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Kanchi Kailasanatha Temple - Part 1

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If you visit India and miss Tamil Nadu, you have missed a civilizational chapter. If you travel across Tamil Nadu and skip Kanchipuram , you have missed a sacred capital. And if you walk through Kanchipuram, see its many celebrated shrines, but do not stand before the Kailasanathar Temple , then you have not truly seen Kanchi. In fact, I would say something stronger. Even if you visit only the Kailasanathar Temple and return without seeing any other shrine in Kanchipuram, you can still proudly claim that you have understood the essence of this ancient city. Such is the stature of this monument. Where Does One Even Begin? I have written about vast temple complexes, cave shrines carved into living rock, and towering Chola masterpieces. Yet, when I stand before Kailasanathar, I find myself pausing. Should I begin with its architecture, one of the earliest surviving large structural temples in Tamil Nadu, built entirely in sandstone? Or with its sculptures, countless forms of Shi...
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Golden Palm at Dubai Duty-Free – A Symbol of Luxury and Grandeur

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Amid the bustling concourse of Dubai International Airport, one structure effortlessly commands attention; a dazzling golden palm tree rising from the heart of the airport’s duty-free retail zone. More than a sculptural centerpiece, this iconic installation captures the essence of Dubai: opulent, futuristic, and rooted in tradition. Located in Terminal 1 , the Golden Palm Tree is surrounded by luxury retail counters and is part of the larger Dubai Duty-Free shopping paradise that welcomes millions of travelers each year. Whether you're heading to your boarding gate or returning from a long journey, this shining structure immediately adds a sense of arrival and occasion. Symbolism and Style The palm tree is an enduring symbol of the Arabian Peninsula, representing resilience, hospitality, and life in the desert. At Dubai International Airport, it is reimagined in gold, the color that best reflects the city’s ambitious skyline, economic success, and cultural grandeur. The sculpture’...
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Location: Dubai - United Arab Emirates
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When Madras Learned to Breathe: My Ladye’s Garden and the Memory of People’s Park

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At the very heart of old Madras, in an area that still carries the name Park Town, survives a green space that feels quietly certain of its place in the city. This is My Ladye’s Garden , the last living remnant of what was once People’s Park, the largest and most ambitious public park ever created for Madras. People’s Park was envisioned in the mid-19th century by Governor Sir Charles Trevelyan as a civic lung for the city. In 1859, Trevelyan proposed the idea of a large public park to the municipal commissioners, to be laid out between the Esplanade and Vepery. The funds for this ambitious project were raised by selling land between the Old Town Wall and the Buckingham Canal. A design competition followed, and Robert Badry’s plan, inspired by the great parks of London, was chosen.  Management of the park passed to the Municipality in 1866. Over time, People’s Park expanded into a vast public landscape with salt-contour aligned paths, lakes, shaded avenues, sports grounds, a bandst...
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Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
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Ebrahim Currim & Sons – The Trusted Name in Umbrellas at NSC Bose Road, Chennai

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In the heart of George Town’s commercial chaos, amidst honking vehicles, crowded pavements, and century-old buildings, stands a quiet sentinel of heritage retail: the Ebrahim Currim & Sons umbrella shop on NSC Bose Road , Chennai. To many Chennaites, this isn’t just a store; it’s a memory, a monsoon essential, and a trusted name passed down generations. A Slice of Umbrella Heritage in Chennai While the original business was founded in Mumbai in 1860, Ebrahim Currim & Sons extended its footprint to Chennai decades ago. Strategically located in Parrys Corner , the city's most historic trading quarter, the shop became the go-to destination for high-quality umbrellas , both for daily use and formal gifting. Locals often refer to the brand by its signature line: the “Maan Mark Umbrella” , a symbol of trust, strength, and staying power. Even in today’s age of disposables, this store remains a reliable option for sturdy, long-lasting umbrellas . The Shopfront on NSC Bose Road...
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Barber’s Tomb (Nai-ka-Gumbad) – The Quiet Companion of Humayun’s Mausoleum

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Hidden within the Charbagh garden of Delhi’s Humayun’s Tomb complex is a monument that many visitors miss in their rush towards the main mausoleum. This is the Barber’s Tomb , popularly known as Nai-ka-Gumbad . It is modest in scale when compared with Humayun’s imposing tomb, yet it carries a quiet presence of its own, and it rewards anyone who pauses to look closely. Historical Context The Barber’s Tomb is generally dated to 1590–91 CE , built a few decades after Humayun’s Tomb was completed. The identity of those buried here is not firmly established, but local tradition connects the monument to Humayun’s royal barber , a trusted attendant within the Mughal court. That association, whether fully provable or not, adds a human dimension to the otherwise imperial landscape. What makes this tomb particularly striking is its location . It is the only structure placed within the main garden enclosure of Humayun’s Tomb. In most Mughal complexes, subsidiary tombs sit along the edges, allowi...
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Location: Delhi, India
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Swaminarayan Akshardham, New Jersey – A Marvel of Modern Devotion and Ancient Artistry

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Set against the grey skies of New Jersey, the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple emerges like a dream in stone, an architectural symphony of sandstone and marble, tradition and technology. Though recently inaugurated, this temple already feels timeless, carrying forward centuries of Indian temple-building ethos into the heart of America. The Golden Sculpture – A Spiritual Welcome Dominating the expansive central plaza is a magnificent golden sculpture of a young ascetic figure, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu-like in pose but dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan. Standing in a yogic posture with both arms raised, eyes closed in serene transcendence, and a japamala in hand, the sculpture exudes a quiet intensity. This icon is not just ornamental; it sets the tone for the temple’s spiritual depth, one of stillness, strength, and surrender. A Temple That Breathes Sculpture Every inch of this temple is storytelling in stone. The outer façade is adorned with intricately carved pillars featuring divine fi...
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Location: New Jersey, USA
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Central Park – New York City’s Green Soul and Sculptural Gallery

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Sprawling over 840 acres in the heart of Manhattan, Central Park is not only a green oasis in the midst of New York City’s urban intensity but also one of the world’s most significant landscapes of public art. Designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and Calvert Vaux , the park opened in 1858 and has since become a masterpiece of naturalistic design, cultural expression, and civic pride. Winding pathways, tranquil lakes, lush woodlands, and grand lawns unfold across the park’s lengt, but Central Park is also a vast outdoor museum, home to dozens of monuments, statues, and memorials that span centuries, cultures, and artistic styles. A Walk Through Central Park's Sculptural Legacy Here is a curated walk through some of Central Park’s most notable statues and monuments, with their respective years of installation: The Schiller Monument (1859) The first monument installed in the park, this bronze bust honors the German poet Friedrich Schiller, a gift from New York's German-Amer...
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Location: Central Park, New York, NY, USA
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