Hi
I have been on an urgent project for the past two weeks. I will continue to be away for another 6-8 weeks. Please bear with me as I may not be in a position to add fresh posts. Meanwhile many thanks for the kind, gracious & appreciative comments on my last post: Historical Landmarks of Chennai".
All the best & do forgive me !
Ram
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Historical Landmarks of Chennai
Chennai houses great many architectural, historical and religious attractions. Chennai (old name Madras), is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu and is India's fourth largest city. It is located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. With an estimated population of 7.60 million (2006), the 369-year-old city is the 36th largest metropolitan area in the world. Chennai is a city which has grown over the centuries by merging numerous villages which are really ancient. The temples of Thiruvanmiyur, Thiruvotriyur, Thirvallikeni (Triplicane), Thirumyilai (Mylapore) have existed for more than 1000 years.
Modern Chennai had its origins as a colonial city and its initial growth was closely tied to its importance as an artificial harbour and trading centre. The Portuguese arrived in 1522, It passed to the Dutch in1612. Next it was briefly under the Mughal Rulers before the British East India Company were granted trading rights. Chennai steadily progressed during the period of the East India Company. In 1746 Fort St.George and Chennai were captured by the French but quickly regained by British Forces in 1749. The East India Company administered Chennai for over 200 years before the British Crown, under Queen Victoria, directly took over rule in the mid 19th century. They ruled for a 100 years before India attained freedom in 1947. Picture above is that of the Chennai mounted police on an early morning march.
The Government Museum inaugurated on December 5, 1896, was named after the former Governor, Lord Connemara. Madras museum theatre (pictured above) is housed within the museum complex together with other distinguished structures like Old Public Library and the famous National Art Gallery. Constructed by the British in Indo-Saracenic style. It is surrounded by the cannons captured or used by the British during the wars.
The Chennai Egmore station is known in Tamil as "Ezhumbur". This station has a platform which allows vehicles to be driven up almost to the side of the train--to allow for easy loading/unloading of baggage and passengers.
The elegant building is built in the Gothic style of architecture with imposing domes and corridors.
St. Andrew's Church - a monument which represents the best Georgian architecture in South India and perhaps in Asia. Saint Andrew's Church is sometimes called as 'The Queen of Scottish Churches in the East'.
The church was consecrated in the year 1821. It was built for the Scottish Community that had settled in the Chennai city. The church interiors are covered with rich mahogany wood work. The floor is provided with an elegant check pattern marble.
There are 16 Corinthian circular pillars that support the dome. The circular dome, 52 feet in diameter, is painted with the blue shaded lapis lazuli.
Ripon Building is the seat of the Chennai Corporation, a fine example of Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, a combination of three types of architectural styles - Gothic, Ionic and Corinthian. Commissioned in 1913, Ripon building was named after Lord Ripon, Governor-General of British India.
One of the main attractions of the building is the Westminster Quarter chiming clock. This was installed by Oakes and Co. in 1913. The clock has a mechanical key system, which is wound every day. There are a total of 4 bells, which were cast by Gillet and Johnston in 1913.
A well maintained canon in the sprawling green lawns of the Ripon building campus
Pictured above: Statue of George Frederick Samvel, Marqvess of Ripon (1827-1909)
Built in the Gothic Revival style Chennai Central originally consisted of just four platforms. It was later modified with the addition of the central clock tower. The redesign was eventually completed in 1900.
Chennai Central, formerly known as Madras Central is the main railway terminus in Chennai. It is the home of the Southern Railway and the most important rail hub in South India. Chennai Central has been greatly instrumental in earning Chennai the famous sobriquet "Gateway of the South." 
The Madras High Court, one of the landmarks of the metropolis of Chennai. It is believed to be the second largest judicial complex in the world. Madras High Court was established on June 26, 1862 as one of the three High Courts of India (others at Bombay and Calcutta) established at Presidency Towns by Letters Patent granted by Queen Victoria. The building of the High Court, an exquisite example of Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, was built in 1892, under the guidance of the famed architect Henry Irwin.
In front of the High court building has been installed the statue of the legendary “Manu Needhi Chozhan”(ancient Hindu Ruler) shown dispensing justice to a cow whose calf had been killed under the wheels of a chariot.
The minarets or domes are atop the building represent architectural excellence and are exquistely beautiful........To be continued next week !
Modern Chennai had its origins as a colonial city and its initial growth was closely tied to its importance as an artificial harbour and trading centre. The Portuguese arrived in 1522, It passed to the Dutch in1612. Next it was briefly under the Mughal Rulers before the British East India Company were granted trading rights. Chennai steadily progressed during the period of the East India Company. In 1746 Fort St.George and Chennai were captured by the French but quickly regained by British Forces in 1749. The East India Company administered Chennai for over 200 years before the British Crown, under Queen Victoria, directly took over rule in the mid 19th century. They ruled for a 100 years before India attained freedom in 1947. Picture above is that of the Chennai mounted police on an early morning march.The Government Museum inaugurated on December 5, 1896, was named after the former Governor, Lord Connemara. Madras museum theatre (pictured above) is housed within the museum complex together with other distinguished structures like Old Public Library and the famous National Art Gallery. Constructed by the British in Indo-Saracenic style. It is surrounded by the cannons captured or used by the British during the wars.The Chennai Egmore station is known in Tamil as "Ezhumbur". This station has a platform which allows vehicles to be driven up almost to the side of the train--to allow for easy loading/unloading of baggage and passengers.
The elegant building is built in the Gothic style of architecture with imposing domes and corridors.
St. Andrew's Church - a monument which represents the best Georgian architecture in South India and perhaps in Asia. Saint Andrew's Church is sometimes called as 'The Queen of Scottish Churches in the East'.
The church was consecrated in the year 1821. It was built for the Scottish Community that had settled in the Chennai city. The church interiors are covered with rich mahogany wood work. The floor is provided with an elegant check pattern marble.
There are 16 Corinthian circular pillars that support the dome. The circular dome, 52 feet in diameter, is painted with the blue shaded lapis lazuli.
Ripon Building is the seat of the Chennai Corporation, a fine example of Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, a combination of three types of architectural styles - Gothic, Ionic and Corinthian. Commissioned in 1913, Ripon building was named after Lord Ripon, Governor-General of British India.
One of the main attractions of the building is the Westminster Quarter chiming clock. This was installed by Oakes and Co. in 1913. The clock has a mechanical key system, which is wound every day. There are a total of 4 bells, which were cast by Gillet and Johnston in 1913.
A well maintained canon in the sprawling green lawns of the Ripon building campus
Pictured above: Statue of George Frederick Samvel, Marqvess of Ripon (1827-1909)
Built in the Gothic Revival style Chennai Central originally consisted of just four platforms. It was later modified with the addition of the central clock tower. The redesign was eventually completed in 1900.
Chennai Central, formerly known as Madras Central is the main railway terminus in Chennai. It is the home of the Southern Railway and the most important rail hub in South India. Chennai Central has been greatly instrumental in earning Chennai the famous sobriquet "Gateway of the South." The Madras High Court, one of the landmarks of the metropolis of Chennai. It is believed to be the second largest judicial complex in the world. Madras High Court was established on June 26, 1862 as one of the three High Courts of India (others at Bombay and Calcutta) established at Presidency Towns by Letters Patent granted by Queen Victoria. The building of the High Court, an exquisite example of Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, was built in 1892, under the guidance of the famed architect Henry Irwin.
In front of the High court building has been installed the statue of the legendary “Manu Needhi Chozhan”(ancient Hindu Ruler) shown dispensing justice to a cow whose calf had been killed under the wheels of a chariot.
The minarets or domes are atop the building represent architectural excellence and are exquistely beautiful........To be continued next week ! Sunday, August 2, 2009
Travel to a Kerala Village
Thenilapuram is a small village in Palakkad district of Kerala around 80 Kms south of Coimbatore where I live. We travelled to this village recently to meet an old ailing lady who was in need of financial support. It was generally a nice and sunny day.Lush green paddy fields greeted us as we approached the village. We crossed a rubber plantation before entering the village. You can see that the rubber trees have been neatly cut in circular fashion to release the 'sap' or 'latex' into the plastic bags attached to the trees. The 'sap' thus collected is later converted to rubber sheets.
Next we visited the Bhagavathy Temple in the village. 'Bhagavathy' is a powerful female Goddess widely worshipped by Hindus in Kerala. We found the old lady praying in the temple and she was delighted to see us. We then went to the Agraharam(Brahmin settlement) where she lived in a small dilapidated house. Her sister and nephew who lived in a nearby house greeted us with great warmth. Most of the Brahmins who live here are poor. After ascertaining her medical condition and her financial needs we left the village.
On our return trip we reached a place called Walayar located at the border between Tamilnadu & Kerala. Walayar is a forest area and has several species of wild animals and a deer park. Around 9 Kms from the highway is the Walayar Dam. We decided to drive to the Dam area and could get some nice pictures of the reservoir,the Western Ghats (mountains) in the background, the office of the PWD Dept & a small monument bearing hydraulic details of the dam. It was a day well spent!
Next we visited the Bhagavathy Temple in the village. 'Bhagavathy' is a powerful female Goddess widely worshipped by Hindus in Kerala. We found the old lady praying in the temple and she was delighted to see us. We then went to the Agraharam(Brahmin settlement) where she lived in a small dilapidated house. Her sister and nephew who lived in a nearby house greeted us with great warmth. Most of the Brahmins who live here are poor. After ascertaining her medical condition and her financial needs we left the village.
On our return trip we reached a place called Walayar located at the border between Tamilnadu & Kerala. Walayar is a forest area and has several species of wild animals and a deer park. Around 9 Kms from the highway is the Walayar Dam. We decided to drive to the Dam area and could get some nice pictures of the reservoir,the Western Ghats (mountains) in the background, the office of the PWD Dept & a small monument bearing hydraulic details of the dam. It was a day well spent!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The Theosophical Society-Madras
The Theosophical Society was founded on 17 November 1875 by Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott. The founders travelled extensively in India & Ceylon. They established the Spiritual Centre at Adyar,Madras(Chennai). Mrs.Annie Besant played a pivotal role in the vigorous and steady growth of the Society. She gave a great lead in making Theosophy practical, urging members to theosophize the various fields: religious, social, economic, political. For this purpose she instituted the Theosophical Order of Service, and the Sons of India, 1908. The Headquarters at Adyar were enlarged by the purchase of Blavatsky and Olcott Gardens. During a recent visit to Chennai we took a walk around the beautiful campus of the Society spread over several acres. Some of the pictures taken on this tour are presented below:
The Temple of Light - foundation stone laid in 1920 by Annie Besant and consecrated in 1925 by J.Krishnamurthy.
Closeup of the The Temple of Light sanctum
Another View of the Temple
The sprawling campus of the Theosophical Society 
Cactii 
The glorious stone archway to the Banyan Cluster
Another Amazing Banyan Cluster (The biggest one in Asia is in Bangalore!) This one measures 250 ft by 238 ft and the total area measuring 59,500 sq.ft. it has been the centre of many notable gatherings of the Theosophical Society.
The beautiful Church inside the Society
Entrance to the Zoroastrian Temple - two majestic lions
The Zoroastrian Temple 
A grand old tree stump 
Butterflies helping themselves to delicious nectar
The Temple of Light - foundation stone laid in 1920 by Annie Besant and consecrated in 1925 by J.Krishnamurthy. Closeup of the The Temple of Light sanctumAnother View of the Temple The sprawling campus of the Theosophical Society Cactii The glorious stone archway to the Banyan Cluster Another Amazing Banyan Cluster (The biggest one in Asia is in Bangalore!) This one measures 250 ft by 238 ft and the total area measuring 59,500 sq.ft. it has been the centre of many notable gatherings of the Theosophical Society. The beautiful Church inside the Society Entrance to the Zoroastrian Temple - two majestic lions The Zoroastrian Temple A grand old tree stump Butterflies helping themselves to delicious nectar
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Glimpses of Kerala in Monsoon
On Sunday I took a trip to Palakkad district in Kerala. I drove from Coimbatore to Kozhinjampara, Chittor, Tattamangalam, Kollengode, Payyalore, Kunissery, Chathapuram,Kalpathy & Lakshminarayanapuram. I visited the Brahmin Agraharams in the villages in most of these places. The sky was heavily overcast & it was raining intermittently - in fact Kerala had been lashed by heavy rains for the past two weeks . The journey took me through interior Kerala countryside. There was lush greenery everywhere. One could see abundance of coconut palms, banana plantations, inundated paddy fields, rivers, ponds, paddy birds & glimpses of the Western Ghats (mountains). The atmosphere was exhilirating and energising. The scenery was magnificent & breathtaking. I could not resist the temptation of stopping my car ever so often to inhale the fresh air & take some memorable shots.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Beautiful Beaches of Kerala
Shown below are shots of the Mazhupillingad & Thalayi beaches on the Western Coast off Cannanore District of North Kerala. The beaches are clean and uncluttered and are seldom frequented except by fishermen. These are among the most beautiful beaches in India perhaps anywhere in the world. The State of Kerala is truly called Swamiyude Swantham Nadu (in Malayalam the language spoken in Kerala) or 'Gods Own Country". As per legend Kerala was formed when Lord Parasurama threw his axe northwards from Kanyakumari - the southern most tip of India. The area between the Kanyakumari and the point where the axe fell became Kerala. Parasurama was considered the sixth among the ten avatars (reincarnations) of Lord Mahavishnu one of the three major Hindu Gods. Kerala is also know in the legends as 'Parasurama Kshetram' or the place created by Lord Parasurama.
Mazhupillingad Beach 
Mazhupillingad Breach 
Waves breaking on Mazhupillingad Beach 
Another shot of Mazhupillingad Beach 
Muzhupillingad Beach - white sand and coconut grove 
You may like to read an earlier blog on the subject of beaches - the Kapad beach where Vasco de Gama had landed and thought he had "discovered" America in 1498: http://sankriti.blogspot.com/2007/03/calicut.html
Mazhupillingad Beach 
Mazhupillingad Breach 
Waves breaking on Mazhupillingad Beach 
Another shot of Mazhupillingad Beach 
Muzhupillingad Beach - white sand and coconut grove Waves on Thalayi Beach
Waves on Thalayi Beach
Boat with fishing net about to embark on fishing expedition
You may like to read an earlier blog on the subject of beaches - the Kapad beach where Vasco de Gama had landed and thought he had "discovered" America in 1498: http://sankriti.blogspot.com/2007/03/calicut.html
Friday, July 17, 2009
Tavarakere Village
On our return from Ramohalli to Bangalore, we decided to take a different but longer route via Tavarakere Village. This road was definitely superior. We briefly stopped over at the Tavarakere Sunday morning bazaar, a typical dusty village environment with a lot of hustle & bustle. On sale were vegetables, ground nuts,corn, fruits, meat, fish, poultry, sheep & a range of miscellaneous items. While the ladies were busy driving a good bargain and picking up farm fresh vegetables, I wandered around. My camera shutter kept clicking away and I succeeded in getting some delectable shots of a typical Indian countryside market.
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