Clik here to view.
Thiruvanchaikalam!
The Mahadevar Temple at ThiruvanchaikalamThiruvanchaikalam or Thiruvanchikulam is the only Devara Padal Petra Sthalam in Malai Nadu (Kerala). That's not all - It is also the place from where...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Kailaaya Eswaram!
The Kailaaya Eswaramudaiya Mahadevar Temple at KesavaramKesavaram is a small village in Tiruvallur District. It is here that a dam has been built across the Cooum river splitting it into two, diverting...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Where Sri Raghavendra chose to reside!
Vadavaru, ThanjavurThe Prince of Thanjavur was in a pensive mood as he walked along the banks of the Vadavaru. His thoughts, as always, were with Guru Raghavendra Swamy, who had entered Brindavana a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Ganeshas of Thandalam
While we were on the recce visits of the temples along the banks of the river Cooum, we visited a village called Thandalam, which is one of the eighteen Kottams of Koovam as per the Koova Puranam. This...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Pancha Lakshmi Narayana!
Utsava is a sanskrit word wherein Ut means remove and sava means worldly griefs. The word Utsava Murthy is referred to those deities normally made of metal that are taken out in procession so that they...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Dakshina Mookambiga - a temple in the middle of a lotus pond!
Dakshina Mookambiga temple at North ParavoorThe word Mookambiga immediately brings to mind Goddess Mookambigai of Kollur, in Udupi district of Karnataka. North Paravoor or Vadakkan Paravoor as it is...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Koogaimalai Kumara!
Belukurichi Palaniappa TempleBelukurichi is a small village on a hillock called Koogai malai, on the Kolli range in Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu. The Kolli hills are in the Southern part of the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Do you want a job abroad?
The temple tank of Sri Sundareswara Temple, Periya KothurSometimes, the will of God is beyond our comprehension....well, why sometimes, most of the time! It was in the year 2014, that Arun Kumar, a...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Sankara Narayana!
Recently, we undertook a four day visit to temples in UK and DK.....puzzled? Well, it is just Uttara Kannada and Dakshin Kannada! Usually, I would be the one meticulously planning itinerary to lesser...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Keesaragutta - A hill strewn with Shivalingams!
Sri Ramalingeswara Temple at KeesaraguttaIndia has a number of temples associated with the Ramayana legend. Sometimes we even find similar legends associated with temples across states. All these...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Temples of Karuvazhakarai!
Shahuji I, popularly known as Shaji was the Maratha ruler of Thanjavur during the period 1684-1712. During his reign, there were several unrests and threat to his Kingdom from the Sethupathis of Ramnad...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Bappanadu - A symbol of communal harmony
Durga Parameswari Temple at BappanaduRamadan is a time of spiritual reflection, increased devotion, sacrifice and sharing with the less fortunate brethren. There are a number of temples in India which...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Nara Simham!
The Malluru Narasimha Swamy Temple EntranceIt was over two years ago, that a devout follower of Aalayam Kanden called me to speak about the Malluru Narasimhaswamy Temple. The way she went about...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Venkata Subramaniam!
Venkatasubramania Swamy Temple, ValasaravakkamSkanda Sashti refers to the six days of battle between Lord Muruga or Skanda with Soorapadma. It is usually commemorated in the Tamil month of Aipasi, and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Three eyes and ten hands!
Hanuman with Deer Vahana at AnanthamangalamHanuman - the God of strength, valour, loyalty and devotion! We see him, mostly in Vishnu temples in a separate shrine as Siriya Tiruvadi and in Rama temples,...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The real Spider - man!
The Ayavantheeswara Temple at SiyathamangaiThe Tale: It was a chilly morning. It had rained the whole night before and the dampness still hung in the air. Pools of water dotted the mud road leading to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Jai Sri Ram!
Rama Navami - the birthday of Lord Rama, the Seventh Avatar of Vishnu, falls on the nineth day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Chithirai. The Rama Avatar signifies righteousness, tolerance, and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Know your Nayanmars - Part I (The Ladies)
The Nayanmars were great devotees of Lord Shiva who, through their incredible deeds find mention in the Thiruthonda Thogai, sung by Sundaramurthy Nayanar, at the behest of Lord Shiva. The first line of...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Know your Nayanmars - Part II (The Kings)
Ten Kings have been named by Sundaramurthy Nayanar as Nayanmars. This works out to 1/6th of the total number. These Kings ruled the land as representatives of the Lord, putting service to Him and his...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Know your Nayanmars! - Part III (The Warriors)
Continuing on the series of Nayarmars, we now look at the warriors! Although their roles were taking lives of the enemies for the sake of their king and homeland, they have performed incredible deeds...
View Article