We decided on an early start for the day. On the previous day, we had visited Swaminathaswamy temple in Swamimalai, by around 11 AM and it was frightfully hot and hence, the early start. One of the six ‘Arubadaiveedugal’ or six abodes of Lord Muruga or Karthikeya, this is an important pilgrim center. A special significance […]
NAVAGRAHAS are the nine celestial bodies, that as per Hindu tradition influence the lives of people at various times. Some indirect connection to astronomy but the cause and effect is not clearly apparent to us, as it was to our ancestors. Each of the celestial bodies has a form as a deity too, who is
Tiruvanaikaval or Tiruvanaikoil or Tiruvanaika is an ancient Shiva temple said to have been built by Kochengannan Chola, one of the early Chola kings, who had in all built over 70 temples and later attained sainthood. This temple is not only one of the ‘Paadal Petra Sthalam’ but, also one of the five temples where
Truly blessed to have had darshan at two of the foremost Shaivite and Vaishnavite temples of India, of great significance to any Hindu. As a lover of history too, it was a memorable day for me to have seen two of the renowned and most famous constructions, steeped in history that left me truly amazed.
6.40 AM: It was a short drive from our resort to the much-acclaimed Airavatesvara temple, at Darasuram, some 5 kilometers from Kumbakonam. This was the site that met our eyes. The main door of the temple was yet to be opened and we were told, it would be opened at 7 AM. We looked around
We had the unique experience of not merely visiting a museum, but staying in one, for two days and two nights. The entire resort is a museum with artefacts all around, apart from a dedicated private collector’s museum in its precincts. This is the INDeco Hotel, styled an 1896 Tanjore village hotel in Swamimalai, six
Yes, you read that right — There is indeed a temple, where it is widely believed that if you pray, you will be rid of diabetes or at least have the condition under control. This temple is situated in a picturesque hamlet called Kovel Venni, just off the National Highway 83 in Tiruvarur district of
We landed in the small Deoghar airport at 1.10 PM. Had been fasting since morning and had to continue the fast till we completed our darshan and puja at Baba Baidyanath Dham, one of the 12 jyotirlingas. As we walked across the tarmac to the airport building (no buses, no aerobridges), we were wondering how
This hidden jewel in Madhya Pradesh is not yet on the major tourist circuit. Had read about Dharmrajeshwar some time back and immediately added it to my bucket list. When we were in Mandsaur to have darshan at the Pashupatinath temple (Pashupatinath temple………….in India ), thought it the right time to extend our stay by
9th June 2025: It was 09.50 hours. Wan Hai 503, a Singapore flagged container vessel and managed directly by Wan Hai Shipping Lines, while sailing off the coast of Kerala, experienced container explosion on board, resulting in a massive fire. The vessel had sailed from Colombo and was bound for Nhava Sheva (JNPT). The fire
