Indian Columbus

Pillaipakkam is a place where you could not find the hustle-bustle of city life. With hardly any automobile vehicle, the remote hamlet surrounded by fertile fields, giant trees and village ponds, it is a kind of time travel to the good old bygone era. To enhance the serenity of the place, we have a beautiful Chola-era structure called Vaideeswaran Temple. Even though the distance is just 5 km from Sriperumbudur, not many of us would have heard about this remote village. Hence, the temple and its history remain unknown. However, it is well maintained with the support of locals. They regularly visit the temple. History Two inscriptions of Tirukkachur from Rajaraja Chola III (1216-56 CE) record this village as Kaitavakaitava Nallur alias Pillaipakkam. They also state that the village was part of Maganur nadu, a sub-division of Sengattu kottam in Jayankonda Chola Mandalam. Besides the inscriptions mentioned above, I could not find the details of any other inscription that talks about the v...

If you yearn to immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and savor the delightful cuisine of Rajasthan right here in Chennai, Chokhi Dhani is a must-visit destination. Situated in Tandalam, near Sriperumbudur, which is in close proximity to Chennai, Chokhi Dhani stands as a magnificent Rajasthani ethnic village park. This relatively new attraction has swiftly gained popularity among residents and visitors alike. It beckons those seeking an authentic Rajasthani experience, those eager to tantalize their taste buds with Rajasthani delicacies, families looking for a day of recreation and amusement, folks in search of a brief yet enjoyable getaway, and even individuals desiring a distinctive backdrop for celebrations and special events. Chokhi Dhani opens its doors exclusively in the evening, unfolding across 15 sprawling acres as a mini Rajasthan nestled within Chennai. From the traditional Rajasthani-style welcome tilak to the village market, folk dances, intricate mehendi art, camel...

Rajiv Gandhi, the seventh Prime Minister of India, was assassinated in SriPerumbudur. There is a memorial for Rajiv Gandhi on the site where he was assassinated. Rajiv Gandhi, the son of Indira Gandhi, became the youngest Prime Minister of India at 40. While campaigning for the election in a small town named Sriperumbudur, located around 40 km from  Chennai , he was assassinated. He was reportedly assassinated by an LTTE suicide bomber on 21st May 1991. A memorial was built at the site where Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated and opened to the public in 2003 CE. Rajiv Gandhi Memorial at Sriperumbudur has become one of the important tourist sites today. Sriperumbudur is already famous for its Adi Kesava Perumal Temple (Vishnu temple), and it is the birthplace of the great Vaishnavite saint Ramanuja. The memorial of Rajiv Gandhi consists of a square platform on which a raised yellow marble stone is placed along with the picture of Rajiv Gandhi made of a stone block of pink granite. T...

Sri Adi Kesava Perumal Temple at Sriperumbudur is one of India's most important Vishnu temples. This is the birthplace of Ramanuja, the great Vaishnavite saint. Sriperumbudur is an industrial town, which is strategically located on the Chennai-Bangalore highway, at a distance of around 40 km from  Chennai , the city called "Gateway to South India". Sriperumbudur is famous due to two reasons. Sriperumbudur is the birthplace of Sri Ramanujar, also called Ethirajar, one of the most prominent Vaishnavite saints. He was the founder of the Visistadvaita philosophy. He belongs to the period of the 12th century CE. Another reason why Sriperumbudur became famous recently is because the former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi, was assassinated here. This big and ancient temple is located at the heart of Sriperumbudur town. Lord Vishnu is named Adi Kesava in this temple. In the sanctum, he is found in the standing posture along with his two consorts, Sri Devi and Bhoo De...