Indian Columbus

Trichy holds a significant position among the cities of Tamil Nadu, located in the southern part of India. Often, the Rock Fort stands out as the first thought when discussing Trichy, yet the city boasts a handful of other noteworthy temples that may not enjoy the same level of recognition. This article aims to shed light on one such temple known as the Naganathar Temple. Positioned on Nandi Koil Street in close proximity to the renowned Rock Fort Temple at the heart of Trichy, the Naganathar Temple might not be universally known but holds a strong reputation within the city. Highlights: God  - Naganathar or Chevvandi Nathar Goddess  - Anandavalli Sthala Vruksha (holy tree) - Bilva Teerth (Holy water) - Shiva Teerth  Legend: The temple's history is steeped in a legend where a group of sages believed they could thrive independently without the divine. To impart a lesson, Lord Shiva engaged with them in a battle. The sages summoned serpents to attack Sh...

Trichy stands as a pivotal city within the Tamil Nadu state of South India. While Trichy is invariably associated with the iconic Rock Fort, there exist several other significant yet lesser-known temples within the city's bounds. Within this article, we will delve into one such temple, renowned as the Kailasanathar Temple. Positioned along the bustling expanse of Big Bazaar Street in Trichy, the Kailasanathar Temple carries its sanctum and the shrine of the Goddess facing the east, aligned in the same direction. The sanctum is graced by a modest Shiv Linga, christened as Kailasanathar. Nestled adjacent to this sanctum, the shrine of the Goddess Kamalambikai finds its abode. Within this modest temple, one encounters the images of Surya, Bhairava, and Hanuman. Among the celestial assembly of Navagraha deities, only Surya stands accompanied by his consorts, as all eight planets direct their gaze towards him. This distinct arrangement of Navagraha deities is unique to the ...

Trichy stands as a significant urban center in the Tamil Nadu state of South India. While the Rock Fort is the central focus when Trichy is mentioned, there exist a few other vital yet less renowned temples within the city. This article unveils one such temple known as the Bhoolokanathar Temple. Positioned near the Market Bus Stop at Trichy's core, the Bhoolokanathar Temple might not be familiar to those outside the city, but it holds a respected place among its inhabitants. Highlights: Adhikara Nandi is found with four arms and playing drum  Five holy trees are found within the temple God - Bhoolokanathar Goddess - Jagatambikai Sthala Vruksha (holy tree) - Magizham, Vanni, Atthi, Bilva and Kurunthai  This temple is specially revered for addressing land and real estate-related concerns. Legend: The temple's genesis is intertwined with a tale. The region's ruling monarch found himself unable to resolve prevailing issues. A sage guided him to address...

I got an opportunity to talk in Tamil Heritage Club for about two hours on Temples of Bhubaneswar. I touched upon the history of Bhubaneswar and Kalinga architecture before talking in detail about various temples of Bhubaneswar. The audio recording and the 69 slider Powerpoint presentation are found in the below link: https://thtsiteseminars.wordpress.com/2016/09/30/preparatory-talk-2-the-temples-of-bhubaneswar-by-t-k-krishnakumar/

Guindy, located within the bustling city of Chennai, is a hub of activity with millions of daily commuters passing through. At the heart of this vibrant area stands the Guindy suburban railway station, a pivotal transportation hub. Surprisingly, many frequent visitors to Guindy may remain unaware of the expansive Guindy Race Course situated in close proximity to the busy railway station and bus terminal. Only those who actively follow and partake in horse racing or have deep-rooted ties to the area are likely acquainted with the Guindy Race Course, which happens to be India's oldest. The origins of this race course trace back to 1777 CE when lands from the Velachery and Venkatapuram villages were designated for horse racing purposes, long before the official establishment of the club in 1837 CE. The course's history has been far from seamless. Racing events were irregular in the early years and even halted briefly during the threat of Hyder Ali's invasion of Madras. It w...

Manimangalam, a quaint locality nestled near Tambaram, itself a suburb of Chennai in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, boasts a rich historical legacy. This unassuming place witnessed a significant event in history—the epic battle between Chalukya King Pulikesi and Pallava King Narasimha Pallava during the 7th century CE. Among its few ancient temples, Manimangalam holds a unique relic—an image of Jyestha Devi, lying unadorned in a field near Dhanalakshmi Engineering College. This enigmatic deity lacks the grandeur of a temple structure or the presence of dedicated priests, yet the local villagers revere her as the Mother Goddess. But who is Jyestha Devi? According to Hindu Puranas, she is the elder sister of Lakshmi, the deity of wealth worshipped in countless temples. Curiously, Jyestha Devi remains conspicuously absent from Vishnu temples and even her sister Lakshmi's abodes, save for a handful of temples in the Trichy-Tanjore region. Typically, Jyestha Devi finds her place out...

This article does not delve into the mythological tale of Shiva's gender transformation. Instead, it focuses on the transformation of a Shiva Linga into a female deity by the local community. The Chembarampakkam Reservoir, one of Chennai city's two river-fed reservoirs, is situated approximately 30 kilometers from Chennai Central. Prior to the reservoir's construction, it is likely that there stood a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva along the banks of Chembarampakkam Lake. Following the reservoir's completion, access to this small temple likely became more challenging. As the temple gradually fell into neglect and obscurity, it was the local villagers who continued to venerate it, now concealed within the reservoir's structure. These villagers appear to have reimagined the deity as a female figure, christening her Kanni Amman. But who exactly is Kanni Amman? In Tamil Nadu, village deities are often referred to as "Kanni," meaning "virgin." Ser...

If you're a resident of Chennai or its surrounding suburban areas, Chembarampakkam Lake is a name you're likely well-acquainted with. This lake holds a pivotal role in supplying your drinking water or may have left a lasting impact due to its overflow during the 2015 Chennai floods. Whether for better or worse, if you call this city home, Chembarampakkam Lake is etched into your memory. Situated in the village of Chembarampakkam, approximately 30 kilometers from Chennai, this lake stands as one of the two crucial river-fed water reservoirs serving Chennai, the other being Puzhal Lake. With a full capacity of 3,645 million cubic feet and a full tank capacity reaching 85.4 feet, it plays a vital role in the region's water management. For practical purposes, Chembarampakkam Lake can be regarded as the birthplace of the Adyar River. While technically Malaipattu Tank near Manimangalam village and Adanur Tank near Guduvanchery could also be considered sources of the Adyar, it...

Do you happen to call Chennai your home? If so, you're likely well-acquainted with Chembarampakkam Lake, the city's vital water source. However, in this article, I'll introduce you to a lesser-known gem, a temple nestled near Chembarampakkam. Sirukalathur village, a petite hamlet situated between Kundrathur and Chembarampakkam, just 3 kilometers from Kundrathur, was once known as Kaavanur. Within this village, a modest temple dedicated to Lord Shiva bears the name Ramanatheeswarar Temple. Interestingly, the local residents aren't familiar with the formal name of this temple; they simply refer to it as "Kaattu Koil," signifying a temple nestled in the forest. This temple, though currently in a state of disrepair, is believed to trace its origins back to the era of Sekkizhar, the 12th-century CE author of Periya Puranam, hailing from the nearby Kundrathur village. While the temple no longer exhibits signs of its Chola-period roots, historical records sugg...

How many of you are aware that the bridge spanning the Adyar River, connecting the Guindy and Saidapet areas of Chennai, carries a fascinating historical legacy? This article delves into the history of this bridge, known as Maraimalai Adigal Bridge. During the British colonial era in India, it's well-known that the British struggled to pronounce and transcribe many Indian names accurately. They transformed Tiruvallikkeni into Triplicane, Tiruvanathapuram into Trivandrum, and the list goes on. Similarly, when faced with the village name "Mambalam," their pronunciation and spelling adaptations ranged from Marmalong to Marmalon or Mamelon, but the original name, Mambalam, was seldom used. Before we delve further into the bridge's history, let's explore the background of Mambalam. Today, if you disembark at Mambalam suburban station, you find yourself in the bustling and upscale T. Nagar area, a thriving part of Chennai. However, historically, this area was an inte...

Durga Puja, an integral part of Navaratri celebrations, enjoys immense popularity in Bengal. Similarly, in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Navaratri takes on a grand form with the elaborate display of dolls, meticulously arranged on stepped platforms. This captivating assembly of dolls, made from various materials and of varying sizes, in homes or temples is known as 'Kolu' (sometimes mis-pronounced as 'Golu'). Even in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, Navaratri is celebrated with the exhibition of Kolu dolls. These dolls may encompass images of deities, representations of animals, humans, and even creatively depict various scenes. While other regions of India observe Navaratri in different ways, the display of Kolu dolls is a unique tradition primarily associated with South India. In Gujarat, for instance, Navaratri is celebrated with great fervor through Goddess worship, but the practice of displaying dolls during this festival is not a common tradition. How...

Have you ever had the chance to visit Chennai? If so, did you explore the historic Fort St. George? Within the walls of this fort, there is a distinctive structure known as the Cornwallis Cupola, notable for its absence of a statue atop it. This article aims to shed light on the intriguing history of this monument. While the architectural features of the Cornwallis Cupola may not be particularly noteworthy, its historical significance is substantial. Let's delve into the basics and provide a concise overview of its history. Fort St. George Chennai, formerly known as Madras, stands as one of the earliest British settlements in India. Its foundation dates back to the year 1639 CE. In their quest for further settlements and trade opportunities, the English decided to construct a fort. This fort, built on April 23, 1640 CE, coinciding with St. George's Day, came to be known as Fort St. George. It ranks among the oldest surviving British structures in India. Within the fort...

In the realm of South India, there was once a time when the mere mention of an amusement park would conjure thoughts of VGP Golden Beach in Chennai. However, in the past 15-20 years (as of the writing of this blog in 2016 CE), a multitude of amusement and theme parks have sprung up across various towns and cities in South India. Even Chennai, in particular, has seen the emergence of numerous amusement parks. Among these is Queensland. Queensland, though, doesn't enjoy the same level of popularity as VGP Golden Beach, MGM, or Kishkinta (yes, that's indeed how it's spelled - not my error ;-)). Perhaps its location plays a significant role in this. Queensland is situated on the outskirts of Chennai, somewhere near Chembarampakkam. With proper maintenance, Queensland has the potential to become a highly acclaimed park in all of South India. It occupies an expansive area spanning around 70 acres. Regrettably, this amusement park suffers from some of the poorest maintenance prac...