Andaman Islands

The Andaman Islands are an archipelago in India’s Bay of Bengal. These roughly 300 islands are known for their palm-lined, white-sand beaches, mangroves and rainforested interiors. Surrounded with coral reefs that support marine life including sharks and rays, they're destinations for scuba diving and snorkeling. They're also popular for water skiing, windsurfing and fishing.

more than 300 islands make up the Andamans. North, Middle, and South Andaman, known collectively as Great Andaman, are the main islands; others include Landfall Island, Interview Island, the Sentinel Islands (where the Sentinelese tribes live), Ritchie’s Archipelago, and Rutland Island.
The 10 degree channel which is about 145 kms long seperates Little Andaman in the south from the Nicobar Islands.

The Nicobars consist of 19 islands. Among the most prominent are Car Nicobar in the north; Camorta, Katchall, and Nancowry in the centre of the chain; and Great Nicobarin the south. About 90 miles to the southwest of Great Nicobar lies the northwestern tip of Sumatra, Indonesia.

Both the Andaman and Nicobar groups are formed by the above-sea extensions of submarine ridges of mountains and are a part of a great island arc. The highest peak is 2,418 feet at Saddle Peak on North Andaman, followed by Mount Thullier at 2,106 feet on Great Nicobar and Mount Harriet at 1,197 feet on South Andaman. Barren island, the only known active Volcano in south asia lies in the Andaman sea. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, there were volcanic eruptions on Barren Island.

Formed of sandstone, limestone, and shale of Cenozoic age (i.e., formed during the past 65 million years), the terrain of the Andamans is rough, with hills and narrow longitudinal valleys. Flat land is scarce and is confined to a few valleys, such as the Betapur on Middle Andaman and Diglipur on North Andaman. Perennial rivers are few.
The terrain of the Nicobar is more diverse than that of the Andamans. Some of the Nicobar Islands, such as Car Nicobar, have flat coral-covered surfaces with offshore coral formations that prevent most ships from anchoring. Other islands, such as Great Nicobar, are hilly and contain numerous fast-flowing streams. Great Nicobar is the only island in the territory with a significant amount of fresh surface water.

The climate of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is tropical but is moderated by sea breezes. Temperatures typically rise from about 23 °C into about 30 °C. The territory receives roughly about 120 inches of rain annually, brought mainly by the southwest monsoon, which blows from May through September, and by the tropical cyclones that follow in October and November.

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is located on the right bank of the Yamuna River in a vast Mughal garden that encompasses nearly 17 hectares, in the Agra District in Uttar Pradesh. It was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal with construction starting in 1632 AD and completed in 1648 AD, with the mosque, the guest house and the main gateway on the south, the outer courtyard and its cloisters were added subsequently and completed in 1653 AD. The existence of several historical and Quaranic inscriptions in Arabic script have facilitated setting the chronology of Taj Mahal. For its construction, masons, stone-cutters, inlayers, carvers, painters, calligraphers, dome builders and other artisans were requisitioned from the whole of the empire and also from the Central Asia and Iran.Ustad-Ahmad Lahori was the main architect of the Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal is what many in the world visualize when the think of India. This sublime structure erected on wishes of Shah Jehan, in commemoration of his beloved wife Mumtaj Mahal is the greatest and most awe inspiring monuments of love. Build entirely of marble, Taj Mahal was famously referred to as 'a teardrop on the cheek of time' by the Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore.

The rigor of a perfect elevation of astonishing graphic purity is disguised and almost contradicted by the scintillation of a fairy-like decor where the white marble, the main building material, brings out and scintillates the floral arabesques, the decorative bands, and the calligraphic inscriptions which are incrusted in polychromatic pietra dura in the construction of Taj Mahal. It definitely rates high among top destinations in world to visit before you die.

Built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to commemorate her beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal, Taj Mahal is the benchmark monument of the Agra city. It is voted as one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World. It took 22 years and 20000 workers to complete this awe-inspiring landmark which commemorates love of the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan for his beloved wife.

Standing on the bank of Yamuna and overlooking the Agra Red Fort, Taj mahal was built in memory of Mumtaj Mahal in 1637. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Taj Mahal is the magnum opus of the fusion of Saracen, Islamic and Indian architecture.Centre of this monument is the tomb of Mumtaz Mahal. The tomb is flanked by the four minarets. The main chamber has the false sarcophagi of Mumtaj Mahal and Shah Jehan, whereas the original graves are in the basement of the tomb.

The interiors of the tomb as well as the sarcophagi is exquisitely carved in Persian tradition of architecture and are a joy to behold. The interiors is also adorned with jewels and paintings which add to the remarkable architectural pattern. Taj Mahal is nestled admist the 300 meters of lush Mughal Garden. A marble water tank in the center of the garden offers a stunning reflection of the mausoleum.

Hogenakkal

Hogenakkal   is situated on the border of Karnataka, 46kms from Dharmapuri. One of the major rivers of India and a perennial river of south India the Cauveri flows through and make the soil fertile. The river plays major role in making the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu prosper as it passes through. Kudagu in Karnataka is where the Cauveri originates as a small stream and gathers momentum and gets bigger on her way down. It is in Hogenakkal that the Cauveri enters Tamil Nadu as a big river with gushing waters presents a waterfall.

Hogenakkal Waterfalls, known as the 'Niagara' falls of India, are not a single waterfall but a series of falls and they offer a promising holiday destination for nature lovers from within and outside the country.
Hogenakkal is a hamlet situated in Tamil Nadu bordering Karnataka.

Hogenakkal is considered as one of the most beautiful places in the state. The broad stream of the River Kaveri gets forked at this point, forming an island from where one stream continues on while the other plunges into a deep chasm to create one of the loveliest waterfalls, giving these rocks the name Hogenakkal which means "smoking rock".

The setting of the descent of the Cauveri at Hogenakkal is panoramic. The name Hogenakkal is derived from Kannada. It means smoky rocks. The gushing force of the water when it falls on the rocks below looks like smoke emanating from the rocks. hoge in kannada means smoke and of kal means rock , the falls and the place were called Hogenakkal.


At many places the falls descends as far as 20 mtrs. The water also makes a continuous thundering sound. This gives the area a different atmosphere. At Hogenakkal the water spreads for miles around. The locally made boats are called Parisal . A parisal ride will give you a rare experience.

Surrounded by hills at various heights, Hogenakkal offers the visitors a different ambience and is a refreshing place to relax. Fresh fish caught in the river is cooked and served. One can also take bath in the falls. Local people give oil massages. As the river flows through out the year, Hogenakkal can be visited through the year. To add attraction the forest department maintains a mini zoo and a crocodile park here. The New Moon days in the months in January or Thai and in July or Adi are special for the pilgrims who arrive to take a dip in the river. However on Adi 18th, which is in August, a festival to the river goddess is celebrated.

Velankanni-Tamil Nadu

Velankanni is a one of most familiar tourist place which is located 12 km south of Nagapattinam on the Coromandel Coast, in Tamil Nadu. The shrine here is dedicated to Our Lady of Health, the Madonna of Velankanni and is popularly known as 'Sacred Arogya Matha Church.
Virgin Mary is believed to have miraculous healing powers. Thousands of pilgrims belonging to various castes and communities flock daily to this 'Lourdes of the East'. The church has an imposing facade with tall spires and the wings present the shape of a cross. In a niche in the alter is enshrined the statue of Our Lady of Health.

History of  Velankanni

In 1560, Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to a shepherd, asking him for milk to quench the thirst of baby Jesus. When the shepherd returned to his master, after performing the good deed, his pitcher kept filling up with milk. Consequently, a small thatched chapel was built at the site. At the end of the 16th century, Virgin Mary appeared again in front of a lame boy, who regained the use of his limbs. The actual church was constructed after the incident.

The tradition is to offer Our Lady of Health, a
candle in the shape of the respective ailment- a heart in case of cardiac complications, a liver in case of jaundice, lungs in case of tuberculosis and so on. In case of the ailment getting cured, many bring with them small gold and silver replicas of parts of the body that has been cured to donate to the church. Some times offering are sent in sealed bottles or big hollow bamboos duly closed and thrown in to the sea with the address of the shrine written on them. Such offerings are believed to reach the holy spot. There is a small church museum which has a display of the offerings made by those whose prayers were conceded.

A festival is celebrated for ten days from August 28 to September 10 every year and pilgrims from all over the country and even abroad flock to the site, bathe religiously in the sea, have their heads shaved and then walk on their knees or roll up to the shrine as rituals.

Route

Air : Nearest Airport is Chennai
Rail : Nearest railhead is Trichy, Chennai and Thanjavur. Road : Buses are available for Chidambaram, Chennai, Madurai, Pondicherry, Trichy(141kms) and Thanjavur (89kms). Buses and trains frequently run from Nagapattinam.

Kodaikanal-Tamil Nadu

Kodaikanal is a city and a Taluk division of Dindigul district. Kodaikanal is sometimes referred to as the “Princess of Hill stations” and is a popular tourist destination. Much of the local economy is Hospitality industry based on national and international tourism.

History of Kodaikanal

Here is a story Lieutenant Ward, an Englishman, who climbed up from the Kunnavan village of Vellagavi to Kodaikanal in 1821 to survey the area on the hilly ranges of Palani. In 1834, the Madurai collector climbed the hill from Devadanapatti and built a small bungalow at the head of Adukkam pass near Shenbaganur. In 1836, Dr.Wite visited Kodaikanal and recorded his observations, and these were very useful to botanists later. In 1845, American Missionaries built the first two bungalows “Sunnyside” and “Shelton”. Later, six American families came up the hill and stayed for the first time in Kodaikanal. Following this, the British also built houses here. The hill station Kodaikanal was created to serve the needs of the British and Europeans in India. The 20th century saw elite Indians enteri Kodaikanal to enjoy its charm and beauty and to harness its natural wealth for development
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In 1875, the Indian railways extended its line from Chennai to Tirunelveli and a station was created at Ammaianayakkanur and this was later renamed Kodai Road, to provide a gateway to Kodaikanal. Tourists started their journey at Ammaianayakkanur Railway station upto Krishnamma Nayak Thope. This trek was undertaken to Kodaikanal, 18 kms distance away using horses and palanquins, with coolies for assistance.

Today, the charm of Kodaikanal lies in its wooded slopes and gigantic trees. The mighty rocks, bowers, creeks and slopes captivate the visitors. The meadows, the long stretches of forests, beautiful spots and the flocks of sheep grazing on green pastures are a source of joy, delight and thrill to onlookers. The climb to the various jutting rocks at Kodai is rewarding. The arduous climb to the Pillar rocks, to a height of 400 ft, is a must for every visitor to this hill resort.

Kodailanal Lake View
The Lake The 24-hectare lake skirted by a 5 km long black tar road, is the focal point in Kodai. This lake was created in 1863 by Sir vere Hendry Levinge (1819-1885).He was previously the Collector of Madurai, who retired and settled in Kodai. He constructed the bund to form a lake and stocked the lake with fish. He brought the first boat from Tuticorin. In 1890, a boat club was formed and members of the club set sail. In 1910 a new boathouse was constructed. The boat service was opened to the public and tourist as well in 1932.

Bryant Park: This park is situated on the eastern side of the lake. It is noted for its flowers, both hybrids and grafts. Cut flowers are exported from here. A glass house which shelters fine varieties of flowers can be seen here. The Flower Show conducted every year during May, as part of the Summer Festivals, should be seen by everyone.

Solar Physical ObservatoryIt is situated 3.2 kms. from the lake. This observatory was founded in 1989, and it is located at an elevation of 2343 mtrs. This observatory is the highest point in Kodai. Visitors can observe the stars and the planets.

Check out visiting hours and make a prior appointment.

Coakers Walk: Er.Coaker identified this hill-edged pathway in 1872. About a kilometre from the lake, Coaker's Walk runs along a steep slope on the southern side of Kodai. It offers some of the best views of the plains Entry fee is collected here.

Kurinji Andavar Temple  situated 3 kms from the lake is a famous shrine dedicated to lord Muruga. This temple is associated with the kurinji flowers that bloom once in 12 years. Kurinji means the hill region in Tamil literature and andavar means god. Therefore Lord Muruga is referred to as the God of the Hill here. From this temple one can have a view of Palani and Vaigai Dam.

Telescope House at Coakers Walk was constructed to enable visitors to have a panoramic view of the valley and nearby towns. A fee is collected to use the telescope.
pillarock

Green valley View : It is located a little over 5 kms from kodaikanal lake and close to the golf club from here,you can get a magnificent view of the vaigai dam below.

The Pillar Rocks :There are a set of 3 rocks which stand 122 metres high.It is located 7 kms from Kodai lake.

Moier Point provides a lovely view of the valley. It is just 3 kms from the Pillar rocks Berijam Lake road.

Silent Valley View Just a little away from the Pillar Rocks and the Berijam Lake Road, is Silent Valley View, which provides a breathtaking view of Silent Valley. Children are advised to walk carefully.

Berijam Lake View This place provides a panoramic landscape view of Berijam Lake. This viewpoint is 19 kms from Kodaikanal Lake.

Chettiar Park Tucked away in the northeastern corner of the town on the way to Kurinji Andavar temple, the Chettiar park is a charming place.

Shenbaganur Museum The Sacred Heart College maintains this museum. It is a Theological Seminary founded in 1895 and devoted to preserving certain archaeological remains and the flora and fauna of the hills. It houses one of the best Orchidariams in the country.


Visiting hours - 10.00 a.m. to 11.30 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m.

Silver Cascade It is 8 kms from Kodai lake. The overflow of Kodai Lake comes down here as a 180 foot high waterfalls. churchThose interested can have a bath here.

La Saleth Church Kodaikanal,the hill country is no exception to this and she too hosts our lady of la saleth shrine possessing the traditional heritage of 150 years and it is one of the two shrines dedicated to our lady of La saleth in the whole world,one in french and the other in kodaikanal. it is near to Coaker's walk.

Dolmen Circle Located at a distance of 18 kms from the lake, pre-historic remains can be seen here. Original burial urns that were unearthed in this region during archaeological excavations and models of dolmens can be seen in the Shenbaganur Museum.

Thalaiyar Falls Also known as the Rat-Tail Falls, this is one of the highest waterfalls in the world. It is 975 foot high. It can be seen while climbing the Ghat Road to Kodaikkanal from Kodai road. It is not possible to visit this spectacular waterfall, as there is no approach route to this site.

Kukkal Caves For those looking for an adventurous holiday, this is an excellent campsite. It is 40 kms from Kodaikanal. The caves here show traces of the earliest known inhabitants of the region - the leaf-clothed 'paliyans.'

Palani This is one of the six abodes of lord Subramanya and this is a famous pilgrim centre of the south. It is just 64 kms from Kodaikanal. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Dhandayuthapani. Direct and frequent buses are available from Kodaikanal to Palani.

Travel


Air Airport at Madurai (121 kms) and Coimbatore (135 Kms).
Rail Kodai Road railway Station (80 kms) and palani railway station (64 kms)
Road Kodaikanal is connected by road with all-important towns. Regular bus services are available from Kodaikkanal to Madurai, Palani, Kodaikanal Road, Theni, Dinidigul, Thiruchirapalli, Kumili, Erode,Bangalore,Coimbatore,Chennai,Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli.
Local Transport Taxis and Vans are available. Limited city buses are available.

Trekking - Kodai offers several scenic trekking spots, including one which is to walk along the stream which goes to dolphin nose. Kodai tourist office has a trekking guide which is available for free there, which lists all the possible trekking routes and difficulty levels. The tourist office advises people to take guides and offers to provide them, although this is not necessary. An easy trek is the Perumalmalai trek which is the tallest mountain that area.


Festivals

Summer  - Celebrated in May Every year. Boat Pageant and Flower Show are also held during the summer festival. It is a major attraction for tourists.

Salette Matha Festival - August 15th is the Salette Matha Festival.

Mariamman festival - In May Mariamman festival is celebrated for one week.

Season

Kodaikanal enjoys subtropical climate and the best time to visit is from September to May.

Winters (November to January) are very cool with maximum temperature is about 30°C and minimum touches about 8°C. During January, ice formations are seen in night and temperature can drop down to freezing level. This period is good for sightseeing and outdoor trips.

Summers (March to May)has the average temperature ranges between 20°C to 34°C . During summer, adventure activities trekking is enjoyable in Kodaikanal.

Monsoons (June to September) has average rainfalls in Kodaikanal. Monsoon season is ideal for rain lovers to enjoy the scenic beauty of the place.

Yercaud-Tamilnadu

Yercaud is one of the most well known hill stations of Tamil Nadu, at a distance of 22 km from the city of Salem. These hills form a part of the Servarayan Range in the Eastern Ghats and are situated at an altitude of 1515 m(4,920 feet) above sea level. The area of these hills is also popular for coffee plantations and orange groves, along with an orchidarium, which is run by the Botanical Survey of India. The highest point at these hills is the site of the Servarayan Temple, due to which, these hills are also sometimes referred to as Shevaroy Hills. It is also home to the Murugar group of temples. The place also has a nearby lake, which is famous as a boating site, and also for its gardens.


The town gets its name from the lake located at its center - in Tamil 'Yeri' means 'lake' and 'Kaadu' means 'forest'.The highest point in Yercaud is the Servarayan temple, which is situated at a height of 5326 feet. Hence the Yercaud hill area is called Shevaroy Hills.

The Maruthamalai Temple-Tamilnadu

The Maruthamalai Temple, located on a hiltop, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated amidst lush green surroundings the Maruthamalai Temple is about 15 kms west from the city of Coimbatore.

References to this ancient Temple are found in the inscriptions of the Thirumuruganpoondi temple that is believed to be 1200 years old. The temple is very popular amongst the religious travellers and so is the Pambatti Siddhar Cave, which is located on the slopes towards the south-east of this temple.

According to a legend a snake charmer prayed to God Shiva sitting under a tree on the hill for helping him quench his thirst and tiredness. Lord Shiva was impressed by his dedication and soon the charmer noticed water springing from beneath the tree. Later this snake charmer became a siddha 



As the custom goes the saints of Tamil Nadu, in the interest of mankind, used to research, write and inform people extensively about the medicinal values and applications of plants to cure diseases. This snake charmer turned saint did the same. He also used the Pambatti Siddhar Cave as his abode for meditation and with Lord Muruga/Shiva’s grace he attained salvation. The main attraction of this cave is the image of a snake on a rock, which is believed to be formed on its own accord.

Visiting Time

You can visit the Temple anytime of the year.

Timing

The Temple is open from 6:00 am till 1:00 pm and then from 2:00 pm till 8:30 pm.

Trivia

The two springs Marudha Thirtam and Pambatti Sunai believed to be a blessing to this saint from Lord Shiva can be visited on these hills adjacent to the temple and cave. It is believed that a dip in these springs cures a number of diseases because of their medicinal properties. 

Azhagar Kovil

Here 'Vishnu' presides as Meenakshi's brother 'Azhgar'. During the Chitrai festival in April/May, when the celestial marriage of Meenakshi to Sundareswarar is celebrated, Azhagar travels to Madurai. A gold processional icon called the Sundararajar is carried by devotees in procession from Azhagar Kovil to Madurai for wedding ritual.

Thanjavur was the ancient capital of the Chola Kings whose origins, like those of the Pallavas, Pandyas and Cheras with whom they shared the tips of the Indian Peninsula, go back to the beginning of the Christian era. Power struggles between these groups were a constant feature of their early history, with one or other gaining the ascendancy at various times.


The Cholas' turn for empire building came between 850 to 1270 AD and, at the height of their power, they controlled most of the Indian peninsula south of a line drawn between Mumbai and Puri, including parts of Sri Lanka and, for a while,the Sri vijaya Kingdom of the Malaya Peninsula and Sumatra. Probably the greatest Chola Emperors were Raja Rajah, who was responsible for building the Brahadeeshwara Temple, and his son Rajendra I (1014-44), whose navy competed with the Arabs for control of the Indian Ocean trade routes and who was responsible for bringing Sri Vijaya under the Chola control.

The Meenakshi Temple

மீனாட்சி கோவில் வைகை ஆற்றின் தெற்கு கரையில் அமைந்துள்ளது. தேவி மீனாட்சி என அழைக்கப்படும் பார்வதி,, மற்றும் இங்கே சுந்தரேஸ்வரர் பெயரிடப்பட்ட அவரது மனைவி, சிவன், அர்ப்பணிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது.
விளக்கம் அவர் புனித யாத்திரை போது இந்திரன், Kadambavanam ஒரு புனித Suyambulingam காணப்படும் என்கிறார். இந்திரன் தங்க தாமரைகள் அருகிலுள்ள குளத்தில் தோன்றும் ஏற்படும் மற்றும் இந்த கோவில் புனிதப்படுத்தப்பட்டது சிவபெருமான் வழிபட்டனர்.

மகத்தான கோவில் வளாகம் Sundareshvara மற்றும் அவரது மனைவி பார்வதி அல்லது மீனாட்சி இங்கு அறியப்படுகிறது சிவன், அர்ப்பணிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. அசல் கோவில் குலசேகர பாண்டியனின் கட்டப்பட்ட , ஆனால் அது இன்று போல் அற்புத கோவில் செய்வதற்கு முழு பெருமையையும் நாயக்கர்களின் செல்கிறது. நாயக்கர்களின் 18 ஆம் நூற்றாண்டுக்கு 16 முதல் மதுரை ஆட்சி மற்றும் மீனாட்சி தனது ஆட்சி அதிகாரத்தை ஒரு கம்பீரமான முத்திரையில் விட்டு - சுந்தரேஸ்வரர் கோயில்.

கோவில் வளாகத்தில் முக்கிய மணிக்கு இது சிறிய கோவில்களை மற்றும் பெரும் தூண்களைக் அரங்குகள் பல சூழப்பட்ட மீனாட்சி மற்றும் Sundareshwara இரண்டு sanctums உள்ளன , ஒரு உயர் -சுவர் உறை உள்ள ஆகிறது . குறிப்பாக வெறும் 12 Gopuras உள்ளன. அவர்கள் உயரும் கோபுரங்கள் திட கிரானைட் தளங்களில் இருந்து உயரும், மற்றும் தெளிவான வண்ணங்கள் பூசப்பட்ட dieties , புராண விலங்குகள் மற்றும் அரக்கர்களா ஸ்டக்கோ புள்ளிவிவரங்கள் மூடப்பட்டிருக்கும்.

புராண படி, சிவன் பாண்டிய மன்னன் Malayadwaja மற்றும் அவரது ராணி Kanchanamalai போது ஜெபித்து. பின்னர் பார்வதி வழக்கத்துக்கு மாறாக மூன்று மார்பகங்களை கொண்ட யக்ஞம் பரிசுத்த நெருப்பிலிருந்து வெளியே தோன்றினார். வானத்தில் இருந்து ஒரு குரல் பிறழ்தல் மற்றும் அவள் வருங்கால கணவன் சந்திக்கும் என மறைந்து மூன்றாம் மார்பக பற்றி கவலைப்பட வேண்டாம் என்று ராஜா கூறினார். பெண் Tadaatagai பெயரிடப்பட்டது மற்றும் 64 சாஸ்திர மற்றும் அறிவியல் பயிற்சி.
போர்களில் பல வெற்றிகளை பிறகு, அவர் சிவன் தாக்கி கைப்பற்ற தலைமையில். அவள் அவனை பார்த்து கணம், அவர் போராடவில்லை முடியவில்லை அவள் கூச்சம் காரணமாக அவரது தலைகுனிந்து, மற்றும் மூன்றாவது மார்பக உடனடியாக மறைந்துவிட்டது. Tadaatagai சிவன் அவர் பார்வதி அவதாரமாக இருந்தது என்று அவரது விதி கணவர் என்று. சிவன் மற்றும் Tadaatagai இருவரும் மதுரை திரும்பினார் ராஜா சிவன் திருமணம் தொடர்ந்து அவரது மகள் முடிசூட்டு விழா, ஏற்பாடு செய்தார். விஷ்ணு திருமணம் தலைமை, Vaikumdam இருந்து அனைத்து அவரது வழியில் வந்தது. அவர் மறைந்த போது அவர் மதுரை அடைந்தது முன், திருமணம் செயல்பாடு அதிகமாக இருந்தது. எனவே அவர் மதுரை நுழைய முடியாது உறுதி மற்றும் அழகர் மலைகள் தங்கியிருந்தார். திருமணத்திற்கு பிறகு, ஜோடி நீண்ட நேரம் மதுரை ஆண்டார்கள் பின்னர் சுந்தரேஸ்வரர், மீனாட்சி, கோவில் மூலவர்கள் போன்ற தெய்வீக வடிவங்களைக் கொண்டது. இப்போது வரை, ஒன்றாக திருமண விழா மற்றும் மதுரை விஷ்ணு வருகை இருவரும் மதுரை சித்திரை திருவிழா ஆண்டுதோறும் கொண்டாடப்படுகிறது

மதுரை முன் கிரிஸ்துவர் சகாப்தம் சங்க காலம் மீண்டும் அனைத்து வழி முன்பிருந்தே ஒரு வரலாறு, இந்தியாவின் பழமையான நகரங்களில் ஒன்றாகும். மதுரை மகிமை இந்த புத்தாயிரம் துவக்க கால குறைந்து வடிவில் திரும்பினார்; அது பின்னர் தில்லி (மாலிக் காஃபூர்) என்ற நாசம் படைகள் அதன் இடத்துக்கு பின்னர் விசயநகரப் பேரரசின் ஆட்சியின் கீழ் வந்தது. 16 வது மற்றும் 18 வது நூற்றாண்டுகளின் போது மதுரை நாயக்க மன்னர்கள் ஆட்சி செய்யப்பட்டது, யாரை முதலாக திருமலை நாயக்கர் இருந்தது. கோவில் திருவிழாக்களில் ஒரு பகுதியாக இன்று கூட இயற்றப்பட்டது என்று - சங்க காலம் கவிஞர் நக்கீரர் சுந்தரேஸ்வரர் Tiruvilayaadal பகுதிகளின் சில தொடர்புடையதாக உள்ளது.

சங்க வயது அல்லது தமிழ் இலக்கியம் பொற்காலமாக - மீண்டும் வழி முன் கிரிஸ்துவர் காலத்தில் மற்றும் ஆரம்ப 1st புத்தாயிரம் உற்பத்தி கும்படி. மதுரை கற்றல் தமிழ் சங்கம் அல்லது அகாடமி இருக்கை இருந்தது. கோவில் எக்ஸலன்ஸ் - மதுரை நகரம் முழுவதும், மீனாட்சி சுந்தரேஸ்வரர் கோயில் சுற்றி கட்டப்பட்டுள்ளது. அடர்ந்த செவ்வக தெருக்களில் அகிலம் அமைப்பு அடையாளப்படுத்துவது, கோவில் சூழ்ந்துள்ளது.

Vadapalani Murugan temple

Vadapalani Murugan temple is a highly respected shrine situated at Vadapalani, means North Palani, in Chennai and is worth visiting. The temple enshrines Lord Velayudha (Muruga) as the main presiding deity. The wonderful 4 ft sculpture of the presiding deity is spectacular of all eyes. Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvathi, wife of Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha are also worshipped here. Lord Hanuman's image is inscribed in a pillar. Butter offered by the devotees is applied to this Lord Anjaneya and the devotees pray for the fulfillment of their desires. This renowned temple witnesses a large number of weddings, about 7,000 weddings annually, and is famous for bringing people together. This is an important temple to visit

Thanjavur

Thanjavur: The districts of Thanjavur, Kumbhakonam and Nagappattinam (constituting the erstwhile Thanjauvr district) boast of hundreds of ancient temples. The town of Thanjavur was the seat of the glorious Chola Empire of Tamilnadu, and was later on the seat of the Nayaks and the Marathas. True to art historian Fergusson, the Chola artists conceived like giants and finished like jewellers.

History Of Raja Raja Chola I: Raja Raja Chola I, was clearly the greatest of the Chola Monarchs. During his reign (985 - 1014 AD) he brought stability to the Chola Kingdom, and restored from obscurity the brilliant Tevaram hymns of the Saivite Nayanmars from obscurity. Raja Raja was a great builder, and the Peruvudaiyar Koyil or the Big Tmeple at Thanjavur was his creation. His son Rajendra Chola (1014 - 1044 AD) was a greater conqueror who marched all the way to the banks of the Ganges. This march was commemorated with a new capital Gangaikonda Cholapuram and another 'Periya Koyil'. Gangai Konda Cholapuram was the capital of the Cholas for about two centuries, although it is nothing more than a village now with this rather well maintained magnificient temple. 35 Kilometers from Thanjavur lies Darasuram, once known as Rajarajapuram - a part of the Chola's secondary capital of Pazhaiyarai. Here is the Airavateeswarar Temple built by Raja Raja II (1146 - 1173). It was during the reign of Kulottunga III (1178 - 1218) that the Kambahareswarar temple at Tribhuvanam was built.

These four temples under discussion stand out from the others in Tamilnadu in that, it is only in these that the Vimanam towers over the entrance Gopurams. After these four temples, the Cholas went back to their traditional style of building temples with larger Gopurams and smaller central Vimanams. These temples are fitting memorials to the glory of the rulers that built them, as well as monuments of piety and a committment to art and architecture.

Brihadeeswarar Temple :A 107 paragraph long inscription on the walls of the Vimanam records the contributions of Raja Raja Chola and his sister Kundavai to the Thanjavur temple. The temple stands within a fort, whose walls are later additions built in the 16th century. The towering vimanam is about 200 feet in height and is referred to as Dakshina Meru. The octogonal Shikharam rests on a single block of granite weighing 81 tons. It is believed that this block was carried up a specially built 

 

ramp built from a site 6 kilometeres away from here.Huge Nandis dot the corners of the Shikharam, and the Kalasam on top by itself is about 3.8 meteres in height. Hundreds of stucco figures bejewel the Vimanam, although it is possible that some of these may have been added on during the Maratha period. The Shivalingam - Peruvudaiyar, Rajarajeswaramudaiyar - is a huge one, set in a two storeyed sanctum, and the walls surrounding the sanctum delight visitors as a storehouse of murals and sculpture.

Kapaleeswarar Koil

Kapaleeswarar Koil is situated in Mylapore, Chennai very close to Sea. Temple one of the oldest. First built many centuries before the Christ. It was first built on the sea shore, Portuguese when captured Mylapore in 1566 AD demolished the temple Great people like Tiruvalluvar and Peyalwar lived Mylapore. Mylapore was a seaport and a trade centre is supposedly more than 200 years old. Centuries later the temple was built in the present place in Vijaya Nagar tradition indicates the present structure could have been built by king of Vijaya nagram. The temple is famous for its sculptures. As per Hindu mythology, Parvathi the consort of Shiva performance penance and worshipped Kapaleeswarar in the form of Peacock[ Myil in Tamil – and hence the name of the place Mylapore. Kapaleeswarer is the presiding deity. The name is because it is said Shiva with the bowl of skull [Kapalam] during the time of creation of present ‘Yuga’ Hence the name Kapaleeswarar. The Amman here is Karpagambal, the name synonymous with the name of the holy tree ‘KARPAGAM’ in heaven as the deity is believed to bless people with whatever they for.

There is a large tank on the western side of the temple. Bramhamotsvam or ‘Arupathumoovar’ Festival during April May and , Theppa Thiruviza Float Festival in January, Navaratri Festival in September /October and Vasanta Utsavam in May/June are major attractions.
For more information on Darshans and Poojas.
Contact Executive Officer :
Arulmigu Kapaleeswarar Temple,
No 12, North Mada Street,Mylapore, Chennai.
Tamil Nadu, India.
Time : Morning 6.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. Evening 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.
Location: Mylapore, Chennai - 4.