Indian Columbus

Located on Courtallam Road, the Western Block branch of Schaffter Higher Secondary School in Tirunelveli holds a significant place in the school's rich history. Originally known as Church Mission College when it was founded in 1880, this humble yet elegant structure has undergone a fascinating transformation from a college to a branch of a renowned school. Schaffter Higher Secondary School is renowned as one of the oldest educational institutions in Tirunelveli, and its name pays tribute to an exceptional individual, Rev. Schaffter. Born into a family with a long-standing commitment to education in the Tirunelveli district, Rev. Henry James Schaffter's roots can be traced back to Nallur village near Alankulam. After completing his education in Ireland and earning an M.A. degree, Rev. Schaffter returned to Tirunelveli in 1871. From 1876 to 1880, he served as a faculty member at C.M.S. English School on Courtallam Road, which coincidentally is the present site of the Western Bloc...

In the bustling city of Chennai, where modern life revolves around the popular OMRs and ECRs, there lies a lesser-known locality that remains hidden from the public eye—Original Madras, encompassing George Town and Park Town. Today, it is a place unfamiliar even to the locals. However, nestled within this unassuming neighborhood is a historic institution that played a pivotal role in shaping the sporting landscape of the city—the Madras United Club. The story of the Madras United Club begins with Buchi Babu Naidu, the revered pioneer of Indian cricket and widely regarded as the Father of Madras Cricket. Recognizing the absence of organized clubs to foster teams and facilitate competitive matches, Naidu rallied young individuals from affluent Madras families and emphasized the need for a dedicated club. Taking matters into his own hands, he secured a site on the Esplanade and personally funded the leveling of the ground, transforming it into an ideal cricket venue. This momentous occasi...

It is a serene and sacred atmosphere that surrounds the place known as Pottramarai Kulam. The mere mention of this name evokes memories of the renowned Pottramarai Pond in the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple in Madurai, along with the legendary Tiruvilaiyadal tale associated with it. However, Tirunelveli is also home to an equally stunning Pottramarai pond, albeit smaller in size. This captivating pond is situated in the southeastern part of the Kantimati Temple and holds great significance. It is believed that Lord Shiva himself has manifested in the form of water, and witnessing this divine body of water is akin to receiving the darshan (sacred sight) of Shiva. According to legend, Brahma once forgot his duty of creation and sought penance for ten thousand years on the banks of this sacred pond. Finally, Shiva appeared before him in the guise of a golden swan and imparted knowledge about the process of creation. After this celestial encounter, Shiva gracefully disappeared, merging onc...

 While exploring the enchanting city of Tirunelveli, there is one landmark that demands your attention—the Tirunelveli Town Arch. This iconic structure holds a revered place in the hearts of the city's residents, symbolizing their pride and preserving the echoes of a vibrant historical heritage. It is an unmissable sight that every resident can effortlessly guide you to, as it stands proudly as a gateway through which countless vehicles pass. On May 6, 1935, the Tirunelveli Town Arch was erected to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of British King George and Queen Mary, immortalizing Tirunelveli's illustrious past. During British rule, the esteemed DD Warren, District Collector of Tirunelveli, laid the foundation for this remarkable structure, further enhancing its historical significance. Notably, Medai Thalavai Ranganatha Mudaliyar served as the Chairman of Tirunelveli Municipality during its construction. The arch was strategically placed at the border of the then Tirunelveli T...

Elliot's Beach, also known as Besant Nagar Beach, is a natural urban beach situated in the affluent Besant Nagar neighborhood of Chennai. Its name pays tribute to Edward Elliot, a prominent figure during Colonial India who held the positions of Chief Magistrate and Superintendent of Police in the Madras Presidency. During the colonial era, Elliot's Beach was primarily accessible to white people. However, in present times, it has evolved into a significant cultural landmark in Chennai, drawing in thousands of visitors each day. A notable highlight of the beach is the KAJ Schmidt Memorial. KAJ Schmidt, a brave Dutch sailor, found himself on the beach one day and witnessed an English girl venturing into the water. When she encountered difficulties, Schmidt fearlessly came to her rescue, sacrificing his own life in the process. Surprisingly, the English girl, whom Schmidt had saved, carried on with her life as if nothing had transpired, attending a party the very next evening. In r...

Lord Shiva boasts thousands of temples dedicated to him, and his consort also has numerous well-known temples. Even his sons, Ganesha and Subramanya, have their own revered temples. It's not surprising that his vahana, Nandi, has a few temples as well. However, it might be hard to fathom the idea of a temple dedicated to a Bhuta Gana. Yet, in Tirunelveli, such a temple exists. Sangili Bhootattar, revered as the Leader of Bhuta Ganas, is the presiding deity of a modest temple that is technically a part of the Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar temple. He serves as the guardian deity of the Nellaiyappar temple. Beyond that, Sangili Bhootattar is also revered as the guardian deity in many other temples devoted to Shiva and other deities in the Tirunelveli region. Numerous village temples honor this deity. Per the legend, numerous auspicious entities manifested from the ocean during the churning of the milky ocean by the Asuras and Devas in search of nectar. Among them were the Bhuta Ganas,...

The Upper Clapton School, situated on the same street as the magnificent Nellaiyappar temple in Tirunelveli, holds a prominent place in the local community as one of the oldest schools. However, only some individuals have shown interest in uncovering the fascinating historical details surrounding its origins, despite its 160-year history. The unique name of the school has also failed to pique curiosity among the townspeople. Originating from the Clapton district in London, United Kingdom, divided into Upper Clapton and Lower Clapton, Ann Sutton, a Christian missionary residing in Upper Clapton, played a crucial role in establishing a school in Tirunelveli. The school was named after the Upper Clapton Society, formed by the wives of pastors. Emily Lewis took charge of the school, which commenced its operations in 1863, with a primary objective of educating girls from the Devadasi families. The school's location near Aram Valarththa Pura Mada Street, a locality with a significant Dev...

Situated south of Mahabalipuram and Chennai, Sadras thrived as a bustling port renowned for its international trade in Muslin cloth, pearls, and edible oils. From the 10th to the 16th century, Sadras flourished as a prosperous settlement for weavers. Later, the Dutch assumed control of the area, establishing a factory in 1648 CE. This development elevated Sadras' significance, prompting the construction of a fortified structure. Over time, it underwent several name changes, transitioning from Rajanarayanan Pattinam and Sadiravasagan Pattinam to Sadurangapattinam and eventually settling on Sadras. The Sadras Fort, now in ruins, is a rectangular structure oriented in an East-West direction. It features triangular bastions at each corner, although one of them is currently missing. Constructed using brick, the fort's perimeter is marked by its walls, which contain large battlements for mounting cannons. However, the southeast corner bastion is absent, with a circular structure stan...

In the previous seven sections of this series, I have provided an overview of various aspects of the Kantimati temple in Tirunelveli, including the Raja Gopuram, sanctum, front side mandapas, Mukha mandapam, and inner prakara. Now, in this eighth part, our attention will turn toward the outer prakara of the temple. It is not widely known among visitors that there exists an outer prakara, which is a circumambulatory path encircling the sanctum of Kantimati. Even the local residents seldom venture into this area, and recently, access to the southern prakara has been restricted. Within the southern section of the outer prakara, one can find the sub-shrines of Ganesha and a stunning mural painting depicting Kantimati. Moving toward the western side, there is a sacred tank known as Karumari Teertham. According to legend, a Pandya King engaged in a deep meditation once neglected a sage. Feeling disrespected, the sage cursed the king to transform into an elephant. However, after bathing in th...

In 1986, a significant milestone was achieved in the textile industry when Pothys opened its showroom in Tirunelveli. Prior to Pothys' entry into the market, Tirunelveli's silk saree segment was dominated by RmKV. However, Pothys shattered this monopoly and ushered in a new era of choice and variety for discerning shoppers in the region. Established in 1923 by the visionary K. V. Pothy Moopanar in Srivilliputhur, Pothys has grown to become synonymous with exquisite silk sarees and fine fabrics. What began as a humble venture, selling cotton sarees and dhotis woven on Moopanar's loom has transformed into a prestigious name in the textile industry. The expansion of Pothys into Tirunelveli marked a crucial turning point in their journey. With their entry into the city, Pothys disrupted the market and introduced a wide range of choices and variety, providing customers with an unparalleled shopping experience. This move not only broke the existing monopoly but also brought a fre...

Every week, as Friday dawns, a lively transformation takes place along the Old Trunk Road, running parallel to the arterial G.S.T. Road in Chennai. The scene is vibrant chaos as hundreds of vendors gather to claim their spots and lay out their wares at the iconic Pallavaram Sandhai. It starts near the Pallavaram railway station and extends to Trisulam railway station. With an illustrious history of over 150 years, this age-old Sandhai, or weekly market, has become synonymous with variety and abundance. Renowned for its ability to offer "everything under the Sun," it has cemented its place as a must-visit shopping destination for both local residents and small-scale vendors from far and wide. The origins of Pallavaram Sandhai are steeped in mystery and conjecture, shrouding its exact inception in intrigue. Nevertheless, the market's rich heritage has become an integral part of Chennai's cultural fabric, drawing in visitors with its vibrant atmosphere and diverse produc...

In the preceding six parts of this series, I provided an overview of the Raja Gopuram, the sanctum, the front side mandapas, and the Mukha mandapam of the Kantimati temple in Tirunelveli. Now, in this seventh installment, I will shift our attention to the inner prakara of Kantimati, the temple's main deity. Within the southern circumambulatory path (prakara), nine small circular structures called peethams are seen. Seven of these peethams are aligned in a single row, facing northward. They represent the Sapta Matas, Ganeshas, and Veera Bhadra. Similar peethams can be found in numerous temples in Tirunelveli. These peethams were believed to be added in the 1700s when Tirunelveli was under the rule of Kerala kings. At the kanni moola (the southwest corner), stands the Kanni Moola Ganapati shrine. The entrance of this shrine features two additional icons of Ganeshas. On the northwest corner, there is a splendid shrine dedicated to Murugan, with his consorts Valli and Devasena by his s...

Tucked away in the cultural heartland of Tirunelveli lies RmKV, a renowned textile brand that has become synonymous with silk sarees for over a century. Founded in 1924 by Sri Rm.K. Visvanatha Pillai, RmKV has evolved from a small saree shop to a multi-city retail empire, captivating the hearts of saree enthusiasts across South India. With its rich heritage, impeccable craftsmanship, and trendsetting designs, RmKV continues to be a beacon of elegance in the world of traditional Indian textiles. RmKV traces its roots to the humble beginnings of a small business on West Car Street in Tirunelveli town. Sri Rm.K. Visvanatha Pillai, in honor of his father Rm. Kumaraswami Pillai founded Rm Kumaraswamy Pillai and Co., which eventually transformed into RmKV. Also, it shifted to its current location on North Car Street. In 1999-2000, the brand received national recognition when it was awarded the Excellence in Silk Saree Weaving award, a testament to its commitment to quality and craftsmanship....

In the Veteran Lines of Pallavaram locality of Madras, there was once a strong presence of Anglo Indians. A more detailed account of the Anglo-Indian community and this particular area can be found in another article titled "The Anglo Indians of Chennai" on my blog. Today, only a few Anglo Indians, mainly elderly citizens, reside in Veteran Lines. An exquisite church named St. Stephen's English Church graces this locality. The church was constructed between 1929 CE and 1935 CE, and the Rt. Rev. Harry Waller consecrated it on July 21, 1935 CE. Subsequently, a school was established within the same premises. A more detailed account of this church can be found in another article on my blog.  Within a kilometer's distance from this beautiful church lies a meticulously maintained cemetery featuring an attractive arch at its entrance. This cemetery, soon to be a century old, is regarded as one of Chennai's most picturesque burial grounds. This eighty-year-old church an...