Tag Archives: Hindu temples

The remaining delights of Bali

I was glad we stayed in Sanur Beach because it hadn’t reached the tourist fever pitch of Kuta. Our accommodation was right on the beach where we sat sipping coconut water and enjoying the last of our holiday. 

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The Sun Temple of Konrak

We entered the 13th century Odisha complex, and the first image I spied was a wheel that was part of a giant sculptured chariot. I had seen a replica of the wheel duplicated at the entrance to the Oberoi Hotel in Delhi. Beyond the wheel were sculptured people in different sexual positions along the walls. 

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Rameswaram’s arulmigu ramanathaswamy temple

Ramanathaswamy means the master of Rama, so the 12th century temple was dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Darvidian structure holds great significance to Hindus and devout believers try to make at least one pilgrimage in their lifetime. As well, the island is believed to be the site where Rama (as told in the Ramayana) stood gazing across the sea to Lanka where his wife, Sita had been captured by the evil king. 

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Mamallapurum’s Five Rathas

The Rathas were a short walk south of Mamallapurum and although they supposedly resembled a chariot, my imagination missed this interpretation. While these seventh century structures were well preserved, they did not deviate much from what I had already seen. Continue reading Mamallapurum’s Five Rathas

Mamallapuram’s main heritage site

Nestled within the boulders of Mamallapuram, were temples carved into granite boulders just west of the shore temple. I wandered through a labyrinth of paths where elaborate friezes were carved into the stone as well as temples fronted with columns. Continue reading Mamallapuram’s main heritage site

The Shore Temple – Mamallapuram

I headed to the beach to catch the sea breeze on a sweltering thirty-four degree afternoon. I waded into the warm ocean that offered some relief when I spied the Shore Temple on an outcrop of land jutting into the Bay of Bengal. Continue reading The Shore Temple – Mamallapuram

The business of religion

The best maintained buildings in Puducherry were both the churches and the main temples.

Puducherry’s Ganesh Temple radiated in all its grandeur as if it had recently been painted every colour of the rainbow. Inside was more eye-popping than the exterior. As I wandered the perimeter ogling at the freezes, a queue waited to enter the inner sanctuary for blessings. Continue reading The business of religion