Indian Columbus

Chennai, formerly known as Madras and located in South India, is a city rich in heritage and dotted with numerous travel-worthy sites. While many of these are religious in nature and predominantly Hindu temples, the city is also home to several historic churches, each with its own unique story. One such significant landmark is the St. Mary’s Co-Cathedral , situated on Armenian Street in the bustling George Town area. This church is among the oldest and most prominent Catholic churches in Chennai. Originally built in 1658 , the church was rebuilt in 1692 . It suffered damage during the French occupation of Madras and was reconstructed on a modest scale in 1775 . The final major expansion came in 1785 , giving the church the form it largely retains today. The interiors of this historic church are adorned with beautiful paintings and statues of Jesus Christ, Mother Mary, and the apostles . Devotion to St. Anthony is particularly strong here, drawing numerous worshippers. The main pra...

Namakkal, a historic town located about 50 kilometers from Salem in Tamil Nadu, is home to a spectacular 8th-century rock-cut temple dedicated to Lord Narasimha — the fierce Lion-God and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. A visit to this temple leaves one in awe. It's hard to believe that this structure, with its intricate carvings and life-size sculptures, was created nearly 1,300 years ago. The rock-cut marvel is a testament to the architectural brilliance of King Mahendravarma Pallava, who commissioned it at a time when advanced tools and technology were not available. Like other renowned rock-cut temples of South India, the Namakkal Narasimha Temple stands as a masterpiece of Pallava artistry. Carved into the Namagiri hill, the temple’s main shrine features an enormous image of Lord Narasimha with four arms, sculpted directly from the rock. The sculpture is imposing and realistic — you can even notice the reddish tint on the Lord’s fingernails. This stunning image alone makes...

Namakkal, an ancient town near Salem in Tamil Nadu, is renowned for its remarkable rock-cut temples from the Pallava period (8th century CE), dedicated to Lord Ranganatha and Lord Narasimha. Yet, the temple that draws the most attention and devotion today is the towering Hanuman temple. Although many believe the Hanuman temple to be as old as the Narasimha rock-cut shrine, architectural clues suggest it may have been constructed later. Interestingly, until just a couple of decades ago, this temple didn’t even have a roof. The colossal 18-feet tall Hanuman image— now globally known for its sheer size — once stood entirely exposed to the elements. Only in recent years was a roof built over the shrine. The massive Hanuman image stands facing Lord Narasimha. A local belief holds that from the Garuda shrine in the Narasimha temple, one can view the Hanuman image through small holes at the back — a symbolic and spiritual connection between the two deities. Unlike other temples, this one...

Is Namakkal a historical city? The grand fort atop the hill suggests so. Or is it an architectural marvel? The stunning cave temples with intricate sculptures point in that direction. Perhaps it’s a religious city? The powerful presence of Namakkal Hanuman certainly makes it feel that way. So, what kind of city is Namakkal? It is a blend of all these elements—a place rich in history, culture, and religious significance, with artistically magnificent cave temples. When you visit these temples, it's hard to believe they were built around 1,500 years ago. The craftsmanship displayed in these rock-cut marvels is astounding, especially considering they were created at a time when science and technology were far less advanced. Namakkal, once known as Namagiri, is home to four important temples. The Hanuman Temple, despite its modest size, has become the most famous among them, attracting the majority of visitors. However, the true architectural landmarks of Namakkal are the ancient...

Tiruchengode, an ancient town near Salem in Tamil Nadu, is renowned for its temples. The most famous among them is the Ardhanareeswarar Temple, where the deity is depicted in a unique half-man, half-woman form. Another significant temple in Tiruchengode is the Kailasanathar Temple, located in the heart of the town. While the Ardhanareeswarar Temple stands atop a hill, the Kailasanathar Temple is situated at its base. The Kailasanathar Temple is an expansive structure, featuring a towering gopuram and imposing walls. The main deity, Kailasanathar, is enshrined as a Shiva Linga in the sanctum. The temple also has a separate shrine for Goddess Sugunda Kundalambikai. A notable feature of this temple is a dedicated shrine for Lord Murugan. Additionally, it houses various other deities typically found in South Indian Shiva temples, including Ganesha, Murugan with Valli and Devasena, and Nandi positioned before the main shrine. One of the temple’s most striking features is a massive Nandi...

God is portrayed as male in some religions and as female in others. Some religions worship nature as God. According to some beliefs, God has no shape or name. In Hinduism, God is formless, has form, and can manifest as self, animal, bird, male, or female. To explain this in detail, I would need to write hundreds of blog posts. Keeping that aside, there is a temple in South India where God is depicted as half-man and half-woman. This rare temple is located in Tiruchengode (Thiruchengodu) in Tamil Nadu. Lord Shiva is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. Ardhanareeswar, one of the 64 manifestations of Shiva, appears as half-man and half-woman, symbolizing the unity of Shakti and Shiva. Even though Ardhanareeswara is a well-known form of Shiva, dedicated temples or shrines for this manifestation are rare. As far as I know, the only temple where Ardhanareeswara is worshiped in a half-man, half-woman form is in Tiruchengode. (There are temples for Ardhanareeswara where the icon is i...

Yercaud is often referred to as the "Poor Man’s Ooty," possibly because it's a more affordable hill station. However, I believe a better name would be the "Smart Man’s Ooty"—it’s serene, less crowded, and rich in natural beauty. Located in the Shevaroy Hills of the Eastern Ghats, Yercaud is about an hour’s drive from Salem, with a scenic route featuring around 20 hairpin bends. Unlike other hill stations with extensive sightseeing options, Yercaud is ideal for those who prefer a peaceful retreat in nature without too much travel. What to see in Yercaud? Rose Garden: If you visit during the blooming season, the Rose Garden offers a delightful display of roses in various colors. Though not as vast as Ooty’s Rose Garden, it has its own charm, featuring well-maintained nurseries, ornamental plants, and diverse flora. At the end of the garden, you’ll find Children’s Seat , a small viewpoint offering scenic views of Yercaud. View Points: Like most hill s...