Indian Columbus

Photo courtesy - Mr. Muthu Vignesh Counting the stars in the vast sky may be a challenging task, but the multitude of temples in the fertile expanse of Tirunelveli seems endless. Nestled along the banks of the purifying Tamraparani River, this region conceals numerous best-kept secrets, each waiting to be discovered. Let's delve into one such concealed gem— Chepparai . Situated approximately 15 kilometers from Tirunelveli and 1.5 km from Rajavallipuram, this quaint village is embraced by the river on one side and expansive fields on the remaining three. Amidst this serene landscape stands a colossal temple dedicated to Lord Nataraja, affectionately known as Azhagiya Koothan . Photo courtesy - Mr. Muthu Vignesh The lore of Lord Nataraja's celestial dance unfolds across five principal venues, collectively referred to as the Pancha Sabhas . These include the Por Sabhai or Kanaka Sabha (the golden hall) in Chidambaram, Rajita Sabha or Velli Ambalam (the silver hall) in Madurai, Rat...

Nestled in the southern folds of Tamil Nadu, near the enchanting Tamraparani River, is the serene village of Arugankulam—a hidden treasure trove of temples steeped in the mystique of the Ramayana. This unassuming hamlet unfolds a tapestry of ancient legends and sacred sites that echo the tales of Rama and Sita. In the Ramayana legend, Jatayu, the Vulture King, courageously confronted Ravana during the abduction of Sita. Despite losing the battle and sustaining severe injuries, Jatayu fell to the ground. Rama and Lakshmana discovered the wounded bird while searching for Sita. Touched by Jatayu's sacrifice, Rama granted it Moksha, traditionally believed to have happened on the Godavari riverbanks but locally placed in the village of Arugankulam near Tirunelveli. According to legend, Jatayu, before passing away, desired to have darshan of Rama and Sita. As Sita was still in captivity, Rama appeared to Jatayu as Narayana, accompanied by Lakshmi. The Jatayu Moksham temple in Arugankula...

The renowned tale of Rameswaram and its association with the Ramayana is well-known across the nation. Ravana, the King of Sri Lanka, abducted Sita, Rama's wife, leading to a war where Rama emerged victorious. During his journey back to Ayodhya, Rama stopped at what is now known as Rameswaram, installing a Shiva Linga to seek redemption for his Brahmahatya dosha, naming it Ramanatha, the Lord of Rama. While this historical narrative is widely acknowledged, few are aware of Adi Rameswaram, where Rama installed a Shiva Linga even before the one in Rameswaram. Tirunelveli, a temple-rich region, harbors the hidden gem of Arugankulam village on the banks of the Tamraparani River, adorned with temples linked to the Ramayana. According to Ramayana's legend, when Ravana abducted Sita, the Vulture King Jatayu courageously intervened but suffered injuries. Rama later found Jatayu, performed its last rites, and granted it Moksha. While traditionally believed to occur on the Godavari river...

In my previous two articles, I highlighted Arugankulam as Tirunelveli's best-kept secret, a village adorned with temples all connected to the Ramayana. Among these, the Kaattu Ramar temple stands as a testament to the village's serene and scenic beauty. (Link of my other articles of Arugankulam - Jatayu Teertham  and Ettezhuthu Perumal ). Before the 1990s, reaching this temple involved wading through hip-height waters of the Tamraparani River, navigating a dense forest, and seeking the help of locals to summon the priest. Today, a motorable road leads directly to the temple, and while the forest has thinned, the area remains picturesque and secluded, frequented by a multitude of peacocks. This is why it's often referred to as "Kaattu Ramar" (Kaadu means forest in Tamil), or alternatively, Mela Ramar temple. The east-facing temple is architecturally divided into Garbhagriha, Ardha mandapa, Maha mandapa, and a Mukha mandapa. The majestic Rama stands with an ornately...

According to the legend of Ramayana, when Ravana abducted Sita and flew her away in his Pushpaka vimana, Jatayu, the Vulture King, bravely intervened. Despite a valiant fight, Ravana managed to sever Jatayu's wings and inflict severe injuries, causing it to fall to the ground. While searching for Sita, Rama and Lakshmana came across the wounded Jatayu in the forest. Touched by Jatayu's sacrifice, Rama performed its last rites and granted it Moksha, freeing its soul from the earthly realm. Though traditionally believed to have occurred on the banks of the river Godavari, local belief places this sacred event in the village of Arugankulam, near Tirunelveli, where a small temple now stands at the exact site of Jatayu's Moksha. Known as the Jatayu Moksham temple, this modest structure houses Lakshmi Narayana as the presiding deity. According to legend, Jatayu, before passing away, desired to have darshan of Rama and Sita. As Sita was still in captivity, Rama appeared to Jatayu ...