.svg.png) |
| INDIA |
Home to the ancient Indus Valley Civilization and a region of historic trade routes and vast empires, the Indian subcontinent was identified with its commercial and cultural wealth for much of its long history.Four of the world's major religions—Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism—originated here. Judaism arrived in the 6th century B.C.E. Zoroastrianism, Christianity, and Islam arrived in the 1st millennium CE and also helped shape the region's diverse culture. Gradually annexed by and brought under the administration of the British East India Company from the early 18th century and administered directly by the United Kingdom from the mid-19th century, India became an independent nation in 1947 after a struggle for independence that was marked by non-violent resistance and led by Mahatma Gandhi.
SOUTH INDIA
South India is the area encompassing India's states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu as well as the union territories of Lakshadweep and Pondicherry, occupying 19.31% of India's area (635780 km² or 245476.030 mi²). The region is also known as Dravida as is used in the National anthem.
A majority of Indians from the southern region speak one of the Dravidian languages: Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Tulu, and Kodava. During its history, a number of dynastic kingdoms ruled over parts of South India whose invasions across southern and southeastern Asia.
After experiencing fluctuations in the decades immediately after Indian independence,
the economies of South Indian states have registered higher than
national average growth over the past three decades. While South Indian
states have improved in some socio-economic metrices, economic disparity, illiteracy and poverty continue to affect the region much like the rest of the country.
South India has an independent literary tradition going back over 2500 years. The first known literature of South India are the poetic Sangams, which were written in Tamil between 2500 to 2100 years ago. These include the oldest South Indian epics of Silappatikaram and Manimekalai written in Tamil. Tamil Buddhist commentators of the tenth century CE Nemrinatham make references to Kannada literature of the fourth century CE. Distinct Malayalam and Telugu literary traditions developed in the following centuries.
South India has two distinct styles of rock architecture, the pure dravida style of Tamil Nadu and the Vesara style (also called Karnata dravida style) present in Karnataka. The inspirational temple sculptures of Srirangam, Chidambaram, Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Thiruvannamalai, Tanjore, Madurai, Rameswaram, Sri Kalahasti, Tirupati, Hampi, Badami, Bhattiprolu, Simhachalam, Pattadakal, Aihole, Belur, Halebidu, Lakkundi, Shravanabelagola, and the mural paintings of Travancore and Lepakshi temples, also stand as a testament to South Indian culture. The paintings of Raja Ravi Varma are considered classic renditions of many a scenes of South Indian life and mythology. The temple at Srirangam is the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world, while Rameswaram is considered as one of the holiest temple in India.
The main spiritual traditions of South India include both Shaivite and Vaishnavite branches of Hinduism, although Buddhist and Jain philosophies had been influential several centuries earlier. Shravanabelagola in Karnataka is a popular pilgrimage center for Jains. Ayyavazhi is spread significantly across the southern parts of South India.Its followers are more densely populated in South Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Kanchipuram (Tamil: காஞ்சிபுரம்), or Kanchi, is a famous temple city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It served as the Capital city of the Pallava Kingdom. It is also known by its former names Kanchiampathi, Conjeevaram, and the nickname "The City of Thousand Temples". It is now the Administrative headquarters of Kanchipuram district. Kanchipuram is located 72 kilometers from Chennai, the capital city of the southern state of Tamil Nadu, India.
Among the major Hindu temples in Kanchipuram are some of the most prominent Vishnu Temples and Shiva Temples of Tamil Nadu like the Varadharaja Perumal Temple for Vishnu and the Ekambaranatha Temple which is the "earth abode" of Shiva. Kamakshi Amman Temple, Kumara Kottam, Kachapeshwarar Temple, and the Kailasanathar Temple are some of the other prominent temples.
In 2010, 'Kancheepuram Silk Sarees' not just received the GI tag but became the first product in India to implement the security protocol, which includes jail and fine provisions for violators.
1. Kailasanathar Temple
2. Kamakshi Amman Temple
3. Ekambaranathar Temple
4. Vaikuntaperumal Temple
5. Varadarajar Perumal Temple
6. Kumara Kottam Temple
7. Ulagalandha Perumal Temple
8. Kanchi mutt
It was built by the Pallavas in the early 8th century CE. It is famous for its splendid vimana. It also contains numerous panels showing lord Siva as Nataraja in various postures.This temple was built by Pallava King Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimhan), and so is also called Rajasimha Pallaveswaram.
The Chola King Rajaraja Chola I visited this temple and named this temple as Kachipettu Periya Thirukatrali(Stone Temple of Kachipettu(ancient name of Kanchipuram). It is believed by many archeologists that this Kailasanathar temple must be the inspiration for Rajaraja Chola I to build the Tanjore Brihadeeswarar temple.
The Kamakshi Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Kamakshi, one of the forms of the goddess Parvati. It is located in the historic city of Kanchipuram, near Chennai, India and is popularly associated with Sankaracharya, one of the greatest Hindu gurus. The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, the Akilandeswari temple in Thiruvanaikaval near Tiruchirappalli and this Kamakshi are the important centers of worship of Parvati as the mother goddess, in the state of Tamil Nadu. The temple was most probably built by the Pallava kings, whose capital was Kanchipuram, around 6 C.E.
Culture and heritage
 |
| Mahabalipuram |
South India has an independent literary tradition going back over 2500 years. The first known literature of South India are the poetic Sangams, which were written in Tamil between 2500 to 2100 years ago. These include the oldest South Indian epics of Silappatikaram and Manimekalai written in Tamil. Tamil Buddhist commentators of the tenth century CE Nemrinatham make references to Kannada literature of the fourth century CE. Distinct Malayalam and Telugu literary traditions developed in the following centuries.
South India has two distinct styles of rock architecture, the pure dravida style of Tamil Nadu and the Vesara style (also called Karnata dravida style) present in Karnataka. The inspirational temple sculptures of Srirangam, Chidambaram, Kanchipuram, Mahabalipuram, Thiruvannamalai, Tanjore, Madurai, Rameswaram, Sri Kalahasti, Tirupati, Hampi, Badami, Bhattiprolu, Simhachalam, Pattadakal, Aihole, Belur, Halebidu, Lakkundi, Shravanabelagola, and the mural paintings of Travancore and Lepakshi temples, also stand as a testament to South Indian culture. The paintings of Raja Ravi Varma are considered classic renditions of many a scenes of South Indian life and mythology. The temple at Srirangam is the largest functioning Hindu temple in the world, while Rameswaram is considered as one of the holiest temple in India.
The main spiritual traditions of South India include both Shaivite and Vaishnavite branches of Hinduism, although Buddhist and Jain philosophies had been influential several centuries earlier. Shravanabelagola in Karnataka is a popular pilgrimage center for Jains. Ayyavazhi is spread significantly across the southern parts of South India.Its followers are more densely populated in South Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Tamil Nadu
 |
| Tamil Nadu |
Tamil Nadu is the eleventh largest state in India by area and the seventh most populous state. It is the fourth largest contributor (as of 2010)to India's GDP and ranks tenth in Human Development Index as of 2006. Tamil Nadu is also the most urbanised state in India.The state has the highest number (10.56%) of business enterprises and stands second in total employment (9.97%) in India,compared to the population share of about 6%.
The region has been the home of the Tamil people since at least 500 BCE. Its official language Tamil has been in use in inscriptions and literature for over 2000 years. Tamil Nadu is home to many natural resources, Hindu temples of Dravidian architecture, hill stations, beach resorts, multi-religious pilgrimage sites and eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Districts
The 32 districts of Tamil Nadu are listed below with the numbers corresponding to those in the image at right
|
|
Chennai
Chennai also known as Madras, is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal, it is a major commercial, cultural, and educational centre in South India, while the port of Chennai is the second largest port in India.
Temples In Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu Kanchipuram and Tanjore are have many of temples.
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram (Tamil: காஞ்சிபுரம்), or Kanchi, is a famous temple city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It served as the Capital city of the Pallava Kingdom. It is also known by its former names Kanchiampathi, Conjeevaram, and the nickname "The City of Thousand Temples". It is now the Administrative headquarters of Kanchipuram district. Kanchipuram is located 72 kilometers from Chennai, the capital city of the southern state of Tamil Nadu, India.
Kanchipuram is considered one of the seven holiest cities to the Hindus of India. In Hinduism, a kṣetra is a sacred ground, a field of active power, a place where moksha, final release can be obtained. The Garuda Purana enumerates seven cities as providers of moksha, namely Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Varanasi, Avantikā, Dvārakā and Kanchipuram.
Kanchi silk sarees
 | ||
| Kanchipuram Silks |
Today, apart from its temples, this small town is also known for its thriving hand loom industry. Kanchipuram town is also known as Silk City since the main profession of the people living in and around is weaving silk sarees, more than 50,000 families are engaged in this industry.
In 2010, 'Kancheepuram Silk Sarees' not just received the GI tag but became the first product in India to implement the security protocol, which includes jail and fine provisions for violators.
Famous Temples In Kancheepuram
1. Kailasanathar Temple
2. Kamakshi Amman Temple
3. Ekambaranathar Temple
4. Vaikuntaperumal Temple
5. Varadarajar Perumal Temple
6. Kumara Kottam Temple
7. Ulagalandha Perumal Temple
8. Kanchi mutt
Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple
 |
| Kailasanathar Temple |
It was built by the Pallavas in the early 8th century CE. It is famous for its splendid vimana. It also contains numerous panels showing lord Siva as Nataraja in various postures.This temple was built by Pallava King Narasimhavarman II (Rajasimhan), and so is also called Rajasimha Pallaveswaram.
The Chola King Rajaraja Chola I visited this temple and named this temple as Kachipettu Periya Thirukatrali(Stone Temple of Kachipettu(ancient name of Kanchipuram). It is believed by many archeologists that this Kailasanathar temple must be the inspiration for Rajaraja Chola I to build the Tanjore Brihadeeswarar temple.
Kamakshi Amman Temple
 | |
| Kamakshi Amman Temple |
 |
| Kamakshi Amman Temple Elephant |
The Kamakshi Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Kamakshi, one of the forms of the goddess Parvati. It is located in the historic city of Kanchipuram, near Chennai, India and is popularly associated with Sankaracharya, one of the greatest Hindu gurus. The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, the Akilandeswari temple in Thiruvanaikaval near Tiruchirappalli and this Kamakshi are the important centers of worship of Parvati as the mother goddess, in the state of Tamil Nadu. The temple was most probably built by the Pallava kings, whose capital was Kanchipuram, around 6 C.E.
It is interesting to note that the main deity is seated in a majestic
Padmasana posture, an yogic posture signifying peace and prosperity,
instead of the traditional standing pose in most other temples of
Parvati. The goddess holds a sugarcane bow and lotus and parrot in the
lower two of her arms (Many of the Hindu god forms generally have four
arms) and has the two divine instruments Pasa and Angusa in her upper
two arms. It is interesting to note that there are no traditional
Parvati or Shakthi shrines in the city of Kanchipuram, apart from this
temple, which is unusual in a traditional city that has hundreds of
traditional temples. There are various legends attributed to it. One of
them according to Kamkshivilasa is that the Goddess had to absorb all
the other shakthi forms to give boon to Manmatha (the Hindu god of
fertility and love). Another legend attributes it to the Raja Rajeswari
pose of the deity that signifies an absolute control over the land under
its control, leaving no other forms of Shakthi.Legend has it that
Kamakshi offered worship to a Shivalingam made out of sand, under a
mango tree and gained Shiva's hand in marriage.
Kanchipuram, popularly known as "Kanchi" is one of the ancient pilgrim centres of south india famous for its lovely magnificient temples. It is considered to be one of the sacred seven mukthir kshetra. Poet Sri Kalidasa has praised kanchi as the most significant city in all aspects as "nagareshu kanchi". The city of temples is mentioned and glorified in the puranas as Sathyavratha kshetra and it is said that all austerities performed in this punya kshetra will bear fruits in plenty. Sri kanchi kshetra is worshipped as one of the panchabootha linga kshetra as pruthivi kshetra. All the four reputed tamil saivita saints Thirugnana Sambandhar, Appar, Sundarar and Manikkavasagar, the four divine saint singers - naalvar have sung in praise of the glory of Lord Sri Ekambaranathar and Kanchipuram is worshipped for ages as one of the most sacred kshetra of Saivagamam.
Ekambaranathar Temple
 |
| Ekambaranathar Temple |
 | |
| Ekambaranathar Temple |
Kanchipuram, popularly known as "Kanchi" is one of the ancient pilgrim centres of south india famous for its lovely magnificient temples. It is considered to be one of the sacred seven mukthir kshetra. Poet Sri Kalidasa has praised kanchi as the most significant city in all aspects as "nagareshu kanchi". The city of temples is mentioned and glorified in the puranas as Sathyavratha kshetra and it is said that all austerities performed in this punya kshetra will bear fruits in plenty. Sri kanchi kshetra is worshipped as one of the panchabootha linga kshetra as pruthivi kshetra. All the four reputed tamil saivita saints Thirugnana Sambandhar, Appar, Sundarar and Manikkavasagar, the four divine saint singers - naalvar have sung in praise of the glory of Lord Sri Ekambaranathar and Kanchipuram is worshipped for ages as one of the most sacred kshetra of Saivagamam.
