A TO Z INDIA - JUNE 2023

A TO Z INDIA

English & Tamil Monthly Magazine

Volume 06 • Issue 11

June 2023

Price Rs 65/-

Ratha Yatra

Puri, Odisha

Tuesday, 20 June, 2023

Indian Culture ● Indian Art ● Indian Lifestyle ● Indian Religion

Submit your artwork, articles & essays to the

e.mail id: editor.indira@gmail.com

A TO Z INDIA ● JUNE 2023 ● PAGE 2

05

PURI RATH YATRA 2023: CHARIOT FESTIVAL IN ODISHA, INDIA

Puri Rath Yatra, the world famous chariot or car festival, at the Puri Jagannath

Temple in Odisha, India. Puri Rath Yatra 2023 date is June 20. It is celebrated

on the second day of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of moon or bright

fortnight) Ashadh month as per traditional Oriya Calendar. On the day of the

Ratha Yatra (car festival), chariots (Rath) carrying Lord Jagannath,

Balabhadra and Subhadra is pulled to the nearby Gundicha Temple.

08

THE ‘GANDHI' OF TRIBAL’S:

GANI RAJENDRA VIJAY

Gani Rajendra Vijay, the pioneer

of the Sukhi Pariwar Campaign,

the messiah of tribal life and

eminent Jain saint has been

active on tribal issues for the

last 36 years.

A TO Z INDIA: Editorial Address

inside

FROM THE EDITOR

A TO Z INDIA magazine

covers the Indian through

his art, culture, lifestyle,

religion, etc. This

magazine gives an

insight into the life of

Indians from an angle

uncovered by others.

Turn to find out what it

is about and to immerse

yourself into an entirely

different culture.

Publication Team:

EDITOR: Indira Srivatsa

ASSOCIATE EDITOR:

Dwarak, Srivatsa

EDITORIAL

CONSULTANTS: Santha,

Bhavani, Srinivasan

REPORTING: Raghavan

PHOTOGRAPHY:

Adithyan

GRAPHICS ENGINEER:

Chandra

Editorial Office:

E002, Premier

Grihalakshmi

Apartments,

Elango Nagar South,

Virugambakkam,

Chennai - 600092,

Tamil Nadu, India.

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Disclaimer:

A TO Z INDIA Magazine

has made a constant care

to make sure that

content is accurate on

the date of publication.

The views expressed in

the articles reflect the

author(s) opinions.



EID AL-ADHA: THE FEAST OF SACRIFICE

AND FEASTING

From the Editor's Desk: Eid al-Adha - the Feast of Sacrifice and Feasting

Also known as the ‘Feast of the Sacrifice’, Eid al-Adha is the second-most important event in the Islamic

calendar. During the three-day celebrations, Muslim families around the world come together to honour

Prophet Ibrahim’s devotion to Allah with gifts and feasting.

What is Eid al-Adha and how is it celebrated?

According to the Quran, Ibrahim – known as Abraham in the bible – and his wife Hagar had a son after

many years of praying to be blessed with a child. However, Allah asked Ibrahim to sacrifice his son as an act

of devotion. The couple travelled to Mecca to undertake the sacrifice – a route followed on the Hajj

pilgrimage. But at the last minute, Allah told Ibrahim to stay his hand and provided him with a ram to

sacrifice instead. On Eid al-Adha, Muslims traditionally honour Ibrahim’s devotion to God by sacrificing a

sheep, goat, cow or camel in their homes or other designated sacrifice spots. This year, Eid al-Adha 2023

begins on the evening of Thursday, June 29, 2023, and ends on the evening of Friday, June 30, 2023.


Puri Rath Yatra 2023:

Chariot Festival in Odisha, India

Indira Srivatsa

Puri Rath Yatra, the world famous chariot or car festival, at the

Puri Jagannath Temple in Odisha, India. Puri Rath Yatra 2023

date is June 20. It is celebrated on the second day of the Shukla

Paksha (waxing phase of moon or bright fortnight) Ashadh

month as per traditional Oriya Calendar. On the day of the

Ratha Yatra (car festival), chariots (Rath) carrying Lord

Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra is pulled to the nearby

Gundicha Temple. The return journey of the chariots or Bahuda Jatra is on June 28, 2023.

Importance of Puri Jagannath Rath Yatra:

The Brahma Purana glorifies the importance of Puri Rath Yatra in the following words -

"Those who are fortunate to see the deities of Srimandira in the Gundicha Temple, the final destination of the

procession of the chariots, get the privilege of going to Vishnuloka, the abode of Vishnu or heaven."

The concept of chariot in Hinduism of ancient origin. The Katha Upanishad states -

"The body is the chariot and the soul is the deity installed in the chariot. Wisdom acts as the charioteer to

control the mind and thoughts."




Indira Srivatsa

Lord himself comes out of the sanctum sanctorum to give darshan (vision) to his devotees is the greatness of

Puri Rath Yatra. All people irrespective of caste, creed, status, fallen, … get opportunity to have darshan of

Lord from close quarters.

"Lord Swaying and moving like a wild elephant arrives at the grand avenue and rides his chariot and destroys

in a flash all the sins of his devotees, even if these may be grave or unpardonable" - Saint/Poet Salabega

At the world famous Puri Jagannath Temple in Orissa, Lord Krishna is worshipped as ‘Jagannath’ - ‘Master of

the Universe.’ Balabhadra is the elder brother of Lord Krishna and Subhadra is his younger sister.

The Making of the Rathas: The making of the Rathas for the annual festival begins on the Akshaya Tritiya

day (April - May). Some initial rituals are done on Basant Panchami day (January - February). The main

rituals associated with Puri Rath Yatra festival is spread over a month and several rituals, like Snana

Purnima and Anasara, take place during this period.

Bathing Festival: The Snana Yatra or Snana Purnima (Bathing Festival) takes place on the full moon day in

the month of Jyestha (May – June). On this day, the three deities are bathed in 108 pitchers of water.

Anasara: After the elaborate Snana Yatra festival, the three deities stay away from public view and this is

known as ‘Anasara.’ It is believed that after such elaborate ritualistic bath the deities catch fever and

therefore they do not return to the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. The idols of the three deities then

make an appearance after 15 days of ‘anasara’ in a new appearance known as ‘Navaya Yauvana Vesha.’ The

wooden idols of the deities are given a fresh coat of paint.

The Rath Yatra: Next auspicious ceremony is the world famous Ratha Yatra. On this day, thousands of

devotees pull the three huge chariots carrying Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra through the grand

road (Bada Danda) to the Gundicha Temple. The deities visit their aunt here. The three deities come out in

procession known as ‘Pahandi.’ When the deities are seated on the huge chariots, the Gajapati King of Puri,

the first servant of Lord Jagannath, sweeps the chariots. The awe-inspiring act during the procession is the

pulling of the huge chariots by thousands of people to the Gundicha Temple through the grand road (Bada

Danda). The chariot of Balabhadra moves first, followed by Subhadra and Jagannath. The chariots with the

idols wait outside the Gundicha temple. The deities enter the temple on the next day and stay there for

seven days. In between, on the fifth day, Goddess Lakshmi, wife of Lord Jagannath, comes to the Gundicha

temple in search of her Lord. On finding his chariot there, she returns back in anger after damaging

Jagannath’s chariot.

The Return: After the week-long stay, the three deities return and the journey is known as Bahuda Yatra.

During the return journey, the chariot of Jagannath stops at the Ardhasani Temple (Mausa Ma temple).

Here, Lord accepts his favorite rice cake known as Poda Pitha from his aunt who is the presiding deity of the

temple.




Indira Srivatsa

Picture: Puri, Odisha, India. The Festival of

Sun worship on a February morning to

celebrate the Sunrise and all it implies. To

celebrate Birth and Re-Birth.

Puri is famous for its festivals the most

famous being the Rath Yatra (Chariot

festival). It commemorates the journey

from light into dark (Birth and Re-

Birth)each year and it commemorates

Krishna's journey from Gokul to Mathura.

The three raths (chariots) are taken out

with the Lords Jagganath, Subhadra, and

Balbahadra, in them. The main rath is 43ft

high 33ft wide and has 16 wheels. It is

drawn by men. The Divine procession is

taken to the Temple and is there for a week

before being brought back. It is the home of

Lord Jagganath (Lord of the Universe). It is

one of the four Holy Dharmas of India.

The ‘Gandhi' of Tribal’s:

Gani Rajendra Vijay

Lalit Garg

By Lalit Garg

Writer, Journalist, Columnist

E-253, Saraswati Kunj Apartment

25 IP Extensions, Patparganj, Delhi-92

email: lalitgarg11@gmail.com

Phone: 22727486, 9811051133

Gani Rajendra Vijay, the pioneer of the Sukhi Pariwar Campaign, the messiah of tribal life and eminent Jain

saint has been active on tribal issues for the last 36 years, he has launched many public welfare activitiesschemes

for the upliftment and development of tribal life, including education, service, medical and has

taken initiatives for economic upliftment, which is a shining light in the lives of tribal people. Recently,

while launching projects worth 4400 crores in Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered Gani

Rajendra Vijay with affection and intimacy while talking to the tribal women of online quota, the whole

country saw this scenario and felt their services. . Remembering this saintly man by Modi in this way, makes

us feel his pride and existence.

Definitely Gani Rajendra Vijayji is ready to give proper status to the tribal society and solve their problems.

They themselves are capable and prosperous, so they themselves come forward for basic facilities like

education. In a way, with the efforts of a saint, an entire backward and neglected tribal society is getting

ready to build itself in an ideal form; this is an exemplary and commendable effort. But these tribal people

also got political patrons, for this they made contact with the leaders of all political parties and made them

aware of the pain of tribal life.

The ideals that have been conceived in Indian society are accepted by Indians with the same reverence even

today. The public's faith in price loyalty is not yet lost. Even if a person is alone but is in favour of morality

and someone powerful is opposing him with crookedness and conspiracy, then the public will like the person

alone. Establishment of these values is the aim of Gani Rajendra Vijay's mission and vision.

Gani Rajendra Vijay is such a personality who has blossomed further in the effort of spiritual development

and moral upliftment. He has been striving for the upliftment of tribal life for a long time and is especially

aware of the plans for education in tribal life; In 2010, the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated

this school and other schemes among about one and a half lakh tribal people, such a huge tribal presence

was showing Ganiji's influence in this area.

Many public welfare schemes are being run under his leadership, in which Brahmi Sundari Girls Hostel is

being run efficiently for girl’s education. In this tribal area, where a Gaushala is operated with the view of

life, then the mobile hospital is also providing its remarkable services for medical and service. For the

economic progress and self-reliance of the tribal people, they are also running the happy family village

industry. For the success of these broad undertakings, they do hard meditation and heat their body. In his

programs, along with education among the tribals as well as common people, he awakens the light of drug

addiction and eradication of stereotypes. The aim of his efforts is to awaken interest in education and

reading as well as to inculcate faith in the minds of tribal people towards non-violence, morality and human

values. Let every man look within himself and examine himself. Humanity is in danger today not because

immorality is on the rise. Immorality has always been there - sometimes less and sometimes more. The most

dangerous thing is that there is no faith in morality.

Filled with sacrifice, meditation, simplicity, enlightenment and compassion, you are constantly striving to



Gani Rajendra Vijay

Lalit Garg

By Lalit Garg





Phone: 22727486, 9811051133

protect the identity of the tribal caste and to establish human values. As if he is the emerging 'Gandhi' of

Gujarat holding Dandi. Gani Rajendra Vijayji, born in a tribal family on May 19, 1974 in this tribal soil,

became a Jain monk at the age of just eleven. There is a flame within this saint who has written more than

twenty books, which is sometimes seen agitating against obscenity, and sometimes becomes vocal against

those who forcibly convert religion.

Sometimes it becomes vocal for the existence of water, land and forest. The kind of efforts that this saint

has made for building a healthy and non-violent society, there is no show-off, no demonstration, no hunger

for publicity, no longing for any respect, calling any politicians on his platforms There is no desire for a

show of power. In his passion, this saint is trying to establish the ideal and change the face of the tribal

society and if we want to see the results of these efforts, it can be seen in tribal areas like Kanwat, Balad,

Rangpur, Bodeli etc.

Gani Rajendra Vijayji is active in the Sukhi PariwarCampaign run by the Sukhi Pariwar Foundation to make

the family strong. It is my good fortune that from the year 2006 being the founder general secretary of this

foundation, I am currently serving as its president. Ganiji's topmost priority is that first of all the family

should become cultured, the parents should become cultured, only then the children will be able to increase

the prestige of the family by becoming cultured. If the children go astray from the right path, then their life

will go into that deep pit of darkness from where it will be very difficult to get out again.

Gani Rajendra Vijay is making special efforts to make children cultured. India is waiting for a cultural

revolution today. This task cannot be left to the government machinery. Family, society and nation can be

made moral and character-rich in real sense only by building the right education and right values. In my

view, the initiative and efforts of Gani Rajendra Vijayji is the incarnation of a light in the tribal area, it is

such a light that is becoming the solution to problems like violence, terrorism, Naxalism, Maoism. Often we

seek solutions to these problems through politics, while the crisis seems to be deepening instead of the

solution.

Because due to political interests these neglected and needy people have been seen being exploited. The

tribal society under the leadership of Gani Rajendra Vijayji is determined to move forward with the light to

improve the life of this tribal area and to motivate the entire humanity.

The result of Gani Rajendra Vijayji's spiritual aura and hard penance is the empowerment of the tribal

society. It is a matter of great pleasure that Gani Rajendra Vijayji has prepared the basis for building a nonviolent

society with his spiritual brilliance. Many times he not only pacified the bloody struggle, but also

brought different opposing groups on a single platform. While the groups were eager to kill each other with

different types of weapons for widespread violence and loss of life.

To make this area non-violent surrounded by wide possibilities of violence would be called a revolution and

a miracle. Tribal people really need love, compassion, affection and strength, which is possible only through




Gani Rajendra Vijay

Lalit Garg

By Lalit Garg





Phone: 22727486, 9811051133

a saint like Ganiji and a human welfare initiative like the Sukhi Pariwar Campaign, a light is indeed being

born, which is exemplary for other violence-affected areas as well. The specialty of Gani Rajendra Vijayji is

that he has made tribal upliftment the resolution and yearning of his life. There is a lot of light in the lives

of tribal people too, but efforts have been made to snatch these lights, are happening and will continue to

happen.

Today there are more internal threats than external threats. There are many challenges of violence and

alienation that beg solutions. But never get the right answer on the wrong question. When bread is needed,

bread becomes the solution. Without bread, you cannot make any theory an injection of strength.



A Tribute to Rabindranath Tagore:

Poem - All the Songs you Never Wrote

Ayan

All the songs you never wrote

Fill a raindrop in the eye,

What you wrote, rises like a n’orwester

A smile upon a summer sky

For your works are sealed in golden words

That even time cannot forget,

The notes transcend these mortal souls

Beyond banal love and hate

But more than all the moving words,

A grander gift you’ve sown

You have inspired souls with that urge to write -

Each now, an artist on his own

By Ayan Adak

e-mail: ayan1adak1@gmail.com

That melancholy in subtle grace

Has countered endless tears,

In the darkest night, your verses strong

Has helped conquer those fears

And many have picked, in that wake

The quill of written dreams

Wrapping griefs and joys of life

In countless paper reams

An autumn line has sparked a book,

A single word - a song,

That ‘small rivulet’ has turned a sea,

That legacy is so strong

Rabindranath Tagore in Japan in 1916


A Tribute to Rabindranath Tagore:

Poem - All the Songs you Never Wrote

Ayan

And even those who ink not words,

On your rostrum works, they stand

Creating Gora, a Postmaster

Lost in a dreamy land

By Ayan Adak

e-mail: ayan1adak1@gmail.com

The n’orwester rains here everyday,

These summers are not dry,

For you’ve ensured there’s always shades

Of indigo in the sky

What more can we then ask?

You have shown us all the way

Rest then, for all the songs you never wrote -

Are being written everyday…

Rabindranath Tagore

Buddha Purnima - Special on 5 May 2023:

The Powerful Message of Buddha for a Peaceful World

Lalit Garg

By Lalit Garg





Phone: 22727486, 9811051133

Gautama Buddha is an illuminator, his birth anniversary is celebrated as Buddha Purnima, his attainment of

knowledge was fulfilled on the full moon night and his Nirvana Day' was also accomplished on the full

moon day. That's why Buddha has lightened up the human race. It was the day when Buddha was born, got

knowledge, sacrificed the body and attained salvation. Buddha is also called ‘Tathagata’, which means to

attain the ultimate truth through the practice of enlightenment. Two and a half thousand years ago, the

knowledge which he imbibed, the preaching of that knowledge which he shared among his followers, the

relevance of that message still has significance in today's time For this, he gave the mantra of 'Appo Deepo

Bhava', that is, to become light yourself, one cannot reach the destination through the other's support. Self

realization is important.

Buddha Purnima is an important day not only for the followers of Buddhism but also for the entire human

race. Buddha became the most popular Indian spiritual saint, social-reformer, spiritual teacher with his high

values and knowledge. He touched the hearts of not only many effective personalities but also the common

people and brought positive changes in their lives. We can also call him the person and ideologue along with

the spiritual revolution. His ideologies are not only a reflection of his revolutionary personality, but also an

inspiration of intense sarcasm and change on religious, social distortions and blind people, which changed

the life direction of innumerable human beings. He preached about 'Sorrow Prevention' and said that this

world is full of sorrows, but the end of sorrows is possible; which he called Nirvana.

Siddhartha was the prince of Kapilavastu before becoming a monk. In search of peace, he left home at the

age of 27, leaving the royal life. While traveling, Siddharth reached Sarnath near Kashi, where he converted

into a monk. Here he meditated hard under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya. After rigorous penance, Siddhartha

attained enlightenment, and he came to be known as the great monk Gautama Buddha. With his knowledge

he lit up the whole world. When Buddha saw the people of his era engulfed in ignorance about religioussocial,

spiritual and other sacrificial rituals, found ordinary people in ignorance in the name of religion, saw

women being humiliated, and atrocities against Shudras, he felt pity.

He himself took the fast for the attainment of the first knowledge and, after wandering in the forests for

years, did penance and enlightened the soul with knowledge. The enlightenment and light with which he

has lived each moment of his life is an important chapter in the history of the Indian sage tradition. He

himself received the light of truth, lived an inspiring life and then raised the voice against the evils in the

public. The efforts he made to elevate folklife are amazing and surprising. Expressing the essence of his

knowledge, he said that there is a reason for every grief.

The most important reason for the Human problem being so widespread on the world stage is human

ignorance, indulgent lifestyle, indiscipline and perverted food. Buddha says that in the core of the things in

which people seek happiness, sorrow ultimately comes out of grief. Presently, even in the transition phase

of the crisis, the person who finds himself drowned in pleasures, convenience and narcotics in search of

happiness, the end of it is sure to be more sad and painful. Therefore, it is important for a person to make

his lifestyle eco-friendly and intoxicated.




Lalit Garg

By Lalit Garg





Phone: 22727486, 9811051133

In this way, by becoming a monk, Gautam Buddha paid more attention to social welfare than to get himself

trapped in the fruitless disputes of the soul and the divine. His teachings became the means of liberating

human beings from sorrow and suffering, as well as inspiring the solution of social and worldly problems,

which have their own special place in making life beautiful and transmitting honorable values in public

opinion. This is the reason that his words started coming into the understanding of the people easily. While

Mahatma Buddha propagated the ten pupils with non-violence while adopting the middle Way, people

found them easily connected to his words. He believed that if a man conquers his desires, he can attain

nirvana. Thus he attacked the priesthood and established the importance of the person.

Gautama Buddha practiced Buddhism and very efficiently organized Buddhist monks and developed a sense

of unity among them in a democratic form. Its doctrine of non-violence and compassion was so intriguing

that after two thousand years, Emperor Ashoka, influenced by it, accepted Buddhism and stopped the wars.

In this way, Buddhism crossed the boundaries of the country and spread its light to every corner of the

world. Even today, the humanistic, intellectual and populist hypotheses of this religion cannot be denied

and through them a strong system of discrimination can be attacked. This Buddhism is able to provide peace

and well-being to the grieved, afflicted and restless humanity. It is developing religious unity in the mind of

the people by attacking high, low, discrimination, casteism. It has an important role in paving the way for

the development of art, literature and culture by creating an environment of world peace and mutual

brotherhood.

Mahatma Buddha was the pinnacle of the social revolution. His philosophy is not only a philosophy of nonviolence

and compassion, but a philosophy of revolution. Not only did he enforce the pilgrimage culture but

he also created new values and standards for an advanced and healthy society. He not only gave the right

direction to progressive ideas, but he broke the stagnation in them and heralded a new revolution. Buddha

said - hurry up and do great deeds as soon as possible, otherwise sins overlap the good deeds. It is a great

expectation of the present era to highlight his contribution in the context of social revolution. Only by doing

this will we be able to build a healthy society. The Buddha preached an egalitarian society. Asymmetry

arises where there is attachment and malice. A person wanders in the corridors of inequality to nurture his

selfishness, display ego, degrade others, and grab power and property.

The Buddha made himself alone, empty, before coming among the people, before sharing his life

experiences, before performing rigorous penance and knowing the truth of life. Then he said, do not let

anything inside you pollute the inner world. Look neither bad, nor listen bad, nor say bad. This is the

message of emptiness, the path to happiness, peace and good health. He spoke of ‘Appo Deepo Bhava' -

becoming your own lamp. Because, surrounded by day-night resolutions-choices, happiness-sorrow, joy and

sorrow, scorching in the anxiety of tomorrow, carrying the load of stress, how can the mind be empty in

such a situation? How can it be balanced? How can it be grasped? The practice of living in the present is

necessary to cope with these conditions. Neither the memory of the past nor the worry of the future. One,

who learns to live today, must understand that he has attained the meaning of human life and only a

society made of such human beings can be balanced, healthy and equitable.





Lalit Garg

By Lalit Garg





Phone: 22727486, 9811051133

It’s a need of time to establish Buddhism qualities among the masses. Do not limit Buddha in only preaching,

but make Buddha a part of life, shape your life with Buddhism culture.

Vaikasi Visakam is observed as the birthday of Lord Muruga during the month of Vaikasi in the Tamil

calender. Vaikasi Visakam occurs when the coinsides of Vishaka star and Full takes place during the Tamil

month of Vaikasi. Muruga is the divine son of the supreme God Shiva and the holy mother, Parvati.

VAIKASI VISAKAM, 3 JUNE SATURDAY 2023



Incredible India:

Images of

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through

Paintwork

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Incredible India:

Images of

India

through

Paintwork

Chandra


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A Dravidian Monument with European Influences:

Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace

Midhun

Built in 1636 by the greatest king of Madurai’s Nayak dynasty, Thirumallai Nayak, Madurai Palace is among

the oldest surviving palaces in South India. Spread over 41,979 sqft, the palace stands on 248 pillars that rise

up to 20 metres and have a circumference of 4 metres.

The Madurai Palace presents a unique synthesis of Dravidian, Islamic and European styles of architecture.

Often, we take the ageing wonders of the past as ruins, but they are hardly that. Far from the dying

remnants of yesteryears, they are the defiant souls that challenge the vagaries of time and elements. They

are the transcendental symbols of human vision, which remains alive even if everything else around it

collapses. A monument is not just made of carved ceilings, intricate inlays, giant doors and colonnades or

ornamental stuccos. It’s the vision of a dreamer who dared to bring it into reality. It speaks of his taste, class

and ambitions. It is a living embodiment of the architect who left a piece of him behind for posterity to

admire and ponder. It not only takes us back in time, helping us conjure up the distant past, but it actually

gives us a vision of the future that the builder saw. Such is the story of Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace – a

project of audacious vision and survival.

Though bereft of its original grandeur, the Madurai Palace or what remains of it is an architectural marvel

for more reasons than one. The 17th century palace is the finest monument to the memory of Nayak

Dynasty’s greatest king, Thirumalai Nayak. Built in 1636 by the greatest king of Madurai’s Nayak dynasty,

Thirumalai Nayak, it is among the oldest surviving palaces in South India. It is also among the earliest

monuments in South India with considerable European influences. Designed by an Italian architect, the 384-

year-old monument represents a fine blend of Dravidian, Islamic and Italian styles of architecture. Restored

and renovated periodically since the 19th century, first by the British Raj and then by the state

archaeological department, only a quarter of the original structure is standing now.




A Dravidian Monument with European Influences:

Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace

Midhun

Built in 1636 by the greatest king of Madurai’s Nayak dynasty, Thirumallai Nayak, Madurai Palace is among

the oldest surviving palaces in South India. Spread over 41,979 sqft, the palace stands on 248 pillars that rise

up to 20 metres and have a circumference of 4 metres.

Surprisingly, the downfall of this great palace wasn’t caused by the elements, it was the rather jealous and

over-ambitious grandson of Thirumalai Nayak, who tore it down and took away all the jewels and

ornaments of the palace to build his own fantasy in another city. His hubris-filled dream didn’t come to

fruition and what we are left with now is the remnants of a battle between passion and mania.

Spread over 41,979 sqft, the palace stands on 248 pillars that rise up to 20 metres and have a circumference

of 4 metres. Built without a rafter or girder, this wonder has some stunning stucco works and magnificent

arches. As a heritage lover, it’s easy to lose yourself in this forest of columns. The Nayak dynasty ruled over

much of present-day Tamil Nadu for almost 200 years from 1545 to 1740 and has left behind many of its

monuments, built mainly by Thirumalai Nayak.


ஆன் மீகம் :

சரணம்

இந் திரா

ரிய ல மன் னர் கள் மற் ம் சந் திர ல மன் னர் கள்

இதிகாசங் களில் தங் கள வின் மீ ெகாண் ட அவ

நம் பிக் கையால் அவர் களை மாற் ற ணிந் த ெபா ெசால் ல

யாத யரை அ பவித் ள் ளார் கள் .

இ இதிகாசம் கண் ட உண் மை! அர் ஜுனன் எவ் வளவுதான் பெரிய

வில் லாளியாக இ ந் தா ம் அவ க் ம் தெரியாத அஸ் திரங் கள்

அவன் ேராணர் அறிந் தே வைத் இ ந் தார் ! அல் ல மற் ற

அஸ் திரங் களை இணைத் செய் யப் ப ம் "சம் பு தம் " எ ம்

கலையின் லம் வானவர் மே ம் வியக் கத் தக் க மாற் றங் களை

செய் ய யும் !



சரணம்


எனவே தமக் வ ம் ேபாதித் இ ப் பார் என் எண் வ

அறிவ ீனம் ! " ேரார் அவக் ஞய ம் த் யு நமந் த் ேரா தரித் ரித:"

வை அவமதிப் பவன் மந் திர சித் தியை அறவே

இழக் கிறான் . எந் த மந் திர ம் அவ க் இனி

உதவா , தெய் வங் கள் அவனை விட் ஓ வி ம் !

தரித் ரியத் தை அடைகிறான் . வில் மி த் யுவினால்

ஆட் ெகாள் ளப் ப கிறான் என் ப சாஸ் திர வசனம் .


Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India:

Shri Shiva Nataraja temple / Shri Sabhanayaka temple

Midhun

The Shri Shiva Nataraja temple, also called Shri Sabhanayaka temple, Chidambaram, India. The temple of

Shiva Nataraja (Shri Sabhanayaka) of Chidambaramis one of the great temple complexes of South India.

Chidambaram is situated some 250 km south of Chennai, about 10 km from the Bay of Bengal. The temple is

the heart of the town with the complex measuring 18 hectares in total. The temple is a living religious

institution, and it is therefore still developing.

The complex has a rectangular shape and is orientated on the cardinal directions. It is structured as five

concentric courtyards or Prakaras, four of which are accessible to the public, the fifth being only accessible

to the priests as it lies within the walls of the main sanctum. The Prakaras are separated by approximately

10 meter high granite walls. The two outermost walls have four entrance ways in each of the sides. But

whereas the gateways and gopurams of other South Indian temples are orientated aligned into a cross, here

the gopurams are placed in an asymmetrical pattern.

The fifth Prakara, between the outer (fourth) wall and the third wall of enclosure, is in use for gardens. The

four gopurams, pyramidal shaped temple gateways, are situated in the fourth Prakara wall. Within this wall

we find the main temple as well as the sacred tirtha or water place, and many subsidiary shrines and

buildings. Although the earliest historical references to the temple go back to the 6th century CE, there is

now nothing within the complex that can be dated to before the 12th century with any certainty, except for

the main sanctum, the Cit Sabha (Hall of Consciousness). This wooden structure on a granite base, covered

with a gilded roof, is unique. Very unlike the garbhagriha (womb-house), the square sanctum sanctorum of

other Hindu temples. It is rectangular and with a roof that is shaped with an unusual slant. Within the

wooden walls lies the first Prakara, a U shaped circumambulatory passage constructed of granite. This

passage encloses the actual sanctum which houses the Shiva Nataraja Murti, the presiding deity of the

temple, as well as several other divinities.




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In front of the Cit Sabha we find the Kanaka Sabha (Golden Hall). This is a structure with a granite base,

slightly lower than the base of the Cit Sabha, wooden doors and a copper covered wooden roof supported by

granite pillars. Here many of the rituals of worship are performed, but at certain times devotees are allowed

to have close darshan (viewing of, audience with) of the Nataraja in the sanctum from here. These two

sabhas are at the centre of the central courtyard which is enclosed by a cloistered veranda. Around this

veranda there are several shrines. A shrine to Govindaraja, the reclining form of Vishnu and one dedicated to

Brahma-Chandikeshvara are also situated in this courtyard. From this courtyard two entrances, on the East

and on the South side, lead to the third prakara. Here we find the third sabha of the complex, the Nritta

Sabha (Hall of Dance) a shrine in the form of a ratha or chariot; the Deva Sabha (Hall of Deities); a shrine

for Mahalaksmi; the Mulasthana shrine, where Shiva is worshipped as Linga; a Kalyana Mandapa used for

festivals; and a Yaga Shala where Vedic fire rituals are performed. Long hallways of high pillars capped by

granite slabs turn this prakara into a cool shaded space reminiscent of a cathedral. This prakara has gates on

the East and the West side to the fourth prakara. Flights of steps connect the two spaces, as the inner

courtyards are as much as three meters lower then the surrounding courtyard, which has a pavement on

street level.

In the fourth prakara we find the Raja Sabha (Royal Hall), also called 1000 Pillar Hall; a Hundred Pillars

Hall; the Mukkuruni Vinayaka temple; the Sivakamasundari (Amman or Goddess) temple; the Pandya

Nayaka or Subrahmanya temple; a shrine dedicated to nine Lingas, worshipped by the nine planets or

Navagraha; a small Ganesha shrine; and a shrine dedicated to Sundaresvara and Minakshi, the presiding

deities of the temple in Madurai.




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From the fourth prakara four gopuras or temple gateways lead to the fifth prakara. The wall has a fifth

passage next to the East gopuram, which is used for the festival processions. Of the buildings found in the

fourth prakara the Nava Linga shrine and the Mukkuruni Vinayaka shrine are ancient shrines but have

undergone renovation in the later 19th century and no longer represent ancient architecture. The pillared

passages of the third prakara also belong to this period of building, as does the cloister around the central

courtyard. The Mulasthana shrine possibly belongs to the same period, or to the 18th century.

The Sivakamasundari temple, the Raja Sabha, the 100 Pillars Hall and the cloister and steps surrounding the

Shivaganga tirtha (sacred water place) are generally attributed to the time of the later Cholas, (late 11th to

12th century CE) on the basis of epigraphical evidence. This agrees in general with the architecture as we can

see it today. The small (1 pillar mandapam) Ganesha temple by the side of the 100 Pillars Hall also was build

around this time. The Nritta Sabha is also a building from the later Cholas. The kings of this period build

many of this kind of ratha (chariot) shaped halls. The Deva Sabha is known to have been covered by a

copper roof in the same period, but its architecture has not been analysed. Both shrines existed in some form

before this time, as is known from tradition and historical sources.

The Govindaraja shrine in its present form was (re)estabished under the kings of Vijayanagara. Three of the

four towers or gopurams recieved their present form during the last phase of the Chola empire in the 13th

century. The North gopuram was either build or renovated by Krishnadevaraya, a king of Vijayanagara, in

the 16th century. The gopurams have a rectangular granite base, with granite representations of various

deities in the niches. While the seven tapering upper storeys are made of bricks and decorated with limework.

The eastern gopuram maintains the original abstract structure of embedded miniature shrines while

the other three have representations of deities and mythological scenes. Although the Nataraja temple of

Chidambaram is one of the most intensively studied and described temples of South India, much of its history

remains undiscovered.


Pillayarpatti, Sivagangai District, Tamil Nadu:

Karpaka Vinayagar Temple

Midhun

Karpaka Vinayagar Temple is a 1600 year old Ganesha temple, located at Pillayarpatti, near Karaikudi,

Sivagangai District of Tamil Nadu. Popularly known as Pillayarpatti Temple, Arulmigu Karpaga Vinayagar

temple is one of the oldest cave temples in Tamil Nadu, India. The presiding deity, Desi Vinayaka Pillaiyar or

Karpaka Vinayakar, is a 6 foot tall bas-relief carved out of an excavated cave.

Lord Ganesh is seen with two arms and a trunk curled towards his right side (Valampuri Vinayagar).

Vairavan Kovil or Vairavan Swamy Temple in Vairavanpatti is just 2 km away.

Karpaka Vinayakar idol is facing north which is said to be the direction of Lord Kubera – the God of Wealth.

Karpaga Vinayagar idol is in meditation posture here with Shiva Lingam at his right hand (most Ganesha

idols usually have mothakam in the right hand); hence Ganesha is also called Yoga Vinayagar (Ganesha with

meditation and all fortunes), the one who grants success to all requests of his devotees. Arulmigu Karpaga

Vinayagar Temple also enshrines Tiruveesar, a Shiva Lingam carved into the cave wall, and Marudankudi

Eesar with his consort Vaadaamalar Mangai. A five-headed snake wearing a lingam on its neck is an

important carving here. The temple also enshrines Pasupatheeswarar (who showers all wealth), Nagalingam

(who gifts offspring to human beings), and Goddess Karthiyayini (who arrange marriages).




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The inscriptions within this temple dates back between 1091 AD and 1238 AD. There are 14 Agama texts found

on stone sculptures in the cave from 500 BC to 1284 AD. According to the stone sculptures the ancient names

of Pillaiyarpatti are Maruthangudi, Ekkattoor, Rajanarayanapuram, and Thiruveenkaikkudi. The temple

features two Rajagopurams, a vimana, and a beautiful temple tank. Karpaka Vinayakar Temple is also

known by the names Desigavinayaga Pillaiyar Temple, Vinayagar Cave Temple, and often Pillayar Temple.

Karpaka Vinayakar Temple Festivals: The 10 day annual Vinayakar Chaturthi festival is observed here

during August – September. On the 9th day of Vinayaka Chaturthi, Desi Vinayakar is covered with about 80

kg of sandal wood paste (Santha-na-kkappu). Another ten day festival in honor of Kongu Nachiyamman, a

village deity whose processional image is housed in the temple, is celebrated in the month of Vaikasi (May -

June). Margazhi Tiruvathirai Festival is also held here in honor of Lord Nataraja and Sivakami during

December - January.




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Temple Timings: Karpaka Vinayakar Temple daily worship timings are from 6 am to 1 pm and 4 pm to 8.30

pm.

How to reach Pillayarpatti Temple: Pillayarpatti is located 10 km west of Karaikudi in the Sivagangai

District of Tamil Nadu. The nearest railway stations are Karaikudi Junction Railway Station and Pudukkottai

Railway Station. Chennai Rameswaram Express and Kamban Express passes through these two railheads.

Tiruchirapalli Airport or Trichy Airport, located on the NH 210 Tiruchirapalli - Rameswaram Highway, is the

nearest air base.




பலி ப ீடத் தை ெதாட் வணங் கினால் ேதாஷம் ...!


எல் லா ஆலயங் களி ம் ெகா மரத் க் அ த் தப யாக பலிப ீடம்

அமைத் இ ப் பார் கள் . ெகா மரத் தை வழிபட் த் த ம் நாம்

பலி ப ீடத் தை மனதார வழிபட வேண் ம் . ெபா வாக பலி ப ீடங் கள்

ன் அ க் ப ீடம் மீ தாமரை மலர் வ வம்

ேபான் அமைக் கப் பட் க் ம் . அந் த ப ீடங் களில் சிற் பங் கள்

இ க் ம் . சில ஆலயங் களில் வெ ம் ப ீடம் மட் ம் இ க் ம் .

தி ப் பதி ேபான் ற ஆலயங் களில் பலி ப ீடத் க் ம் தங் க கவசம்

ேபார் த் தி இ க் கிறார் கள் . இதன் லம் க வறைக்

ெகா க் கப் ப ம் க் கியத் வம் பலிப ீடத் க் ம் ெகா க் கப வதை

அறியலாம் .

சரி.... பலி ப ீடம் என் றால் என் ன?

பலி ப ீடம் என் ற ம் 90 சதவ ீதம் பேர் மனதில் ேகாழி, ஆ

ேபான் றவைகளை பலி ெகா க் ம் இடமா என் ற எண் ணம்

ஏற் பட் க் கலாம் . ஏனெனில் வேத காலத் தில் நம் ன் ேனார் கள்

வேள் வித் தூணாகவும் , விலங் களை பலியி ம் மேடையாகவும்

இ ந் தவை தான் நாளடைவில் ெகாஞ் சம் , ெகாஞ் சமாக உ மாறி

இன் ெகா மரமாகவும் , பலி ப ீடமாகவும் வ வெ த் ள் ளன

என் ெசால் கிறார் கள் . எனவே தான் பலி ெகா க் ம் இடம் பலி ப ீடம்

என் ற எண் ணம் பலர மனதி ம் பதிந் ள் ள . இதை

உ திப த் வ ேபால கிராமங் களில் இன் ம் ேகாவில் ஆண்

தி விழாக் களின் ேபா பலி ப ீட மேடையில் ஆ , ேகாழிகளை பலி

ெகா த் வி வதைப் பார் க் கலாம் . இ தவ . ஆனால் ஆகம

விதிகளின் ப அமைக் கப் பட் ள் ள சிவாலயங் களி ம் , வைணவத்

தலங் களி ம் உள் ள பலி ப ீடங் கள் , நம் வாழ் வை மேம் ப த் ம்

ஒன் றாக க தப் பட் ேபாற் றப் ப கின் றன.



பலி ப ீடத் தை ெதாட் வணங் கினால் ேதாஷம் ...!


அந் த ஆலயங் களில் பலி ப ீடங் களில் உயிர் கள் பலி

ெகா க் கப் ப வ இல் லை. அதற் பதில் நம் மிடம் உள் ள ேமாசமான

ணங் களை அங் பலியி கிறார் கள் .

அதெப் ப ணத் தை பலியி வ ?

மனிதர் களாகிய நமக் ஆழ் மனதில் கெட் ட ணங் கள் இ க் ம் .

எவ் வளவுதான் பக் வப் பட் ட பெரிய மனிதர் களாக இ ந் தா ம் .

இப் ப கெட் ட ணத் டன் க வறை ப திக் நாம் சென் றால்

கடவுள் நமக் எப் ப அ ள் புரிவார் ? நம் மன எந் த ஆசாபாச ம்

இல் லாமல் ,தெள் ளத் தெளிவாக, ஒன் மே இல் லாமல் த் தமாக,

வெற் றிடமாக இ ந் தால் தான் நம் பக் கம் இறைவன் வ வார் .

எ வும் இல் லாத, எந் த எதிர் பார் ப் பும் இல் லாத மனநிலை

உடையவர் களால் தான் கடவுள் பக் கம் செல் ல யும் . எனவே நம்

மனதில் உள் ள தீய ணங் களை எல் லாம் வெளியேற் ற வேண் ம் .

அதாவ கெட் ட நினைவுகளை பலி ெகா க் க வேண் ம் . இ ஆலய

வழிபாட் ல் மிகவும் க் கியமான . ஏனெனில் நாம் நம் மனதில்

உள் ள தீய அ க் களை விரட் ம் ேபா நாம் நல் ல மனிதனாக

மாறி வி வாம் . இத் தகைய அற் புத மாற் றத் தை ஒவ் ெவா

பக் தனிட ம் ஏற் ப த் ம் அ மையான இடம் தான் பலிப ீடம் .

உயிர் ப் பலி இல் லாத இந் த ஆன் மிகப் பலி ப ீடமான உயரியமான .

இந் த பலி ப ீடத் தை அமைப் பதற் என் விதிகள் உள் ளன. பலி

ப ீடத் தின் உயரம் , லஸ் தானத் தில் எ ந் த ளியுள் ள லவரின்

ப ீடத் உயரத் க் சமமாக இ க் க வேண் ம் . பலி ப ீடத் தில்

பா கா, ஜகதி, தம் , த பத் திகம் , கலா கம் பம் , நிதிரவம் ,

ேபாதம் , அ ரபத் தி, பத் மம் என் பல வகைகள் உள் ளன. பலி

ப ீடத் தை ெபா வாக பத் ரலிங் கம் என் அழைப் பார் கள் .


பலி ப ீடம் அ கில் இ க் ம் நந் தி எ ம் ஆன் மாவில் உள் ள

ஆணவமலம் , பலி ப ீடத் தில் தான் ஒ ங் கியி க் ம் . எனவே பலி

ப ீடம் அ கே சென் றவுடன் ஆணவம் , மாயை, கன் மம் ஆகிய நம

ம் மலங் களையும் பலியி தல் வேண் ம் . ‘‘நான் ’’ என் ற

அகங் காரத் தை பலியிட வேண் ம் .

சிலர் எல் லாமே நம் ஒ வரால் தான் நடக் கிற என் ற இ மாப் புடன்

இ ப் பார் கள் . அந் த இ மாப் பை பலிப ீடம் அ கில் நின் பலியிட

வேண் ம் . பிற பலிப ீடம் அ கில் தரையில் வி ந் வணங் க

வேண் ம் . அந் த வழிபா எப் ப இ த் தல் வேண் ம் ? ஆலயத் தின்

க வறை வடக் , மேற் திசையை பார் த் தப் ப இ ந் தால் , பலி

ப ீடத் தின் இட பக் கத் தி ம் , க வறை கிழக் மற் ம் தெற்

ேநாக் கி இ ந் தால் பலி ப ீடத் தின் வல பக் கத் தி ம் நின்

வணங் க வேண் ம் . லவ க் அபிஷேகம் நடக் ம் ேபாேதா

அல் ல வாமிக் நைவேத் தியம் படைக் ம் ேபாேதா பலி ப ீடத் தை

வழிப தல் டா .

ரிய ல மன் னர் கள் மற் ம் சந் திர ல மன் னர் கள்

இதிகாசங் களில் தங் கள வின் மீ ெகாண் ட அவ

நம் பிக் கையால் அவர் களை மாற் ற ணிந் த ெபா ெசால் ல

யாத யரை அ பவித் ள் ளார் கள் . இ இதிகாசம் கண் ட

உண் மை! அர் ஜுனன் எவ் வளவுதான் பெரிய வில் லாளியாக

இ ந் தா ம் அவ க் ம் தெரியாத அஸ் திரங் கள் அவன்

ேராணர் அறிந் தே வைத் இ ந் தார் ! அல் ல மற் ற

அஸ் திரங் களை இணைத் செய் யப் ப ம் "சம் பு தம் " எ ம்

கலையின் லம் வானவர் மே ம் வியக் கத் தக் க மாற் றங் களை

செய் ய யும் ! பலி ப ீடத் தை வழிபட் த் த ம் , நம் மனதில்

மேலான எண் ணங் கள் தான் உள் ளன என் ற நினைப் பை

உ வாக் கிக் ெகாள் ள வேண் ம் . அந் த நல் ல மன நிலையுடன்

க வறை அ கில் சென் இறைவனை வழிப ம் ேபா , அவர்

அ ள் நம் மை ஆக் கிரமிக் ம் , ஆசீர் வதிக் ம் . பலி ப ீடத் தை பலி

நாதர் என் ம் ெசால் வார் கள் .

பலி ப ீடத் க் மாயச் சக் கரம் என் ம் ஒ பெயர் உண் . அதாவ

நம பிறப் பு - இறப் பு எ ம் மாயச் சக் கரமாக பலி ப ீடமாக

க கிறார் கள் . இதை ற் றி வந் வழிபட் டால் , ஸ் தூல ட் சம

காரண சரீரங் களில் இ ந் என் னை வி வித் வி என்

வேண் வதற் சமமா ம் . ெபா வாக ேகாவில் களில் எட்

லைகளில் , எட் பலி ப ீடங் கள் அமைத் தி ப் பார் கள் . அவை

இந் திரன் , அக் னி, எமன் , நி தி, வ ணன் , வாயு, பேரன் , ஈசானன்

எ ம் எட் திக் பாலகர் களை உணர் த் கிற . இந் த 8 பலி

ப ீடங் க ம் ஒவ் ெவா ேகாவிலின் ஆகம விதிக க் ஏற் ப

ேகாவில் பிரகாரங் களில் அமைக் கப் பட் க் ம் .


Owned, Published & Printed by INDIRA SRIVATSA,

Printed at SRI AATHI LAKSHMI GRAPHICS,

14/33, Sivan Koil Cross Street, Kodambakkam, Chennai - 600024 &

Published from E 002, Premier Grihalakshmi Apartments,

Elango Nagar South, Virugambakkam, Chennai - 600092.

EDITOR: INDIRA SRIVATSA



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A TO Z INDIA ENGLISH & TAMIL MONTHLY MAGAZINE

REG. WITH REGISTRAR OF NEWSPAPERS FOR INDIA UNDER NUMBER

TNBIL/2017/75531 R. DIS NO. 757/2017 ROC NUMBER L-105291/2021

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY SUN, JUN 18, 2023


A TO Z INDIA - JUNE 2023

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