Dec
31
2009
There are several temples and churches in pondicherry city. Most of these temples are built during chola’s period. The varadharaja temple dedicated to lord Vishnu seen in the heart of the city. Number of temples can be seen in madagadippattu village. A siva temple known by name ambalathu adigal mutt temple .the kimbili swami mutt temple have beautiful sculpturing. In thiruvamathur village a temple known as vattaparai temple . it is a round shaped rock and in olden times is any dispute arose instead of going to court they came here and standing before the deity will tell only the truth and nothing but the truth. Thirukkameswara temple is at villiyanur . it is dedicated to lord siva. The temple manakkula vinayagar is near to aurobindo ashram . the siddha swamy Samadhi temple is at the burial ground of greatest poet bharathiar. The poet bharathiar has sung a beautiful poet work on the deity
Number of churches can be seen in and around pondicherry. The church of the sacred heart of jesus is very much popular. It is built in gothic style .the church englise de notre dame des Lourdes is located at villiyanur. It has been built similar as the basilica at Lourdes in france . it is also known as Villiyanur madha church.
Dec
31
2009
Pondicherry tour package-sri aurobindo ashram-jipmer-french institute-bharathiar&bharathidasan memorials.
Pondicherry is about 160 km south of Chennai. Formerly it was a French settlement. The former name of the city is vedapuri, now it is renamed as pothucherri..pondicerry is well connected by a network of roads all most all major places in south India. Some of the tour places are described below.
Sri aurobindo ashram
It is the main attraction of pondicherri . sri aurobindo was the stalwart freedom fighter of the pre gandhian era . the main ashram building and the mothers samdhis are open to public from 8 am to 5 pm . here you can see a rare collection of beautiful artifacts. From here you can buy pictures . the information centre functioning at the main block will give you all details.
JIPMER
Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of post graduate medical education and research started in 1979 .this is one of the foremost medical institutions in India .it is located at the gorimedu to pondicheri.
Bharathiar and bharathidasan memorials.
These are located at dharma raja koil street . this street is converted into a fine memorial by the pondichery government. Here you can see rare photographs, manuscripts of bharathiar , etc. bharathdasan is a revolutionary poet.
French institute
This is the only preset link with france in pondicherry .it is an internationally acclaimed institute on dumas street founded in 1955 .
Dec
31
2009
Cuddalore tour places-thiruvahindrapuram-vadalur-thiruvadigai temple-vdalur-neyveli etc.
Cuddalore is about 180 km south of Chennai . it is about 18 km from pondicheri .the literal meaning of cuddallore is city near the sea. Number of battles take place here during colonial period. Some important tour places are described below.
Thiruvahindrapuram
It is located on the banks of gedilam about 6 km from guddallore. Here you can see a temple dedicated to lord Vishnu. A bronze image of rama here very beautiful. There is a beautiful ghat in the temple .
Vadalur
Vadalur is associated with saint ramalinga the author of thiruvarutpa . from here you can see the four towers of Chidambaram temple . the sanctum of this temple is separated from the main hall by seven screens. During thai pooram day all of them are lifted. jothi or eternal light is worshipped here.
Thiruvadigai temple
The temple is dedicated to lord siva. It is on the banks of gedilam about 15 km from guddaloore.. this place is best known for cashews and jackfruits. A beautiful jain statue can be seen here. The temple is at panrutti town.
Neyveli
Neyveli is also known as the lignite town. A giat bucket can be seen here. Another attraction is the artesian wells. The thermal electric power projects are implemented here. One can see the open mines and see the busy works of the digging of the brown coal and pumping of water on which the coal deposit is virtually floating under the earth.
Cudallore can be reached by rail or bus. It is well connected with major cities. In spite of cudallore is the district headqurters , good hotels are not available here. The good way is to stay at pondicherry .
Dec
30
2009
Churches in Chennai –Christian pilgrimages in Chennai
Santhome cathedral basilica
The name santhome church is associated with the apostle doubting Thomas. His mortal remains are buried st. Thomas mount . where the church was built .the church is a magnificent building in gothic style. a huge statue of virgin mary can also seen.
Portuguese church
This is a church of our lady of assumption . it is the first church constructed in brittish India.
Luz church
This church is located at mylapore on the luz church road .this is also known as kaattu koil.the luz church is dedicated to our lady of light.
Little mount church
The church is also known as china malai. It is dedicated to our lady of health. Here you can see a cave , in which st Thomas was hiding and doing prayers and penace.every year on the fourth Saturday and Sunday after easter the littlemount festival is celebrated . thousands of devotees are take part in this festival.
St Andrews park
The church built in 1821 .it was situated on the poonamallee high road .the church is near to egmore railway station.
St george church
This is an anglician church built in 1814 .now the church has lost its panoramic views as a major portion of the outer space is occupied by the American cosulate and the anna flyover raising nearby.
Dec
30
2009
Temples around Chennai-Hindu pilgrimages in chennai
Tiruvotriyur
This is an ancient temple about 10 km on the northern trunk road. It is a saivite shrine predating the pallava’s days. The founder of advaitham adisankara visited this temple and ha sung in praise of the deity.the temple rebuilt by rajendra chola 1. it was a vedic centre during chola’s period. The architecture of the temple is superb.
Thirupporur temple
It is about 40 km south to Chennai . the old temple dedicated to lord muruga. Soora samharam the defeat and salvation to the demon soorapandaman is the major festival .
Thiruvanmiyur temple
The temple is located at thirunamiyur on the road to mamallpuram. The temple constructed during 11 th century and it is dedicated to lord marundeeswarar.
Thirisoolam temple
This is a chola temple and dedicated to lord siva . the famous festival is sivarathri. The name derived from tiruchuram.
Kunrathur temple
The temple is near to thirunelveli. The temple built in 12 th century . here you can see a round rock here which produces musical notes when one strikes it with a stone.
Thiruneermalai temple
The temple is at pallavapuram. It is dedicated to lord Vishnu. The bronze images here are very beautiful. The temple constructed during pallava’s days.