Indian Columbus

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 ...

Could the resplendent Lord Rama of Ayodhya be as breathtaking as the divine Sri Ramaswami of Palayankottai? It seems that, to cater to the devout who cannot make the journey to Ayodhya, he chose to reside in Palayankottai. Join me as I explore the intricate details of the temple graced by one of Tamilagam's most exquisite murtis as the presiding deity. The Ramaswamy temple, believed to have its origins possibly in the later Pandya era, around the 1200s or 1300s, has seen significant additions and renovations spanning centuries, extending up to the present day. A captivating east-facing Rajagopuram extends a warm welcome. A weathered dwarapala guard is found at the entrance, while the fate of his counterpart remains a mystery. Passing through a mandapa, we approach the primary sanctum, facing south, which enshrines a striking stone image of Lord Rama, flanked by Lakshmana and Sita. Additionally, we encounter the snapana metal images of this divine trio, accompanied by Hanuman, ever ...

Here lies an untold story, a fragment of history known to very few. It's quite possible that I may be the first to shed light on this intriguing site. What appears today as a bustling commercial street in Tirunelveli Town, known as Theppa Kulam Street or Satyamoorti Street, was once a serene Agraharam. Nestled within this bustling thoroughfare is a modest temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. At first glance, this temple may seem like any other small roadside shrine, easily overlooked by hurried passersby. However, it carries a fascinating narrative that bridges the gap between the Gujarati community and Tirunelveli. The Gujarati community of Tamil Nadu has a rich history and tradition. Kheda, a district near Ahmedabad in the Gujarat state, is home to the Khedawal Gujaratis, a Brahmin community with a distinctive identity. In the early 18th century CE, a group of Khedawal Gujaratis migrated to Tamil Nadu, leaving a legacy that intertwines their fate with this southern land. The exact p...