Indian Columbus

 Welcome to the charming and ancient temple of Then Tirupati, also known as Nellai Tirupati, located in the midst of a peaceful Agraharam in the bustling Tirunelveli junction. This hidden gem, believed to be as powerful as Tirupati, is a must-visit for temple enthusiasts. The main deity of the temple is Srinivasa Perumal, a breathtaking sculpture in a standing posture, which is said to be an exact replica of Tirupati Venkatachalapati. The temple also houses icons of Alarmel Mangai and a newly made Panchamukha Anjaneya. The prakarafeatures stucco images of Lakshmi and Andal, while metal images of Perumal and his consorts are placed in the main shrine. Notably, Garuda can be found facing Perumal. The outer walls of the prakara are adorned with fascinating stucco images of Vainkunthavasa Perumal, Panchamukha Anjaneya, Narada, Annamacharya, and Krishna playing the role of a charioteer to Arjuna. Devotees of Srinivasa Perumal believe that the deity can resolve marriage-related issues, a...

The Raja Annamalai Mandram stands tall as a celebrated landmark in the original Madras, renowned for its role in the promotion of Tamil music. To unravel its fascinating history, one must delve into the early days of Carnatic music in Chennai, where Tamil was not always considered a suitable language for musical expression. The established Sabhas, such as the Music Academy, had long disregarded Tamil songs, leading to the exclusion of musicians who sang in Tamil from their platforms. This rigid stance on concert conduct and content sparked a movement in the 1930s, spearheaded by a group of thinkers, writers, and musicians who aimed to rectify this imbalance. However, the Tamil lobby faced opposition from the established Sabhas. Despite this, they received support from prominent figures, such as Rajaji, Kalki R. Krishnamurthy and M.S. Subbulakshmi. Notably, Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar provided financial backing to the movement. ( Raja Annamalai  was an Indian industrialist, banker, ...

Have you ever heard of the ancient and well-known Varadaraja Temple in the Veeraraghavapuram area of Tirunelveli? What many don't know is that there is also a Raghavendra Swami temple located on Sannadhi street, facing the towering Varadaraja Temple. What makes this temple unique is that it is situated in the middle of a house and has been standing for over a century.  Legend has it that the ancestor of the current temple administrator was childless, but after receiving the blessing of Raghavendra, he became a father. In gratitude, he built the Raghavendra temple within his very own house.  Visiting this temple is a truly divine and peaceful experience. The temple is now under the care of Rayara Mutt, and is definitely worth a visit if you find yourself in the area. Happy travelling.

The Bible Society of India is a Christian organization that holds the authority to translate, produce, distribute and market the Bible. It is a member of the United Bible Societies and operates with the motto of making the word of God accessible to people in a language and format that they can understand, at a price that they can afford. The Calcutta Auxiliary Bible Society was established on February 21, 1811, with the same objectives as the British and Foreign Bible Society in London. In 1820, the Tamil Nadu Auxiliary was established in Chennai. The Bible Society of India's office is located in the George Town locality, adjacent to the Memorial Hall. The current building, a smaller heritage structure, has been standing for over two centuries but is already losing its glory. The larger heritage structure, which had better heritage value was demolished a long time ago. Happy travelling.

Are you familiar with the holy site of Veera Raghavapuram in Tirunelveli? This is where the fascinating story of Raghava as a King who protected the land from enemy invaders took place. The legend goes that Krishna Varma, a King from the Lunar dynasty, was ruling the region by the river Tamraparani. He was a devoted king who spent all his resources on building and renovating temples, but he neglected to create a strong military base for his kingdom. When an army from Karnataka invaded his land, the King was at a loss as to how to defend his territory without a trained army. Seeking refuge, he turned to the bronze icon of Varadaraja (Vishnu) in the Pooja room of his palace. Taking the form of the King, Vishnu fought the battle and saved the land. He also appeared to the King as a brave warrior named Veera Raghava. Grateful for the protection, the King built a temple in honor of Veera Raghava Perumal and placed the bronze image of Varadaraja inside. The temple now has Veera Raghava as th...

Old Madras or the Original Madras never ceases to surprise you. Every nook and corner has a heritage structure or a historic place. Unfortunately, only a few people realize their importance and observe them with an appreciative mindset.  Amidst the chaotic lorries and vans parked haphazardly in the congested George Town, this magnificent structure stands as a thing of beauty. The frieze on the structure is inscribed with the bold-lettered message, "The Lord hath been mindful of us: He will bless us," taken from Psalm 115-12, which is a book from the Hebrew Bible called Ketuvim and a book of the Old Testament. The triangular pediment on the top of the structure identifies it as Memorial Hall, built in 1857. The British erected the hall to commemorate the escape of South India from the horrors of the First War of Indian Independence, known as the Sepoy Mutiny by the Britishers. Colonel George Winscom was the original architect, and the design is said to have been modified later...

Tirunelveli, the land of Halwa - the sweet delicacy that's synonymous with the place. When you're in Tirunelveli, the question is not where to find Halwa, but where to find the best one. While Iruttu Kadai is the most famous, there's another place that comes in at a close second - Santhi Sweets. (It's not Shanti, but Santhi - that's the spelling the brand uses; I can't help. ;-) ) If you're new to the town and arrive at the New Bus Stand, you'll be surprised to see a multitude of Santhi Sweets shops. But, don't be fooled - they are all imitations. The original  Santhi  Sweets is situated on Madurai Road, which is within walking distance from the Railway Station. Established in 1976, this brand has maintained its motto of offering the best quality at an affordable price. The store is open 24/7, making it convenient for travelers to grab a bite anytime. At  Santhi  Sweets, the focus is on delivering great taste while maintaining a clean and hygienic en...

You cannot miss it! It's monumental size and proportion in an otherwise crowded and congested George Town locality would attract everyone. The entablature of the portico written in Tamil as "Pachaiyappan" tells us it is the Pachaiyappan Hall.  The hall, which dominates the structure, is rectangular in plan and has large pedimented porticos of fluted Ionic columns. It's the brainchild of Captain Ludlow of the Madras Engineers. He designed it by combining the European and Indian styles. The facade is inspired by the design of the Theseum in Athens, Greece. The section in front of the hall has 15 classrooms, each with a verandah. Behind the hall is the school proper, a tiled roof structure entirely Indian in design. This majestic hall, a landmark in George Town, was inaugurated on March 20, 1850. The opening ceremony was predominantly European, with the Governor, Sir Henry Pottinger, presiding and a vocal band singing the British Anthem. The ceremony was attended by Euro...

The people of Tirunelveli and its surrounding areas hold a special affection for a significant landmark in their city that is affectionately known as "Irattai Paalam." They take great pride in calling it Eradukku Mempaalam, and officially, it is recognized as the Tiruvalluvar Eradukku Mempaalam. Not many know that it is the first two-tier bridge of Tamil Nadu...of entire India,....hold on... of the whole of Asia. Such a pride! This engineering marvel is one of the many sources of pride in the city, along with the Courtallam waterfalls, the Nellaiyappar Temple, historic cinema halls, and the renowned Halwa. Whether referred to by its official name or its local nicknames, the Tiruvalluvar Eradukku Mempaalam is a testament to the ingenuity of its designers and engineers. It is a source of wonder and inspiration for all who visit or live in Tirunelveli. Supported by 25 cross piers, the Tiruvalluvar Eradukku Mempaalam bridge stretches 800 meters long and is 8 meters wide. It is de...

Have you visited Chennai before? - Yes! Have you ever been to Chennai airport? - Yes, absolutely! It's located in Trisulam. That's great! What have you explored in Trisulam ? - Well, besides the airport, there is a local railway station, but not much else to see in this urban area. Actually, that's not entirely accurate! Trisulam is a historically significant location, boasting a Chola-era temple atop a hill adorned with exquisite sculptures and informative inscriptions. Intrigued? Keep reading! (As a side note, I previously wrote about this temple ten years ago on my blog. This article includes additional information I gathered during my recent revisit to the site.) Introduction Trisulam, a southern suburb of Chennai, is located approximately 10 km from Guindy. At the heart of the locality stands a magnificent temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, known as Trisulanathar . This temple, with its exquisite Koshta sculptures, is located on top of a hill and is just 2 km away from th...