The Elephanta Caves , located on Elephanta Island, or Gharapuri, about 11 Km off the coast of the Gateway of India, Mumbai, are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit to these caves, excavated probably in the 6 th century CE, is awe-inspiring, and also thought-provoking. Over the years, I have visited the caves a number of times, and also attended a number of talks by experts in the fields of art, history and archaeology on the caves. Together, they help me understand these caves, their art, and the people they were created for, just a little bit better. Every new visit, every new talk, every new article I read about the caves, fleshes out the image of what the island and the caves would have been like, at their peak. I last wrote about the caves on this blog, in 2011, almost exactly 11 years ago. Since then, my understanding of the caves has, I would like to think, marginally improved. Hence this attempt to write a new and updated post, trying to bring to life, the caves of Elephan
The main reason for our trip to Thanjavur was to visit temples. We visited a number of temples around Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Mayiladudurai and Thiruvarur. There were only two exceptions to this – the Nagore Dargah, where we did not enter, as it was terribly crowded, and the Church at Velankanni where we offered candles, salt and pepper like thousands of other devotees who were also there like us.
Having studied in a convent school, going to church, for me has always been a wonderful experience. The calm and quiet environs of a church attract me as much as the cymbals and gongs in a temple do. I had long wanted to visit the church of the holy mother at Velankanni, and this Diwali, my wish was finally fulfilled.
Velankanni is situated 12 Kms south of Nagapattinam, and is a beach town. The church is huge, and the authorities have used the surrounding land well to provide facilities for pilgrims. Details about the church, accommodation, routes, etc. are all available on the website of the church, which is quite well maintained.
Here is a photoblog of Velankanni.
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| From Diwali 08 - Thanjvur Trip |
Having studied in a convent school, going to church, for me has always been a wonderful experience. The calm and quiet environs of a church attract me as much as the cymbals and gongs in a temple do. I had long wanted to visit the church of the holy mother at Velankanni, and this Diwali, my wish was finally fulfilled.
Velankanni is situated 12 Kms south of Nagapattinam, and is a beach town. The church is huge, and the authorities have used the surrounding land well to provide facilities for pilgrims. Details about the church, accommodation, routes, etc. are all available on the website of the church, which is quite well maintained.
Here is a photoblog of Velankanni.
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| From Diwali 08 - Thanjvur Trip |
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| From Diwali 08 - Thanjvur Trip |
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| From Diwali 08 - Thanjvur Trip |
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| From Diwali 08 - Thanjvur Trip |
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| From Diwali 08 - Thanjvur Trip |
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| From Diwali 08 - Thanjvur Trip |
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| From Diwali 08 - Thanjvur Trip |
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| From Diwali 08 - Thanjvur Trip |
Good work! Just evoked my memories! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot!
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