The 'Pearls Across Penna' travellers in the corridor of the SriKalahasteeshwara Temple, Srikalahasti Two groups converged from Chennai and Bangalore at SriKalahasti to what was the beginning of the 'Pearls across Penna' trail. The trail was named after the 'Pennar' River, which is a unique river in itself. It originates at the Nandi Hills, which … Continue reading Pearls Across Penna Trail – Day 1 (part 1) SriKalahasti Temple & Kalamkari Artists ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Temples
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
Thirunallar – Shanishwara and Darbaranyeshwara Temple ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
I hope you all liked reading about Shani Shinganapur. As Part 2 of the Saturn Temples, this article is about a temple in Thirunallar, a small town in the Karaikal district of the Union Territory of Puducherry. We had driven down from Bangalore to Tharagambadi (Tranquebar) for a visit (more on this in another post) … Continue reading Thirunallar – Shanishwara and Darbaranyeshwara Temple ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Shani Shinganapur- the village with no locks ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Shani Jayanti Today May 30th is observed as Shani Jayanti. Lord Shani, as you know is the ruler of Planet Saturn and the seers have said that he is the son of Lord Surya or the Sun God. Shani Jayanti is also known as Shani Amavasya, as it falls on the Amavasya (new moon) Tithi during … Continue reading Shani Shinganapur- the village with no locks ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Sri Kalahasteeswara – The Dakshina Kailasam ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
A Pancha Bhoota Sthana, a Shakti Peetham & Rahu-Ketu Kshetra 13th February 2022 What a legacy, our ancients have left behind for us in India. With every visit to a new spot or a temple, it is thrilling to peel the layers, and discover the mysteries and truth of the cosmos and the universe. I … Continue reading Sri Kalahasteeswara – The Dakshina Kailasam ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Temples of Bangalore – All about Malleshwaram
After being pretty much indoors because of the third wave, it felt was a good time to go back to another part of my roots last evening. You may have read my previous blog on Gorur and Kittane, where my ancestors migrated from Tamil Nadu. Centuries later many families migrated to Bangalore in search of … Continue reading Temples of Bangalore – All about Malleshwaram
Visiting my roots: Gorur and Kittane ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Returning to your roots is always an emotional journey. That is why this last article of 2021 is special to me. I hope you – my dear readers - will find it interesting too. Towards the end of May 2020, I lost my father and was a day late for the last rites, as flights … Continue reading Visiting my roots: Gorur and Kittane ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Thiruchendur Murugan Temple ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Note to my International Readers: The following article may seem a little complicated, but it has been my endevour to simplify and present the essence of various facets of India, it’s culture and traditions. Also, I am delighted to co-author this piece with Sujatha Ravi, my guest writer from Chennai, who has explained the various … Continue reading Thiruchendur Murugan Temple ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Timeless Ayodhya – Published Article in Deccan Herald (Sunday Edition)
I am pleased to share that on occasion of Diwali my travel article on Ayodhya appeared in the Sunday Edition of the National newspaper Deccan Herald. Here is the link to the digital version. https://www.deccanherald.com/sunday-herald/sh-top-stories/timeless-ayodhya-1047305.html A longer version was published on this blog here. This has several pictures as well as a detailed itinerary.
Counting the Shivalingas at the Koti Lingeshwara Temple ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
By the time we finished the trek at Avani Betta, it was lunch time and we found a nice place enroute to spread our picnic hamper. Rest assured, we used all reusables and packed up everything, leaving no trash behind. After lunch it was a good 40-minute ride to a village called Kammasandra to visit … Continue reading Counting the Shivalingas at the Koti Lingeshwara Temple ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
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