Indian Columbus

Chickmagalur , the land of coffee, is one of India's most beautiful travel destinations. The word "Chikmagalur" means the land of the younger daughter in the Kannada language. There is a small town near Chikmagalur, which is called  Hiremagalur . This word means the land of the elder daughter. In Hiremagalur, there is a big ancient Rama temple located. This article talks about this temple. Kodanda Rama Temple  is the top attraction of Hiremagalur. The sanctum, along with the beautiful sculptures on the walls of the sanctum, are the works of  Hoysalas . It is dated to the  14th century CE . The Mukha mandapa, tower and the other sub-shrines were later additions by Vijayanagara and other Kings. The neatly maintained east-facing temple has a five-tiered tower. There are a few stucco images on the tower. The images of  Shankaracharya, Madhva and Ramanuja  together are noticeable. Although these images are new, finding the founders of three different schools of thought is

Chikmagalur, a true hidden gem within Karnataka, India, boasts picturesque landscapes adorned with lush coffee fields cradled by rolling hills. This article sets its focus on three enchanting waterfalls that grace the Chikmagalur region. Nestled amidst this stunning scenery, Mullayanagiri reigns as Karnataka's loftiest peak, an irresistible draw for tourists. Not far away, Baba Budan Giri adds to the region's allure. Nestled between these captivating landmarks, lie three captivating waterfalls. First on the list is Daddabe Falls, affectionately known as Buttermilk Falls or Jhari Falls. This waterfall greets travelers on their journey from Mullayanagiri to Baba Budan Giri, approximately 17 kilometers from the former. The last leg, spanning 2-3 kilometers, can only be traversed by Jeeps, as private cars are prohibited beyond a certain point. Continuing along the route, you'll come across Honnamana Halla Waterfalls, conveniently situated en route to Baba Budan Giri. Alth

Chikmagalur, often dubbed the coffee capital of India, has a rich history intertwined with the aromatic brew. Baba Budan Giri, a captivating hill nestled in Karnataka's Chikmagalur district, not only boasts a coffee legacy but also holds spiritual significance for both Hindus and Muslims. This article delves deeper into the charm of this unique site. Baba Budan Giri takes its place within the Chandra Drona Mountain Range of the Western Ghats, approximately 27 kilometers from Mullayanagiri, Karnataka's highest peak. Drawing a diverse crowd, this locale entices not only curious tourists but also devout Hindus and Muslims. Its natural beauty serves as a magnet for travelers, while its profound spiritual value beckons countless pilgrims. For Hindus, this hill carries the weight of history and devotion. They believe that Dattatreya, the offspring of the divine Tri Murtis, once embarked on a penance within the caves of this site. These three caves, collectively referred to as Dat

Kavikalgandi, a prominent hill viewpoint in the Chikmagalur region, beckons travelers with its stunning vistas. Situated roughly 12 kilometers from Mullayanagiri, the highest peak in Karnataka, this enchanting spot can be accessed via a road that connects Mullayanagiri and Baba Budan Caves. To reach Kavikalgandi's horseshoe viewpoint, one must ascend about 50 steps from the check post along this route. At the hill's base, a small idol of Hanuman stands as a welcoming presence, while atop the hill, a recent addition takes the form of a mural featuring Swami Vivekananda. Kavikalgandi is renowned for its consistently refreshing breeze, providing visitors with a delightful and invigorating experience. From this vantage point, the Chandra Drona mountain range unfolds before your eyes, offering a breathtaking panorama of natural beauty. Prepare to be captivated by the allure of Kavikalgandi, where cool winds and scenic splendor await your arrival.  Happy travelling.

Mullayanagiri proudly stands as the loftiest summit in the Karnataka state of India. Nestled about 2.5 kilometers from its base lies the sacred site of Sitalayana Matha. While Sitalayana Matha primarily serves as a temple, its picturesque location transforms it into an exceptional hillside viewpoint. Many tourists flock to this site when traveling to the Chikmagalur region, especially when restrictions prevent them from ascending Mullayanagiri's peak. Here, they can still revel in breathtaking aerial vistas of nearby villages. Within the temple, a revered Shiv Linga known as Sitalayana Mallikarjuna takes center stage. The sanctum also houses metal representations of Shiva and Uma. Alongside these deities, the temple grounds host shrines dedicated to Utsava Ganapati and Veerabhadra. Moreover, within the temple's prakara, a Vishnu image graces the surroundings, flanked by two majestic lions, exuding an aura of divine tranquility. Happy travelling.

Mullayanagiri stands as the undeniable crown jewel of the Chikmagalur region, beckoning travelers to its summit. Rising to a majestic height of 6,316 feet above sea level, Mullayanagiri reigns as the loftiest peak in Karnataka, India. This natural wonder is nestled within the Chandra Drona Hill Ranges of the Western Ghats. Chikmagalur, the gateway to this stunning peak, is conveniently accessible by road and sits approximately 20 kilometers from the town center. For avid trekkers, Mullayanagiri is a paradise waiting to be explored. The 4-kilometer trek commences at Sarpadhari, offering a challenging yet rewarding ascent. Alternatively, for those who prefer a less strenuous journey, a series of well-constructed steps lead directly to the hill's summit. Upon reaching the pinnacle and along the ascent, breathtaking panoramic views unfold before your eyes. Mullayanagiri is renowned for providing one of the most captivating vantage points in the Chikmagalur region, making it an ideal

George Town, or Black Town, is one of the oldest settlements of Chennai, established by the British. This congested and crowded area is dotted with many historic buildings, streets and old temples. The Madras Progressive Union School is one such structure that has heritage value. The Madras Progressive Union Higher Secondary School is located on Audiappa Naicken Street. It was started in 1888 CE. It is one of the oldest surviving schools in Chennai city. The two popular political parties of Tamil Nadu are named Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam and Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. And in Tamil language, this school is called Chennai Munnetra Kazhagam School. :-) Happy travelling.

This temple, unknown to the outside world, is located at the junction of Mint Street and Audiappa Naicken Street in the Sowcarpet locality of Chennai city in India. Looking at the style of Dwarapalas and vimanas, I believe the period of the temple must be the 18th century or 19th century CE. Nothing much is known about this temple. Well, if you ask me the name of this temple, that is also not known. The local people call this  Adipatta Vinayakar  temple. The word "adipatta" means "beaten up" in the Tamil language. I could not gather more details about why this deity is called so. This temple is literally hidden behind the shops, and hardly any passerby could notice. There are regular visitors to this temple. They visit the temple not to get darshan of the deity. But they just come here to draw drinking water and to have a chit-chat. This temple has become a regular meeting point for such people. The east-facing temple has no tower. The sanctum enshrines Ganesh an

Unamancheri is a small village located near Tambaram on the outskirts of Chennai city of Tamil Nadu state in India. In this village, there is a beautiful Vijayanagara period temple of  Kodanda Ram  is located. Hardly at a distance of about 200-300 meters from this temple, there is another ancient temple of Lord Shiva located. This article is to focus on that temple. Vridhagireeswar is the name of Shiva in this temple. This east-facing temple does not have a tower or flagstaff. Vridhagireeswar is a big Shiv Linga found in the east-facing sanctum. Vridhamika is the Goddess found in the separate south-facing shrine. Both the shrines and the small Maha Mandap are situated inside an enclosure. The pillars in the Maha Mandap have many interesting sculptures. At this entrance, the idols of Ganesh and Subramanya-Valli-Devasena are found. Nandi mandapa and bali peetha are found facing toward the sanctum. But the entrance to the enclosure is in the south direction. Hence, a wall is between th

This article is about a lesser-known temple of a lesser-known deity located on a lesser-known site. Unamancheriy is a small village located around 13 km from Tambaram on the outskirts of Chennai in the Tamil Nadu state of India.  Kodanda Ram temple  in this village is a beautiful Vijayanagara period temple. Behind the temple of Rama, there is a tank, and if we cross the tank, we can reach Periyandavar temple. Who is Periyandavar? As I mentioned in a few other articles earlier, we could probably count the Vedic deities of Hinduism, but it is not possible to count the village deities (Grama devta). There are innumerable village deities all over India. In Tamil Nadu, Madurai Veeran, Ayyanar and Muneeswaran are famous village deities. Periyandavar is also a village deity of Tamil Nadu but is lesser known. He is found in a few villages in Kanchipuram and Chenglepet localities. Periyandavar is considered the incarnation or form of Lord Shiva. As per the legend, due to a curse by Uma, Sh