Indian Columbus

In the previous five parts of this series, I covered the Raja gopuram, the front side mandapas, and the Mukha mandapam of the Kantimati temple in Tirunelveli. Now, in this sixth part, I will focus on Kantimati, the presiding deity of the temple. Kantimati, the gorgeous Goddess, defies verbal description with her captivating beauty. Her face radiates benevolence and power; simply gazing upon her countenance can dispel worldly troubles. Immersed in her divine grace, devotees experience a sacred transformation, shielded from the temptations of transgressions. A profound sense of fulfillment prevails in her presence, making all other destinations pale in comparison. The devotion inspired by Kantimati is so overwhelming that tears of reverence flow ceaselessly, establishing a deep connection with the divine. In her divine presence, devotees find solace, their hearts overflowing with devotion, and their souls purified by the radiant presence of this powerful Goddess. The divine icon of Kanti...

Uchchini Makali - every village....every street in the towns and cities of southern Tamil Nadu has a temple for her. Tirunelveli, renowned as a hub for numerous village deities, is no exception. It is nearly impossible to traverse 500 meters without encountering a temple dedicated to her. The folklore surrounding Uchchini Makali unfolds as follows: Devas (celestial beings) and Asuras joined forces to acquire the elixir of immortality, known as amrita, from the milky ocean. They employed Mandara Mountain as a churning rod and Vasuki, the serpent, as the rope. However, during the process, a deadly poison named "halahala" emerged before the elixir. This venom possessed immense fatality, causing all beings it touched to perish swiftly. Lord Shiva took on the responsibility of consuming this lethal poison. As He drank the poison, it began to spread within his body. In great concern over the rapidly spreading poison, his consort Parvati skillfully halted its progress by containing ...

The Prasanna Venkatesa Narasimha Perumal temple in Saidapet boasts a large, well-maintained holy pond.  According to legends, the temple was originally dedicated to Rama, and the place was known as Raghunathapuram. The stone image and the metal icon of the presiding deity were discovered later and added to the original Rama temple. The holy pond adjacent to it is still referred to as Raghu Teertha. Happy travelling! Note:  As per a report, there were about 650+ waterbodies in the Chennai region till the 1980s. Today, only a fraction of them exist. Most of those surviving waterbodies hardly have water, and even some of them that have water had been poorly shrunk. In Chennai, there are tank roads without tanks nearby and lake-view roads without any lake in the vicinity. There is a high possibility that even the few water bodies we have today might vanish soon. I thought of visiting the currently surviving waterbodies of Chennai and its suburbs and write about them in my blog as ...

In this series of articles exploring the Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple in Tirunelveli, I have previously covered the Raja Gopuram and a few mandapas surrounding it. Now, in the fifth part of this series, I will focus on the Mukha mandapa of Kantimati. As mentioned in my previous post, located directly behind the Raja Gopuram is a beautiful Oonjal mandapa. On either side of the Oonjal mandapa, there are pathways that lead to the impressively spacious Mukha mandapa in the western direction. The Mukha mandapa is a grand structure adorned with intricately carved pillars, with a majestic lion seated atop, supporting the ceiling. Towards the southern end of the Mukha mandapa, the pillars showcase exquisite carvings of Dwarapalikas. However, it is worth noting that only a few pillars near the western end of the Oonjal mandapa feature exceptional sculptures, including depictions of Rama, Manmada, a dancing girl, and Kuravan. Within this area, the tall dhwajastambha, bali peetha, and the...

If you mention any famous personality from Tirunelveli, chances are they attended Schaffter School. As you travel from Junction to Town, it is impossible to miss this historical institution with its expansive playground. Until the 1990s, all political parties held their gatherings on this school ground, one of the largest in the twin cities of Tirunelveli and Palayankottai. Founded over a century ago, Schaffter School has become a symbol of educational excellence in Tirunelveli. Its motto, "Disce aut discede," which translates to "Learn or Leave!" in Latin, reflects the school's strong emphasis on fostering a love for learning and personal growth among its students. Schaffter Higher Secondary School holds a prestigious position as one of the oldest educational institutions in Tirunelveli, and its history is deeply intertwined with the remarkable individual it is named after Rev. Schaffter. Rev. Henry James Schaffter was born into a family that had dedicated thre...

In the congested locality of Saidapet, Chennai, stands a remarkable temple that transports visitors to a distant sacred site. This magnificent temple, Prasanna Venkatesa Narasimha Perumal Temple, features a wooden chariot standing at an impressive height of thirty-six feet, adorned with exquisite wooden carvings. A splendid large pond and a colossal six-tiered Raja gopuram embellished with fascinating stucco images add to the allure of this place. The east-facing sanctum enshrines small images of Vishnu named Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal, flanked by his consorts Sri Devi and Bhoo Devi. In the same shrine, there is also a small Panchaloha icon of Narasimha, sporting a human face known as Azhagiya Singan. Consequently, the temple bears the name Prasanna Venkatesa Narasimha Perumal, paying homage to both deities. In a separate shrine within the Ardha mandapa, Rama is enshrined, flanked by Sita and Lakshmana. As the temple was originally dedicated to Rama, the place was known as Raghunathapu...

As part of this series of articles about the Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple, I have already written about the Raja gopuram and the mandapa with the wooden carvings at the entrance of the Kantimati shrine. In this article, the fourth part of the series, I cover the other mandapas near the temple entrance. Located at the western end of the historic Amman Sannadhi street and facing the Raja Gopuram of the Kantimati temple, we find the Anuppu Mandapam . The term "Anuppu" in Tamil means "to send". This mandapa consists of four rows with a total of twenty pillars, with each row containing five pillars. The inner pillars are notably more intricate in design. Above the corbels (potikas) on these inner pillars, there are seated lions providing support to the mandapa's roof. All the pillars are adorned with beautifully sculpted carvings. It is believed that this mandapa was constructed in the 1700s. Anuppu Mandapam The Anuppu Mandapam stands out from traditional man...

Koothanur is known for having the only Saraswati temple in Tamil Nadu, but Tirunelveli proudly claims to have two Saraswatis. One is located inside the Nellaiyappar temple, while the other is a separate and beautiful temple dedicated solely to Saraswati. The exterior of the temple resembles a 1900s residence, but inside, there is a spacious mandapa with a traditional madras roof supported by circular wooden pillars. The sanctum houses the seated Saraswati in the Padmasana posture, holding an aksha mala and kamandalu in her upper arms. Her lower right arm is in the abhaya mudra, while her left lower arm holds a palm-leaf manuscript. The sanctum is a stone structure with a salakara vimana, although the superstructure is not visible from inside the temple. The Saraswati shrine existed at this site even in the late 1800s, but the current structure and the icon of Saraswati were made in the Tamil Chitrai month (April) of the Subhakrtu year (corresponding to 1902 CE) by Swaminatha Iyer and R...

Chennai is home to several significant temples dedicated to Subramanya, and the Senkunda Kottam temple in Saidapet is one of them. Constructed in the early 1800s by the Senkunda Community, this expansive temple features a grand five-tiered gopuram facing the north. Right next to the entrance is a prominently large Senkunda Vinayaka shrine that warmly greets visitors. The presiding deity, Murugan, flanked by his consorts Valli and Devasena, is enshrined in the east-facing sanctum. Vishaka, Skanda and Jayanta, three different forms of Murugan, adorn the niches around the sanctum. (I have visited and recorded the temple ten years ago. There were different niche imagesfound here.) In its customary position, Chandikeshwarar, known as Sumitra Chandikeshwarar, can be found in a small shrine facing north. In the Maha mandapa, the bronze images of Shanmukha with his two consorts, Murugan with his two consorts, Uma Chandrashekhara, and Natarja-Sivakami are enshrined in separate shrines. The temp...

The Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple is a breathtaking sight, filled with beauty in every aspect. Every detail, from the nooks and corners to the intricate stonework, showcases exquisite artistry. The temple's grand entrance is marked by a stunning Raja Gopuram, serving as a captivating preview of the visual delights that await within the temple complex. As mentioned in previous articles, the Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple comprises two distinct temples, dedicated to Kantimati and Nellaiyappar. This particular article centers on the temple tower positioned at the main entrance of the Kantimati temple. Referred to as Ammai Gopuram, Amman Gopuram, or Kantimati Gopuram by the local community, this massive six-tiered Raja Gopuram faces the east direction. Opposite the tower lies the historically significant Amman Sannadhi Street, which was once an Agraharam. The impressive six-tiered tower of the temple showcases breathtaking stucco images depicting various deities, celestial...

Welcome to M D T Hindu College Higher Secondary School, the alma mater of Mahakavi Sri Subramania Bharatiar, one of the greatest poets and a freedom fighter. This historic institution has a rich and fascinating history that dates back to 1859, when it was founded as the Anglo Vernacular School by the Hindu Saiva Clan of Tirunelveli. Over the years, the school has undergone several transformations. In 1861, it was moved to its present location in Junction and renamed Hindu Kalasalai. In 1878, it was renamed Hindu College and later upgraded to a first-grade college in 1924, thanks to its exemplary service. During the Great Depression of 1929, the college faced a severe financial crisis. But in 1936, Diraviam Pillai, a philanthropist from Madurai, came to its aid with a generous donation of One Lakh rupees. In recognition of his contribution, the college was renamed "The Madurai Diraviyam Thayumanavar Hindu College," or simply M D T Hindu College. Today, the college has shifted ...

Chennai is home to numerous ancient temples, each of which has its unique history and cultural significance. Among these temples, the Shiva temple in Mylapore, where a peahen worshiped Lord Shiva, is quite famous. However, not many people know about another temple in Saidapet, which a crane worshiped. Located in Saidapet, the Vada Tirunaraiyur Shiva temple is believed to be the oldest temple in the area. However, there is not enough historical evidence to verify this claim. The temple is said to have a Shiva Linga that has been worshiped for centuries under a holy tree. Legend has it that a merchant named Sadhya built the temple in the 12th century, and the village was known as Sadhyapuri in ancient times. The temple's name, Vada Tirunaraiyur, comes from the Tamil word 'Narai,' which means crane. There is a famous temple near Chidambaram called Tirunaraiyur, where a Gandharva in the form of a crane performed regular poojas to Lord Shiva. As the Saidapet temple is located in...

Art lovers may not enter the Kantimati sameta Nellayaippar temple and stay at the entrance. The incredibly made intricate wooden carvings would not let them proceed further.  The claim to have visited Tirunelveli without seeing this temple is laughable. And the claim to have seen this temple without spending hours together appreciating the wooden carvings at the entrance is uproarious. How many temples in Tamil Nadu have hundreds of wooden sculptures and designs like this splendid temple? None! No other temple - literally! It is indeed unfortunate that the regular devotees and even the locals do not realize the significance of this unmatched wonder. Throughout this series, I plan to dedicate a minimum of four articles to exploring the wooden architecture of the Kantimati sameta Nellayaippar temple. This specific post will focus on the wooden carvings at the Kantimati temple entrance. Technically, the Kantimati sameta Nellaiyappar temple is a twin temple with two main entrances faci...