Sangam Period in South Indian History: Part III Megalithic burial sites in Tamilakam

The Prehistoric period mark the time when the first civilization or humans evolved. There are controversies on the time of origin of the Prehistoric period in India and the historians find it as a healthy point of discussion about the Prehistoric period. It is believed first civilization originated in between 200000 B.C. to 3500 - 2500 B.C. The Prehistoric era has been categorzied into six main periods and they include: 1. Stone age or Stone period; 2. Paleolithic age or Paleolithic age or Paleolithic period; 3. Mesolithic age or Mesolithic period; 4. Neolithic age or Neolithic period; 5. Bronze age or Bronze period; and 6. Iron age or Iron period.  Iron age in India is referred to as Megalithic age.

Sangam Period in South Indian History: Part II Kumari Kandam and Lemuria

The objective of the 'Sangam Period in South Indian History' series is to understand and share the idea of Tamil Sangam Period, Tamil Sangam Literature, Kumari Kandam, Antediluvian Sangam Civilization and its history.  

Kumari Kandam and Lemuria (இலெமூரியா)

Lemuria is a landmass or continent predating any civilization we currently know. Some disagreement exists about its location and about the inhabitants. The name of the landmass or continent is actually 'Mu.' Some preferred to put it as a continent in Pacific Ocean and called it as 'Pacifica.' Sclater preferred to call it as Lemuria for the occurrence of the Lemur fossil. Some other prefer to put it as a landmass Indian Ocean and called it as Kumari Kandam.  

Sangam Period in South Indian History: Part I Tamilakam, Sangam Period and Sangam Literature

The objective of the 'Sangam Period in South Indian History' series is to understand and share the idea of Tamil Sangam Period, Tamil Sangam Literature, Kumari Kandam, Antediluvian Sangam Civilization and its history.

Thamilakam 
The word Thamilakam was used to refer to the entire Tamil speaking region which corresponded to the territory of South Indian royalties of Sangam period (3rd century B.C. - 3rd century A.D.) as well as the modern south India comprising territories of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as parts of Sri Lanka. Historians referred to the 'whole of the Ancient Tamil country' as the single cultural area, though many Tamil kingdoms existed here within its boundaries. 

Minor Project Report on Temple Architecture of India

Minor project report on temple architectur from Megha Aggarwal

Mangala Devi (Kannagi) Hill Temple, in Cumbam Valley, celebrates Chitra Pournami Festival

The Mangala Devi Temple is dedicated to Kannagi, a legendary Tamil woman and the central character of the Tamil epic Silapathikaram (100-300 A.D.). The temple is located at Vannathi Parai, in the Tamil Nadu and Kerala State  border and  sits in between Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary and Periyar Tiger Reserve at an altitude of 1337m above sea level.

Karakkoyil - Amirthakadeswarar Temple, Melakadambur

Karakkoyil

Karakkoyil - Amirthakadeswarar Temple, Malakadambur (early name Tirukkadambur) - 608 304, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu is known by the name Karakkoil. From Tamil literary sources we learn that there are nine categories of temple structures dedicated to Lord Shiva. They are: 'Perunkoyil', 'Karakkoyil', 'Gnalarkoyil', 'Koudikkoyil', 'Ilamkoyil', 'Manikkoyil', 'Alakkoyil', 'Madakkoyil' and 'Punkoyil.' 

Thirunavukkarasar (Appar) Thevaram mentions eight kinds of temples. They include They are: 'Perunkoyil', 'Karakkoyil', 'Gnalarkoyil', 'Koudikkoyil', 'Ilamkoyil', 'Manikkoyil', 'Alakkoyil', 'Madakkoyil' and 'Punkoyil.' 

Raja Raja Cholan I Pallipadai and Inscription Controverises

Recently the half buried slanted Shiva Lingam figured in the midst of plantain field and just behind the hut of Pakirisamy's (a farmer) in Mudikondan river bed in Udayalur, Kumbakonam taluk. (Ref. Picture and You Tube video) The site and Shiva Lingam are being claimed as Raja Raja Cholan's ashes' burial place. Both the Shiva Lingam and the inscription lead many people to link and believe the site as the pallippadai of Raja Raja Cholan - I.

Karthikai Vilakkeedu festival finds reference in Tamil Sangam literature

Karthikai Deepam or Karthikai Vilakeedu in Tamil (கார்த்திகை விளக்கீடு) is the festival celebrated in South India in general and Tamil Nadu in specific since from ancient times on the full moon day of the Karthigai (Tamil calendar) month which coincides with Krithikai (third among the 27 star constellations - Tamil Calendar) star . The month of Karthigai is of special significance to the people of Tamil land since from Sangam Period (3rd B.C. to 3rd A.D.)

அடிப்படைக் கோயிற்கலை அறிவோம்…

மரபுக் கட்டடக்கலை கட்டமைப்பு முறை

ஸ்தபதி.வே.இராமன்

பகுதி 1 – (சிற்ப நூல்கள்)

அறிமுக உரை:

‘பெருக்காறு சடைக்கணிந்த பெருமான் சேரும்

பெருங்கோயில் எழுபதினோ டெட்டும் மற்றும்

கரக்கோயில் கடிபொழிற்சூழ் ஞாழற் கோயில்

கருப்பறியல் பொருப்பனைய கொகுடிக்கோயில்

இருக்கோதி மறையவர்கள் வழிபட் டேத்தும்

இளங்கோயில் மணிக்கோயில் ஆலக்கோயில்

திருக்கோயில் சிவனுறையும் கோயில் சூழ்ந்து

தாழ்ந்திறைஞ்சத் தீவினைகள் தீருமன்றே’

அப்பர் பெருமான் தம் எளிய தமிழில் பெருங்கோயில், கரக்கோயில், ஞாழற்கோயில், கொகுடிக்கோயில், இளங்கோயில், மணிக்கோயில், ஆலக்கோயில் என பல்வகைக் கோயில்களைப் பற்றி பேசுகிறார். பல்லவர் காலத் தொடக்கத்திலும் இறுதியிலும் கோயில்களின் தோற்றத்தை இலக்கியம் மற்றும் கல்வெட்டுச் சான்றுகள் மூலமாகவே அறிய இயலுகிறது.

இத்தகைய கோயில்களை அறிந்துக் கொள்வதன் வாயிலாக நம்முடைய கலாச்சாரம், பண்பாடு, சிற்பிகளின் கட்டுமானத்திறன், தொழில் நுணுக்கம், தத்துவம், விஞ்ஞானம் இவற்றோடு நம்முடைய பக்தியையும் முழுமையாக அறிந்துக் கொள்ள முடிகிறது. 

Remains of Subramanya Temple of Sangam period excavated at Saluvankuppam (Mamallapuram), India.

The Pallava sea-port Mamallapuram is known for its cave temples, rock-cut monolithic rathas, open-air bas-relief and free standing structural temple. Archaeological excavations at Saluvankuppam village (also known as Thiruvizhchil) near to UNESCO monument Tiger Cave, just six km north of Mamallapuram, Kanchipuram district, Tamil Nadu, India, have thrown light on the ruins of the brick temple dedicated to Lord Subramanya dating back to second century A.D. Archaeologists of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) team excavated this site in 2005.

Pradosham worship in Shiva Temples

Pradosham is an important Hindu Saivite pooja ritual (way of worship) observed on ‘Thiriyodasi tithi’ (thirteenth lunar (moon) day of the waxing as well as waning moon phases) in all Shiva temples about 48 minutes during sun set. We call the specific 48 minutes i.e, 24 minutes before sun set (end of a particular day) and 24 minutes after sun set (the commencement of the particular night) as ‘Sandhya kalam’ and this period is also referred as ‘Asura Velai’ (Demons timings). Saints and yogis will not advice us either to drink or eat any food. Lord Narasimha (Incarnation of Lord Vishnu) also killed the King Hiranya during this period. Instead they advice us to us to light a lamp and chant mantras, slokas and offer prayers. It is an auspicious time for performing yoga.

Pradosham worship aims in getting relieved from leading doshas (malefic aspects) found in your horoscope. No one is free from doshas. You will have at least few doshas like marriage obstacles, lack of child, indebtedness and so on. What ever may be the kind or numbers, your Pradosham worship will give the most wanted relief from doshas. Lord Shiva will have grace on His subjects and rectify all faults or sins.

Thanjavur Painting

Thanjavur Painting (Tanjore Painting – an alternate name) is one of the many indigenous art forms for which India is noted. What is special about the paintings? This style of paintings mainly consist of themes are mostly mythological and depicts Hindu gods and goddesses. The most favorite theme of the painters includes the figures of Lord Krishna and his consorts in various poses and depicting various stages of his life. Presiding deities of various famous temples are also being depicted in the paintings. The present day painters are experimenting Gods and Goddesses of other popular religions: say Lord Buddha, Jesus Christ, Guru Nanak, Islamic prophets as well as birds, animals, building structures and other subjects. 

Hindu Temple and the Structure of Human Body: Comparison

"Everything is governed by one law. A human being is a microcosmos, i.e. the laws prevailing in the cosmos also operate in the minutest space of the human being."

Hindu Temples take their cue from the structure of Human body. The vast Hindu canonical literature on Agamic texts, Devalaya Vastu (Temple Vastu astrology) and sacred geography describe the temple as a cosmic man, the 'Purusha' (cosmic man). The legend of the ‘Vastu Purusha’ states that Vastu Purusha blocked the heaven from the Earth and Lord Brahma along with many other Gods trapped him to the ground.