Indian Columbus

Anbil, situated near Lalgudi town within the Tamil Nadu state of India, is a village with a close proximity of approximately 8 kilometers from Lalgudi. In this village, the locality known as Keezh Anbil holds a significant temple devoted to Lord Shiva, named Aalanthurai. This temple holds the distinguished position of being the 57th among the Devara Paadal Petra Sthalams, a collection of 276 highly important Lord Shiva temples, situated in the Chola region to the north of the Cauvery River. Highlights: The temple is venerated by Appar and Sambandhar in their Devaram verses. God  -  Satyavageeswarar, also known as Brahmapureeswarar or Aalanthuraiyar. Goddess  -  Soundara Nayaki Teerth  (Holy water) -  Chandra Teerth Sthala Vruksha  (Holy tree) -  Banyan Considered as one of the Devara Paadal Petra Sthalams. Shiva Linga has square Aavudai (base). Ganesha with an inclined ear, as if listening intently. Legend: According t...

Trichy holds a significant position among the cities of Tamil Nadu, located in the southern part of India. Often, the Rock Fort stands out as the first thought when discussing Trichy, yet the city boasts a handful of other noteworthy temples that may not enjoy the same level of recognition. This article aims to shed light on one such temple known as the Naganathar Temple. Positioned on Nandi Koil Street in close proximity to the renowned Rock Fort Temple at the heart of Trichy, the Naganathar Temple might not be universally known but holds a strong reputation within the city. Highlights: God  - Naganathar or Chevvandi Nathar Goddess  - Anandavalli Sthala Vruksha (holy tree) - Bilva Teerth (Holy water) - Shiva Teerth  Legend: The temple's history is steeped in a legend where a group of sages believed they could thrive independently without the divine. To impart a lesson, Lord Shiva engaged with them in a battle. The sages summoned serpents to attack Sh...

Trichy stands as a pivotal city within the Tamil Nadu state of South India. While Trichy is invariably associated with the iconic Rock Fort, there exist several other significant yet lesser-known temples within the city's bounds. Within this article, we will delve into one such temple, renowned as the Kailasanathar Temple. Positioned along the bustling expanse of Big Bazaar Street in Trichy, the Kailasanathar Temple carries its sanctum and the shrine of the Goddess facing the east, aligned in the same direction. The sanctum is graced by a modest Shiv Linga, christened as Kailasanathar. Nestled adjacent to this sanctum, the shrine of the Goddess Kamalambikai finds its abode. Within this modest temple, one encounters the images of Surya, Bhairava, and Hanuman. Among the celestial assembly of Navagraha deities, only Surya stands accompanied by his consorts, as all eight planets direct their gaze towards him. This distinct arrangement of Navagraha deities is unique to the ...

Trichy stands as a significant urban center in the Tamil Nadu state of South India. While the Rock Fort is the central focus when Trichy is mentioned, there exist a few other vital yet less renowned temples within the city. This article unveils one such temple known as the Bhoolokanathar Temple. Positioned near the Market Bus Stop at Trichy's core, the Bhoolokanathar Temple might not be familiar to those outside the city, but it holds a respected place among its inhabitants. Highlights: Adhikara Nandi is found with four arms and playing drum  Five holy trees are found within the temple God - Bhoolokanathar Goddess - Jagatambikai Sthala Vruksha (holy tree) - Magizham, Vanni, Atthi, Bilva and Kurunthai  This temple is specially revered for addressing land and real estate-related concerns. Legend: The temple's genesis is intertwined with a tale. The region's ruling monarch found himself unable to resolve prevailing issues. A sage guided him to address...

I got an opportunity to talk in Tamil Heritage Club for about two hours on Temples of Bhubaneswar. I touched upon the history of Bhubaneswar and Kalinga architecture before talking in detail about various temples of Bhubaneswar. The audio recording and the 69 slider Powerpoint presentation are found in the below link: https://thtsiteseminars.wordpress.com/2016/09/30/preparatory-talk-2-the-temples-of-bhubaneswar-by-t-k-krishnakumar/

Guindy, located within the bustling city of Chennai, is a hub of activity with millions of daily commuters passing through. At the heart of this vibrant area stands the Guindy suburban railway station, a pivotal transportation hub. Surprisingly, many frequent visitors to Guindy may remain unaware of the expansive Guindy Race Course situated in close proximity to the busy railway station and bus terminal. Only those who actively follow and partake in horse racing or have deep-rooted ties to the area are likely acquainted with the Guindy Race Course, which happens to be India's oldest. The origins of this race course trace back to 1777 CE when lands from the Velachery and Venkatapuram villages were designated for horse racing purposes, long before the official establishment of the club in 1837 CE. The course's history has been far from seamless. Racing events were irregular in the early years and even halted briefly during the threat of Hyder Ali's invasion of Madras. It w...

Manimangalam, a quaint locality nestled near Tambaram, itself a suburb of Chennai in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, boasts a rich historical legacy. This unassuming place witnessed a significant event in history—the epic battle between Chalukya King Pulikesi and Pallava King Narasimha Pallava during the 7th century CE. Among its few ancient temples, Manimangalam holds a unique relic—an image of Jyestha Devi, lying unadorned in a field near Dhanalakshmi Engineering College. This enigmatic deity lacks the grandeur of a temple structure or the presence of dedicated priests, yet the local villagers revere her as the Mother Goddess. But who is Jyestha Devi? According to Hindu Puranas, she is the elder sister of Lakshmi, the deity of wealth worshipped in countless temples. Curiously, Jyestha Devi remains conspicuously absent from Vishnu temples and even her sister Lakshmi's abodes, save for a handful of temples in the Trichy-Tanjore region. Typically, Jyestha Devi finds her place out...