Indian Columbus

The Nellayaippar temple in Tirunelveli beckons art lovers, but they are only allowed to remain at the entrance. The reason behind this restriction is the awe-inspiring and exquisitely crafted wooden carvings that captivate them, leaving no desire to proceed further inside. To claim that one has visited Tirunelveli without setting eyes on this temple would be a laughable assertion. Equally humorous would be the assertion of having seen the temple without dedicating ample time to appreciate the intricate wooden carvings at the entrance. Among the myriad temples in Tamil Nadu, none can rival the splendor of this particular temple, with its abundant display of hundreds of splendid wooden sculptures and designs. In fact, no other temple in the entire region can boast such a magnificent feat of artistry. Regrettably, the significance of this unparalleled wonder seems lost on both regular devotees and even the locals. It is indeed unfortunate that such a marvel goes unnoticed and unappreciate...

 "Get Well" Anjaneya is an intriguing temple with a perplexing name. The temple was built within the complex of Get Well Hospital, established in Tirunelveli Junction during the 1990s. Although the hospital ceased functioning, the temple persevered and became a famous city landmark. This modern-day temple is well-maintained and faces west, with Anjaneya as the presiding deity. Unlike the usual depiction of Anjaneya with folded hands (Anjali mudra), he is portrayed holding his mace in his left hand while his right hand is posed in the abhaya mudra. Within the same sanctum, one can also find the rare sight of Maha Ganapati. The bronze image of Anjaneya in the temple shows him with four arms. He holds a discus and conch in his upper arms while his lower arms are in the abhaya mudra and holding a mace. This unique pose adds to the temple's distinctiveness. Apart from Anjaneya, the temple houses beautiful bronze images of Rama, along with Sita, Lakshmana and Hanuman. Additiona...

I have been diligently crafting a series about the colossal and ancient temple of Tirunelveli - the Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar temple. In the previous 13 installments, I thoroughly explored the Kantimati temple. Moving forward, I will now delve into the grander section, the Nellaiyappar temple. Before we venture into the majestic Raja gopuram and the temple's interior, allow me to share some insights about the mandapas and shrines located beyond the main temple complex. Situated at the western end of Swami Sannadhi street and facing the Raja Gopuram of the Nellaiyappar temple, we encounter the Anuppu Mandapam. "Anuppu" in Tamil translates to "to send". This mandapa surpasses the size of the Anuppu mandapam at Kantimati, which I've previously covered. Adorned with exquisitely sculpted carvings, its pillars are a sight to behold. Historians believe that this mandapa was constructed in the 1700s. Regrettably, the true beauty of this structure remains somewha...

Kali, incarnated with the purpose of vanquishing the Asuras, found her fury unabated even after defeating many of them. Concerned that her unchecked anger could pose a threat to the world, Shiva performed the Urdhava tandava to pacify her. Consequently, he settled Kali in Chidambaram, where she came to be known as `Thillaik Kali.' As a gesture of her representation in the Southern region, Kali sent two sisters who had aided her during the battle. These two sisters arrived at Tirunelveli, situated along the sacred banks of the Tamraparani River. Taking shelter under a neem tree, they tirelessly served the people, curing their ailments and alleviating their hunger. Those afflicted with sun-induced measles found relief by gazing at the sisters, who would offer them a neem solution to heal their maladies. Even to this day, both sisters are venerated in the locality of Tirunelveli Junction. Their modest temple can be found on Kannamman Kovil Street. The elder sister is known as Kannamma...

Noombal, a relatively lesser-known locality, may not be familiar even to the residents of Chennai. It has transformed from a residential area into a hub of factories and warehouses. Amidst this industrial setting stands a small yet ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, known as Agasteeswara. According to legend, the sage Agastya installed 108 Shiva Lingas in the Tondai region, all bearing the name Agasteeswara. The temple at Noombal is one of these sacred Lingas. Lord Shiva is enshrined on a square base (aavudai) facing the east, while the sanctum itself follows the apsidal (Gajaprshtha) architectural style.  The temple's origin likely dates back to the Pallava era, but the Cholas later converted it into a stone temple. Over time, various additions have been made to the temple, except for the Gajaprshtha vimana and the main deity, which remain unchanged. Interestingly, the apsidal base rests on a rectangular platform (upapeetham), a rare feature in Tamil Nadu temples. Within the ...

In my previous twelve articles, I extensively explored various aspects of the Kantimati temple in Tirunelveli. Now, in this thirteenth installment of the series, I would like to focus on a picturesque spot within the temple known as Vasanta Mandapam. This delightful location exudes a refreshing ambiance with its breezy atmosphere and spacious surroundings. Adjacent to the Sangili Mandapam, which I mentioned in one of my previous posts, lies the entrance to Vasanta Mandapam on the eastern side. This expansive open area was originally a flourishing flower garden. It was conceptualized and constructed by Venkata Krishna Mudaliar in 1756 CE, who also designed the one hundred pillared Vasanta Mandapam. Vasanta Mandapam, commonly found in temples built during the Vijayanagara and Post-Vijayanagara periods, is a pavilion specifically built for conducting ceremonies during the vasanta ṛutu, or the spring season. This particular mandapam features a raised platform at its center, surrounded by a...

We all know about the famous Meenakshi and Chokkanatha of Madurai. Do you know or heard about Meenakshi and Chokkanatha of Tirunelveli? Here is one in Mela Veeraraghavapuram of Junction locality. The temple is an ancient structure that has undergone renovations. It faces east and lacks a gopuram, but the outer walls of the sanctum clearly indicate its antiquity. The superstructure, however, has been recently built following the original design. Inside the sanctum, there is a large Shiva Linga known as Chokkanatha. Meenakshi is enshrined in a shrine facing south. In the Ardha Mandapa, there are two Nandis, one facing the shrine of Chokkanatha and another facing Meenakshi. Additionally, a more prominent Nandi in the Maha Mandapa faces the sanctum. The icons of Ganesha and Subramanya-Valli-Devasena are in the Ardha Mandapa. Other deities present in the outer prakara include Kannimoola Ganapati, Subramanya-Valli-Devasena, Iyappa, Bhairava, Shaneeswara, and the Navagrahas. In a departure fr...

Sembian Mahadevi, a revered figure from the Chola dynasty, dedicated herself to the construction and renovation of numerous temples over a span of sixty years. She generously bestowed magnificent gifts, including bronzes and jewelry, upon many temples, making her one of the most esteemed contributors to the Chola empire. Surprisingly, the ancient temple in Chennai that bears her name remains relatively unknown. Located in Korattur, the temple is presently known as Jambukeshwarar. It is believed to have been built in the 10th century CE, possibly by Rajaraja Chola I, and displays an apsidal (Gajaprshtha) architectural style. The temple walls feature two inscriptions attributed to Rajaraja Chola I. Korattur was originally called Parantaka Chaturvedi Mangalam, also known as Kurattur, and it formed part of Puzhal Kottam, which was itself a part of Ambattur Nadu. The deity worshipped in this temple was known as Sembian Maadevi Pothalvar, and the temple itself was called Sembian Maadevi Ishw...

In my previous 11 articles, I extensively covered different aspects of the Kantimati temple in Tirunelveli. Now, in this 12th installment of the series, I would like to introduce you to a Goddess who captivates more devotees than even the presiding deity, Kantimati herself. She is known as Manjanai Vadivambal, a fierce manifestation of the Goddess. Interestingly, many locals of Tirunelveli are unaware that Manjanai Vadivambal is actually another name for Bhandasuramardini. While most people are familiar with Durga in her form as Mahisasuramardini, where she eliminates the buffalo-headed demon Mahisa, only a few are acquainted with Bhandasuramardini. It is a rare occurrence to witness the supreme Goddess appearing as the vanquisher of this malevolent force known as Bhandasura. The shrine of Bhandasuramardini, or Manjanai Vadivambal, is situated near the Pottramarai Ganesha's shrine on the banks of the Pottramarai pond. Facing towards the south, the Goddess is depicted with eight arm...

Tirunelveli, much like other towns in Tamil Nadu, boasts numerous statues. However, one statue in particular has emerged as a prominent landmark—the statue of Anna Durai. Positioned in front of the Municipality (now Corporation) office, this statue portrays the former Chief Minister engrossed in reading a book. Three lotus-like designs adorn the space in front of him, while a captivating arch stands further ahead. In the past, there used to be a pathway that extended up to the middle of the road. Unfortunately, this configuration resulted in several road accidents. During my time as a student at the neighboring Schaffter School, I personally witnessed a few instances where school children were struck by heavy vehicles while crossing this area. Consequently, the pathway has since been removed. Happy travelling.

Chennai is home to two exquisitely maintained temples of Vishnu that remain undiscovered by its citizens. Nestled in Korattur, these twin temples, known locally as the Korattur Perumal Temple, are dedicated to Lakshmi Narayana and Adi Keshava Perumal. Originally named Swasapuri, the village of Korattur witnessed the construction of the Lakshmi Narayana Temple in 1340 CE by Rajanarayana Sambuvarayar, the ruler of Chandragiri. This east-facing shrine features Narayana, the four-armed deity, seated with his right leg hanging down and his left leg folded. With his upper arms holding the discus and conch, his lower right arm is in the Varada mudra, while his lower left arm cradles his consort, Sugandha Lakshmi. She is seated on his left thigh, her hands folded in Anjali mudra, facing the devotees instead of her Lord. Notably, Vishnu's conch (chakra) tilts slightly to the left, among other rare features of this icon. Curiously, during British rule in 1862, the Brahmins of the village rep...

In the preceding sections of this series, I have presented an overview of different aspects of the Kantimati temple in Tirunelveli. Now, in this eleventh installment, I will provide a comprehensive account of the Sangili Mandapam. The term "Sangili" in Tamil means chain. Just like a chain that connects two parts, the Sangili mandapa serves as a link between two distinct temples, namely the Kantimati temple and the Nellaiyappar temple. As a result, these temples have merged into one, known as the Kantimati sameta Nellaiyappar temple. Sangili Mandapam was constructed in 1647 CE by Vadamalaiyappa Pillai, who served as the Viceroy of Tirunelveli under the Madurai Nayakas. He was a devout follower of Lord Subramanya and made significant contributions to the Tiruchendur Murugan temple and several other Murugan shrines in Tirunelveli. Picture Courtesy - Mr. Suresh Priyan This extensive mandapam stretches from the south to the north, connecting the Kantimati temple in the south with ...