted further requests to exempt certain levies on the deity's land holdings in Kodanur.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In the 10th year of the same king's reign, a record showed the king seated in Madurai, sanctioning the Srivaishnavas' request to enlarge the tax-free content of the land yield. Two years later (12th reginal year - 1114-75 CE), the Kodanur Sabha played a role in a request from the newly erected 'Kulasekhara Matha' at Kanyakumari temple, securing funds from Kodanur for the welfare of pilgrims.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In the 5th year of Maravarman Sundara Pandya (1221 CE), it is noted that the king waived his royal right to receive the share of the first produce from oil-mongers supplying oil for the lamps of Periapiran temple in Kodanur. In the 13th year of Maravarman Sundara Pandya (1230 CE), the Mahasabha of Kodanur voluntarily contributed towards a new deity in the Nellayappar temple, Tirunelveli.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Another inscription in Sundara Pandya I mentions Kandiyattevan addressing the Kodanur Sabha, emphasizing exemptions from certain levies on the Periapiran temple lands and prohibiting additional levies. This royal reproof likely arose due to excessive demands from revenue officers.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: small;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The Periapiran temple holds six inscriptional records, dating from around 1165 CE to approximately 1230 CE. These inscriptions were documented in the Annual Reports of Epigraph of the year 1933, Nos. 203-208.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvJ9SUCXJ30u6GRneBKMGzrsAkIXWFdl54N5N19UzUckwhdKcHrPFSGUi51W1Tuzi-PdttUvuZcXzH7OmH6R6Owg_2AiYjsXhyphenhyphenCZS_JJAz309bLEAKww7Ewze_xWaI2lxARFC-TkEAEWd_3EbojIqwnUKWIU6AUKg0ai5hjtx6STx368HtPjkCMxTNmX1/s2851/Kodaganallur-PeriyaPiranTemple%20(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2106" data-original-width="2851" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRvJ9SUCXJ30u6GRneBKMGzrsAkIXWFdl54N5N19UzUckwhdKcHrPFSGUi51W1Tuzi-PdttUvuZcXzH7OmH6R6Owg_2AiYjsXhyphenhyphenCZS_JJAz309bLEAKww7Ewze_xWaI2lxARFC-TkEAEWd_3EbojIqwnUKWIU6AUKg0ai5hjtx6STx368HtPjkCMxTNmX1/w640-h472/Kodaganallur-PeriyaPiranTemple%20(7).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><h2><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Temple and Murtis</span></h2><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The principal deity, <b>Brihan Madhava</b>, is a striking green stucco image. In Sri Vaikuntham, Vishnu is referred to as Kallar Piran, and in Alwar Tirunagari, he is known as Adi Piran. However, in this sacred site, he is recognized as <b>Periya Piran</b>. The four-armed standing deity is accompanied by his two consorts, Bhoomi and Neela Devis, depicted in light yellow stucco images. Notably, unlike other temples where Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi accompany him, here Neela Devi takes the place of Sri Devi.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The processional icon, named Ranganatha, is flanked by his two consorts and is housed in the same east-facing sanctum.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Within the Ardha mandapa, there is a sub-shrine dedicated to Desikan. The mandapa also features stone icons of Navaneeta Krishna, Vishvaksena, Periyalvar, and Tirumangai Alwar.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In the Maha mandapa, Garuda is positioned facing Vishnu.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The pillars in the Mani mandapa showcase intricate carvings, featuring not only Vaishnavite icons but also Shaivite icons like Ganesha and Bhikshatana.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The circular vimana above the sanctum is beautiful. The outer wall is adored with hollow Koshtas, showcasing tornas with miniature images of Ganesha, Dakshinamurti, Yoga Narasimha, and Yoga Brahma.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On the north side of the outer entrance, there is a shrine dedicated to Pakshi Raja (Garuda) with a Garuda stambha in front. Additionally, an image of Garuda is prominently displayed atop the temple compound wall.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Happy travelling.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqe1gzplaetk-4HcfNkS42iWIvlg4XthmKbIzgePWxpOMGdUHIPX30cWqYUPTJbOB5c0f24S2T5AEcZz0JIkLtagUuCfbWnxOmdCJ20YkSjkdEK57-vt56wQdd0RuYReR1n31OVcVGMBH4W2D6WUhVdKoauV4K8IWVIc4w9GCnMl7NyTrv4r-tB9rC3cBc/s3369/Kodaganallur-PeriyaPiranTemple%20(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2527" data-original-width="3369" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqe1gzplaetk-4HcfNkS42iWIvlg4XthmKbIzgePWxpOMGdUHIPX30cWqYUPTJbOB5c0f24S2T5AEcZz0JIkLtagUuCfbWnxOmdCJ20YkSjkdEK57-vt56wQdd0RuYReR1n31OVcVGMBH4W2D6WUhVdKoauV4K8IWVIc4w9GCnMl7NyTrv4r-tB9rC3cBc/w640-h480/Kodaganallur-PeriyaPiranTemple%20(3).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGq_iERKWB-dgmsFP4zjrUIKP-c9M3r3icAM5HTkXrGHJYUaBXfXLAS1udqm_6y7KCrqfpLMY7GH0LPjszEF7wvNdGxwsdptoQohPWeOMtg-Ew_wQnhQLUuBkZcuYwUKqUq7IOs6cj5HUQtXb9gyA9uFRIMtou8MNrow_hnYbTry4jMIqppoGnoBsCYwY8/s2400/Kodaganallur-PeriyaPiranTemple%20(7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1747" data-original-width="2400" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGq_iERKWB-dgmsFP4zjrUIKP-c9M3r3icAM5HTkXrGHJYUaBXfXLAS1udqm_6y7KCrqfpLMY7GH0LPjszEF7wvNdGxwsdptoQohPWeOMtg-Ew_wQnhQLUuBkZcuYwUKqUq7IOs6cj5HUQtXb9gyA9uFRIMtou8MNrow_hnYbTry4jMIqppoGnoBsCYwY8/w640-h466/Kodaganallur-PeriyaPiranTemple%20(7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpq8CnOqaysxyWQxHdKuK8pZIml_KAVys74hHhpurW2jeUH7oQ2eIVS7hEdN6DAuLdLT0O50HCs6Cc2nX_-58Oi5dG5QKxFXoKlwNfN2duO7HCZD0TdS3nPaVUwgIqlpYdNYuxxLiu-_y-z6OwLSbtE52Ehf0S-3Xw_RHjMwf2oq2_U9iEAuQ1FCB7Y8Ne/s2774/Kodaganallur-PeriyaPiranTemple%20(12).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2080" data-original-width="2774" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpq8CnOqaysxyWQxHdKuK8pZIml_KAVys74hHhpurW2jeUH7oQ2eIVS7hEdN6DAuLdLT0O50HCs6Cc2nX_-58Oi5dG5QKxFXoKlwNfN2duO7HCZD0TdS3nPaVUwgIqlpYdNYuxxLiu-_y-z6OwLSbtE52Ehf0S-3Xw_RHjMwf2oq2_U9iEAuQ1FCB7Y8Ne/w640-h480/Kodaganallur-PeriyaPiranTemple%20(12).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1t8DyRzg9OhF-1i51qOeDAWzmoOYM1FKmD4RyprRX4D76lz11RAulvS8P80BEuYeO0T2lUM_xTRwatZSUAIvT9xN_sXDnGrCZryUQ7FCK5dh46ijxJkGVnp_WiPjr6BEfWtY0DZEAvFHzKWnSE-1yI0mMxHmzi4BhbiBiiPL0YBnto3P2hwiQ6exig6c/s3267/Kodaganallur-PeriyaPiranTemple%20(14).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3267" data-original-width="2274" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp1t8DyRzg9OhF-1i51qOeDAWzmoOYM1FKmD4RyprRX4D76lz11RAulvS8P80BEuYeO0T2lUM_xTRwatZSUAIvT9xN_sXDnGrCZryUQ7FCK5dh46ijxJkGVnp_WiPjr6BEfWtY0DZEAvFHzKWnSE-1yI0mMxHmzi4BhbiBiiPL0YBnto3P2hwiQ6exig6c/w446-h640/Kodaganallur-PeriyaPiranTemple%20(14).jpg" width="446" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>
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