Parthasarathy Temple Festival, again. This time the deity is on a different `vahanam' vehicle - the `Suryaprabha vahanam.' Surya, the sun god is his vehicle here. Check out more pics of the Parthasarathy Temple posted earlier this month and last month. 

Sprucing and decorating the streets before Parthasarathy Swamy starts on the procession. Women decorate the streets with `Kolam.' 

The `Sadari' - seeking the lord's blessing. A variation of falling at the lord's feet. If you cannot go near his feet, his feet come to you. 

The `sadari' again. 

Here they are at it again - kids carrying on a parallel show of the festivities. This, like I have mentioned earlier is a unique feature of this temple. Children mimic the entire temple festival with models they create. 

Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram

Like I had mentioned last week, here are a few details of the carvings at the Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram. This pic is a view of the walkway, `prakaram,' surrounding the temple. It is lined with niches each with it own carving.
An interesting feature in this temple is the inner most prakaram around the `sanctum sanctorum.' Very few try going around it. You enter it crounching, go around the ss (there is enough space inside to walk erect) and exit by wriggling out through a small crawl space at floor level. The concept is based on the cycle of birth, death and rebirth -- you are reborn so you have left your sins behind you.  

A niche in the temple prakaram filled with carvings. 

Durga. 

Lakshmi Narasimhar carving at Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram. 

I like that glee on Shiva's face as a stomps down on the demon. 

Shiva, a close up. 

Shiva Parvathi and lions - Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram. 

The Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram. Built by the Pallavas, this temple is one of the most beautiful temples, though quite small. Unfortunately, it is not on the regular tourist circuit so not many people get a chance to visit this place. This, and the following pics give an view of the temple from the outside. Next week will try to post a few pics of the intricate carvings here. 

The Kailasanathar Temple, Kanchipuram. 

A closer view of the carvings on the wall. 

Kids playing at the Kailasanathar temple, Kanchipuram.  

STAMP OF CHENNAI - 5

The Church of Our Lady of Expectations on St Thomas Mount, Chennai. As a part of the stamp of Chennai series this is related to last month's post on Santhome Church (Stamp of Chennai - 4). It is on this mount that St Thomas is believed to have been martyred. The Church was constructed in 1523. Though simple from outside, it has some interesting details in the interior, including a set of ancient paintings. 

A close up showing the details of the cross, said to have been carved by St Thomas, the apostle, at the altar. This cross can be seen on the stamp (see below) issued to commemorate his 19th death centenary. On top can be seen a depiction of St Thomas. 

A view of the altar. The painting of the Madonna to the right is believed to have been done by St Luke and brought to India by St Thomas. The cross to the left of the altar has a relic, a piece St Thomas's bone.  

The interior of the church on St Thomas Mount - The church of Our Lady of Expectations. 

Stamp of Chennai - 5: The stamp issued in 1973 to commemorate the 19th death centenary of St Thomas, the apostle. The image here is a likeness of the cross that can be seen on altar.  

Parthasarathy Swamy on his favourite vehicle, the Garudan. The Parthasarathy Temple festival at Triplicane. The festival goes on for about a week when the deity is taken around in a procession on various vehicles, including the temple chariot. Here are a series of pics taken last month. 

A high point of the procession is the `aesal' when the palanquin bearers cover a section of of the route running while carrying the deity. (I must find out the significance.) 

The `Goshti,' the team of devotees chanting verses from the `Naalaayira Divya Prabandam' the collection of songs in praise of vishnu. They are led by the `Jeer' the religious head and walk ahead of the deity. Here you can see fans being distributed among them -- very useful as the festival happens in April, when Chennai summer starts in earnest.  

A high point of the procession that I like is the photo opportunity as devotees prostrate before the deity and the `goshti' as it vends its way around the temple.