Indian Columbus

Chennai, formerly known as Madras and located in South India, is a city rich in heritage and dotted with numerous travel-worthy sites. While many of these are religious in nature and predominantly Hindu temples, the city is also home to several historic churches, each with its own unique story. One such significant landmark is the St. Mary’s Co-Cathedral , situated on Armenian Street in the bustling George Town area. This church is among the oldest and most prominent Catholic churches in Chennai. Originally built in 1658 , the church was rebuilt in 1692 . It suffered damage during the French occupation of Madras and was reconstructed on a modest scale in 1775 . The final major expansion came in 1785 , giving the church the form it largely retains today. The interiors of this historic church are adorned with beautiful paintings and statues of Jesus Christ, Mother Mary, and the apostles . Devotion to St. Anthony is particularly strong here, drawing numerous worshippers. The main pra...

Namakkal, a historic town located about 50 kilometers from Salem in Tamil Nadu, is home to a spectacular 8th-century rock-cut temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha — the fierce Lion-God and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. A visit to this temple leaves one in awe. It's hard to believe that this structure, with its intricate carvings and life-size sculptures, was created nearly 1,300 years ago. The rock-cut marvel is a testament to the architectural brilliance of King Mahendravarma Pallava, who commissioned it at a time when advanced tools and technology were not available. Like other renowned rock-cut temples of South India, the Namakkal Narasimha Temple stands as a masterpiece of Pallava artistry. Carved into the Namagiri hill, the temple’s main shrine features an enormous image of Lord Narasimha with four arms, sculpted directly from the rock. The sculpture is imposing and realistic — you can even notice the reddish tint on the Lord’s fingernails. This stunning image alone makes...

Namakkal, an ancient town near Salem in Tamil Nadu, is renowned for its remarkable rock-cut temples from the Pallava period (8th century CE), dedicated to Lord Ranganatha and Lord Narasimha. Yet, the temple that draws the most attention and devotion today is the towering Hanuman temple. Although many believe the Hanuman temple to be as old as the Narasimha rock-cut shrine, architectural clues suggest it may have been constructed later. Interestingly, until just a couple of decades ago, this temple didn’t even have a roof. The colossal 18-feet tall Hanuman image— now globally known for its sheer size — once stood entirely exposed to the elements. Only in recent years was a roof built over the shrine. The massive Hanuman image stands facing Lord Narasimha. A local belief holds that from the Garuda shrine in the Narasimha temple, one can view the Hanuman image through small holes at the back — a symbolic and spiritual connection between the two deities. Unlike other temples, this one...

Is Namakkal a historical city? The grand fort atop the hill suggests so. Or is it an architectural marvel? The stunning cave temples with intricate sculptures point in that direction. Perhaps it’s a religious city? The powerful presence of Namakkal Hanuman certainly makes it feel that way. So, what kind of city is Namakkal? It is a blend of all these elements—a place rich in history, culture, and religious significance, with artistically magnificent cave temples. When you visit these temples, it's hard to believe they were built around 1,500 years ago. The craftsmanship displayed in these rock-cut marvels is astounding, especially considering they were created at a time when science and technology were far less advanced. Namakkal, once known as Namagiri, is home to four important temples. The Hanuman Temple, despite its modest size, has become the most famous among them, attracting the majority of visitors. However, the true architectural landmarks of Namakkal are the ancient...

Tiruchengode, an ancient town near Salem in Tamil Nadu, is renowned for its temples. The most famous among them is the Ardhanareeswarar Temple, where the deity is depicted in a unique half-man, half-woman form. Another significant temple in Tiruchengode is the Kailasanathar Temple, located in the heart of the town. While the Ardhanareeswarar Temple stands atop a hill, the Kailasanathar Temple is situated at its base. The Kailasanathar Temple is an expansive structure, featuring a towering gopuram and imposing walls. The main deity, Kailasanathar, is enshrined as a Shiva Linga in the sanctum. The temple also has a separate shrine for Goddess Sugunda Kundalambikai. A notable feature of this temple is a dedicated shrine for Lord Murugan. Additionally, it houses various other deities typically found in South Indian Shiva temples, including Ganesha, Murugan with Valli and Devasena, and Nandi positioned before the main shrine. One of the temple’s most striking features is a massive Nandi...

God is portrayed as male in some religions and as female in others. Some religions worship nature as God. According to some beliefs, God has no shape or name. In Hinduism, God is formless, has form, and can manifest as self, animal, bird, male, or female. To explain this in detail, I would need to write hundreds of blog posts. Keeping that aside, there is a temple in South India where God is depicted as half-man and half-woman. This rare temple is located in Tiruchengode (Thiruchengodu) in Tamil Nadu. Lord Shiva is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. Ardhanareeswar, one of the 64 manifestations of Shiva, appears as half-man and half-woman, symbolizing the unity of Shakti and Shiva. Even though Ardhanareeswara is a well-known form of Shiva, dedicated temples or shrines for this manifestation are rare. As far as I know, the only temple where Ardhanareeswara is worshiped in a half-man, half-woman form is in Tiruchengode. (There are temples for Ardhanareeswara where the icon is i...

Yercaud is often referred to as the "Poor Man’s Ooty," possibly because it's a more affordable hill station. However, I believe a better name would be the "Smart Man’s Ooty"—it’s serene, less crowded, and rich in natural beauty. Located in the Shevaroy Hills of the Eastern Ghats, Yercaud is about an hour’s drive from Salem, with a scenic route featuring around 20 hairpin bends. Unlike other hill stations with extensive sightseeing options, Yercaud is ideal for those who prefer a peaceful retreat in nature without too much travel. What to see in Yercaud? Rose Garden: If you visit during the blooming season, the Rose Garden offers a delightful display of roses in various colors. Though not as vast as Ooty’s Rose Garden, it has its own charm, featuring well-maintained nurseries, ornamental plants, and diverse flora. At the end of the garden, you’ll find Children’s Seat , a small viewpoint offering scenic views of Yercaud. View Points: Like most hill s...

Chennai, one of the prominent cities of South India, is home to numerous historically significant sites and ancient temples. Although the city was developed by the British, it also boasts many heritage buildings from the colonial era. The area now known as Sowcarpet and Parry’s Corner was the first British settlement in what was then Madras. As a result, this locality is rich in heritage landmarks. Let’s explore some of the important sites along NSC Bose Road in the Parry’s/Sowcarpet area. Parry’s Corner gets its name from Parry’s Building, a landmark at the junction of NSC Bose Road and North Beach Road. This iconic structure has been a part of Chennai’s landscape for over 250 years. It serves as the corporate headquarters of EID Parry, a company established in 1787 by Welsh merchant Thomas Parry. Even today, Parry’s Building remains one of the city’s most recognizable heritage structures. During British rule, long open spaces along the sea or rivers, known as Esplanades, were a...

Chennai, one of India's major cities, is often referred to as the Gateway to South India. This title, in many ways, owes its significance to the Chennai Central Railway Station, located in the Park Town area. As one of the oldest railway stations in South India, it serves as a crucial hub connecting the city to destinations across the country. Built in 1873 to ease congestion at Royapuram Railway Station, Chennai Central was designed by Henry Irwin in the Gothic Revival architectural style. The station's striking structure, along with the adjacent Southern Railway Headquarters, stands as a prominent landmark of the city. Both buildings, dating back to the British era, are among Chennai’s most significant heritage sites. Happy travelling. View Larger Map

Ripon Building is a prominent landmark and heritage structure in Chennai. Situated near the Central Railway Station on Poonamallee High Road, it stands as a fine example of Indo-Saracenic architecture. Built in 1913 during British rule, this grand white structure currently serves as the headquarters of the Corporation of Chennai. It is named after Lord Ripon, a former Governor-General of British India. The building features an expansive lawn at the front, where a statue of Lord Ripon is placed. At the center, in front of the building, stands the statue of Sir Thiyagaraya Chetty. Happy travelling. View Larger Map

Chennai, formerly known as Madras and the gateway to South India, was founded by the British and served as a key administrative center for their rule in the region. As a result, the city is home to numerous heritage sites from the British era. Many government offices, including the Corporation of Chennai, the High Court, and the General Post Office, continue to function in historic buildings. One such landmark is the Victoria Public Hall, also known as 'Town Hall,' an important heritage structure from the British period. Built in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, the hall was designed by architect Robert Fellowes Chisholm. It features an Italianate tower topped with a Travancore-style roof. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the hall served as a venue for theatrical performances and public gatherings. Located near Moore Market, next to Chennai Central Railway Station, the Victoria Public Hall has fallen into a state of disrepair over the year...

Siruvapuri, a small village near Chennai in South India, is believed to be the site where Lord Rama fought with his sons, Luv and Kush. The village is primarily known for its Subramanya temple, but it also has a lesser-known temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The Vishnu temple in Siruvapuri is called Uragathan Temple, also known as Theenda Thirumeni Perumal Temple. Even today, the priest does not touch the presiding deity with his hands. Despite its ancient appearance, the temple is relatively small. Lord Vishnu is worshipped in three different forms here. The main deity, Varadaraja Perumal, stands alongside his consorts, Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi, with a small image of Garuda facing them in the sanctum. Another shrine in the temple houses Lakshmi and Narayana, accompanied by Vishwaksena. In this sanctum, Vishnu (Narayana) is in a seated posture, and the shrine is known as the Lakshmi Narayana shrine. The temple also features a unique Srinivasa Perumal shrine, where the image is made of ...

Siruvapuri is a small village near Chennai, surrounded by fertile lands. According to legend, this is where Luv and Kush, the sons of Lord Rama, captured his sacrificial horse. Rama's brothers tried to reclaim it but failed, leading to a battle where Rama himself confronted his sons. This event gave the place its name—Siruvapuri or Siruvarpuri—derived from the Tamil word "siruvar" (meaning "boys"). The village is home to three ancient temples dedicated to Subramanya, Shiva, and Vishnu. Among them, the Siruvapuri Subramanya Temple is the most renowned. Though small, the Subramanya temple is centuries old. The 14th-century saint-poet Arunagirinathar has composed hymns in praise of this temple. The presiding deity, Bala Subramanya, is depicted with four hands. Opposite the main sanctum, a small image of Arunagirinathar can be seen. A distinct feature of the temple is a green granite peacock sculpture near the flag post. Adjacent to the Subramanya shrine are ...

I am going to introduce you to a small, ancient, and beautiful temple located at the base of a hill. This site, known as Ramagiri, remains largely unexplored. Ramagiri can be accessed from Chennai, the gateway to South India, or from the world-famous Hindu pilgrimage site of Tirupati. It lies along the Chennai-Tirupati route, and if you are traveling from Chennai, you will reach this place after passing through Uttukkottai, Surruttapalli, and Nagalapuram. Near the temple Ramagiri village has two temples—one dedicated to Subramanya at the top of the hill and another at its base. The hilltop Subramanya temple is relatively new, built in 1969. However, the temple at the base of the hill, known as Vaaleeswarar Temple, has many legends associated with it. According to legend, Lord Rama wished to perform a ritual in Rameswaram, and instructed Hanuman to bring a Shiva Linga from Kasi (Varanasi). As Hanuman was returning via Ramagiri, Lord Bhairava used his power to make him tired and th...

Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari is revered as an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. In Chennai, the gateway to South India, a temple dedicated to her stands as a place of worship. In the 10th century CE, a girl named Vasavi was born to Kusuma Sresti, a Vysya, in Penugonda, Andhra Pradesh. When the Chalukya king Vishnu Vardhana sought to marry her, she chose self-sacrifice over submission. Along with 102 Vysya couples, she entered a sacred fire, reaffirming the belief that she was no ordinary girl but the divine Kanyaka Parameswari, an incarnation of Parvati. While the primary temple of Kanyaka Parameswari is in Andhra Pradesh, Chennai also has a dedicated shrine in the Parrys area, near the old Kothawal Chavadi Market. This locality has long been home to a sizable Telugu-speaking community. The Kanyaka Parameswari temple is among the oldest in Chennai. In the past, its entrance faced a bustling wholesale market, making access difficult. However, after the market was relocated to Koyambedu...