#south india temple

[ghumindiaghum]

The Ancient and huge temples of South India specially Tamil Nadu have for a long time been respected by all architecture professionals from all around the world, and worshipped by the devotees equally. This tour starting from $395/INR 31499PP

[worldtalks]

Ancient temples with past secrets // Hampi, Karnataka, India

[kaalbela]

Mural at Parashnath Jain Temple, Kolkata.

[forgotten-bharat]

Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.

[rrcraft-and-lore]

Tawaif - a highly skilled courtesan (skilled in: music, dance, poetry, and singing) who catered to nobility in South Asia. Similar in respects to Geisha in many ways, including that sex was NOT obligatory. It occurred, but the primary function was entertainment.

Most commonly romantic poetry like Ghazals -a form of Arabic poetry that made its way over to South Asia: odes of long lost lovers, tragedy, separation, stuff to pull at your heart strings. And, shairi, another Arab/Persian kind of poetry that is built on monorhymed quatrains or four sixteen syllable lines (keeping to the same rhyme scheme) with a caesura used between lines 8//9 to break up the first half from the second. During the British Occupation, they were simply called, Nautch girls or dance girls. But this is far from all they did or were capable of. The name itself, Tawaif, is the term for a HIGHLY SKILLED courtesan. They were trained to the upmost of artistic forms.

They were not there to perform sex acts - that was often incidental and not contractual. And the women had the power to rebuff men's advances.

The Tawaifs of India were regarded as some of the greatest performing artists of their time with documented praise and examples from travelers such as Xuanzang, a Chinese pilgrim, notable traveling Buddhist Monk and scholar who frequented India, remarking on the Tawaifs skill, beauty, and performances during once such visit to the Sun Temple in Multan. Al-Biruni, often regarded as the father of Comparative Religion studies, an Iranian polymath and scholar, regarded on their skill and larger numbers during the 11th century CE upon a visit, Ganikas, another entertainer, are a public dancing girl (very common in cities from the Vedic period upward) who received classical arts training (most obviously dancing) and often performed from public settings up to royal private ones - and would compete to become Nagarvadhu - the most beautiful woman and most highly talented in forms of art (dance mostly).

Many young girls would leave or were taken to be taught these skills, and yes, there were schools for this too as well as private tutelage. People don't often realize this, but Ancient India was a place of extreme learning with all kinds of schools for different disciplines. A place of academies. Something I've talked about, like places like Nalanda, the world's oldest residential university that attracted people from far as Greece to Japan.

Anyways, Tawaifs were so successful and sought after, that records show they were consistently among the highest tax payers. Records also show that their wealth was used (by their consent/given) to help fund rebellions against the British Raj - enough so that the British passed laws to strip them of their ability to work as courtesans and left them only with sex work, which is sadly why some stories today only speak of them as prostitutes and not knowing their full, complex, and impactful history It's said the art of all this came from Urvashi, an Apsara (celestial being of dance, song, seduction/temptation, art, music).

[houseofbreadpakoda]

South India Through My Lens 🛺🪷🥥🎣

Threw in the only Baale Yele Oota picture I'd taken

P.S. - These are all pics from my camera roll so please don't use them for other moodboards tysmm

[buzz-london]

Sabarimala Temple in South India.

[tamlindain]

When I say my heart truly skipped a beat 🥹 This temple is a beauty ♥️

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[nandakhil]

South India Travels!

View of the Backwaters Kochi! Kerala! Backwaters!  It might seem The southern part of India is my favourite. But, even I am not sure, what influences me to travel to that part of the country!  It was work for one part of it, It was sightseeing the Other Time and it was food and rejuvenation for this time.  All the sides of the South have so much to offer! Just like the other states of India!…

[girlinjasmineandsandalwood]

Vannakam Makkale🪷

I think it's simply marvellous to wake up in a tamillian household.

M.S . Subbulakshmi is the unofficial family member of every house ; her morning subrabatams filling every nook and corner of the house.

And the manjal paste you apply after every bath? A small possible connection with Parvati devi a millenia ago

The warm decoction filter coffee from the two tier coffee filter poured into a steel glass next to a plate of warm and soft iddlie with thengai chutney and karam pudi.

The kolam with an intricate pattern and the poovu in my hair which my amma tucks in with a U pin. The dark green valayal that clink in a melodious rhythm

The simple yet eye-catching pattu saree the ladies wear at temples with matching bottu and jimki kambal. The soft hum of mahishasura mardini chanting. The pongal in tapioca leaf. And that familiar golusu sound of little girls.

The raised eyebrows, the loud and happy voices ,the overly inviting and loving people who love to feed.

I come from the culture of the chozhas and temple bells and tamizh.

Vannakam makkale

🪷🤎✨️🛺🪞✨️🪷🤎✨️🛺🪞✨️🪷🤎✨️🛺🪞

[ghumindiaghum]

Everything You Need to Know About the Chulgiri Trek

Chulgiri jain temple is surrounded by the Aravalli range, which gives you a beautiful and captivating view from the top of the hill. It is a proper blend of adventure, beautiful nature, and religiosity. Chulgiri Trek Hill is one of the most attractive places in Jaipur. Jains particularly regard Chulgiri as one of the holiest and most well-known locations in the world because a stunning white-marbled Jain temple sits perched atop the hill. Its most attractive thing is its calm nature, which gives you a soothing feeling.

Chulgiri Jain Temple

In 1953, Acharya Shri Desh Bhushan Ji founded the Chulgiri Jain temple. When he reached this place, seeking peace to engage in serious meditation, and because of the area’s peace and quiet, he ultimately chose to conduct soul-searching. Following that, he constructed the “Chulgiri” Jain temple.

About Chulgiri Hills

Nestled in the Aravalli hills, next to the Ghat Ki Guni tunnel, lies the temple dedicated to Chulgiri. This is the peak of the Chulgiri trek Mountains. There are a thousand steps leading up to the temple. In 1966, sculptors created three white stone statues representing Shree Parshavnath, the Tirthankars, and Neminath. During renovations, installers added 24 additional Tirthankars and a water tank to collect prayer water. Then, in 1982, builders erected a 65-foot dome and one of Mahaveer Swami’s tallest statues, standing around 21 feet tall and carved from a single piece of white stone. Craftsmen use white marble to create this stunning temple, which features exquisite and unique decorations.

Chulgiri temple has diverse flora and fauna, as well as many plants, animals, and birds. Indrajeet and Kumbhakaran are believed to have prayed and meditated here in ancient times. It is a unique and historic palace if you follow Jainism. This temple is one of the famous sightseeing places in Jaipur, providing you with a magnificent view from the top. The Aravali ranges encircling the temple make it more beautiful. The Jain Chulgiri temple is a digambara shrine. Walking up to the temple is quite thrilling.

The Best Time to Visit

The Chulgiri Jain Temple is open to tourists year-round. You can therefore visit this temple throughout the year. Every season has its own unique beauty!

Best Season: Winter is the best time to visit Chulgiri Jain temple, particularly from October to March. In winter, the weather remains calm and pleasant, and the steps to the temple’s premises are easy to climb. It feels less exhausting in winter than in summer.

Best Day of The Week: You should visit the Chulgiri Jain temple on weekdays. As weekends have the highest number of devotees. On weekdays, you can avoid standing in long queues at the temple and enjoy exploring the temple at your own pace.

Best Time of The Day: Visiting the Chulgiri trek in the early morning is best.

However, monsoon season is also an excellent time to visit Chulgiri Hill. You will be mesmerised to see the beauty of nature during this time. The Aravali range would be covered with lush greenery and beautiful clouds, and the scenic beauty would leave you amazed. The view from the top of Chulgiri Hill during monsoon is breathtaking.

It is advisable not to visit during the summer, as summer will be sweltering, and you will get exhausted while climbing the hill. The trip would be boring. And with the right jaipur tour package offered by Ghum India Ghum, your jaipur tour will be a seamless and unforgettable experience, leaving you with cherished memories to last a lifetime.

Costs and Fees

You know there is no entry fee needed. Parking is available at the top of the temple, where you can park your vehicle without charge. The parking lot is spacious but risky as no one can handle the cars.

Temple Opening and Closing Time: Visit Chulgiri Jain temple from 10 AM to 8.30 PM.

How to reach

On Chulgiri Road, close to Jaipur, Rajasthan, is the location of the Chulgiri Jain temple.

By flight: It will take around 35 minutes to travel 15.7 km from Jaipur airport to the Chulgiri Jain temple.

By train: The distance from Jaipur railway station to Chulgiri Jain temple is 12 km along Mirza Ismail Road, which will take around 32 minutes to reach.

By taxi/cab/rickshaw: To get from Jaipur’s city core to the Chulgiri Jain temple, hire an auto rickshaw or a taxi. The Chulgiri Jain temple is 8.7 km away and can be reached in around 25 minutes via Govind Marg or Mirza Ismail Road.

By bus: You can board a bus from Jaipur city centre to reach the Chulgiri Jain temple, which will drop you off at the Sindhi camp bus stand. In 30 minutes, you can drive 10.8 km in a taxi or rickshaw from the Sindhi camp bus terminal to the Chulgiri Jain temple.

Trekking route: There is an alternative route to this stunning Jain temple: if you can hike or ascend the stairs to the summit of Chulgiri hill, you will arrive at the Jain temple on Chulgiri immediately. True enough, reaching the Jain Mandir requires ascending a thousand steps. The stairs are clearly visible as you get to Chulgiri Hill’s base.

The roads are well maintained to reach the top of the hill. You can even go cycling on this road if you are willing to.

Other Essential Tips to Keep in Mind

Carrying a water bottle is a must when trekking to the top of Chulgiri Jain temple.

Visit Chulgiri Jain temple early in the morning to witness the beautiful sunrise from the top.

Wear comfortable and robust shoes to climb the hill quickly.

Wear comfortable clothes according to the weather.

Carry a raincoat or umbrella if you are visiting during the monsoon.

Watch out for monkeys. They may snatch your belongings.

[trishathinks]

Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry tour

If you are in Chennai, a one-day trip to Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry is a must. The nearest airport to these places is in Chennai, so after you land there, you can hire a taxi from the airport to start your journey. It takes approximately one hour from Chennai airport to Mahabalipuram and another two hours to reach Pondicherry by car. The sightseeing will commence right from the drive itself…

[meluhha]

temples  in the indus valley

The ruins in the Indus Valley that are thought to resemble temples are characterized by certain architectural features. One of the most distinctive features is the presence of a large central courtyard, surrounded by smaller rooms or chambers. These courtyards were often accessed via a large gateway, which was often decorated with ornate carvings or sculpture. Additionally, some of the structures in the Indus Valley featured large platforms or raised areas, which may have been used for ritual purposes or to support altars.

Another characteristic of these structures is the use of baked bricks as a building material. These bricks were often made to a standardized size, which allowed for efficient construction and the creation of uniform walls. The use of baked bricks also allowed for the creation of decorative elements, such as friezes and relief carvings, which were sometimes used to depict religious or mythological scenes.

While it is difficult to say with certainty whether these structures were actually temples, there is evidence to suggest that they were used for religious or ritual purposes. For example, many of the artifacts recovered from these sites are associated with ritual or ceremonial activities, such as pottery vessels used for libations or the remains of sacrificial animals. Additionally, some of the larger structures in the Indus Valley, such as the Great Bath at Mohenjo-daro, are thought to have been used for ritual bathing or purification.

eg. Terracotta masks have been found at several sites in the Indus Valley civilization, including Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, and Chanhu-Daro. These masks were usually discovered in association with ritual or ceremonial contexts, such as temple or funerary sites.The masks are typically small, measuring only a few inches in height and width, and are made from fired clay. They are usually modeled in the form of a human face, with features such as eyes, nose, and mouth, and sometimes with added decoration such as jewelry or headdresses. Some masks have been found with holes or loops at the top, suggesting that they may have been worn as pendants or hung on walls. The function of these masks is not entirely clear, as there are no written records from the Indus Valley civilization. However, some scholars suggest that they may have been used in rituals or ceremonies as representations of ancestors, gods, or other supernatural beings. Other scholars suggest that they may have been used for more mundane purposes, such as to decorate household shrines or to serve as amulets for protection.

[goxpedia]

Salem, a vibrant city in Tamil Nadu, is a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Known as the "Steel City of India," Salem is a major hub for steel production, yet it retains its deep-rooted traditions and heritage.

[heritageblog1]

Heritage Odyssey Tour | Discover North to South India’s Rich

Journey through the heart of India, from the historic north to the vibrant south. Explore ancient monuments, cultural wonders, and scenic beauty on this unforgettable tour. Book now!

[manojnaironline]

Think back on your most memorable road trip.

Decades ago, I embarked on a road trip that still holds the top spot in my treasure trove of memories. I must have been just fifteen at the time. Interestingly, I wasn’t the original traveler—it was supposed to be my uncle. However, a last-minute commitment meant he couldn’t make it, and I stepped in as his replacement. The journey was a week-long tour of religious and tourist destinations…