Indian Columbus

Belur Math is the headquarters of the Ramakrishna Math . Located on the serene banks of the Hooghly River in the Howrah district, it lies about an hour’s drive from Kolkata , the capital of West Bengal. Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa was one of the most influential spiritual figures of 19th-century India. It is difficult to find anyone in the country unfamiliar with his teachings or with his extraordinary disciple, Swami Vivekananda . In memory of his Guru, Swami Vivekananda founded the Ramakrishna Math, which today has branches across India and abroad. Its central headquarters came to be established at Belur, now known simply as Belur Math. A visit to Belur Math, especially during the early morning or at sunset, leaves a lasting impression. Spread over nearly forty acres along the riverbank, the campus is peaceful and beautifully maintained. The gentle flow of the Hooghly, the open skies, and the quiet movement of devotees create an atmosphere that feels removed from the bustle of c...

Valasaravakkam, now a rapidly growing residential neighbourhood of Chennai, quietly preserves an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. Known as the Velveeswarar Temple, and also referred to as Agastheeswarar Temple, this shrine is believed to date back to the period of Kulothunga Chola. The temple stands along Arcot Road and is striking in its openness. A large lotus pond occupies part of the temple complex, adding to its charm. Unlike many urban temples today, this one is not hemmed in by compound walls on all sides. Open space surrounds it, allowing the structure to breathe and giving it a spacious and serene appearance. The main sanctum houses Velveeswarar in the form of a large Shiva Linga facing east, with Nandi seated directly in front. The temple does not have a rajagopuram or a flagstaff, retaining a simple and ancient character. Adjacent to this shrine is another east-facing sanctum containing a large Shiva Linga known as Agastheeswarar. The temple derives its name from...

Saligramam is today known as a busy residential neighbourhood of Chennai. Amid its growing streets and apartment blocks stands a small but increasingly popular shrine, the Bala Vinayak Temple. Though the temple itself is of recent origin and modest in size, it has gained attention for a rather unusual reason, a sacred tree within its premises. The main sanctum houses Bala Vinayak, the child form of Lord Ganesha. The shrine is simple and neatly maintained. Around the outer wall of the sanctum are koshta images of Dakshinamurti, Lakshmi Narayana, and Durga. Within the compact premises are smaller shrines for Murugan with Valli and Devasena, and Anjaneya. There is also a separate shrine housing a wax image of Sri Chandrasekarendra Saraswati Swamigal, rendered with striking realism. The highlight of the temple, however, is the Arasu tree inside the compound. Devotees believe that natural formations on the bark resemble the form of Lord Ganesha. One particularly prominent image appears ...

Marina Beach in Chennai is often described as the second longest urban beach in the world. Whether or not one measures it in exact kilometres, there is no denying its scale or significance. Chennai may have malls, cinema halls, temples, parks, and amusement centres, but for generations of Chennaites, Marina has remained the most cherished public space. It has been so for centuries, and it is unlikely to change. A walk along the Marina Beach Road in the early morning, when the sun rises gently over the Bay of Bengal, or in the late evening, when the breeze cools the city, is an experience in itself. Technically, the coastline stretches much farther, but the section between Napier Bridge and the Lighthouse is what most people refer to simply as “the Marina.” The walk usually begins at Napier Bridge , one of Chennai’s most recognisable landmarks. Built in 1869 by Francis Napier, the Governor of Fort St. George, the bridge spans the Cooum River just before it meets the sea. From here, t...

You may have heard of the great Somnath Temple of Gujarat. But did you know that Chennai too has a temple dedicated to Somanatha Swami? This lesser-known shrine is located near Ganga Theatre on Sannadhi Street in the Kolathur area. The temple carries an interesting legend connected to the Nawab of Arcot. In 1745 CE, Muthukumarappa Mudaliar, who served as Diwan under the Nawab, is said to have discovered a Shiva Linga in Kolathur village. Being a devout follower of Lord Shiva, he built a temple for the Linga using the Nawab’s funds. When this came to light, the Nawab ordered his imprisonment. Before he could be arrested, Lord Shiva is believed to have appeared before Mudaliar in human form and handed him a bowl, advising him to seek alms. Mudaliar collected money through begging and eventually gathered more than the amount spent on the temple. He presented the entire collection to the Nawab, who was impressed and is said to have granted him three villages: Kolathur, Putharai, and Pall...

Kolathur, today known largely as a busy residential neighbourhood of Chennai, quietly shelters an ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. Many who pass through the area may not even realise that this small temple, tucked opposite Ganga Theatre, carries a tradition that stretches back centuries. The presiding deity here is Lord Agastheeswarar. According to local belief, the Shiva Linga was originally installed by Sage Agastya himself, giving the temple both its name and its spiritual significance. The structure is modest and does not have a towering gopuram. Instead, in place of a traditional entrance tower, one finds a sculptural depiction of Sage Agastya worshipping the Shiva Linga,  a thoughtful and symbolic touch that immediately sets the tone for the temple. The main shrine houses a small but serene Shiva Linga. The Goddess, Akhilandeswari, has a separate shrine within the complex. Both shrines face east. The temple does not have a flagstaff or bali peetham, but a small Na...

Gangadeeswarar Temple is counted among the older Shiva temples of Chennai, the city often described as the gateway to South India. Here, Shiva is worshipped as Gangadeeswarar —the Lord who bore the river Ganga upon his matted locks when it descended from the heavens. Tradition links this name to the story of King Bhagiratha, whose intense penance moved Shiva to receive the rushing Ganga and release her gently to the earth. Local belief goes a step further and identifies the present temple site as the very place where Bhagiratha performed his worship. Another popular tradition connects the temple to Bhagiratha’s act of installing 1008 Shiva Lingas on the advice of sage Narada. It is said that the 1008th Linga was established at this spot, and that the water of the Ganga, poured here in devotion, eventually formed the temple tank. Older accounts speak of seven tanks within the complex, though only one is visible today. Big Shiva icon  located inside Gangadeeswarar Temple Ar...

Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, is home to many important temples, including several powerful shrines of the Mother Goddess. One such temple is the Patala Ponniamman Temple on Millers Road in the Kilpauk area, an enduring centre of local devotion with the character of a traditional village-style shrine. Ponni Amman is worshipped here as a grama devata, the protective deity of the locality. The presiding goddess is Ponni Amman, often identified with Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. The icon is small and seated, with four arms. Local tradition explains the prefix “Patala” through a striking origin story: the deity is believed to have been discovered in a pit dug for a well about 300 years ago, and the name “Patala Ponni Amman” became linked to that underground find. The temple campus is spacious, but the number of shrines is relatively limited, adding to the uncluttered feel of the place. Besides the main Ponni Amman shrine, you will find shrines for Ganesha, Murugan with Valli...

Mylapore in Chennai carries the flavour of old tradition, shaped by the Kapaleeswarar Temple and a cluster of rare, time-worn shrines scattered through its streets. Amid these older landmarks, one relatively new temple has begun to draw attention in recent years, the Nandalala Temple. Nandalala is a beloved name of Lord Krishna. Located on Dr. Ranga Road, close to the Mylapore MRTS station, this is a private temple built only a few years ago. Even so, it has quickly gained a following, especially during Navaratri, when the temple hosts Kolu displays and related festivities, along with other devotional events through the year. At the heart of the temple is a striking icon of Nandalala. The black-coloured image is said to be made of touchstone, traditionally used to test the purity of gold. Krishna is shown with a flute in his hands, with a cow standing behind him, an arrangement that instantly evokes the pastoral charm of Krishna worship. The temple also has an attractive Ganesha ic...

Mylapore, best known for the Kapaleeswarar Temple, has many small shrines that quietly hold their own place in the locality’s sacred landscape. One such shrine is the Gnanasundara Vinayakar Temple, a compact Ganesha temple located at the junction of Ramakrishna Mutt Road and St. Mary’s Road. The temple is believed to be around 400 years old. A local tradition explains how this temple came to be. It is said that a stone icon lay unnoticed among other stones near a dargah along RK Mutt Road. When the Arcot Nawab was passing through the area, his horse was tied to that stone and soon fell ill. Once the horse was untied, it recovered. This incident led people to believe that the stone was not an ordinary one, but a Ganesha icon. In time, a shrine was established and the temple took shape around it. Though small, the temple includes a few additional deities. Along with Gnanasundara Vinayakar, you can see Annamalai in the form of a Shiva Linga, Unnamulai, Murugan with Valli and Devasena, ...

Mylapore in Chennai is best known for the Kapaleeswarar Temple and its long line of ancient shrines. Yet, right in this heritage-rich neighbourhood, there is a compact temple that draws a steady stream of devotees every day, the Luz Anjaneyar Temple, also known as the Thanneerthurai Hanuman Temple. Located beside the Sanskrit College, this is considered one of Chennai’s older Hanuman temples. The temple is small, and the Hanuman icon enshrined here is also modest in size, but that does not reflect the scale of devotion it receives. The space is almost always busy, with devotees stopping by for a quick darshan, prayers, and offerings, especially because the shrine sits on a route that many people naturally pass through in Mylapore. The temple is believed to be around 300 years old, with Hanuman as the presiding deity. Alongside the main sanctum, there are two additional shrines, one for Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita, and another for Krishna with Rukmini and Bhama, adding to the temple’s ...

Mylapore in Chennai is widely known for its heritage lanes, living traditions, and the ever-busy Kapaleeswarar Temple. Yet, right in this familiar landscape, there is a quieter shrine that many people walk past without noticing. Opposite the Sanskrit College stands the temple of Appar Swamigal. In the 19th century, a saint known as Appar Swamigal lived in Chennai. After his passing in 1851 CE, his disciple Chidambara Swamigal created a samadhi for him and installed a Shiva Linga over it. Two years later, in 1853, a temple was built around this Linga, which continues as the presiding deity of the shrine. It is important to note that this Appar Swamigal is not the same as Appar, the celebrated Nayanmar saint. The temple greets you with a large open prakara lined with a few trees, giving the space a calm, unhurried feel. One of the rare sights here is the fusion of neem and peepul, two trees that are often worshipped, seen joined together in a single living form. The temple is neatly m...

Kolavizhi Amman Temple, also known locally as the Bhadra Kali Temple, stands near the Sanskrit College area in Mylapore and is regarded as one of Chennai’s important shrines of the Mother Goddess. This was originally a village temple, and that character is still visible in the way the space feels open, functional, and rooted in local devotion. The sanctum is unusual because it enshrines two goddesses: a towering Bhadra Kali and Kolavizhi Amman. Kali is shown seated, with eight arms, an imposing presence that immediately sets the tone of the shrine. Kolavizhi Amman is worshipped as the guardian deity of old Mylapore village and is also referred to as Mayurapuri Grama Devta. Even today, the temple’s identity feels closely tied to that protective role, less of a grand “monument” and more of a living village-style sanctuary within the city. The number of sub-shrines is currently limited, though the temple campus is surprisingly spacious. It is easy to see how more shrines could be adde...

Tamil Nadu is celebrated for its ancient temples and their timeless architecture. In Mylapore, one of Chennai’s most historic neighbourhoods, most visitors head straight to the famous Kapaleeswarar Temple. Yet, close to the Sri Vedanta Desikar Temple, stands a quieter Vaishnava shrine that deserves attention: the Adikesava Perumal Temple. Adikesava is a revered name of Lord Vishnu, and here He is worshipped alongside Peyalvar, one of the twelve Alwars. Mylapore is traditionally regarded as the birthplace of Peyalvar, the saint-poet whose hymns and devotion shaped the Vaishnava tradition in Tamil Nadu. It is this association that makes the temple more than just a neighbourhood shrine; it becomes part of Mylapore’s sacred map. Though the temple is modest in scale, it has a rajagopuram that faces east. The approach follows the familiar rhythm of a South Indian temple: bali peetham, a flagstaff, and Garuda positioned in line with the main sanctum. Inside, Adikesava Perumal appears in a ...

Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu in South India, is known for its many ancient and rare temples. Among them is the Sri Vedanta Desikar Temple in Mylapore, distinct because it is dedicated not to the Lord, but to one of His greatest devotees. Vedanta Desikar was a celebrated Vaishnava acharya and an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu, revered as a guiding guru by generations of Vaishnavites. Tradition also regards him as the incarnation of the divine bell of the Tirupati temple of Lord Balaji. The temple dedicated to him stands near East Mada Street in Mylapore and has been in existence for more than two centuries, though several shrines were added and the complex was expanded mainly during the 20th century CE. This is a compact temple without a towering rajagopuram. A small temple tank lies close to the entrance. Mylapore is also associated with Peyalvar, one of the revered Alwars, and his shrine is located nearby. Even without a grand tower, the temple retains the key elements seen in...

Christian tradition holds that St. Thomas , one of the apostles of Jesus Christ, arrived in India around 52 CE to spread the faith, and that he was later martyred in the region of St. Thomas Mount in Chennai. The St. Thomas Basilica ,known to most locals simply as San Thome Church ,is built over what is revered as his tomb. San Thome’s importance is often explained through a striking claim: only a handful of churches worldwide are believed to stand over the tombs of apostles, commonly cited alongside sites in Rome and Spain . For that reason, this basilica is regarded as one of the most significant Roman Catholic pilgrimage churches in South India. Architecturally too, the church leaves a strong impression. Built in a graceful Gothic style , it carries a long colonial history, traditionally associated with the Portuguese period in the 16th century , and later reconstruction under the British in the 19th century . Step inside, and the mood changes instantly: tall interiors, staine...

Satya Narayana is a revered form of Vishnu , closely associated with the Satya Narayana vrata traditions. While Vishnu temples are common across South India, especially shrines for Rama and Krishna, it is relatively uncommon to find a temple where Satya Narayana is the principal deity. Chennai has one such shrine, modest in scale but well known among devotees. The Satya Narayana Temple is located near the familiar landmark Ayodhya Mandapam in West Mambalam . This is a small north-facing temple with a simple gopuram. Inside, Satya Narayana is enshrined as the presiding deity. In front of the sanctum you will see the aligned elements of worship:  bali peetham, dhwaja stambham, and Garuda , all facing the main shrine. Though compact, the temple holds several additional shrines and icons. It becomes especially lively on Pournami (full moon) days , when devotees gather for the Satya Narayana Pooja , a monthly ritual that draws a steady crowd. Near the main sanctum is a separate ...

This article is about the Kodanda Ramar Temple on Madley Road, West Mambalam , in Chennai. The temple is believed to be around 150 years old , and its most memorable feature is the way Rama is shown in a regal Pattabhishekam setting. Here, Rama sits on a royal throne , with Sita seated to his left. Hanuman is positioned at his feet in devotion, while Lakshmana stands nearby holding the royal umbrella. The overall composition immediately reminds many devotees of the celebrated arrangement at Bhadrachalam , which is why this West Mambalam shrine is sometimes spoken of as a kind of “Southern Bhadrachalam.” A significant addition came later. In 1927 CE , the icons of Kodanda Rama (Rama with the bow), along with Sita and Lakshmana , were installed behind the Pattabhishekam form. From then on, the shrine began to be popularly referred to as the Kodanda Ramar Temple . The main sanctum also contains the bronze utsava murtis of Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana. As you walk through the temp...

The name Kali Bari instantly brings Kolkata to mind, where the word is closely associated with Bengali Kali worship and temple traditions. Chennai, too, has its own Kali Bari Temple , a small but well-loved shrine built by the Bengali community living in the city. It stands as a quiet reminder that Chennai has always absorbed cultures from across India and made space for them. The Kali Bari Temple in West Mambalam , located on Umapathy Street , is especially striking because it resembles a typical Bengal-style temple rather than the usual Dravidian form seen across Chennai. The temple’s white marble structure gives it a clean, serene presence, and the atmosphere inside feels calm even when the street outside is busy. The presiding deity is Kali , and the shrine also includes a bronze Kali icon  in addition to the main icon. A small meditation hall within the complex is another highlight, simple, peaceful, and ideal for a quiet pause. Alongside Kali, the temple also houses ...

Ayodhya Mandapam (often written as Ayodhya Mandap ) is one of West Mambalam’s best-known landmarks in Chennai. Though it is not a “temple” in the conventional sense, it holds a special place in the city’s devotional life, serving as a shared public space for worship, discourse, and community rituals. Built in 1964 , Ayodhya Mandapam functions primarily as a public hall for religious gatherings. It is commonly used for conducting Hindu rituals and functions , and it is also known for hosting Vedic and Puranic discourses , where scholars and speakers address large audiences. At the heart of the mandapam is a small shrine space that enshrines the bronze utsava murtis of Rama, Lakshmana, and Sita . A picture depicting Rama Pattabhishekam (the coronation) is also placed here, reinforcing the Ayodhya theme that gives the mandapam its name. In addition, there are two smaller shrines, one for Hanuman , and another for Shankara Paduka , a quiet reminder of the Advaitic lineage within a spa...