Indian Columbus

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 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...

St. Xavier's Cathedral in Palayamkottai stands as a prominent Catholic landmark, renowned for its elegant architecture. The cathedral underwent extensive renovations, with a staggering cost of approximately Rs. 16 crores, culminating in its consecration in September 2023. The accompanying photographs capture moments during the construction phase, providing a glimpse into the cathedral's transformation. The roots of this revered site trace back to 1644 when a south-facing chapel devoted to Blessed Holy Mother Mary was initially erected. Over the years, the chapel experienced expansions, especially after the visitation of a growing number of devotees. The transformative journey continued with Jesuit priest Rev. Fr. Louis Verdier SJ, who further expanded the chapel in 1863, dedicating it to St. Francis Xavier. Subsequently, in 1959, Rev. Fr. V.X. Arulanandam expanded the structure into an east-facing church adorned with 12 pillars, marking its consecration on January 25, 1959. The...

While Tirunelveli takes pride in the colossal twin temple of Kantimati and Nellaiyappar, its twin town, Palayankottai, also has a significant source of pride—the Gomati Sameta Tirupuranteeswarar temple. This temple, worthy of boasting, can technically be considered as three temples. Gomati and Tirupuranteeswara each have their dedicated shrines in two temples, while their child Skanda is housed in the central temple, creating an architecturally intriguing Somaskanda form. Let's explore the intricate details of this immensely beautiful and expansive temple. Tripuranteeswarar The east-facing simple Raja gopuram entrance leads us to the temple of Tripuranteeswarar. In the sanctum facing east, Tripuranteeswarar manifests as a large Shiva Linga. An intriguing legend surrounds this Linga—it is believed to have been transported from Varanasi by the mighty Hanuman. According to the tale, a Pandya King, cursed by a sage, sought solace under the guidance of Rishi Gautama. At the sage's r...

Exploring the vibrant city of Mysore sparks memories of various facets, with the grand Dusshera festival standing out prominently. Yet, delve a bit deeper into  Dusshera  celebrations, and Kulasekharapattinam emerges as a significant association. Following this thread of festivity, Palayankottai takes center stage as the city that magnificently hosts  Dusshera  after Mysuru and Kulasekharapattinam. At the heart of these celebrations lies the Ayiraththamman temple. Ayiraththamman, where 'Ayiram' signifies one thousand in Tamil, carries a captivating legend. In the Samadanapuram locality, Pattalaththu Thidal, a vast ground known for its connection to the army, holds a tale of fervent worship. The name "Pattalaththu Thidal" stems from the presence of soldiers, and a humble temple within, where the locals sought solace from the menace of a small fox that plagued Palayankottai. In an unexpected turn, an English officer, infuriated by the soldiers' inability to attend d...

Tirunelveli boasts the magnificent Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar temple, a true source of pride for Nellai. But does Palayankottai, the sister town of Tirunelveli, have something equally captivating to offer? Indeed, it does. The Azhagiya Mannaar Rajagopala Swami temple is a sight to behold, and words alone cannot capture the sheer beauty of this exquisite temple. If it had been constructed centuries ago, there is no doubt that the revered Alwars would have celebrated this temple with their divine hymns. This temple is a vibrant, awe-inspiring, colossal, historically rich, and culturally significant marvel in the Nellai region.  Apsaras, renowned for their enchanting beauty, grace the sanctum with their presence. Two of these elegant Apsaras stand on either side of the Devis, waving chamaras. However, the Devis themselves outshine even the Apsaras with their divine allure. Vedadavalli, who cradles a lotus in her left arm, and Kumudavalli, gently holding a lily with her right, both ...