After our visit to Thirukadaiyur, we did a bit of cross-country driving to reach the famed Brihadeshwara temple at Gangaikonda Cholapuram. It took us about an hour and 45 minutes to get there. And when we reached there, needless to say, what I saw took my breath away. What I saw was testimony to one … Continue reading #KumbakonamTrails, Brihadishvara Temple, Gangaikonda Cholapuram ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Shiva Temples
Kumbakonam Diaries – The Thirunaraiyur Mangala Saneeswaran Temple ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Close to the Nachiyar Kovil (my previous post) is the Thrunaraiyur is dedicated to Ramanathaswamy and the Goddess is called by Parvatha Vardhini. After visiting the Nachiyar Kovil, I wanted to visit this temple. This temple is on the Kumbakonam- Kudavasal Road. The main deity in this temple is Lord Shiva as Ramanathaswamy and the … Continue reading Kumbakonam Diaries – The Thirunaraiyur Mangala Saneeswaran Temple ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
The grandeur of Someshwara Temple, Kolar ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
If you had read my previous piece on the Kolaramma Temple, dedicated to the goddess and presiding deity of Kolar, you would be familiar with the history of Kolar. For a quick recap, Kolar was previously known as ‘Kuvalapura’, and became the capital of the Ganga Dynasty. For as long as they were in power … Continue reading The grandeur of Someshwara Temple, Kolar ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Swami at Devuni Kadapa & Temples at Pushpagiri (Pearls across Pennar Series) #Day 3 (Part 2) ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Devuni Kadapa is a part of Kadapa City and is also known as Patha Kadapa, meaning Old Kadapa. The name "Devuni Kadapa" is derived from the word gadapa, which means 'doorway' or threshhold'. The pilgrims who wanted to visit Tirumala. Tirupati had to first visit the Lakshmi Venkateswara Swami Temple in Devuni Kadapa, and hence the place got its name. It is … Continue reading Sri Lakshmi Venkateswara Swami at Devuni Kadapa & Temples at Pushpagiri (Pearls across Pennar Series) #Day 3 (Part 2) ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Maha Shivaratri Special – A collation of some Shiva Temples of India ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
On Maha Shivaratri, I am collating few articles on this blog that features essays on Temples of Lord Shiva. Hope you enjoy and savour the read on this auspicious day/ night. The following article features the Koti Lingeshwara Temple in Kolar. https://sojournwithsan.com/2021/10/21/counting-the-shivalingas-at-the-koti-lingeshwara-temple-sangeeta-venkatesh/ 2. Close to Kotilingeswara Temple is the stunning Ramalingeshwara Temple at Avani Betta. … Continue reading Maha Shivaratri Special – A collation of some Shiva Temples of India ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Temples around Thrissur, Kerala (Gurvayurappan temple, Mammiyur Mahadeva Temple, Vadakkunnathan temple) ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
In the five decades (plus!) of my life, I have had the good fortune of getting the darshan of Guruvayurappan many times. As we approach the end of the year, I wanted to write about this wonderful, and powerful temple on this website, as we had the good fortune of travelling earlier this year in … Continue reading Temples around Thrissur, Kerala (Gurvayurappan temple, Mammiyur Mahadeva Temple, Vadakkunnathan temple) ©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
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
The Ramalingeshwara Temple at Avani ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
A bright Sunday morning in September and we felt it should not be wasted on any account. This year has allowed us to seek out places in the outskirts of Bangalore and holy-moly there is so much you can explore. 1 hour 30 minutes from Whitefield This time it was to drive towards Kolar district … Continue reading The Ramalingeshwara Temple at Avani ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Yoganandeeshwara Temple atop the Nandi Hills ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
From Bhoganandeeshwara Temple in Nandigrama, and then to Muddenhalli, we make our way to Nandi Hills to visit the Yoga Nandeeshwara Temple in particular. This temple is the abode of Shiva in his form as a Yogi or ascetic. This temple was built atop the hills by the Cholas and was later taken over by … Continue reading Yoganandeeshwara Temple atop the Nandi Hills ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
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