Indian Columbus

I have been extensively documenting the Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple in Tirunelveli, covering its architecture, layout, iconography, deities, shrines, and other significant elements. In previous posts, I recorded the list of Shiva Lingas, Ammans, Subramanyas, Ganeshas, and Lakshmis in the temple. In this episode, I will focus on all the icons of Shiva's various forms, excluding the Shiva Linga form, found in this temple, using a unique documentation style. 1) Shiva manifested as water in the holy Pottramarai tank. 2) Dakshinamurti in Utkudi Asana in a separate shrine near Pottramarai. 3) Dakshinamurti with unique leg postures in a separate shrine outside the Nellaiyappar tower, accompanied by Subramanya. 4) Dakshinamurti in a separate shrine in the southern outer prakara of Nellaiyappar, featuring exceptionally good wooden panels. 5) Dakshinamurti near Vanni tree Shasta. 6) Dakshinamurti as Koshta deity in the inner prakara of Nellaiyappar. 7) Kankalamurti in a separate shr...

I have been extensively documenting the Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple in Tirunelveli, covering its architecture, layout, iconography, deities, shrines, and other significant elements. In this episode, I will focus on all the icons of Kartikeya (also known as Murugan, Skanda, Shanmukha, or Arumukha) found in this temple, using a unique documentation style. 1) A magnificent shrine like a separate temple with its own long Maha and Mukha mandapas with beautiful sculptures on the pillars. The shrine has a massive Shanmukha with six heads and twelve arms flanked by Valli and Devasena, seated on a peacock, famously called Arumukha Nayinar. 2) Nellai Murugan accompanied by his consorts in a separate shrine in the prakara of Nellaiyappar. Arunagirinathar has revered him in his Tiruppugazh. 3) Big shrine of four-armed Murugan with his consorts. A significant shrine which is overlooked nowadays. As it is located near Karumari teertha he is called Karumari Murugan 4) A large bronze icon...

I have been writing an extensive series on the Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple in Tirunelveli, delving into its architecture, layout, iconography, deities, shrines, and other significant elements. In this episode, I will document all the icons of Ganesha found in this temple, employing a unique documentation style. Interestingly, in this Shiva temple, there are more icons of Ganesha than of the Shiva Linga. 1) Mukkurini Vinayaka, a large stone image from the Chola period, near the southern Dwarapala in the Maha mandapa of Nellaiyappar. 2) Ten-armed Pottramarai Vinayaka with Siddhi on his lap near the Pottramarai tank, a very popular deity of this temple. 3) Polla Pillayar in a separate shrine in the prakara of Nellaiyappar, popular among pregnant women due to a local traditional belief. 4) A massive stone image of Ganesha facing the western tower. 5) A large stucco image of Ganesha atop the massive stone Ganesha facing the western tower. 6) Ganesha in a small sub-shrine at the ent...

I have been writing an extensive series on the Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple in Tirunelveli, exploring its architecture, layout, iconography, deities, shrines, and other significant elements. In this episode, I will document all the icons of Lakshmi found in this temple, employing a unique documentation style. It is not widely known that this temple houses a large number of Gaja Lakshmi panels. 1) Large icons of Ashta Lakshmis, with Gaja Lakshmi in the center, flanked by seven other forms of Lakshmi on both sides, located in the prakara of Nellaiyappar. In addition to these eight stone sculptures of Lakshmi, the rest are relief images found on lintels or other parts of the temple, as detailed below. 2) Gaja Lakshmi on the lintel of three shrines (no deities inside) in the Mukha mandapa of Kantimati. 3) Gaja Lakshmi on the lintel of the sub-shrines of Ganesha and Subramanya at the entrance of the Maha mandapa of Kantimati. 4) Gaja Lakshmi on the lintel of the empty sub-shrine nex...

I have been writing a series on the Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple in Tirunelveli, covering its architecture, layout, iconography, deities, shrines, and other significant aspects. In this episode, I will list all the icons of Amman - the consort of Shiva in various names   found in this temple, a documentation style I believe to be unique. 1) Kantimati - The Presiding Goddess of the temple 2) Manjanai Vadivambal or Bhandasuramardini - North facing prominent shrine near Pottramarai 3)  Eight-armed Mahisasuramardini in a separate shrine in Maha mandapa of Nellaiyappar 4) Amman in Soundara Sabha, which acts as a library nowadays. It is found adjacent to the Kantimati temple tower. 5) Amman near Ammaiyappa Ganapati 6) Annapoorani inside the shrine of Saraswati 7) Two metal icons of Sivakamis accompanying two Natarajas in the north prakara around Nellaiyappar 8) Sivakami in Sandana Sabhapati shrine 9) Sivakami (bronze icon) in Periya Sabhapati shrine 10) Meenakshi along ...

I have been writing a series on the Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple in Tirunelveli, covering its architecture, layout, iconography, deities, shrines, and other significant aspects. In this episode, I will list all the Shiva Lingas found in this temple, a documentation style I believe to be unique. 1) Nellaiyappar - The Presiding deity of the temple 2) Moola Maha Linga - The original deity of the temple, currently found in a separate shrine in northeastern part in the prakara around Nellaiyappar 3) Prithvi Linga - in a separate east-facing shrine in the prakara around Nellaiyappar 4) Shiva Linga in Soundara Sabha, which acts as a library nowadays. It is found adjacent to the Kantimati temple tower. 5) Shiva Linga inside Dharma Shasta sub-shrine 6) Vishwanatha on the banks of Pottramarai 7) Sundareswara on the banks of Pottramarai 8) Three Shiva Lingas, all named as Vishwanathar near Pottramarai Vinayaka shrine 9) Another set of three Shiva Lingas in a separate shrine, all named as ...

Sir Charles Trevelyan served as the Governor of Madras from 1859 to 1860 and as the Indian Finance Minister from 1862 to 1865. In 1859, Trevelyan proposed to the municipal commissioners of Madras the creation of a large park between the Esplanade and Vepery. An independent committee was formed to develop and manage the park, eventually handing it over to the Corporation. Named People's Park, it opened to the public in 1863. Due to Trevelyan's significant contributions, the park was briefly known as Trevelyan Park. The park's decline began with the allocation of space for swimming pools, gyms, tennis courts, and other facilities. Over time, several structures like Moore Market (1906), Ripon Building (1913), and Victoria Hall were built within the park.  The Trevelyan Fountain, currently located on the grounds of Victoria Hall, was erected to commemorate Trevelyan's contributions to People's Park and the improvement of the city's drinking water supply. It was erec...

This is the sixth article in my series on the Kanheri Caves. In the first installment, I provided an overview of these caves, and in the second article, I covered Cave No. 1. Adjacent to Cave No. 1 on the north side is Cave No. 2. Unlike the first cave, this one is a significant west-facing excavation consisting of a vihara and three stupas. The three stupas are housed in separate chambers distinct from the vihara, making them appear as detached chaityas. I covered the first stupa of this cave in my third article. The fourth episode provided details about the second stupa and the sculptures on the left wall of the third stupa. The fifth episode discussed the sculptures on the right wall of the third stupa. In this article, I will continue with the remaining parts of the third stupa of Cave No. 2. (For the benefit of beginners: a stupa is a mound-like or hemispherical structure containing relics, typically the remains of Buddhist monks, used as a place of meditation. A chaitya is a plac...

At the Top Station View Point in Munnar, you might feel as though you are among the clouds, and you're not mistaken. This viewpoint sits high above everything, offering a heavenly experience for campers, hikers, and even casual tourists. On a clear day, you can enjoy a bird's-eye view of the valley and take in the stunning beauty of Munnar. The journey to Top Station is lined with amazing tea plantations, gorgeous waterfalls, and winding mountain roads, making it a must-visit spot in Munnar. Top Station is historically significant as the highest railway station in the valley. It was the uppermost station of the Kottagudi Aerial Ropeway, used by traders to transport tea from the Kannan Devan Hill Tea Plantation 5 km downhill to Kurangani in Tamil Nadu. From there, the tea was distributed throughout the country and even exported to England. Additionally, Top Station served as the terminal railway station for the Kundala Valley Railway, built in 1902. However, a devastating flood ...