Indian Temples
Posted by Dylan on May 22, 2009India is a land of many wonders. It has some amazingly beautiful scenic aspects as well as its tremendously rich cultural heritage. While the natural landscape beauty is enduring and resonates with the culture, much of the architecture is also incorporated into the country’s splendor. Throughout the country there are multitudes of temples that reflect the historic aspect of Indian society. The Parthasarathi Temple and the Sri Kapaleswar Temple are among them. Tourists who are visiting the country and staying in a hotel Madras have the opportunity to see these temples in person.
The Parthasarathi Temple, meaning literally the charioteer, is one of the oldest temples in Madras. It was originally built in the 8th century by Pallavas. Hundreds of years later, in the 11th century it was rebuilt by the Vijayanagar Kings. The name is featured in the sacred Indian epic Mahabharata. In it the Lord Krishna was the charioteer of Arjuna. In the story Lord Krishna was a philosopher, and a good friend and guide to Arjuna or Patha. The temple is dedicated to the many incarnations of Lord Vishnu, and Krishna, who is his main incarnation. One of the more spectacular features of the temple is its colored pyramid shaped top.
The Sri Kapaleswarar Temple is an ancient Shiva temple located in Chennai. It was built in the style of Dravidian architecture and sculpture. The temple is enormously famous for its magnificent sculpture, and the incredible story behind it. It involves the saint Gnanasambandar who sang to bring a girl who had died back to life. Also at the temple are the bronze carvings of 63 Shaivate saints. The statues are carried in procession during the Aruvathumoovar Festival held in March or April of every year. One of the most intriguing aspects of the temple is the ancient Punnai tree that is located in its courtyard. This is one of the oldest trees in Chennai. The courtyard is a sacred space and only Hindus are allowed to enter the inner area.
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