One of the most popular articles on my website is the piece on the Vainatheya Temple at Bindiganavile, where I get a number of visitors everyday. I had written that the place was also famous for the fact that this is the only temple where there is a separate sannidhi for Garuda. In all other temples, Garuda … Continue reading Garuda Temple at Koladevi ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
India
Kolaramma Temple, Kolar ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
You would have previously read my pieces on the Koti Lingeshwara Temple, the series on the Mulbagal Temples, the Ramalingeshwara group of temples and Avani Betta, all of which are in the vicinity of the town of Kolar. However, we missed visiting the Kolaramma temple dedicated to the goddess and presiding deity of Kolar, which … Continue reading Kolaramma Temple, Kolar ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Soumyanatha Swamy Temple, Nandalur (Pearls Across Pennar Series) #Day 2 #Part5 ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
After a beautiful darshan at Tallapaka, our next stop was at the Soumyanatha Swamy Temple at Nandalur which is a mere 15 minutes drive. The temple is situated near the Cheyyuru River ( a confluence of the Bahuda River and Punch River) in the Kadapa district. The presiding deity is Lord Balaji in the divine … Continue reading Soumyanatha Swamy Temple, Nandalur (Pearls Across Pennar Series) #Day 2 #Part5 ©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
Siddavatam (Pearls across Penna Series) #Day 3 (Part 1) ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Reaching Siddavatam: Day 3 saw us getting up early (7 am) to drive towards the Siddavatam Fort, Rajampet, from Kadapa, where we had stayed overnight. It was built in 1303 AD by the River Pennar and indeed epitomized the 'Pearl of Pennar' trail. This is the right time to visit the fort before the sun … Continue reading Siddavatam (Pearls across Penna Series) #Day 3 (Part 1) ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Breathing life into stones – the Allagadda Stone Sculptors ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
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
Photo-essay of Pench – World Wildlife Day March 3rd ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Much has been written about the Pench National Park by other travellers. So I will keep it simple. We travelled from Ramtek to Pench and since we were arriving late evening, we were happy to check in quickly at the Tathasthu Guest House to get some rest before the early morning safari that was scheduled. … Continue reading Photo-essay of Pench – World Wildlife Day March 3rd ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Temples of Bangalore (Basavangudi temples) – the ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Devakula Yatra of Gudiya Sambhrama 2023 As part of the Heritage Parampara, a non-profit registered trust's annual programme ; Gudiya Sambhrama - the Bangalore Temple Festival', it was a pleasure to participate in the 'Temple Walk' on the final day of the 10-day programme that involved music, dance, talks and much more. Heritage Parampara has … Continue reading Temples of Bangalore (Basavangudi temples) – the ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
A Day in Jabalpur:Madan Mahal Fort, Rani Durgawati Museum, Shiva Statue at Kachnar City (Part 3) ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
I didn't imagine that Jabalpur would take up three parts on this blog, but that's how it has turned out to be. You could check the previous posts here. Part 1 (Dhuandar Falls, Chausath Yogini Temple) & Part 2 (Marble Rocks at Bhedaghat, Tripura Sundari Temple and the Narmada Aarti at Gwarighat). Jabalpur town as … Continue reading A Day in Jabalpur:Madan Mahal Fort, Rani Durgawati Museum, Shiva Statue at Kachnar City (Part 3) ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
A Day in Jabalpur (Part 2) Marble Rocks and Narmada Stories ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
Marble Rocks: Continuing from the previous post, the next stop was to experience the boat ride through the famed Marble Rocks at Bhedaghat. We had heard a lot about these marble rocks, but nothing had prepared us to what we actually saw. We took a private motorised boat, as my husband did not want to … Continue reading A Day in Jabalpur (Part 2) Marble Rocks and Narmada Stories ©Sangeeta Venkatesh
sojourn-with-san 