Indian Columbus

Chennai , the erstwhile Madras, which was founded by British and located in South India, is full of travel sites. However, most of the travel sites in Chennai city are religious sites. Although many of the religious sites belong to Hindus, there are many churches which are historically important as well as ancient, located in Chennai city. St. Mary Co-Cathedral located at Armenian street in George Town area of Chennai is one of the most popular and important churches of Chennai. It was built in 1658 and was rebuilt in 1692. The church was damaged during the French occupation of Madras, and was again rebuilt in 1775 on a modest scale. At last, the church was enlarged in 1785. This famous Catholic church of Chennai has a lot of attractive paintings and statues of Jesus Christ, Mother Mary, and apostles of Jesus Christ. Devotion to St. Anthony is very popular in this church. The main prayer hall of the church has decorative pillars and attractive ceiling with the idol of Mother Mary i...

Namakkal , an ancient town, located near Salem city of South India, has the splendid 8th century rock cut temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha, the Lion God and the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. If you go to Namakkal Narasimha temple, you will find it difficult to believe that it was built around 1300 years back. It's difficult to imagine how the king Mahendravarma Pallava could have built this temple full of beautiful life size sculptures carved out of rocks in the period when the science and technology were not so improved. Similar to other rock cut temples, Namakkal Narasimha temple can also be considered as one of the master pieces by Pallava kings. The rock cut temple of Narasimha is located on the hill named Namagiri. The main shrine has the sculpture carved out of rock. The main sculpture is the gigantic image of Lord Narasimha with four arms. The rock cut idol is really magnificent and look real. You can even find the nails of the Lord as slightly in the red color. J...

Namakkal is an ancient city located near Salem city in South India. The small town has the beautiful rock cut temples of Pallava period (8th century CE) dedicated for Ranganath and Narsimha. However, the most famous temple of Namakka is Hanuman temple. Even though it is claimed that Hanuman temple is as old as the 8th century rock cut temple of Narasimha, it appears to have been built in the later period. Till one or two decades back, the Hanuman temple didn't have roof. The eighteen feet tall gigantic idol of Hanuman in the temple, which became world famous mainly due to its height, was standing without any roof. It was only during recent time, the roof was constructed for this temple. The Hanuman idol is facing Lord Narasimha. It is said that from the holes behind the shrine of Garud in Narasimha temple, one can see the Hanuman idol. Hanuman temple doesn't have any other shrines or idols. The magnificent image of Hanuman is good enough to attract thousands of devotees...

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 ...