Indian Columbus

Tirunelveli, a city adorned with ancient temples and rich in spiritual heritage, never fails to reveal hidden wonders. Nestled near Tirunelveli is the village of Manur, home to an ancient Shiva temple named Ambalavana Swami. While the 9th-century Pandya period temple itself is famous for its Nataraja, it is the seven-foot-high black stone pillar in front of it, known locally as "Tiruvadi Pottri," that holds a captivating tale. This pillar, unlike the conventional deepa stambhas found in temples, boasts a distinctive name, shape, and a history enveloped in legend. Local lore suggests that this sacred pillar was brought from Mecca by a Pandya king, endowing it with mystical significance and extraordinary powers. A detailed account of this enigmatic pillar is found in the Madras District Gazetteers: Tinnevelly, Vol. I, authored by H. R. Pate in 1917. The book narrates the prevailing local beliefs of that era, capturing the essence of the mysterious Tiruvadi Potri. The below para...

The foundation of democracy and electoral practices in Tamilagam dates back more than a millennium, with the Uthiramerur inscriptions , originating around 920 CE during the Parantaka Chola reign, serving as a significant historical testament. These inscriptions, effectively constituting the village assembly, provide valuable insights into the organization of wards, the qualifications expected of election candidates, the establishment and roles of committees, and the authority to address wrongdoing. While the Uthiramerur inscriptions are widely recognized, Tamil Nadu's democratic legacy extends even further, evidenced by an ancient elected judiciary detailed in an inscription found at the Ambalavana Swami temple in Manur near Tirunelveli . Governed by specific regulations, this judiciary mandated judges to uphold impeccable character, pass rigorous legal examinations, and rely exclusively on written evidence. The inscription, shedding light on justice administration in the 9th cen...

Amidst the nationwide anticipation for the grand consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, I find myself reminiscing about my visit to this sacred city back in 2004. Having been a resident of Delhi for two years, my exploration of the surrounding areas had been extensive, yet Ayodhya remained untouched. It was my mother's fervent desire to visit the holy site of Ram Janma Bhoomi that led to the booking of train tickets from Delhi to the then Faizabad railway station (now Ayodhya Cant). The train journey from Delhi to Faizabad turned out to be quite an adventure. Despite being in a reserved compartment, chaos reigned, with passengers occupying every available space. In this crowded setting, my mother and I seemed like the only outsiders. To add to the peculiarity, some village women were smoking inside the train, turning our journey into a unique cultural experience. Upon reaching Ayodhya, we found accommodation at the Birla Dharmasala, seemingly the only option at that time. The v...

Suthamalli , a remarkable village, unfolds its wonders with hills, a stunning river, lush fields, vibrant gardens, the melody of chirping birds, serene temples, and a captivating dam. This hidden gem in Tirunelveli holds the charm of an undiscovered paradise. Nestled amidst verdant pasture fields on the outskirts of Suthamalli village, the river adds to the tranquility of the rural surroundings. Bathing in its gentle waters is a delightful experience, and the river gracefully separates into the paddy canal. A small hill emerges in the midst of the river, crowned by a charming temple. From its summit, a breathtaking view of the valley and the river unfolds. For those seeking respite from the summer sun, a refreshing bath awaits at the Suthamalli Anaicut (dam) area. In close proximity to the dam stands a petite yet venerable temple dedicated to Shasta, known as Vanneeswara Shasta , with the divine presence of Poorna and Pushkala by his side. Regrettably, the heart of the village holds a...

Why does this hidden gem of Tamil Nadu, nestled around the Tirunelveli/Tiruchendur regions, remain undiscovered? Why do people persist in revisiting sites extensively documented in countless texts? The village of Pazhavoor, tucked away in the embrace of water bodies, fields, gardens, and hills, unveils itself as a haven. True to its name (Pazhavoor, meaning an ancient site), it stands untouched by modern technology, preserving its age-old charm. Pazhavoor is indeed Tirunelveli's best-kept secret. Within this village lie three temples from the Pandya era. The first temple houses Dharma Shasta, accompanied by Poorna and Pushkala. The exquisite iconography suggests a Pandya-era origin. Tirumeni Azhagar, the charming deity with a beautiful physique, captures our attention, making it hard to look away. The icon is ancient but the temple is a modern-day temple. It also hosts other deities such as Ganesha, Karuppu Swami, Madan, and Peichi, recent additions to the sacred space. Adjacent to...

How captivating is the Tamraparani River! Its unparalleled beauty unfolds at this exquisite location, where the surrounding village has maintained its authenticity since the 12th century, radiating fertility and tranquility. The spiritual riverbank, adorned with temples, stirs a profound sense of spirituality within. The yearning to forsake worldly affairs and embrace a life of spiritual solitude deepens, creating an irresistible allure to immerse oneself in the sacred waters of Tamraparani and offer prayers to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. To my surprise, I'm not alone in this spiritual awakening experienced upon visiting the village. Numerous others share this sentiment, each carrying a unique story. Join me in unraveling the tales of these enlightened individuals and exploring the captivating temples nestled on the banks of the majestic Tamraparani in the beautiful village of Kodaganallur. What enhances the profound sense of spirituality in this place? Is it the swift and beautifu...

What a captivating river! Tamraparani unveils its unmatched beauty at this exquisite location. The surrounding village, preserving its authenticity since the 12th century, emanates fertility and tranquility. The spiritual riverbank, adorned with temples, stirs a deep sense of spirituality within me. The longing to renounce worldly affairs and embrace a life of spiritual solitude grows stronger. The allure of immersing oneself in the sacred waters of Tamraparani and offering prayers to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva becomes irresistible. Having previously explored two Shiva temples, Sringeri Ashram, and some notable individuals in the picturesque village of Kodaganallur , this article delves into the details of the ancient Vishnu temple known as Periya Piran or Brihan Madhava . A Mahabharata tale involves Nala, the king in disguise during exile. While saving Karkotaka , the serpent, from a forest fire, Nala gets bitten. Karkotaka, plagued by sins for ingratitude, seeks redemption and knowle...

What an enchanting river! Tamraparani showcases its unparalleled beauty at this exquisite location. The surrounding village, maintaining its authenticity from the 12th century, exudes fertility and tranquility. The spiritual riverbank adorned with temples evokes a profound sense of spirituality within me. The desire to renounce worldly affairs and embrace a life of spiritual solitude intensifies. To immerse oneself in the sacred waters of Tamraparani and offer prayers to Lord Shiva becomes an alluring aspiration. Surprisingly, I'm not alone in experiencing this spiritual awakening upon visiting the village. Many others share this sentiment, each with a unique story to tell. Join me in unraveling the tales of these enlightened individuals and discovering the captivating Abimukteswara temple , nestled on the banks of the majestic Tamraparani, in this beautiful village called Kodaganallur .  What contributes to the profound sense of spirituality in this place? Is it the swift and beau...

Romasa Maharishi, the grandson of Lord Brahma and disciple of Sage Agastya, carried out a sacred task upon his Guru's guidance. He placed nine flowers into the Tamraparni River, installing Shiva Lingas at the spots where the flowers landed. These nine temples, collectively known as Nava Kailasham, hold a significant place in Tirunelveli and Tiruchendur zones. This article focuses on Kodaganallur, the third Nava Kailasham temple, associated with the planet Chevvai (Angaraka/Mangal/Mars). Named Karkotaga Nallur initially, the site gained its current name, Kodaganallur, as the serpent Karkotaga attained redemption by worshipping Lord Vishnu here. This modest temple, believed to date back to the later Pandya era with 12th-century origins, underwent renovations by subsequent kings. The east-facing sanctum houses the Shiva Linga named Kailasanathar, guarded by Ganesha and Subramanya-Valli-Devasena on either side of the entrance. A separate south-facing shrine enshrines the graceful image...