“When we recall the nature and extent of the efforts and sacrifices that must have gone into the construction of this magnificent temple… and the manner in which numerous villages all over the empire were linked with the daily routine of the temple… when we consider further, how all the learning and the arts that…
Category: religion
Airavatesvara temple in Darasuram: A beautiful stone carved verse from the later Chola period
The Imperial Cholas The Imperial Cholas of South India hold the record for being the longest ruling dynasty in Indian history, and is undoubtedly one of the grandest empires that the country has ever seen. Historically their rule goes long back into the pre-Christian era, and while there is no exact date of their origin, the dynasty…
Kailasanathar in Kanchipuram/ Kanchi- A Pallava marvel in stucco and sandstone
Looking back at Kanchipuram Kanchipuram, the city of thousand temples, was a part of Tondaimandalam division during the ancient and early medieval times. The city which lies between the two rivers Palar and Vegavati, is situated in the north-eastern part of Tamil Nadu. Kanchi is broadly divided into two main parts: the Vishnu Kanchi and Shiva…
What do Ganas, Gandharvas, Mithuna Couples, and Dancing girls on temple walls tell us
When we embark on a circumambulation of a temple (pradakshina), our eyes come across many figures besides those of the gods and the goddesses. Among the ones we most frequently meet are the chubby ganas busy blowing into conch shells, or bearing heavy loads of the temple, or sometimes playing the musical instruments. Others that…
What to explore in Mahabalipuram (Part II) – The Pancha Rathas, Krishna Mandapa, and other Rock Cut caves
The origin of monument building in Mahabalipuram is attributed to the mighty Pallava dynasty that ruled south India from around 3rd century CE with their capital at Kanchipuram, after the decline of their overlords, the Satavahanas. The early Pallavas were seafaring in nature, and they spread their culture in many parts of what is now…
What to explore in Mahabalipuram (Part I) – The Shore temple, Sri Stahala Sayana Perumal temple, and the giant Rock Relief
Looking Back Once the hub of commercial and political activities in ancient India, Mahabalipuram is now a buzzing tourist hub, owing to the UNESCO Group of Monuments that bring in many foreign tourists. Beyond these monuments, the town, which is more a village, retains its sleepy and laid back attitude, with pretty green paddy fields…
The Dolls and Masks of Bengal: a depiction through pictures
The history of Bengal goes long back archaeologically, wherein tools from the Stone Age era dating back to almost 20,000 years have been found from various excavated sites. In historical texts, we find that the epic Mahabharata talks of this area as divided into different kingdoms: Magadha, Banga, Pundra, Anga, and Suhma. Each part was…
Tibetan Culture and Traditions
In the land of lama, don’t be a gamma. A sage advice given by those that build and maintain roads in these cold, barren lands. Whoever has travelled to the distant high mountains of Ladakh and Spiti have seen these cautionary yellow boards with advice written in black by the BRO, asking drivers to be…
Gwalior Fort in the heartland of India, Madhya Pradesh
The old State of Gwalior in India’s madhyadesa Standing amidst the forest clad ridges, low topped hills and plateaus, valleys, plains, and many rivers (Chambal and its tributaries), the old State of Gwalior in Central India has been a silent witness to many historical proceedings from times immemorial. Geographically the territory could be divided into two…
Visvesvara /Basheswara/ Bishweshwara Mahadev temple in Bajoura (Kullu, Himachal Pradesh)
While staying in Sarsai near Manali with my friend in early April this year, I came across photographs of the beautiful Baseswara temple (assigned to 9th c. CE built) located in the Bajoura town of the Kullu district. Despite grim warnings by my friend about how hot Kullu will be by late morning, and her…
Moni Gāthā 