Venkataramana Temple at Gingee

What we see of The Venkataramana Temple at Gingee in Tamil Nadu, is what is left after the French invaders plundered this temple during 1761 AD! Many statues and monolithic ornamental pillars from this temple were taken away by the French to Pondicherry. I am not sure if they are there in Pondicherry today! 

After the French onslaught, this temple slowly decayed and its old archaeological wealth was plundered by subsequent invaders. Sadly most of the Hindu temples in India have been vandalized by several invasions!

 

This magnificent temple was built by Muthyalu Nayaka between 1540 and 1550. There are many Tamil inscriptions in this temple.  This large temple is in ruins and it is under the care of the Archeological Society of India. The sanctum sanctorum of this temple is sadly empty! There is no God! No idea what happened to the God!

 

When we go around the temple we can see a beautiful Kalyana Mandapam (Place where marriages are held), a Yaga Sala (Place where worship with fire is done) and a Utsava Mandapam (Place where the deity is kept outside the sanctum sanctorum on important festival days)

 

The temple’s carvings & sculptures bear a testimony to the artistic skills of Nayakar Dynasty!

 

 

Gingee is 147 Kilometers from Chennai. 

Forgotten Fort of Gingee!

Gingee Fort - apart from being a unique architectural feat is one of the few forts in the State of Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu is famous for its temple architecture and it has reached its peak during the times of Raja Raja Chozhan itself. Gingee town is surrounded by several hills made of barren volcanic rocks.

 

This fort has two main entrances to it, namely, the Arcot or Vellore gate and the Pondicherry gate. The fort of Gingee has existed for several hundred years. They say this fort was built during 15^th and 16^th century by Nayaks. 

 

 

Several dynasties are connected with the history of Gingee fort - Vijaynagar Maharajas, Shivaji Maharaj, Nawabs of Arcot, Tipu Sultan, the French and British. However, the legend of the fort is most popularly connected with the story of Raja De Singh, perhaps the only Rajput ruler to have ruled in Tamil Nadu. 

 

The fort at Gingee was declared a National Monument in 1921 and it came under the Archeological Survey of India. The Tourism Department of Tamil Nadu can popularize this remote and oft-forgotten fort. Gingee today, with its ruined forts, temples and granaries, presents a different picture from the glorious splendor of its golden days. But the remains of that glorious past speak volumes about the numerous invasions, warfare and bravery that it witnessed!

Minor basilica of Chennai

 

St. Thomas Basilica has the distinction of being one of the three Basilicas in the World, which are built over the tomb of Jesus Christ’s disciples!   This is built over the tomb of St. Thomas who was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ who witnessed the resurrection of Jesus. The other two are St.Peter's Basilica in Rome (built over the tomb of St.Peter) and Santiago de Compostela in Galicia, Spain (built over the tomb of St.James). St. Thomas Church was elevated to a minor Basilica in the year 1956.In India there are sixteen minor basilicas. 

Today, the Shrine preserves a small bone of the Saint and the head of the lance with which the Saint was pierced. In 1954, his Eminence Cardinal Eugene Tasserant brought a piece of bone from the hand with which the Saint touched the side of Jesus after his resurrection, to the Shrine.

The Shrine is also proud of possessing a very ancient image of Our Lady of Mylapore. In 1545 St.Francis Xavier prayed before this statue before going to the Far East to preach the kingdom of God.

 

 

Pope John Paul II visited and prayed at this Holy place on February 5th, 1986.

This lovely Gothic Church is an architectural treasure. Rising 155 feet from the ground, with a nave of 112 feet by 33 feet, and an imposing sanctuary 62 feet long and 33 feet wide, it is adorned with stained glass windows depicting St. Thomas and the other Apostles. Inside the sanctuary is a statue of St. Thomas seated.

Santhome Basilica is at the end of Marina beach in South of Chennai.

Santhome – eponymous with Saint Thomas – one of the disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ who was martyred in 72 AD – is the name of the location where this Cathedral was rebuilt in the year 1890. 

In Chennai, this is church is a must see destination.

Great Living Chola Temple # 3

 

Three temples in Tanjavur District are collectively called as “Great Living Chozhan Temples”. These three temples are - The Big temple at Tanjavur built by Rajaraja Chozhan I (985-1014 CE), Gangaikonda Chozhapuram Temple build by Rajendra Chozhan I (1012-1044 CE) who was the son and successor of Rajaraja Chozhan I and Airavatesvarar Temple at Dharasuram by Rajaraja Chozhan II (1146-1173 CE)

 

 

 I have already seen the Big temple or Brihadiswara Temple at Tanjavur and Airavatesvara temple at Dharasuram. Last month when I was in Tanjvur District I made it a point to visit Gangaikonda Chozhapuram and complete seeing all the three temples.

 

 

The Brihadiswarar temple was declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1987; the temple at Gangaikondachozhavaram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram were added as extensions to the site in 2004.

Darasuram temple is the smallest but the most exquisite! Probably because this temple was built later!  Gangaikonda Chozhapuram temple is built almost like the Big temple. There are many similarities between them. Even the sculptures in this temple are like that of the ones we see in Big Temple.

 

I think Rajendra Chozhan I could have built this temple totally different from that of Big Temple. Definitely the grandest of all is the BIG Temple!When we compare Gangaikondachozhapuram with other two temples I will not rate it best basing on any parameter!