Indian Columbus

In my previous two articles, I highlighted Arugankulam as Tirunelveli's best-kept secret, a village adorned with temples all connected to the Ramayana. Among these, the Kaattu Ramar temple stands as a testament to the village's serene and scenic beauty. (Link of my other articles of Arugankulam - Jatayu Teertham  and Ettezhuthu Perumal ). Before the 1990s, reaching this temple involved wading through hip-height waters of the Tamraparani River, navigating a dense forest, and seeking the help of locals to summon the priest. Today, a motorable road leads directly to the temple, and while the forest has thinned, the area remains picturesque and secluded, frequented by a multitude of peacocks. This is why it's often referred to as "Kaattu Ramar" (Kaadu means forest in Tamil), or alternatively, Mela Ramar temple. The east-facing temple is architecturally divided into Garbhagriha, Ardha mandapa, Maha mandapa, and a Mukha mandapa. The majestic Rama stands with an ornately...

According to the legend of Ramayana, when Ravana abducted Sita and flew her away in his Pushpaka vimana, Jatayu, the Vulture King, bravely intervened. Despite a valiant fight, Ravana managed to sever Jatayu's wings and inflict severe injuries, causing it to fall to the ground. While searching for Sita, Rama and Lakshmana came across the wounded Jatayu in the forest. Touched by Jatayu's sacrifice, Rama performed its last rites and granted it Moksha, freeing its soul from the earthly realm. Though traditionally believed to have occurred on the banks of the river Godavari, local belief places this sacred event in the village of Arugankulam, near Tirunelveli, where a small temple now stands at the exact site of Jatayu's Moksha. Known as the Jatayu Moksham temple, this modest structure houses Lakshmi Narayana as the presiding deity. According to legend, Jatayu, before passing away, desired to have darshan of Rama and Sita. As Sita was still in captivity, Rama appeared to Jatayu ...

Arugan Kulam , a serene village nestled on the banks of the Tamraparani River, carries a name whose origins remain mysterious, particularly its connection to Arugan (Jainism). Despite this, the village boasts numerous Hindu temples, with one such hidden gem being the Ettezhuthu Perumal Temple , translating to the Lord with eight syllables. (According to local belief, the village is named Arungankulam because the land around the village tank is rich in Arugampul (scutch grass).) Notably, Arugan Kulam was the birthplace of Mayandi Siddhar in 1891, who received a divine vision of Lord Rama in his dreams. Rama instructed Siddhar to build a temple on the spot where he rested after performing the last rites for Jatayu. Thus, the Ettezhuthu Perumal Temple was erected, with Rama manifesting in the form of Vishnu. Despite the presiding deity being named Dharmapati , locals affectionately refer to the deity as Ettezhuthu Perumal, derived from the Ashtachara chant "Om Namo Narayanaya."...

Tirunelveli continues to unfold its mystical wonders, and while many are familiar with Kantimati, the lesser-known Kamakshi of Tirunelveli is equally intriguing. In essence, Kantimati is also recognized as Kamakshi, and the tales surrounding her are captivating. According to ancient legends, Uma Devi, playfully covering Lord Shiva's eyes, was guided to seek redemption in Tirunelveli. Renamed Kantimati, she performed 32 virtuous acts and underwent rigorous penance. Eventually, Lord Shiva (called Nellaiyappar in this region), united with her in holy matrimony. Every year, the 9th day of the Aippasi Tamil month commemorates this sacred event with a grand festival. A unique temple marks this occasion, where the metal image of Kantimati adorns a white saree, immersed in vibhooti (sacred ash) along the Kampa river. As Nellaiyappar embarks on a grand procession to the Katchi mandapa , Kantimati, eagerly observing her penance, joins him. This divine union is vividly portrayed in the Katchi...

St. Xavier's College in Palayamkottai, known for its esteemed reputation, has been a significant educational institution with notable alumni, including politicians, industrialists, and learned personalities. Before delving into the details of the college, it's essential to understand the background of St. Xavier himself. Saint Francis Xavier, born on April 7, 1506, in Xavier, Spain, was a pivotal figure in the early Jesuit order. Alongside Ignatius of Loyola, he was among the first seven Jesuits who took vows of poverty and chastity in 1534 in Montmartre, Paris. Representing the Portuguese empire, he played a crucial role in leading the initial Christian mission to Japan, leaving a lasting impact on evangelization across Asia, particularly in Portuguese India. Fr. Albert Lebeau, S.J., a man of tremendous energy and numerous social virtues, was born in Belgium. Collaborating with Fr. Causannel, S.J., Fr. Dhanasamy, S.J., and Fr. A. Gnanapragasam, S.J., he played a key role in th...

Tirunelveli boasts numerous expansive temples, with many remaining relatively unknown to the wider public. Among these hidden gems is the Palvanna Nathar temple situated in the Pettai locality. This vast temple is structured into garbha griha, ardha mandapa, maha mandapa, mani mandapa, and mukha mandapa. Despite the absence of a towering gopuram, it stands as one of the largest temples within Tirunelveli city, likely constructed in the 19th century CE. While the temple itself is sizable, the deities within are of diminutive stature. The sanctum, facing east, houses a small Shiva Linga named Palvanna Nathar. In the south-facing shrine, there is a petite image of the Goddess Oppanambikai. Encircling the main shrine, the prakara accommodates sub-shrines dedicated to Ganesha, Vishnu-Sri Devi-Bhoo Devi, and Subramanya-Valli-Devasena. A southern niche hosts Dakshinamurti, while Chandikeshwara occupies a small, south-facing sub-shrine in the northern prakara. Various deities, including Nalvar...

Tirunelveli Govt. Museum, nestled in Palayamkottai, may be compact, but it offers a captivating display of historical treasures. Notably, what makes this museum unique is its location—a transformed 1800s prison, now repurposed into the Tirunelveli Govt. Museum. Outside the museum building, the Sculpture Garden is a striking feature where various sculptures are arranged. Among them, ten hero stones share a fascinating history. Originating from the tumultuous events of 1547 at Ilavelangal near Tuticorin, these stones commemorate the valor of Tirunelveli Perumal Pandya, also known as Vettum Perumal, and the ten army generals who bravely faced Vaduga (Nayaka) soldiers led by Vithalaraya. The hero stones, bearing inscriptions and the names of these courageous soldiers, stand as a poignant testament to this historical episode. Read my article here to know more about this piece of history. Within the museum premises, sculptures spanning Shaiva sculptures from the 800s, Jaina sculptures from t...

The year 1544 marked a significant chapter in history as various forces, including Travancore kings, Tiruvadanai Pandyas, Bharatavas, and Jayatunga Devar (Setupathi) of Bogalur, united in rebellion against the Vijayanagara supremacy. Responding to this uprising, Vijayanagara king Sadasivarayan dispatched his cousin and general, Vithalaraya (Vengala Rajan), leading an army to quell the rebellion. Vithalaraya's military campaign unfolded in the south, beginning with the conquest and oppression of Tiruvadanai Padyas and Bharatavas in Tuticorin. Subsequently, the Travancore king suffered defeat, and Vithalaraya turned his attention to Kayathar to suppress the Pandyas.  In 1547, a tumultuous event unfolded at Ilavelangal, near Tuticorin, when Tirunelveli Perumal Pandya, also known as Vettum Perumal, faced an unexpected assault from Vaduga (Nayaka) soldiers led by Vithalaraya. However, the Vaduga army, led by Vithalaraya, faced a significant setback in the ensuing battle.  The confl...

Oomaithurai, also known as Kumarasamy Naiyakar, was a valiant Indian Poligar (Palaiyakkarar) hailing from Tamil Nadu, renowned for his role in resisting the British East India Company during the Polygar Wars. Notably, he was the younger sibling of the illustrious Veerapandiya Kattabomman. Actively engaging in the Polygar Wars, Oomaithurai faced capture and subsequent imprisonment in the Palayamkottai Central Prison during the initial conflict. His determined spirit prevailed, leading to a daring escape on 2 February 1801, after enduring over a year behind bars. Following his escape, he played a pivotal role in the reconstruction of the Panchalankurichi fort, which had been razed during the initial skirmish. Remarkably, the prison from the 1800s has been repurposed into the Tirunelveli Govt. Museum. Within its confines, the room that once held Oomaithurai captive for over a year is now adorned with a painting depicting his resilience. This space is aptly named Oomaithurai Kudam (Gallery...