2018-05-25 15:12
This article is about a lesser known but interesting place called Bommai Chattiram and a unique habit of dolls collection by a person who lived in the 19th century CE. The building, wh… Read More
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2018-05-23 15:31
If you call Madras as a historic city, I would say Black Town locality is more historic. And, the Coral Merchant Street (Pavalakkara Street) in Black Town is no less historic.In this narrow… Read More
2018-05-22 15:44
They scream; they cry; they dance; And, they play loud music.Crackers are fired; temple is decorated; Cocks and goats are sacrificed.The girls are dressed like fierce Goddess; their faces ar… Read More
2018-05-21 14:17
If you are residing in Chennai or Kanchipuram, you need not travel for about 300 kms to visit Gangai Konda Cholapuram. There is another Gangai Konda Cholapuram very near to your city. Koozha… Read More
2018-05-20 11:05
Kuranganilmuttam is a small village located near Kanchipuram. As per the legend, the Vanara King Vali as Kurangu (monkey) and Indra as Anil (squirrel) and Yama as muttam (crow) worshiped Lor… Read More
2018-05-19 17:07
Unlike North India, it is not easy to find step wells in South India. There is one step well found in a village called Ayyangarkulam near Kanchipuram. It is a beautiful Vijayanagara style st… Read More
2018-05-17 14:56
Kanchipuram is a holy city for the Hindus. But, it was perhaps one of the holy cities for the Jains as well as the Buddhists too. It is said that the city once had four divisions namely Shai… Read More
2018-05-13 13:38
Amareswarar Temple is one of the lesser known Pallava period temples of Kanchipuram. It is located in a small lane on the West Raja Street in the town.The west facing temple, which is believ… Read More
2018-05-06 13:39
Perhaps, the Pallavas have gifted Kanchipuram abundantly. That might be the reason why many of the heritage marvels remain neglected in the city. Airavateswarar Temple, is one of such lesser… Read More
2018-05-05 09:02
Than Thondreeswarar, which means self manifested, is an ancient Shiva temple in Kanchipuram, the city of thousand temples. The temple, which is believed to be of Pallava era, lost its glory… Read More
2018-04-27 14:38
How many beautiful and ancient temples lay neglected in Kanchipuram? May be, that is the curse of being located in a city of thousand temples. Mukteswara Temple is one such best kept secrets… Read More
2018-04-17 17:16
When the south based historians complain that the Pallavas were not given their due in the annals of history, I could only think of this beautiful but neglected Pallava period temple called… Read More
2018-04-13 16:49
Kuranganilmuttam is a small village, which is located at a distance of around 10 kms from Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu state of India. The village has an important temple of Lord Shiva. In addi… Read More
2018-04-09 17:15
Kanchipuram is one of the seven sacred cities for the Hindus. It is called as the "City of Thousand Temples". It is generally said that this ancient city had four different divisions namely… Read More
2018-03-30 15:30
Go to Kanchipuram and ask for this temple. Else, Google its name and try to locate the GPS coordinates. You would hardly locate it. Piravasthanam - it's a best kept secret of Kanchipuram, th… Read More
2018-03-26 15:50
This is perhaps one of the best kept secrets of Chennai. Covering an area of about 4 acres, this vast pond, which is surrounded by a park and greenery, is a picturesque location. This pond b… Read More
2018-03-23 13:11
In the border between two villages, Rajkilpakkam and Sembakkam, at the southern outskirts of Chennai city, a 200 years old Alavattamman Temple is located. Near that temple, the stone icon of… Read More
2018-03-20 17:01
How many of you know from Chennai know about this nearby village that once had 32 small temples and 32 ponds, in addition to a big Shiva temple and other village temples? Sembakkam is a calm… Read More
2018-03-11 15:54
Venbedu is a small lesser known village located at a distance of around 30 kms from Tambaram on Thirupporur route.On the high road of this village, the huge stucco sculpture of Anjaneya, who… Read More
2018-03-11 04:34
Ashta Lakshmi Temple is a popular temple in Chennai. It is located on the sea shore in Besant Nagar, which is one of the most happening places of the city.This temple was constructed in 1976… Read More
2018-03-07 17:54
Veteran Lines in Pallavaram locality of Madras was once dominated by Anglo Indians. A detailed coverage about Anglo Indians and this locality can be found in another article - The Anglo Indi… Read More
2018-03-05 14:00
Tirumaiyam is a small town located in Pudukottai district of Tamil Nadu state in India. The town is famous mainly due to the temples of Satyagireeswarar and Satyamurti. There is also an equa… Read More
2018-02-28 14:23
The current Sivaganga district and few areas of Pudukkottai district in Tamil Nadu state of India are together called as Chettinad, the home of Nattukkottai Chettiars. Nattukkottai Chet… Read More
2018-02-21 13:22
Sarugani is a small village near Kalaiyar Kovil in Tamil Nadu state of India. There is a famous Roman Catholic Church located here. The village is popular due to this church and the annual f… Read More
2018-02-14 16:09
Kalaiyar Kovil is a small town located in Sivaganga district in Tamil Nadu state of India. This town has an important temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The town is named after the temple… Read More
2018-02-04 16:16
Payanam is a web series focusing on exploring lesser known places with some cultural, heritage, or historical values. Episode 1 (Muni) provides some interesting facts and observations about… Read More
2018-02-03 14:31
It is easy to conduct heritage walks in the cities such as Chennai or Delhi. However, if one wants to conduct similar walks in a Chettinad town, I wonder if it is practically possible. Every… Read More
2018-01-12 12:54
May be because of two splendid British-era structures that are located on either sides of this structure, the Chennai Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Rajaji Salai has become less attractive… Read More
2018-01-08 13:31
Sending communication through people to other cities or countries was a practice followed for hundreds of years. The Britishers also followed similar kind of service when they started postal… Read More
2018-01-07 14:16
The Colonial Madras, especially the George Town locality, had a lot of splendid Indo Saracenic structures. Thanks to our heritage enthusiasm, not many of them survive today. I wonder how man… Read More
2018-01-06 15:42
The First Line Beach along with the Second Line Beach that runs parallel, had the first set of banking institutions and merchant establishments that were established by the British. The Firs… Read More
2018-01-05 17:45
If you are from Chennai, you would have definitely passed through Parry's corner, if not often, for at least once. It is an important junction and a major landmark of the city. In those days… Read More
2018-01-03 17:16
On the busy NSC Bose Road of Parrys corner in Chennai, stands a historically significant obleisk, which is around 250 years old.The French invaded Madras, which was under the control of the… Read More
2017-12-31 06:24
It's beautiful pond surrounded by shady trees with an ancient temple on its banks. The villagers have been using this pond for many years for drinking and bathing purposes. Alas! The e… Read More
2017-12-28 09:58
Ponmar is a village, which is located at a distance of around 15 kms from Tambaram, the southern sub-urb of Chennai. It was quiet and remote village till the first decade of 21st century. It… Read More
2017-12-27 15:03
As per a report, there were about 650+ waterbodies in Chennai region till 1980s. Today, only a fraction of them exist. And, most of those surviving waterbodies hardly have water and even som… Read More
2017-12-25 04:55
The Tondai Mandalam Tuluva Velalar's Higher Secondary School is one of the oldest surviving schools of Madras (Chennai) city. It is located in Mint Street in George Town locality.It was star… Read More
2017-12-24 05:00
In Madras, there were many Bhajanai Koodams (a.k.a. Bhajanai Kovils) where the Bhajan sessions were conducted regularly till the 1960s. Some Bhajan temples even had theses regular sessions t… Read More
2017-12-23 05:26
Madras, (or Chennai, as it is officially called nowadays) has expanded multi-fold in the past 350+ years. Today, there are so many schools and colleges in every nook and corner of the city… Read More
2017-12-21 16:57
"Free Ayurvedic treatment for all irrespective of their caste and creed" - that's what the 90 years old Sree Venkatesa Oushadalaya announces in its name board.This Ayurvedic hospital is one… Read More
2017-12-21 16:08
Nava Shakti Vinayak Temple is a popular temple in Mylapore locality of Chennai city. Although it is not a very old temple, it attracts a lot of devotees, thanks to its location (Luz corner… Read More
2017-10-07 10:18
It is rare to find a temple for Gayatri in South India. In Selaiyur, near Tambaram, the southern outskirts of Chennai, there is a small temple for Gayatri.Gayatri is usually depicted with fi… Read More
2017-10-02 04:48
"You cannot claim to have visited Chennai, if you have never been to Mylapore." This is what I told to you a friend of mine from Pune who has come to Chennai for more than ten times but not… Read More
2017-10-01 04:06
Rose Milk - the pink colored flavored milk with rose syrup, was one of the most favorite drinks in Tamil Nadu till 1980s. Today, it has become difficult to find this tasty beverage in the re… Read More
2017-09-30 16:04
Navaratri is celebrated for ten days (including Dussera) all over India. In every state, it is celebrated in a unique way. It is famous as Durga Pooja celebrations in Bengal. Gujaratis celeb… Read More
2017-09-29 16:38
Mannivakkam is a village located at a distance of 9 kms from Tambaram in the southern outskirts of Chennai. There is an ancient temple for Shiva called as Manneeswarar located in this villag… Read More
2017-09-28 17:05
Not always the history books, travel guides or even the Google Map would help you to find or explore a lesser known site. Sometimes, only a localite could help you on this. Being a localite… Read More
2017-09-27 14:47
According to me, Mint Street in Sowcarpet is the best place in Chennai for a pakka food trail. For every ten steps you would find a unique option here. Especially, if you want to taste the G… Read More
2017-09-26 14:32
Sowcarpet is the locality of Chennai where a large number of North Indian and Gujarati communities are still found. Ananda Ranga Pillai in his famous diaries of 1746 CE mentions about the Gu… Read More
2017-09-25 12:54
If I am not wrong, no other print or electronic media has covered the temple on which this article is written.Anjaneya is generally found in Anjali Hasta (depicted with folded hands). Only i… Read More
2017-09-24 12:58
If you are from George Town/Sowcarpet area of Madras, you would have definitely noticed this temple, if not entered inside. This temple of Ganesha called as Varasiddhi Vinayakar is a very sm… Read More
2017-09-19 14:12
Rajaji Salai is one of the few roads in Chennai which has so many historic buildings. It was called as the First Line Beach and was one of the most important roads of the city in the early 1… Read More
2017-09-19 11:35
Access card, burger prasad and the air conditioned temple - it's true and I am not kidding. A temple near Chennai offers everything mentioned above. This article focuses on that temple.Jaya… Read More
2017-09-19 01:50
Around 20 kms from Tambaram, the southern outskirts of Chennai, a small and lesser known village called Cherappanancheri is located. In this village, an ancient Chola period temple called Ve… Read More
2017-09-15 12:27
The Gymkhana Club is one of the prestigious clubs of Madras city. It is a popular landmark of the city. It is located on Anna Salai in the Island Grounds locality. It bears the door number 1… Read More
2017-09-14 14:39
Sir Thomas Munro - this man was not born in India, but he was truly an Indian by heart. He was the Governor of Madras Province from 1820 CE to 1827 CE. He was a great reformer and was… Read More
2017-09-12 16:49
The association of Armenians with India is very old. Arguably, the Armenians are believed to have come to India as part of the forces under Alexander.The Armenians have trading relationships… Read More
2017-09-11 16:58
Those who know about the famous Body Guard Muneeswaran Temple of Chennai might not know about the mosque which shares the same name, Body Guard Mosque.The Body Guard Mosque is located in a s… Read More
2017-09-10 15:34
If you are from Chennai, you would have definitely traveled via Periyar Bridge, the river bridge which connects Anna Salai of Island Grounds area with the rest of Anna Salai that starts with… Read More
2017-09-09 17:05
Do you know Freeman Freeman-Thomas? No? Then, have you heard about 1st Marquess of Willingdon? Well, it does ring a bell, right? You must be familiar with Lord Willingdon. Major Freeman Free… Read More
2017-09-06 14:31
As I had written earlier in the blog post about Chepauk Palace, not many citizens of Chennai know that there are palaces in the city. Amir Mahal is one of the important palaces with heritage… Read More
2017-09-02 15:09
Even those who have not visited Mysore would know that there is a palace located in that city. But, not everyone who lives in Chennai might know that this city also has a palace. Yes, Chenna… Read More
2017-08-21 15:41
Note: Thanks to Mr. Kombai Anwar, a Chennai based historian. Although I have visited this site and the photographs are mine, the historical details in this post are based on the article writ… Read More
2017-08-18 16:29
Tiruvanchery is a small village located near Selaiyur in the southern outskirts of Chennai city in Tamil Nadu state of India. There are three small but important temples located in this vill… Read More
2017-07-24 13:33
In the border between two village, Rajkilpakkam and Sembakkam, at the southern outskirts of Chennai city, Alavattamman Temple is located.Alavattam is considered as the Grama devta (village d… Read More
2017-07-23 08:50
Tirumalai is an ancient Jain center located near Arni town in Tamil Nadu state of India. There are few other places called Tirumalai in South India. The famous Tirupati Tirumala temple and a… Read More
2017-07-22 14:59
Why would a monument in Arcot town in South India be named as Delhi Gate? What is the connection between Arcot and Delhi? What is the significance of this monument? To know everything, read… Read More
2017-07-22 07:32
Tiruvallam or Tiruvalam is a town located near few well known towns such as Ranipettai, Vellore and Katpadi in Tamil Nadu state of India. The ancient town has an important temple dedica… Read More
2017-07-16 08:57
Melpadi is a historically significant town. It is located at a distance of around 130 kms from Chennai and around 22 kms from Arcot in Tamil Nadu state of India. This article focuses on the… Read More
2017-07-15 05:31
You could find the temples of Ved Vyasa in Uttar Pradesh state of India. But in Tamil Nadu, that too in Chennai, there is a temple for Ved Vyasa. Do you know about this rare temple?In Sembak… Read More
2017-07-14 15:36
Not many of you from Chennai would have heard about this temple. It is Jambulingeshwara Temple located in Kamarajapuram of Sembakkam area near Tambaram (in the southern outskirts of Chennai… Read More
2017-07-14 14:36
Gowrivakkam is a small locality near Tambaram in the outskirts of Chennai city in South India. This article focuses about Panchamukha Anjaneya Temple in this area.The east facing temple has… Read More
2017-07-13 16:19
Padappai is a small developing town located near Tambaram in the southern outskirts of Chennai city in South India. Padappai is classified into two parts, Keezh Padappai and Mel Padappai. In… Read More
2017-07-09 13:34
Padappai is a small developing town located near Tambaram in the southern outskirts of Chennai city in South India. Padappai is classified into two parts, Keezh Padappai and Mel Padappai. In… Read More
2017-07-09 10:36
When nature is depicted as a beautiful girl, grass becomes her garment, the colorful flowers become the border of her dress and the flower pots become her perfect necklace. The gigantic scul… Read More
2017-07-08 04:35
Chikmagalur, the hidden gem of South India, has a lot of tourist attractions. Rathnagiri Bore a.k.a. Mahatma Gandhi Park is one of such star attractions of Chikmagalur.This picnic place is l… Read More
2017-07-07 16:17
Is this the place where Aphrodite was born? Else, is this the place where Venus lives? Such a romantic place, a heavenly site in Karnataka state of India! Ayyanakere Lake - the second larges… Read More
2017-07-05 11:22
Chikmagalur is the hidden treasure of Karnataka state in India. In this most beautiful Chikmagalur region, Ayyankere Lake, the second biggest lake of the state, is located. Not many tourists… Read More
2017-07-01 11:27
If you are from India, especially from South India, you would most likely love coffee. Once you wake up and smell the coffee, it's hard to go back to sleep, right? A Turkish proverb states "… Read More
2017-06-29 14:36
Chickmagalur, the land of coffee, is one of the most beautiful travel destinations of India. The word "Chikmagalur" means the land of younger daughter in Kannda language. There is a small to… Read More
2017-06-28 14:39
Chikmagalur is truly a hidden gem of Karnataka state in India. The region is full of coffee fields surrounded by hills. This article focuses three specific waterfalls of Chikmagalur region.M… Read More
2017-06-27 15:01
Chikmagalur is truly the land of coffee in India. Baba Budan Giri, the hill which is located in Chikmagalur Karnataka state of India, is the site where coffee was first introduced in India… Read More
2017-06-26 01:19
Kavikalgandi is a prominent hill view point in Chikmagalur region. It is located at a distance of around 12 kms from Mullayanagiri, the highest peak of Karnataka. There is a check post in th… Read More
2017-06-24 09:14
Mullayanagiri is the highest peak of Karnataka state in India. At the foothill of Mullayangiri, at about 2.5 kms from there, Sitalayana Matha is located.Sitalayana Matha is a temple. However… Read More
2017-06-23 16:53
Mullayanagiri is arguably the best place of interest in Chikmagalur region. With the height of 6316 feet above the sea level, Mullayanagiri is the highest peak of Karnataka state of India. T… Read More
2017-06-21 15:49
George Town or Black Town is one of the oldest settlements of Chennai city, which was established by the British. This congested and crowded area is dotted with a lot of historic buildings… Read More
2017-06-20 14:22
This temple, which is literally not known to the outside world, is located at the junction of Mint Street and Anna Pillai Street in Sowcarpet locality of Chennai city in India. Looking at th… Read More
2017-06-16 15:58
Unamancheri is a small village located near Tambaram in the outskirts of Chennai city of Tamil Nadu state in India. In this village, there is a beautiful Vijayanagara period temple of Kodand… Read More
2017-06-15 16:23
This article is about a lesser known temple of a lesser known deity located in a lesser known site. Unamancheriy is a small village located at a distance of around 13 kms from Tambaram in th… Read More
2017-06-14 14:26
Hanuman with five heads is common in the name Pancha Mukha Anjaneya. Have you ever seen Hanuman with two heads? I found one such lesser known temple in a small village called Unamancheri. It… Read More
2017-06-14 01:40
This is a road less traveled; or on a lighter note, perhaps it's a road never traveled. I took around one hour to locate this rare and unique Gaja prshtha (apsidal) vimana temple of Vishnu… Read More
2017-06-11 13:57
I have already covered about the biggest and the second biggest Muneeswaran of Chennai in my blog. This is about another such big idol of Muneeswaran.Muneeswaran is a popular Grama devta (vi… Read More
2017-06-11 07:06
If you live in Chennai and want to visit Tirupati Balaji Temple but could not travel due to some reasons, don't worry. There is Mela Tirupati Temple located in Chennai. The deity is replica… Read More
2017-06-10 15:10
Muthialpet Higher Secondary School is one of the earliest schools of Chennai city, which is still surviving. It was started in the year 1847 CE. This should be considered as a heritage struc… Read More
2017-06-10 12:50
Let me introduce you to a lesser known Hoysala period temple near Chennai. Agaram Then is a village located at a distance of around 10 kms from Tambaram (outskirts of South Chennai). A small… Read More
2017-06-09 13:12
Let me discuss about Subramanya temple located in the most happening Sholinganallur locality of Chennai city in this article. The hustle and bustle of Sholinganallur or the busiest OMR do no… Read More
2017-06-08 15:53
Serene locality, peaceful surroundings, vast green lawn, massive trees, varieties of plants, beautiful flowers in vibrant colors and a magnificent house in the middle. A lovely library and a… Read More
2017-06-07 15:51
When the British was in power, many magnificent Garden Houses were built for the Britishers on the banks of the river Adyar in Chennai. Not all those houses still survive. Out of those garde… Read More
2017-06-05 12:52
Chennai city in Tamil Nadu state of India has given many eminent personalities to this country. Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddi is one among them. Dr. Reddi was a notable social reformer and a popula… Read More
2017-06-04 05:38
This palace, which is located amidst the reserve forest, looks like a haunted place now. It is sad to find such a beautiful structure which gives heritage value to the town is left to ruin… Read More
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