Indian Columbus

Tucked away in the corner of the Cathedral Ruins, the Blitz Museum stands as a poignant reminder of one of Coventry’s darkest days in history. Overflowing with artifacts from the 1940s, the museum offers visitors a deeply immersive experience of the Coventry Blitz that took place on the fateful night of November 14, 1940. This small but mighty museum brings history to life, allowing guests to travel back in time through its carefully curated displays. As you step through the small creaky door, it’s as if you’re entering a wartime cellar, but what lies beyond will take you on a journey into the heart of the city’s past. The museum opens with a faithful recreation of a period school room, where visitors learn about the day-to-day life of children in wartime Britain. From there, the museum leads into a typical 1940s home, where knowledgeable and passionate volunteers provide insight into the struggles and resilience of families living under the constant threat of air raids. The Blitz Muse

I have already written about the three Cathedrals of Coventry in previous articles. Now, let me focus on a striking sculpture that adorns the exterior of the New Cathedral. As you ascend the steps from Priory Street, aside from the magnificent cathedral building itself, the first thing that catches your eye is the bold and dramatic sculpture symbolizing the triumph of Archangel Michael over the Devil. Titled St Michael's Victory over the Devil, this bronze sculpture, created in 1958 by Jacob Epstein, greets visitors as they approach the New Cathedral. What’s notable is the calm stance of St. Michael as he holds his spear upright—not in an act of aggression or vengeance, but as a symbol of righteous victory and authority over his captive. For those unfamiliar, Saint Michael is an archangel and a spiritual warrior in the eternal battle between good and evil. He is revered as a protector of justice, a healer, and the guardian of the Church. In art, Saint Michael is often depicted with

When I think of Coventry, two symbols instantly spring to mind: the legendary Lady Godiva and the awe-inspiring Coventry Cathedral. Both represent powerful stories, but it is the Cathedral that offers a unique glimpse into the city's layered history. However, here’s a surprise for those unfamiliar with Coventry’s heritage: it doesn’t just have one cathedral. In fact, it boasts three, each rooted in distinct eras. The first cathedral dates back to the 11th century, the second rose during the late 14th and early 15th centuries, and the third was built in the 20th century. Each of these cathedrals reflects the city’s resilience, culture, and spirit across centuries. In this essay, I will focus on the third and most recent Cathedral, a remarkable testament to Coventry’s survival and its unwavering call for peace and reconciliation in the aftermath of World War II. (Read about my earlier articles on St. Mary's Priory and St. Michael's Cathedral by clicking the links.) On the

When I think of Coventry, two symbols instantly come to mind: the legendary Lady Godiva and the awe-inspiring Coventry Cathedral . A visit to this iconic Cathedral is essential to truly grasp the city’s layered history. But here's the surprise: Coventry isn’t home to just one Cathedral. In fact, it boasts three, each representing a distinct era. The earliest dates back to the 11th century, the second rose during the late 14th and early 15th centuries, and the third was built in the 20th century. Rather than delving into all three at once, I’ve decided to dedicate individual articles to each, exploring their unique stories and associated structures. In my previous post, I wrote about the oldest Cathedral, which you can check out here . Today, let’s dive into the history of the second Cathedral, built during the late medieval period. St Michael's Cathedral is a Gothic marvel, constructed between the late 14th and early 15th centuries, using Coventry’s characteristic red sandston

Just 250 meters from Muruganateeswarar Temple, in the village of Mambakkam near Chennai, stands a small but charming temple dedicated to Kariya Manickam. This temple has existed for centuries, though no historical records are currently available. The temple, which had been in a dilapidated state for a long time, was recently fully rebuilt. What we see today is a newly constructed temple. The presiding deity is Kariya Manicka Perumal, depicted standing with a conch and discus in his upper arms. Bronze images of Perumal with his two consorts, along with Krishna and Ramanuja, are also enshrined here. Flanking the entrance are Visvaksena and Sudarshana, with Yoga Narasimha positioned behind Sudarshana. Facing the main deity is Garuda, and behind him is a tall flagstaff. A separate shrine in the prakara houses a beautiful image of Lakshmi, while Andal and Hanuman are enshrined in smaller sub-shrines. Lakshmi Narasimha, Varadaraja, and Lakshmi Hayagreeva are the Koshta deities. Next to the A

When I think of Coventry, two iconic things come to mind: Lady Godiva and Coventry Cathedral. Visiting the Cathedral is a must if you want to truly experience Coventry’s rich history. But it’s not just one Cathedral—there are actually three, each from a different era. The earliest dates back to the 11th century, the second was built in the late 14th and early 15th centuries, and the third in the 20th century. Rather than covering all three in one article, I’ll explore each individually, along with a few related structures, in separate posts on my blog. Let’s begin with the first Cathedral. Coventry’s recorded history starts in 1016, when King Canute’s army destroyed the Saxon nunnery believed to have been founded by St. Osburg in the 700s CE. In 1043, Leofric, Earl of Mercia, and his wife Lady Godiva rebuilt the nunnery into a Benedictine monastery dedicated to St. Mary, which housed an abbot and 24 monks. (I’ve written more about Lady Godiva in a previous article, which you can find h