Pearls Across Penna Series (Day 3) Kadapa to Allagada, 1 hr 15 minutes Stone-craft in India has perhaps ‘carved’ a niche for itself- no pun intended. With a rich tradition of stonework, as is evident from temples whether it is Khajuraho, the Dilwara temple, Halebid, Belur, or Rameswaram, the list is endless. And behind these … Continue reading Breathing life into stones – the Allagadda Stone Sculptors ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
G I Tag
The beauty of Navalgund Durries / Carpets ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Since we are in the Karnataka Rajyotsava month, I thought I should write about the Navalgund Durries or carpets. These are functional carpets that are woven with geometric designs, and other motifs. Yes, the type I am sitting on in the picture. I had recently acquired it and decided to inaugurate it for a special … Continue reading The beauty of Navalgund Durries / Carpets ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Pearls Across Penna Trail – Day 1 (part 2) Venkatgiri Weaves and Venkatgiri Fort ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Satiated after a Andhra thali lunch at the Hotel MGM Grand, Srikalahasti, our next stop was the town of Venkatgiri. This is a town in the Tirupati District of Andhra Pradesh. History of Venkatgiri: Venkatagiri was originally known as Kalimilli till the 17th century and was ruled by Gobburi Palaiyakkarars (or Polygars as the British called … Continue reading Pearls Across Penna Trail – Day 1 (part 2) Venkatgiri Weaves and Venkatgiri Fort ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
The Aprameya Swamy Temple at Dodda Mallur ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Today is Guru Purnima (July 13th, 2022), the full moon that occurs in the Hindu month of ‘Ashada’. ‘Gu’ means darkness and ‘ru’ means one who removes the darkness; hence a Guru is a soul that helps in leading from darkness to light and I bow to all who have helped me do so. India … Continue reading The Aprameya Swamy Temple at Dodda Mallur ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
SriVilliputtur and the Birth of Andal ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
(Note: The story about how she got the sobriquet ‘Soodikodutha Sudarkodi' (the one who wore the garland and then offered it to the Lord) used to thrill me every time when my maternal Paati/ grandmother used to narrate it. Paati herself was an epitome of bhakti and was it a coincidence that she was also … Continue reading SriVilliputtur and the Birth of Andal ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
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