Tuesday, October 14, 2008
170 finds of Roman coins in India reported so far, how many more went unreported?
What heart doesn't beat faster at the thought of digging up lost treasure? Yet, the frequency with which hoards of Roman coins have been dug up in India has made news of such discovery commonplace, and the news rarely find a place in the media.The Hindu of Chennai is an exception, as it is on many other counts. On Sunday, June 20, 1998, it carried a story by its Staff Reporter in Madurai:
"A team of archaeologists, which examined the Roman gold coins found recently at Nathampatti village near Srivilliputhur, was able to assess the exact date of the coins and the kings who issued them. According to a press release from Mr. C. Santhalingam, the Archaeological Officer of Tirumalai Naicker Mahal in Chennai, the three-member team comprising Mr. V.Vedachalam, Mr. C. Santhalingam and Mr. C.Chandravanan, under the directions of Mr. Natana. Kasinathan, Director of Archaeology, examined the coins.
"The coins were unearthed when the local people were engaged in laying water pipes. They (obviously, the coins - not the pipe-layers) were handed over to the police.
To read the full article, click here..
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com
Labels: archaeologists, chennai, coins, discovery, india, Madurai, media, Nathampatti village, Roman gold coins, Srivilliputhur, treasure, water pipes
Monday, March 3, 2008
At Madurai Meenakshi, everything is larger than life
The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, often called the ‘Athens of South India', is nearly 2,000 years old. It is a splendid example of the Dravidian style of temple architecture. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati, also called Sundareswara and Meenakshi.History says Kulasekara Pandya built the original temple but credit for the temple's splendor goes to the Nayaks. The temple as it stands today, was designed in 1560 A.D. by Vishwanatha Nayak and built during the reign of Thirumalai Nayak.
The temple complex is one of the largest and most ancient, commanding a spread of about 15 acres.
The temple is enclosed within a high-walled crenelated structure. The focal point of the temple complex is the sanctum of Lord Sundareshwara and his spouse Meenakshi flanked by several small and ornate stucco shrines.
The temple has 12 gopurams (gateways), which range in height from 45 to 50 meters (148-164 feet). The southern gopuram is the tallest. The principal temple-tower landmarks include the East Tower, South Tower, West Tower and North Tower. The southern gateway is nine-stories high with images of gods and goddesses.
Each of the shrines of the stately sanctum narrates a different story. On the eastern entrance is located the impressive Ashta Shakthi Mandapam.
This grand hallway served as an eatery for devotees visiting the shrine.
Built by the wives of emperor Thirumalai Nayakar, a statuette recounts the tale of Lord Shiva's genius and heroism and the story of his wife's maiden life. Legend has it that Princess Meenakshi, a local goddess, fought a battle against Shiva and then married him.
Madurai is the site where the wedding is believed to have taken place.
Adjacent to the Ashta Shakthi Mandapam rests the Meenakshi Nayakkar Mandapam whose pillars portray a unique animal Yalli, possessing a lion's body and an elephant's head.
The temple complex also houses a golden lotus tank, the Potramaraikulam in whose holy waters devotees take a dip to absolve themselves of all their sins.
To read the full article, click here...
To read the ePaper, visit: http://www.newsindia-times.com
Labels: Athens of South India, Madurai, Meenakshi Temple
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