The Muhammadan Public Library
Indian Columbus
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5d ago
Nestled within the bustling streets of Tiruvallikeni (Triplicane), amidst the ordinary facade of a nondescript building adorned with dull-colored paint, lies a hidden gem with a rich history—the Muhammadan Public Library. Established by the esteemed Nawab Ghulam Mohammed Ghouse Khan Bahadur, the last Nawab of the Carnatic, this unassuming building housed a thriving hub of knowledge and literature. Nawab Ghulam Mohammed, known for his patronage of arts, envisioned a space that would promote the languages of Urdu, Persian, Arabic, and English, alongside subjects ranging from science to history a ..read more
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Dancing Grace: Sculptural Splendor at Nellaiyappar Temple
Indian Columbus
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6d ago
This article continues the captivating journey through the Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple in Tirunelveli, immersing ourselves in the mesmerizing sculptures that adorn the pillars of the east-side frontside mandapa. These sculptures, renowned for their artistic finesse and exquisite beauty, are windows into the rich cultural tapestry of the temple. In our previous explorations, we marveled at the first larger-than-life sculpture, a depiction of a tall, graceful native lady (Kurathi) with her unique features etched in stone. Following that, we delved into the regal presence of a well-built ..read more
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The First Birla Mandir of India
Indian Columbus
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1w ago
"People from all castes should be allowed to enter the temple." With this condition, Mahatma Gandhi inaugurated the iconic Birla Temple on 18th March 1939, also known as the Lakshmi Narayana Temple. Situated in Delhi, this temple holds significant historical and religious importance, representing the ethos of inclusivity. Spread across 7.5 acres, the Birla Temple is the very first temple among the series of temples constructed by the renowned Birla family across North India. Initiated by industrialist and philanthropist Baldeo Das Birla, along with his son Jugal Kishore Birla, the foundatio ..read more
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San Thome Cathedral Basilica
Indian Columbus
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1w ago
The San Thome Cathedral Basilica, also known as St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica and National Shrine of Saint Thomas, is a Roman Catholic Minor Basilica located in Santhome, Chennai. This iconic basilica holds a significant place in history, being one of only three known churches in the world built over the tomb of an apostle of Jesus. The other two such churches are St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City and Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Spain. The story of St. Thomas, the apostle of Jesus, in the region of Madras (now Chennai) is one of deep historical and religious significance. Roman Cath ..read more
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Fort Museum - Chennai
Indian Columbus
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2w ago
St. George's Fort in Chennai stands tall with its iconic Fort Museum, a captivating journey into history. Originally, this elegant colonial-era edifice was the residence of Peter Massey Cassin, a free Merchant whose legacy lingers in its walls. The Exchange House, a haven for merchants, partially opened its doors in 1790 after a lottery-funded endeavor, reaching completion by 1795. Grounded in history, its ground floor once buzzed with warehouses, offices, and the Madras Bank, while the Exchange hall on the first floor witnessed bustling trade. A fascinating historical nugget emerges from 1790 ..read more
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Ashta Lakshmis and Sahasra Lingam of Nellaiyappar Temple
Indian Columbus
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3w ago
This article continues the series on the Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple in Tirunelveli. In the previous segments, we explored the eastern, southern, and western sections of the second prakara surrounding the sanctum of Nellaiyappar. Now, let's delve into the northern side of the prakara encircling the Nellaiyappar shrine. An intriguing and exquisite image of Lakshmi flanked by two elephants, known as Gaja Lakshmi, greets visitors facing the south direction. On either side, facing east and west, are seven forms of Lakshmi - Adi Lakshmi, Dhana Lakshmi, Dhanya Lakshmi, Santana Lakshmi, Dhar ..read more
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Jeyachandran Nagar Lake (Water bodies of Chennai - 73)
Indian Columbus
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1M ago
The 0.75-acre waterbody in Jeyachandran Nagar is not officially designated as a lake, yet locals refer to it as Jeyachandran Lake. This area, once an unknown extension of the Pallikkaranai village, has now transformed into a posh residential locality. Recently renovated, a park now surrounds the waterbody, making it a favored walking spot for residents. Happy travelling. Note: As per a report, there were about 650+ waterbodies in the Chennai region till the 1980s. Today, only a fraction of them exist. Most of those surviving waterbodies hardly have water, and even some of them that ha ..read more
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Varam Tharum Perumal - Thachanallur
Indian Columbus
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1M ago
Dating back to the 1300s during the illustrious Pandya era, this temple in Tirunelveli stands as a hidden gem, its secrets waiting to be discovered. Renovated in the 1700s, this grand structure located in the Thachanallur locality holds within its walls a remarkable sight: a towering green-colored Stucco image of Lord Vishnu, known as Varam Tharum Perumal. Flanking him are two divine consorts, Sree Devi depicted in a light-colored stucco image and Bhoo Devi in a green-colored stucco image. The ancient origins of the temple are evident in the weathered outer walls, adorned with friezes of li ..read more
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Kantimati Sameta Nellaiyappar Temple of Thachanallur
Indian Columbus
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1M ago
When the whole of Tamil Nadu is familiar with the grand twin temples of Kantimati and Nellaiyappar in Tirunelveli, it's a lesser-known fact that another pair of temples by the same names resides in the Thachanallur locality of Tirunelveli. Historically referred to as Thachanoor, meaning "the place of carpenters," this village is believed to have been home to the sculptors who crafted the magnificent Nellaiyappar and Kantimati temples in Tirunelveli town. They established a Shiva Linga here for their daily worship, naming it Shalivadeeswarar or Nellaiyappar after the main temple. Locals regard ..read more
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Keezhakkalloor Viswanatha Temple
Indian Columbus
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1M ago
In the lesser-known village of Keezhakkallor near Tirunelveli, stands the ancient Puraveli Nathar temple, a topic I've covered before. Nearby, there's the Kasi Vishwanatha temple, estimated to be around 150-200 years old. What catches the eye in this small temple is the vimana atop the main shrine—a circular Vesara style structure made of brick and mortar, resembling the domes seen in Islamic architecture. The temple enshrines smaller images of Shiva Linga and Devi, known as Kasi Vishwanatha and Visalakshi, respectively. Alongside them, the temple houses representations of Ganesha, Subraman ..read more
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