Somasi Mara Nayanar, also known as Somasi Maranar, Somasi Marar, Somasimarar and Somasira Nayanar, is a Nayanar saint, venerated in the Hindu sect of Shaivism. He is generally counted as the thirty-third in the list of 63 Nayanars. He is also called Marar, Maran and Mara Nayanar, names he shares with Ilayankudi Mara Nayanar. The two Nayanars are generally differentiated by the prefixes “Somasi” and “Ilayankudi”. He was a contemporary […]

As one passes through the gopuram entrance of this temple, on the right side of the courtyard, there is a unique kolam depicting Garudaazhvaar’s presence. Standing with folded hands, facing two kalasas, Garudaazhvaar is seated on the Padmasana kolam. With both hands folded in reverence, a snake coils around his feet, and a lotus garland […]

Those observing the Thiruvona Vratham should abstain from eating on the first day and visit Lord Perumal’s temple in the evening to offer Tulsi garlands. Only Tulsi water should be consumed in the morning. Recitation of Perumal hymns is mandatory. Salt should not be added to the afternoon meal. In the evening, one should visit […]

Temple: Kodandarama Swamy Temple, Tirupati City, Andhra Pradesh. Period: The initial construction of this temple is believed to date back to the 10th-11th century during the Chola period. The present structure we see today was constructed in 1480 by Narasimha Muthaliyar and others in the Vijayanagara architectural style. Located in the heart of Tirupati city, […]

They throw light on artistic and temple-building activities in Tondaimandalam and Raja Raja’s grip on the region. Four inscriptions, two of Raja Raja Chola (regnal years 985-1014 A.D.) and two of the earlier Chola period of 10th Century A.D., have been discovered at Siru Karumbur village, near Kaveripakkam, 20 km from Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu […]

According to ancient texts, Siddhar Dhanvantari is revered as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu in Hinduism, who emerged from the Ocean of Milk during the churning of the ocean, carrying the pot of amrita, the elixir of immortality. While the Bhagavata Purana narrates his appearance during the Samudra Mathana, where the Devas and Asuras churned […]

The Tamil Nadu government has declared the early Pandya-era rock-cut cave temple at Paraikulam as a protected monument. It is located in Tiruchuzhi taluk in Virudhunagar district. The government would fence the area and the declaration would also prevent mining of rocks in a 300-metre radius of the monument. The temple at Paraikulam was an […]

The traditional story concerning the origins of the Jagannath temple is that the original image of Jagannath, a form of Vishnu, at the end of the Dvapara Yuga, was manifested near a banyan tree, near the shore in the form of an Indranila Mani, or the Blue Jewel. It was so dazzling that it could grant an instant moksha, so the deity, Dharma or Yama, […]

Shakti Peeth is the most famous and significant pilgrimage amongst the devotees according to their religious beliefs. It has also been mentioned in Hinglaj Purana as well as Vamana and many Puranas. Now here is an interesting fact. We all know that Pakistan was a part of India before independence. Hence, Hinglaj is one of the […]

Anaya Nayanar, also known as Anaya and Anayar, is a Nayanar saint, venerated in the  Shaivite sect. Anaya is considered to be the 14th of the 63 Nayanars. His playing of the Panchakshara (five-syllable mantra) on his flute so pleased the god, Shiva, that he took Anaya away to the eternal world.  Aanaayar used to tend cows. He used to take the cows for grazing […]