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How irresponsible journalism by Dinamalar ruins good intentions
I am really pained to write this post in Aalayam Kanden where I have refrained from writing anything other than information on lesser known temples. The readers and patrons have stood by me in every...
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Know your Nayanmars - Part IV - The Brahmins!
Continuing on our series on Nayanmars, we now move on to look at the priests, who worshipped the Lord for their love of him, and not just because it was their profession! Their profound love, even...
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Appar Guru Poojai at Tirupugalur!
Appar - A Brief HistoryAppar also known as Tirunavukkarasar was born Marulneekiyar in an agriculturist family of Thiruvamur in Tirumunaipadi Nadu. He lost his parents in an early age and was brought up...
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Tirumarugal!
There are a number of temples associated with the Nayanmars and the miracles performed by them in their journey of worship and promotion of Shaivism. Each one of them has unique rituals and...
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Koonthalur Kumara!
Koonthalur Jambukaranyeswara Temple Roma Rishi - he was so called because of the hair that covered his body, his flowing mane and long beard. This Rishi stayed on the banks of Arisilaaru and...
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Vayalanallur Kandaswamy!
Kandasamy Murugan at VayalanallurThis post is two years late. Although I had visited this temple first in 2015, and then several times since, even taking people on heritage trips, I never got around to...
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Will the curse of Talekad be finally broken?
Wednesday 6th December, 2017 saw the Royal family of Mysuru and public rejoice alike at the arrival of baby boy to the titular King of Mysuru, Yadhuveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wodeyar and his wife...
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Lanka Veera Hanuman
Bhaktha Hanuman Temple, RambodaHanuman Jayanthi is celebrated in the southern part of India during the Tamil month of Margazhi, Hanuman is seen as an embodiment of courage, true devotion, valour and...
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Manavur Karkadeswara
The Karkadeswarar Temple at ManavurWhile I was involved in the mapping of temples along the river Cooum, the Koova Puranam served as the main source of reference about sites along the Cooum river. This...
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Dattagiri Guhalayam
Dattagiri Murugan TempleKongu region in Tamil Nadu is well known for its Murugan temples. As the Tamil porverb goes " Kunrirukkum Idamellam Kumaran Iruppan", every hillock in this region has temples...
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Thiruvananthapuram of Tamil Nadu!
Inside the Aavarani Anantha Narayana TempleThousands throng the temple of Lord Ananthapadmanabha Swamy, at Thiruvananthapuram, despite strict security and dress regulations to worship the 18 feet Lord,...
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Dakshina Bhadrachalam
Dakshina Bhadrachalam Sri Kothandarama Temple, West MambalamVankayala Kuppaiah Chetty was restless. His health was failing and he could not comprehend why. Especially that night, he felt as if he was...
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Chennaiyin Rameswaram!
Adhi Kesava Perumal Temple in KuvatturKuvattur - A name ringing in Tamil news channels a few months ago, is home to the quaint Adhi Kesava Perumal Temple. Set within the village on East Coast Road, the...
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Our lady of Glory Pulicat - the first Parish of Tamil Nadu
The new church of Our Lady of Glory in PulicatLast year, during Madras week, I had been on a heritage trip to Pulicat, organised by Aarde Foundation, led by architect Mr Xavier Benedict. Xavier and his...
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Kathithamalai Kumaran
Kathithamalai Vetri Velayudha Swamy TempleKathithamalai, which is now referred to as Kaithamalai, is near Uthukuli in Tirupur District. The Vetri Velayudhaswamy temple, set amidst rustic and ethereal...
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Palatrangarai Veera Anjaneya Swamy!
Hanuman, Anjaneyar, Anjana Maindhan, Vayuputra, Bajrang Bali, Mukhya Prana Devaru, and Siriya Thiruvadi - Many names, one diety! The embodiment of devotion, loyalty, valour, strength and super...
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Varkala Janardhanaswamy!
Steps leading to the Varkala Janardhanaswamy TempleVarkala is a beautiful town on the shores of the Arabian Sea. It comprises of unique Cenozoic Sedimentary formation cliffs in the otherwise flat coast...
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Arutperumjothi - A journey through the life of Ramalinga Vallalar!
Arutprakasa Ramalinga VallalarThai Poosam - the day when Poosam star falls on a full moon day in the Tamil month of Thai, is not only celebrated by the followers of Lord Muruga across the world, but it...
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The Twin Devis of Srirangapatna
The River CauveryThe island of Srirangapatna lies about 18 kilometres from Mahisuru (Mysore), the land of Mahishasura, the demon who had been killed by Goddess Chamundeswari after a battle that lasted...
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Chinna Mandali - The place where Nataraja Pathu was born
With the team of volunteers at Chinna MandaliUsually, articles in the Aalayam Kanden blogs describe an ancient/unique temple. But for the first time, here is an article on an entire village - Chinna...
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