A passionate teacher turned Digital Marketer.
In the lush land of Thirunagari, also known as Thirukurugoor, where the river Tamiraparani flows, was born one of the greatest mystics of the Vaishnavite tradition — Nammalwar. Vaishnavites revere him not merely as an Alwar, but as the very embodiment of divine wisdom. He is believed to be the avatar of Vishwaksena, the celestial commander of Vishnu, and also of the...
I love shopping for vegetables. Whenever I look at the colourful array of vegetables, my mind goes into overdrive, pulling out recipes from the database stored in my head! The moment I picked up a carrot, my thoughts went to Amma making carrot curry in a hurry. Standing there in the crowded vegetable shop, I travelled back in time to the late seventies and early...
Thirumazhisai near Chennai is the avatara sthalam of our next Alwar, Thirumazhisai Alwar, believed to be the avatar of Perumal’s Sudarshana Chakra. He was born in the Vibava year, in the Tamil month of Thai, under the Magam star, on a Thursday. Born to Sage Bargavar and Kanakaangi after intense prayers, the Alwar was born deformed — only a torso, without properly...
Maharishi Valmiki had completed the magnificent Ramayana, the story of Sri Rama, and was giving the finishing touches to his great epic. He was the one of a kind author, blessed to write the Ramayana while the epic was happening. Valmiki had named the seven kandams: Bala Kandam, Ayodhya Kandam, Aranya Kandam, Kishkindha Kandam… When he came to the fifth kandam...
Poigai Alwar Among the revered Mudhal Alwars, Poigai Alwar occupies a special place in the hearts of devotees. He was born in Thiruvekka, near the sacred shrine of Yathothkari Perumal Temple, also lovingly known as Sonna Vannam Seidha Perumal Temple, in Kanchipuram. Unlike ordinary births, Poigai Alwar’s appearance was divine. He was found as a radiant infant on a...
The Alwars were the twelve great devotees of Maha Vishnu who were born on earth to spread His glory and devotion among people. The Alwars were so completely immersed in devotion and love for Vishnu / Perumal that they came to be known as Alwars — “those who are deeply immersed in bhakti.” Their hymns, composed in beautiful and chaste Tamil, remain among the finest...
“What are you watching, Paati?” Akshit asked his grandmother, Padma. “Today is a grand day at Madurai. The Kumbabishekam of the Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple! I have told you so many times about this famous temple and the history of Madurai. Today, all roads seem to lead there. Thousands of people are witnessing the Kudamuzhukku in person and lakhs like me...
Did you know that the little baby who inspired Bharathiyaar’s “Chinnanchiru Kiliye” was his young neighbour’s daughter? ❤️ For years, we have sung: “Odi varugaiyile Kannamma, Ullam kulirudhadi…” And every time, we mentally picture our own little one. But who was in Bharathiyaar’s mind when he composed this song? It is said that Bharathiyaar was completely...
“Paati, I thought we were going to the Pillayar temple nearby… You just drove past it. Which temple are we going to?” asked Akshit. “I am taking you to the Padi temple. It’s only a few kilometres from our house. I thought you would love this temple,” replied Padma. “New one?” “Nope. It’s ancient! Remember the saint Thirugnanasambandar? He has visited this temple and...
Four years ago, this temple was almost forgotten. The 650-year-old Kalkulam Sri Govindaraja Perumal Temple stood in ruins. Broken walls, worn-out structures, and fading memories were all that remained of what was once a magnificent temple. But perhaps Perumal had other plans. In 2022, the first steps towards restoring the temple began. Since it comes under the...