Indian Columbus

Site Name:  Pramiki Vittala Temple    Site Type:  Hindu Temple Location:    Vittalapuram, near Mamallapuram, near Chennai city, Tamil Nadu state, India Highlights:   A beautiful temple by Vijayanagara kings Nearest Railway Station:   Chennai Nearest Airport:   Chennai How to reach:   Connected by road from Chennai Hotel:  Go to Chennai, Chenglepet or Mamallapuram Restaurants:  Go to Chennai or Mamallapuram Vittalapuram is a small little known village near the popular tourist site Mamallapuram in South India. In this village, there is a temple dedicated to Vitthaleshwarar aka Pramiki Vitthala (a form of Lord Krishna). This temple was built during the reign of the Vijayanagara emperor Krishnadeva Raya in the beginning of the 16th century CE. It was built by the emperor's representative named Kondaiya Chola Maharaja . The small beautiful temple is located in a calm atmosphere. The main deity Pramiki Vittala is found with both his hands resting on his hi

Site Name:  Thirupuleeswarar and Vaikunthanathar Temples    Site Type:  Hindu Temple Location:    Vaayalur village, near Kalpakkam, near Chennai city, Tamil Nadu state, India Highlights:   Lesser known ancient temple of Pallave period Nearest Railway Station:   Chenglepet Nearest Airport:   Chennai How to reach:   Connected by road from Chennai; the path near the site is not in good condition and very narrow; Also, it is difficult to find the route Hotel:  Go to Chennai, Chenglepet or Mamallapuram Restaurants:  Go to Chennai for better options The East Coast Road - ECR in Chennai city in South India is popular. Mahabalipuram town is famous for its heritage rich sites. Kalpakkam town is popular due to its nuclear plant. However, people know very little about the small village named Vaayalur located between these two towns on the ECR. The village can be reached by travelling around 4 kms from Kalpakkam. It has two temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vishnu in th

Site Name:  Vadavamuga Agneeswarar Temple    Site Type:  Hindu Brick Temple Location:    Vedal, near Cheyyur, near Chennai city, Tamil Nadu state, India Highlights:   Lesser known brick temple built during the period of Raja Raja Chola I Nearest Railway Station:   Chenglepet Nearest Airport:   Chennai How to reach:   Connected by road from Cheyyur; the path near the site is not in good condition and very narrow; Also, it is difficult to find the route Hotel:  Go to Chennai or Chenglepet  Restaurants:  Go to Chennai for better options Cheyyur is a lesser known village located near Chennai city in South India. Around 10 kms from Cheyyur, the small village named Vedal is located. Vedal lake is a popular one. Near the lake, the 10th century brick temple of Lord Shiva is found. It is believed to have been built during the era of Raja Raja Chola I, the emperor who built the famous Tanjore Brahadeeswarar Temple. Little care is being taken by the villagers or the G

Site Name:  Kandaswamy Temple    Site Type:  Hindu Temple Location:    Cheyyur, near Chennai city, Tamil Nadu state, India Highlights:   27 Vedalam (ghost) sculptures representing 27 stars are found in the temple Nearest Railway Station:   Melmaruvathur Nearest Airport:   Chennai How to reach:   Connected by road from Cheyyur; the path near the site is not in good condition and very narrow Hotel:  Go to Chennai or Chenglepet  Restaurants:  Go to Chennai for better options Cheyyur is a small village located near Chenglepet, which in turn is located near Chennai city in South India. The ancient and beautiful temple of Lord Kandaswamy (Subramanya aka Muruga) is located in this village. Highlights: Arunagiri Nathar  has revered the temple in his verses in Tiruppugal. There are idols of 27 Vedalams (Bhootganas/ghosts) representing 27 stars found in the  temple; it is unique which cannot be found anywhere else. Lord Brahma and Vishnu are standing as dwarapa

Cheyyur is a little-known village located near Chennai city in South India. Near  Cheyyur , the 8th century CE Jain sculptures are located in a small hillock. It is challenging to find the exact hillock as this area has many hills. The local people call this particular hill ' Kurathi Malai ' or 'Samanar Malai'. It is located near a village named  Onampakkam . There are three sculptures found on top of the hillock. Few steep steps are found up to halfway to the hilltop. Beyond that, we need to climb up the rocks.  The details of three Jain sculptures: 1)  Parsvanath  in the standing posture, with a five-hooded serpent on his head along with two Yakshas on either side 2)  Adinath  in the sitting posture 3)  Mahavir  in the sitting posture There are few Jain beds found in this hillock. Unfortunately, this ancient site remains unknown, although it is located near the most happening Chennai city. If you live in Chennai or somewhere nearby, ensure that you go to t

Site Name:  Adi Parasakthi Peetam   Site Type:  Hindu temple Location:    Melmaruvathur, near Chennai city, Tamil Nadu state, India Highlights:   One of the popular Goddess temples in Tamil Nadu Nearest Railway Station:   Melmaruvathur Nearest Airport:   Chennai How to reach:   Well connected by road from Chennai Hotel:  Go to Chennai or Chenglepet  Restaurants:  Go to Chennai for better options; there are some local restaurants in Melmaruvathur which are not very good Melmaruvathur , a small village, located near Chennai city in South India, has emerged as a major town thanks to Adi Parasakthi Peetam . Adi Parasakthi Peetam is one of the most popular Hindu Goddess temples in Tamil Nadu state. It is claimed that there was a neem tree stood in the place where the main shrine is located today. The tree was considered as a holy tree in 1960s and it slowly emerged as a religious place. The person Melmaruvathur Adigalar by name constructed the temple in the late 1