Chariot for the Gods

Sri Kodanda Ramar temple ther

Almost every Hindu temple has a wooden chariot or “ther” to take out the idols on procession on designated occasions. Though they are used only occasionally, great attention is given to the chariots. Most have very elaborate wooden carvings matching or even surpassing the stone sculptures in beauty. They are also adorned with all ‘alankarams’ when needed: otherwise, they are confined to their sheds. Modern technology is nowadays used for wheels, axles, brakes etc to enhance the safety factor.

The above ‘ther’ is from the Kodanda Rama Temple, West Mambalam. It has recently been spruced up for a festival.

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Piles and Green Chillies

Piles and green chillies

One of the first advices anyone gives a person with piles is to avoid chillies and other spicy stuff.

It was interesting to see this streetside food cart with chillies in front of a poster offering a cure for piles (moolam, மூலம் in Tamil)!

I bow to thee

Bowing with the lens

The World is My Studio. The Prasanna Venkatesa Perumal temple, Saidapet.

Eyeing the Golden Throne

The cat and the golden pedestal

Espied at the Perumal temple, Saidapet during The Chennai Photowalk.

Alamelmangai Sametha Prasanna Venkatesa Narasimha Perumal temple, to give the official name.

Merry Christmas to all! May Peace and Happiness prevail!

A personal note:  Though I have been blogging continuously everyday from January 2016, I realized from the archives that my first blog on this site was on 25th December 2009. That means this blog is 7 years old already. Awesome feeling!

 

 

War Cemetery

Madras War Cemetery

Madras War Cemetery is situated in Nandambakkam on Mount- Poonamalle Road. It houses around 850 graves of men and women who sacrificed their lives in World War II.

Priest at Muniswaran Temple

Priest at Muneeswaran Temple

Burma colony, Ekkattuthangal has a temple for Angaleswari. But what is more imposing is the statue of Muneeswaran on the banks of Adyar.

This priest at the Muniswaran shrine faces the camera willingly. The back of the woman devotee adds a queer background.

Faces of Chennai

Faces of Chennai- Fenced out

Boy behind a fence

There was a wedding at the temple. The children were getting bored and came out to play. This boy was hesitant to come outside  but posed willingly for a picture from behind the fence. His friends soon joined him.