Indian Columbus - A travel guide

01/08/2022

Oh, really? Are you sure? Was this the first and the biggest department store of Madras?

The first and the biggest department store of Old Madras

31/07/2022

Viswanathapuram

Temple built by Gujaratis, for the deity from Varanasi, in Madras

This is a unique temple with the deity from Varanasi, installed by Gujaratis, in Madras...

27/07/2022

Despite being engulfed with rich history, hardly anyone from today's could reminisce about this theatre.

One of the oldest cinema halls of Madras

25/07/2022

"He is a philosopher and a poet, a savant and a saint, a mystic and a religious reformer. Such diverse gifts did he possess that different images present themselves, if we try to recall his personality."

A unique museum on the glorious history of Adi Shankaracharya

A unique museum on 2500 glorious history of Shankaracharyas

24/07/2022

The Best Lassi that you can ever have in

The Best Lassiwala of Chennai

17/06/2022

How was "Tambaram" called by the Cholas? Where can we find that inscription now?

Do you know that the sacred footprints of Sri Ranganatha of Tiruneermali are found in an ancient Shiva temple?

A lesser-known Chola-era temple of

An unknown Chola-era temple of Pammal; the inscriptions mention certain popular localities of Chennai such as Tambaram

09/06/2022

Do you know Tiruneermalai? Probably, yes!

Then, do you know Tirumangai Alwar Malai? Definitely, no!

Read my article to know about this hidden gem of and how it's connected to Tiruneermalai Divya Desam.

Those who are interested, please visit the site at the earliest, before it is lost forever.

A hidden gem of Chennai called Tirumangai Alwar Malai

07/06/2022

The Chitrakuta of

How many of you have visited this 1000 years old Chola-era temple?

The Chitrakuta of Chennai - An unknown Chola-era temple

06/06/2022

Not only its history but even its existence remains unknown to the citizens of Chennai. This apsidal (Gajaprshtha) temple might be a later Chola temple. Else, it might be an original Pallava-era temple reconstructed by the Cholas. Unfortunately, we can only keep guessing.

An unknown Chola-era temple in Chennai

05/06/2022

The tallest Murugan of ....Also, the tallest stone sculpture of Murugan in the whole world.

The tallest Murugan sculpture of Chennai

14/05/2022

Who is the luckiest? The King who ordered the excavation of this cave shrine? Else, the sculptor who built this unbelievably remarkable monument? None of them! It is me, who explored the site and enjoyed detailing every element of architecture and iconography.

Trimurti Caves - One of the most beautiful monuments of Mamallapuram. It took about three months to write this small article. I tried my best to cover all aspects of the cave shrine and ensured that even laypersons could understand and appreciate the terms used.







https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2022/05/tri-murti-caves-mamallapuram.html

22/04/2022

Kodikkaal Mandapam - Compared to other monuments of , it is a lesser-known site.

Kodikal Mandapam in Mamallapuram

19/04/2022

Unless the sculptors had enjoyed their work intensely, they could not have created this masterpiece. There seems to be no end to their euphoria. A secular panel in #

Minor Elephant Panel, Mamallapuram

17/04/2022

Krishna's Butter Ball

Travel blog about heritage sites, temples, monuments, historical places, malls, churches, mosques, parks, gardens, amusement parks, zoos and beaches

17/04/2022

Dharmaraja's Throne and two other lesser-known monuments of

Three lesser known monuments of Mamallapuram

15/04/2022

Draupadi's Bath -

Draupadi's Bath in Mamallapuram

14/04/2022

Mamallapuram is filled with experimental monuments of Pallava-era sculptors. Varaha Mandapa is the most complete and ornamental shrine among various cave temples. Four majestic relief panels adorning its walls are the highlights.

This article written by me covers all the four panels and other architectural elements of the cave shrine in detail.

A detailed description of all relief panels and other elements of Varaha Mandapa in Mamallapuram

30/03/2022

Draupadi Ratha is good. Bhima Ratha is extraordinary. Arjuna Ratha is exceptional. Dharmaraja Ratha is the best. Then, Ganesha Ratha? It is probably better than the best. Ganesha Ratha is almost complete, while the other monolithic shrines called Rathas remain incomplete. It is poetry written on the stone that treats our eyes completely with its excellent structural quality and great details in its architecture.

Ganesha Ratha in Mamallapuram

20/03/2022

Lighthouse

The brief history of lighthouse in Mamallapuram

The new lighthouse of Mamallapuram

18/03/2022

The Unfinished Ratha and Stone Couch

Mamallapuram - Lesser-known monuments

15/03/2022

The Unfinished Mandapa of

The Unfinished Mandapa - Mamallapuram

12/03/2022

There seems to be no end to the experiments in stone done by the Pallava sculptors in Mamallapuram. Cave Shrines, Monolith Rathas, Structural Temples, Mini Shrines, and what next? A mini temple carved in a lion's torso.

A miniature shrine of Durga sculpted in the lion's chest

10/03/2022

Varaha Sculpture, an unusual mini shrine and a well - Interesting creations of Rajasimha Pallava -

Varaha sculpture, a miniature shrine and a well - Lesser-known monuments of Mamallapuram

05/03/2022

A lesser-known monument of

Mini Yali Mandapa

A lesser known site in Mamallapuram - Mini Yali Mandapam

03/03/2022

What was the original name of Mahisasuramardini Mandapa in ?

Is it true that it was a temple for Trimurtis?

Who are the figures in Anantasayana Panel? Is it logical to call them Ayudha Purushas?

A detailed description of all shrines and all sculptures of this monument. Also, my hypothesis in identification of certain sculptures...

A detailed description of all shrines and sculptures of Mahisasuramardini Mandapa in Mamallapuram

19/02/2022

A detailed article about Sahadeva Ratha in



https://indiancolumbus.blogspot.com/2022/02/sahadeva-ratha-mamallapuram.html

13/02/2022

Dharmaraja Ratha of - A testimony for the incredible workmanship of Pallavas! It's a pinnacle of early temple architecture of Dravidian style!

Three floors - 48 niche sculptures - 37 label inscriptions - One panel in the sanctum - architectural features of the entire structure - everything is covered in detail!

An introduction covering fundamental aspects of sculptures - simple explanation defining the architectural elements - Glossary for technical terms - Around 50 photographs added.

I am not in agreement with books written only to satisfy scholars. I sincerely believe there is no use in publishing ultra-expensive books that an ordinary fellow cannot purchase.

My intention is always to explain the complex subject in simple language so that the layman can easily digest the matter and appreciate the same. Also, such reliable sources must be available easily and free of cost. I spent around four months authoring this single article. Although I call it an article, it is as exhaustive as a thick book on this subject.

I would feel accomplished if this article motivates even a single soul to visit the exceptionally great monument and appreciate it thoroughly.

The pinnacle of early Dravidian Temple Architecture - Dharmaraja Ratha, Mamallapuram

17/01/2022

A detailed write-up with clear explanation on every architectural element, added with photographs, about Bhima Ratha in

A detailed write-up with clear explanation on every architectural element added with photographs about Bhima Ratha in Mamallapuram

09/01/2022

An extremely detailed article about Arjuna Ratha of .

I have attempted to explain every component, sculpture and other architectural features in simple language.

Six components of Vimana - two tiers of Vimana
Details of Koshta Deities/figures -
Why the central icon in East wall is Subramanya and not Indra?
Sculptures in the first tier
Components such as Sala, Kudu, Harantara, Kuta and others along with explanation and photographs...
And a lot more...

A detailed write-up on Arjuna Ratha of Mamallapuram

06/01/2022

Catch me live at 9:15 AM IST on this Saturday (8th January 2022)...

"Maadamaa Koviloor Bhuvanai" - my speech in Tamil about the Temples of .

As a part of two-days event of "Pechchu Kacheri" about "Kalinga" conducted by Tamil Heritage Trust...




https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JvcyDrOIWU