An UNESCO World Heritage Site

I was able to visit the famous "GangaiKonda Cholapuram" temple during my short trip to Kumbakonam for attending 2 family functions. If you would like to revisit your history days just like me to refresh your memory about Rajendra Chola and the namesake behind this place and its association with Brihadeeswarar temple , visit the above link.

I just want to treat your eyes with some photos to depict the sculptural beauty of the temple. I was so impressed with the place that I made two visits with different batches of my husband's relatives. In the first round , we drove there during dusk time. In the first round, we engaged a guide to explain us the historical importance and explain us more on the sculptures.

As , I wanted to see the place in sunlight , I agreed to be the navigator and the guide for the second group and tagged along with them the next day morning even though there were already more people than what a SWIFT car can accomodate. In the second round, though we started around 11am, we got terribly struck in Anakarai( of Cauvery) and reached there when the temple was about to be closed, hence I was not able to see the sculptures inside the temple premises in full light again!:(

But, the outside of the temple premises had lot of beautiful sculptures and I was able to click the below award winning UNESCO sculpture in bright sunlight.

This sculpture depicts Lord Siva & Parvathi honoring Chandikeswarar with a Flower Garland as a crown on his head. The story about this depiction can be found in this link.

Gymnastics as depicted in a 11th century built sculpture

PS: These pictures were clicked in my NOKIA E5 camera and I am impressed with the mobile again ;)

Iyer Mami?

I have started to develop interests over learning the religious rituals for every occasion- be it ragu kala of Tuesdays , maa (Rice batter ) kolams in front of the house , Thai Velzhi(friday) maa vizhakku or recite Sanskrit slokams etc..
I have started to learn Lalitha Shasranamam from one aunty in our building. I love the way she teaches to a person like me with zero sanskrit exposure! She explains the slokas well with so much of passion . I have started to reasonably pick the Sanskrit slokas with meanings! All the while, I have not understood the meaning of any of the slokas I know ! Understanding the meaning, helps to associate the intricate meaning hidden in the slokas - like idol worship is the very beginning stage in the process to understand the Supreme SELF.

I think the sudden change in me - is with my MIL around with us for the last one month and seeing her doing all rituals with absolute perfection! I like her attitude of being religious and at the same time doing "narayana seva"(serving food) to lot of people.

I have just made the first step- a long way to go to learn....