Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple. Kottayam, Kerala
Vaikom in Kottayam district of the southern state of India, Kerala, is one of the main pilgrim centres of the south. Famous for the Vaikkath Asthami celebrations in November/December, it is one of the few temples which is held in reverence by both Shaivaites and the Vaishnavaites. Vaikkom’s Shiva is fondly called Vaikkathappan. The Shiva Linga here is believed to be from the ‘Treta yuga’ and considered as one of the oldest temples in Kerala where pooja has not been broken since inception.
Erumely Sree Dharma Sastha Temple, Erumeli, Kottayam
Erumely Sree Dharma Sastha Temple main centre of pilgrims to Sabarimala. Traditional foot track is from here. Pilgrims gather here pay homage to vavar at muslim mosque and petta thullal is performed. The hindu muslim unity is at its best and good to imitate to rest of our country. The temple situates in Erumeli of Kottayam district. In Kottayam-Kumali route 12 kms away from 26th mile stop. The presiding deity is Sasthavu, facing the cast. Thanthram is Thazhamon. The sub-deity is Bhagavathy.
Thirunelli Temple, Thirunelli, Wayanad
Thirunelli Temple (also Tirunelli) is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu on the side of Brahmagiri hill in Kerala. The Temple is located at an altitude of about 900m in north Wayanad in a valley surrounded by mountains and beautiful forests. It is situated 32 km away from Manathavady. Thirunelli temple is located in the Brahmagiri hills and encircled by the river Papanasini. It is a holy mountain spring in which people perform the last ancestral rites. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple building is an ideal example of temple architecture with 30 granite pieces supporting the shrine and the floor paved with huge square granite blocks.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Glimpses of Cochin
Kochi, formerly known as Cochin (the erstwhile colonial name), is a major city in the Indian state of Kerala. The city is one of the principal seaports of the country and is located in the district of Ernakulam. Kochi is also the one of the few cities in India without a Hindu majority.
In 1102 AD, Kochi became the seat of the Kingdom of Cochin, a princely state which traces its lineage to the Kulasekhara Empire. Heralded as the Queen of Arabian Sea, Kochi was an important spice trading centre on the Arabian Sea coast since the 14th century. Occupied by the Portuguese in 1503, Kochi was the site of the first European colonial settlement in India. It remained the capital of Portuguese India until 1530, when they opted for Goa as their capital. The city was later occupied by the Dutch and the British, though the Kingdom of Kochi remained simultaneously independent under paramountacy of British.
Kochi entered a period of economic growth after 2000, leading to a spurt in the city's development. The city is the home of Indian Navy's Southern Command and Indian Coast Guard. Kochi's major development attributes to presence of several major industries like Cochin Shipyard, Port of Kochi, FACT as well as with academic centres like Cochin University and Marine research bodies. Kochi hosts one of the oldest Special Economic Zones of India, which recorded a turnover of 17124 crores of exports in FY 2009-10, making it ranking the second in the entire country. The Cochin Special Economic Zone is a multi product zone, with companies operating in gem and jewellery, electronics hardware, software and engineering services, food processing and textiles. This diverse portfolio of products that generate employment potential to the widest rungs of the society has contributed to the overall economic growth of the city and the suburban area.
Men at Work
Temple Pond at TD Temple, Mattancherry
Cherai Beach
Evening At Cochin
Glimple's of Cochin
In 1102 AD, Kochi became the seat of the Kingdom of Cochin, a princely state which traces its lineage to the Kulasekhara Empire. Heralded as the Queen of Arabian Sea, Kochi was an important spice trading centre on the Arabian Sea coast since the 14th century. Occupied by the Portuguese in 1503, Kochi was the site of the first European colonial settlement in India. It remained the capital of Portuguese India until 1530, when they opted for Goa as their capital. The city was later occupied by the Dutch and the British, though the Kingdom of Kochi remained simultaneously independent under paramountacy of British.
Kochi entered a period of economic growth after 2000, leading to a spurt in the city's development. The city is the home of Indian Navy's Southern Command and Indian Coast Guard. Kochi's major development attributes to presence of several major industries like Cochin Shipyard, Port of Kochi, FACT as well as with academic centres like Cochin University and Marine research bodies. Kochi hosts one of the oldest Special Economic Zones of India, which recorded a turnover of 17124 crores of exports in FY 2009-10, making it ranking the second in the entire country. The Cochin Special Economic Zone is a multi product zone, with companies operating in gem and jewellery, electronics hardware, software and engineering services, food processing and textiles. This diverse portfolio of products that generate employment potential to the widest rungs of the society has contributed to the overall economic growth of the city and the suburban area.
Men at Work
Temple Pond at TD Temple, Mattancherry
Cherai Beach
Evening At Cochin
Glimple's of Cochin
Monday, September 27, 2010
Thirunelli Temple, Wayanad, Kerala
Thirunelli Temple (also Tirunelli and Thirunelly) is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu on the side of Brahmagiri hill in Kerala. The Temple is located at an altitude of about 900m in north Wayanad in a valley surrounded by mountains and beautiful forests. It is situated 32 km away from Manathavady.
The temple building is an ideal example of temple architecture with 30 granite pieces supporting the shrine and the floor paved with huge square granite blocks.
Thirunelli temple is popularly known as “Kashi of South” or “Thekkan Kashi”. The main festival celebrations in the temple are Chuttuvilakku, Puthari, Sivarthri, Sreekrishnajayanti and Navarathri.
According to popular legend, the Thirunelli Temple in Wayanad, Kerala, South India was constructed by the creator, Lord Brahma himself and dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu. Famous incarnation of Lord Vishnu Parasurama is reputed to have visited Thirunelli and performed last rites at the death of his father sage Jamadagni. He also took immersion in the Papanasini to wipe away sins committed in killing Kshatriyas.
Water is transported from a perennial mountain stream deep in the valley via impressive stone aqueducts right into the priests room.
Panchatheertham is the holy temple pond. One notable feature of the temple is the lack of a temple well in the premises.
Thirunelli is famous as the destination to perform last rites of the deceased at the rock close to Papa nasini stream. Parts of the temple including sanctum sanctorium is being renovated. Renovation activities can be seen on one side of the temple where sculpted stones and beautiful wood carvings are under preparation.
Papanasini Emanating from the heart of Brahmagiri flowing through roots, leaves and flowers of ancient trees and medicinal herbs, Papanasini is a holy mountain stream accessible around 1 km North west of the temple premises. One dip in the cold Papanasini waters in reputed to wash away all sins committed in a life time. It is further believed that Papanasini is the confluence of river Ganga and Saraswathy.
The temple building is an ideal example of temple architecture with 30 granite pieces supporting the shrine and the floor paved with huge square granite blocks.
Thirunelli temple is popularly known as “Kashi of South” or “Thekkan Kashi”. The main festival celebrations in the temple are Chuttuvilakku, Puthari, Sivarthri, Sreekrishnajayanti and Navarathri.
According to popular legend, the Thirunelli Temple in Wayanad, Kerala, South India was constructed by the creator, Lord Brahma himself and dedicated to the worship of Lord Vishnu. Famous incarnation of Lord Vishnu Parasurama is reputed to have visited Thirunelli and performed last rites at the death of his father sage Jamadagni. He also took immersion in the Papanasini to wipe away sins committed in killing Kshatriyas.
Water is transported from a perennial mountain stream deep in the valley via impressive stone aqueducts right into the priests room.
Panchatheertham is the holy temple pond. One notable feature of the temple is the lack of a temple well in the premises.
Thirunelli is famous as the destination to perform last rites of the deceased at the rock close to Papa nasini stream. Parts of the temple including sanctum sanctorium is being renovated. Renovation activities can be seen on one side of the temple where sculpted stones and beautiful wood carvings are under preparation.
Papanasini Emanating from the heart of Brahmagiri flowing through roots, leaves and flowers of ancient trees and medicinal herbs, Papanasini is a holy mountain stream accessible around 1 km North west of the temple premises. One dip in the cold Papanasini waters in reputed to wash away all sins committed in a life time. It is further believed that Papanasini is the confluence of river Ganga and Saraswathy.
Labels:
Culture,
Custom,
Hinduism,
Kerala,
Pilgrimage,
Ritual,
South India,
Temple,
Thirunelli,
Tourism
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Kuzhupilly Beach
The golden sandy beaches of Arabian Sea, the prawn farms and the backwaters as a background,
away from the regular road traffic and the crowded tourist spots, repose you to the most fraternal, tranquil and serene environment.
away from the regular road traffic and the crowded tourist spots, repose you to the most fraternal, tranquil and serene environment.
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