Indian Columbus

Are you aware of any Shiva temple without a Navagraha shrine in Tamil Nadu? It's rare to find one! But have you ever heard of a temple where Navagrahas are present with their consorts? It's a rare phenomenon indeed, and I'd like to take you to a temple near Tirunelveli, where you can witness this extraordinary sight. Located about 20 km southeast of Tirunelveli, Karungulam is a quaint village that remains unaffected by technology. The villagers lead a peaceful life amidst the beautiful surroundings of the perennial Tamraparni river, hills, fertile fields, and gardens that are home to peacocks and other varieties of birds. Karungulam has two prominent temples, one for Vishnu and another for Shiva. While the Vishnu temple is famous, the Shiva temple, which we're focusing on in this article, is well-known only among the locals. The presiding deity is Shiva, known as Marthandeswarar, and his consort is named Kulasekhara Nayaki. The legend behind the temple states that King ...

Krupa Bai was a remarkable woman of Indian history, born to Haripunt Khisty, a Marathi Brahmin who had converted to Christianity. Sadly, she lost her father and brother, and her church arranged for her to go to England. However, her poor health prevented her from doing so. Instead, she traveled alone to Madras and enrolled at Madras Medical College in 1878. Unfortunately, her health declined further, and she had to abandon her studies. Had she completed her degree, she would have become the first Indian woman to graduate in western medicine from an Indian college. Interestingly, Mary Anne Scharlieb, a woman from London, became the first female to graduate in western medicine from an Indian college in 1878. In contrast, Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi was the first Indian woman to study medicine, but she obtained her degree from a foreign institution, the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania, in 1886. The first woman to study medicine in an Indian college was Kadambini Ganguly, who was ...

 Don't be fooled by the cover picture of a popular textile showroom, as there is more to it than meets the eye. The Pothys establishment in Tirunelveli city has a dark history - it's where the iconic Royal Talkies once stood. In 1944, the Royal Talkies made history when it screened the movie "Haridas" to a captivated audience on Diwali day. The film drew crowds from far and wide to witness the iconic voice of Tyagaraja Bhagavathar. More people would be seen outside the theatre enjoying the voice of Bhagavathar than the crowd watching the movie inside. The movie's name was permanently etched on the cine hall's facade. Although I could not find when the cine hall was started, I am confident that it was the first movie hall in Tirunelveli. After two more theatres were opened in the city, namely the Popular Theatre and Palace de Wales, people differentiated the Royal Talkies by calling it "Vadakku Kottagai". Unfortunately, the Royal Talkies faced a signi...

Discover a hidden gem in Chennai that's a must-visit for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts alike - Zion Church. This stunning example of Gothic architecture is situated in the Chintadaripet neighborhood and showcases the city's rich cultural and religious heritage. Zion Church was originally built in 1847 by American missionaries Reverend Myron Winslow and John Scudder on a piece of land purchased from G.V. Naidu. It is the only church in Chennai built by Americans. Later, the Church Missionary Society bought the church for Rs.10,000 in 1865. In 1870, Madras Governor Sir Napier's wife donated a piece of land to the church to construct a school. The school still stands on the same road and is another heritage structure worth checking out. Over the years, Zion Church has undergone several renovations and additions. The church was enlarged in 1880 and further extended in 1912. The Christian Missionary Society gifted the church's bell in 1878, the second oldest in ...

Step into the world of vintage cinema with the Palace de Wales, a grand theatre that stands tall in the city of Tirunelveli. This iconic landmark is a must-visit for cinephiles, as it is one of the oldest cine halls in town, with a rich heritage that dates back decades. The Palace de Wales was more than just a theatre; it was a hub for entertainment and culture, where people came together to witness the magic of cinema unfold on the big screen. It was known for showcasing movies produced by Gemini Studios. The statue of twin kids in their loin clothes blowing the bugle, the studio's famous identity, adorned the theatre's facade. Located in Veera Raghavapuram, the theatre was colloquially called Veerapuram Kottagai by the locals, who couldn't pronounce its stylish English name. From the legendary Chandralekha, released in 1948, to the evergreen Avvaiyar, the Palace de Wales screened many successful films that captivated audiences of all ages. This grand theatre was also the ...

Welcome to the fascinating history of the Chinna Tari Pettah township! (It has become Chintadaripet now). This area was founded in 1735 by Governor George Morton Pitt on the former garden of Sunku Rama Chetty, an influential Dubashi who had fallen into disgrace. To encourage the settlement of weavers and painters in this newly established village, Bemala Audiappa Narayana, another Dubashi, helped to build two temples with the support of the British administration.  (The garden on the banks of the Cooum river was earlier allotted to Sunku Rama by Governor Collett. Interestingly another settlement in the North Madras called Kaladipettah was named after Collet.) These twin temples share a common wall and are dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu, much like the famous twin temples in Old Madras. While they don't have gopurams, the temples boast intricately decorated mandapas at the entrance, featuring colonial-era iconography on the pillars. They also share a tank and chariot, and the cost of ...

Once known as "Therku Kottagai" by the locals, Popular Theatre in Tirunelveli was a popular cine hall back in the 1950s. Today, the city is renowned for its innumerable theatres, but back then, there were only three: Popular Theatre, Royal, and Palace de Wales. During its heyday, Popular Theatre hosted the successful film Nadodi Mannan, featuring MGR, Saroja Devi, and Nambiar, who participated in the 100th day celebration. The stars delivered talks to fans during the interval, making it an unforgettable experience. In the 1970s, a cinema function held in Popular Theatre featured popular artists such as Jai Shankar, Sripriya, Thengai Srinivasan, Manorama, and Shankar-Ganesh. Although compared to modern cinema halls, Popular Theatre might seem small, it still holds a majestic and aesthetic look. In the early 1990s, due to a change in ownership, the theatre was renamed "Ganesh." However, in recent times, the theatre has received complaints about poor maintenance. The C...

Welcome to Chintadaripet, a planned township established by the British in the 1700s. While Adipureeswara and Adikeshava, the twin temples built during the British period, are well-known, there's also an intriguing temple called Angala Parameswari that this article aims to shed light on. Nestled on the narrow Venkata Gramani Street, this tiny temple has a unique feature: a Dargah, a fascinating amalgamation of two religions. The four-armed Angala Parameswari, seated on a lion, is the Grama Devata or village goddess. There are assertions that this temple existed even before the Britishers formed this township. According to legend, in the 18th century, a Muslim Sufi saint stayed in this temple and healed the ailments of the villagers. As per his wishes, he was buried in the temple complex after his demise, and today, his small Dargah can be seen on the narrow prakara or circumambulatory path around the shrine. Devotees still visit the temple every Thursday to pray to the unnamed Musl...

Did you ever ponder why Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu has become such a famous spot for cinema enthusiasts? The answer lies in the unique and visually stunning cinema halls found throughout the city. Unlike traditional rectangular or box-shaped theatres, these cinemas offer a visual feast inside and out, making them a hallmark of this historic city alongside its temples and Halwa. One such cinema hall is Sri Ratna Theatre, near the iconic Tirunelveli Arch. Designed by renowned architect Mr. Avudaiyappan, this theatre is just one of many beautiful cine theatres in the city, including Central, Lakshmi, and Parvati, all designed by the same architect. Shankar Reddiar owned another theatre called Parvati, located diagonally across from Sri Ratna, which cleverly allowed those who couldn't get tickets in one theatre to easily cross the road and watch a movie in the other. Locals of Tirunelveli fondly refer to these twin theatres as Ratna-Parvati. Ratna Theatre has been a favorite go-to place...

Have you ever wondered why Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu has such a strong fanbase for cinema? It's likely due to the unique and aesthetically designed cinema halls found throughout the city. Unlike typical rectangular or box-shaped structures, these theatres offer a visual feast both inside and out. As a result, Tirunelveli has become famous not just for its temples and Halwa, but also for its stunning movie theatres, which have become a hallmark of this historic city. One such cinema hall is Parvati Theatre, located near the historic Tirunelveli Arch. Designed by renowned architect Mr. Avudaiyappan, the 1300-seater theatre boasts an outstanding design and is just one of many beautiful cine theatres in the city. Mr. Avudaiyappan also designed other famous cine theatres in Tirunelveli, including Central, Lakshmi and Ratna. Interestingly, when Mr. M G Shankar Reddiar requested the then Chief Minister of Tamilnadu, K. Kamaraj, to inaugurate the hall, the latter agreed on one condition - ...