MADURAI........10-12......

Madurai  

Madurai is the third largest city and the Second largest municipal corporation in Tamil Nadu.Located on the banks of River Vaigai.The city is referred by various names like "Madurai", "Koodal", "Naanmadakoodal" and "Thirualavai". The word Madurai is derived from Madhura  (sweetness).

Meenakshi Amman Temple                                                    

Meenakshi Amman Temple ( Other names : Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple or Tiru-aalavaai  or Meenakshi Amman Kovil) is a historic Hindu temple located in the southern bank of river Vaigai in the temple cityof Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to Parvati who is known as Meenakshi and her consort, Shiva, named her as Sundareswarar. The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2500 year old city of Madurai. The complex houses 14 gateway towers calledgopurams, ranging from 45-50m in height, the tallest being the southern tower, 51.9 metres (170 ft) high,and two golden sculptured vimana, the shrine over sanctum of the main deities. Meenakshi Temple, was built during the reign of Chadayavarman Sundara Pandyan in the 12th century. The imposing 9-storey tower was built between the 13th and 16th century. During the 200-year reign of Nayakka rulers, many Mandapams (covered structure with pillars) were constructed in the temple premises, like the Hall of Thousand Pillars, Puthu Mandapam, Ashta Sakthi Mnadapam, Vandiyoor Theppakulam, and Nayakkar Mahal. The temple, as it stands today, was built between 12th and 18th century.

                                      

Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal

Thirumalai Nayak Palace is a 17th-century palace erected in 1636 AD by King Thirumalai Nayak, a king of Madurai's Nayaka dynasty who ruled Madurai from 1623–59, in the city of Madurai, . This Palace is a classic fusion of Dravidian, Islamic styles. The building, which can be seen today, was the main Palace where the king lived. This palace is situated 2 km south east of the Meenakshi Amman Temple.The design and architecture is a blend of Dravidian and Islamic styles. The Interior of the palace surpasses many of its Indian contemporaries in scale. The interior is richly decorated whilst the exterior is treated in a more austere style.he palace was divided into two major parts, namely Swarga Vilasam (Celestial Pavilion) and Ranga Vilasam. The royal residence, theatre, shrine, apartments, armory, palanquin place, royal bandstand, quarters, pond and garden were situated in these two portions. The courtyard and the dancing hall are the major center of attractions of the palace. The Celestial Pavilion (Swarga Vilasam) was used as the throne-room and has an arcaded octagon covered by a dome 60–70 feet high. The domed structure in the centre is supported by stone ribs and is held up by massive circular columns toppe and linked by pointed scalloped arches with an arcaded gallery opening 

Arockia Annai Church: Vadipatty

Arockia Annai Church, Vadipatty, the first SVD parish in Tamil Nadu was started in October 10, 1993. Fr. Vijay Amal Raj SVD was the first parish priest. The presbytery was constructed in 1994 and the parish Church was completed and was blessed by His Grace Dr. M. Arockia Samy, the Archbishop of Madurai on June 6, 1999. Since then Dr. S. M. Mary John SVD is the Parish priest who developed the small Church into a renowned Church in Tamilnadu by his tireless and zealous ministry. 

Kutladampatti Falls

Kutladampatti Falls is a waterfall located in the village of Kutladampatti near Vadipatti in Madurai district about 30 km (19 mi) northwest of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Alagar Koyil

Azhakar Kovil (Thirumaliruncholai or Azhakar temple), is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu situated 21 km from the city ofMadurai, which lies in the Tamil Nadu state of India.

Aayiram Kaal Mandapam

Inside Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, India

KANYAKUMARI....12.12.12....

According to the Ancient History of Kanyakumari, there is a lot of contribution of Islam, Jainism and Christianity in Kanyakumari's architecture and literary field. It is also said that earlier, this place was under the rule of Cholas, Pandyas, Cheras and Nayaks  . It is during the British rule that Kanyakumari was formally given the title of Cape Comorin.

The past of Kanyakumari also tells one the religious story that the place is associated with.According to this story Kanya Devi, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati, was to marry Lord Shiva, however, since Shiva did not appear at the right time and the wedding ceremony could never take place. This is why the rice and cereals entailed for the wedding remained unprepared. Till today, there is a popular custom of buying stones that look like rice and cereals. Local people believe that these stones are the remnants of the legendary wedding ceremony, which could not be held. And thus the princess Kanya Devi, remained a virgin goddess blessing the travelers and pilgrims abroad.

Kanyakumari temple  

The Kanyakumari temple, of goddess Kanyakumari devi, is one of the major highlights and tourist attractions for the people visiting Kanyakumari. This age-old temple also known as the Kanya kumari Amman temple, or the Goddess Bhagavati Amman temple, is one of the most famous temples of Tamil Nadu in South India.

This famous temple is located right on the seashore of Kanyakumari and is said to have been built in very ancient times. It has a beautiful architecture like most ancient temples. The statue of the goddess kanyakumari devi is carved in black stone and shown wearing a garland. Of special note is the diamond nose-ring worn by the goddess. It is said that the sparkling brilliance of this nose-ring of Devi Kanyakumari Amman can be seen from the far away sea waters also. 

There is mythological legend and story about Kanyakumari that dates back to the times of Gods and Demons, that surrounds the place.

Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a sacred monument and popular tourist attraction in Vavathurai, Kanyakumari, India. The memorial stands on one of two rocks located about 500 meters off mainland of Vavathurai, India's southernmost tip. It was built in 1970 by the Vivekananda Rock Memorial Committee in honour of the visit of the great spiritual teacher Swami Vivekananda toShripada Parai during the month of December 1892 for deep meditation and enlightenment.

Thiruvalluvar Statue, Kanyakumari

The Thiruvalluvar Statue is a 133 feet (40.6 m) tall stone sculpture of the Tamil poet and saint Tiruvalluvar, author of the Thirukkural. It was opened on January 1, 2000 (Millennium) and is located atop a small island near the town of Kanyakumari, where two seas and an ocean meet; the Bay of Bengal, the Arabian Sea, and the Indian Ocean . The statue has a height of 95 feet (29 m) and stands upon a 38 foot (11.5 m) pedestal that represents the 38 chapters of "virtue" in the Thirukkural. The statue standing on the pedestal represents "wealth" and "pleasures", signifying that wealth and love be earned and enjoyed on the foundation of solid virtue.

The combined height of the statue and pedestal is 133 feet (40.5 m), denoting the 133 chapters in the Thirukkural. It has a total weight of 7000 tons.

The statue, with its slight bend around the waist is reminiscent of a dancing pose of the ancient Indian deities like Nataraja. It was sculpted by the Indian sculptor Dr. V. Ganapati Sthapati, who also created the Iraivan Temple.

Our Lady of Ransom Church, Kanyakumari

. The Church of Our Lady of Ransom is a more than 100-year-old building dedicated to Mother Mary. But what catches your eye first-up is the 153-foot-high (46 meters) central tower crowned with a Cross of pure gold. Truly a beautiful structure; the church looks particularly gorgeous against the molten-blue noon sky. Astonishingly, the grand Gothic façade is a striking contrast to its almost bare interiors.

                                 

                                                                                                           sunrise in kanyakumari

    Sunset  in  kanyakumari

MAZHA........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ക ത്തു ന്ന്‍  വെ ന ലി ന്‍റെ   ഹ്രദ യത്തി ലേ ക്ക്  ഒര്രു  കുളിരായി  വീ ന്ടും മഴ
  നമെ  മോ ഹി പ്പി ക്കു ന്ന  ആശി പ്പി ക്കു ന്ന  മനസ്സിനെ  ത ണ് പ്പി ക്കുന്ന  എന്തോകയോ  ആണ്    മഴ    മഴ   അകലെ  പെയുംബൊല്‍  കൊതിക്കും
അരുകില്‍  പെയുമ്പോള്‍  കുളിരും  മെല്ലെ   പെയുംബൊല്‌  അനുഭുതി  ആവും

നനഞ്ഞു കുതിര്‍ന്നാല്‍  വെറുപ്പാകും