shiva – GOPS Creativ

Sep 28

by GOPAN NAIR in Life in this India, travel, Varanasi 4 comments tags: baba, baba shiv das, benaras, das, gopan g nair, gops, gops.org, india, italy, kashi, sadhu, shiv, shiva, varanasi

A HINDU MONK FROM ITALY

In the winter of 2014, I found myself wandering the ghats of Kashi in Varanasi, searching for captivating photo-stories. It was during one of these strolls that I encountered Baba Shiv Das, basking in the warmth of the rising sun with a cup of tea in one hand and a cigarette in the other. The photographer in me couldn’t resist capturing a few candid shots, though I felt a twinge of guilt about invading his privacy. To my surprise, Baba Shiv Das turned his head, fixed me with an intense gaze, and beckoned with his index finger, saying, “Hey! Come here.” Despite my initial apprehension due to past encounters with arrogant sadhus, I decided to approach him. To my delight, Baba Shiv Das was kind, peaceful, and soft-spoken. He gently advised me that photographing people without their knowledge was inappropriate. When I apologized, he graciously granted me permission to take some close-up shots. Captivated by his charming blue eyes, which glittered like pearls through my viewfinder, I mentioned that the river Ganga seemed to flow through his eyes. He burst into laughter, and I quickly captured that moment on film as well. After the photo shoot and a brief conversation, […]

THE GREAT LIVING CHOLA TEMPLES, PART 3 of 3 : DARASURAM (தாராசுரம்)

The Chola Dynasty, which thrived from 300 BC to 1279 CE in Southern India, were devout followers of Shaivism and ardent supporters of arts, literature, and poetry. The Chola Kings, also known as “சோழர்” in Tamil, held a significant position among the rulers of India. They were renowned for constructing numerous Shiva Temples across the world, many of which still stand today. The collection of three remarkable architectural wonders, known as ‘The Great Living Chola Temples,’ were constructed by the Chola Kings and can still be found in Thanjavur, Gangaikondacholapuram, and Darasuram in Tamil Nadu. These temples stand out for their distinctive Dravidian architecture and exceptional artistic craftsmanship. The Brihadeeswarar temple ( Read about it here ) , also known as the Big Temple or Peruvudaiyar Kovil, situated in Thanjavur, was completed in 1010 AD by Emperor Raja Raja Chola I (985–1014 AD). This magnificent temple, which celebrated its 1000th anniversary in 2010, is among the largest temples in India and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Monument. Rajendra Chola-I (1012-1044 AD), the son of the renowned Rajaraja-I, expanded the kingdom as far as the Ganga River in the North and earned the title Gangaikondacholan. He was a […]

THE GREAT LIVING CHOLA TEMPLES, PART 2 of 3 : GANGAIKONDA CHOLAPURAM (கங்கைகொண்ட சோழபுரம்)

The group of three magnificent architectural wonders dating back to the Medieval Chola period are collectively known as ‘The Great Living Chola Temples’, and are still standing proudly in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. These remarkable temples, Brihadiswara (<click), Gangaikondacholapuram and Darasuram (<click) , are celebrated for their exceptional Dravidian architecture, profound scientific knowledge, and astonishing artistic craftsmanship. Before delving into this page, I recommend acquainting yourself with the story of Raja Raja Chola and his monumental creation, the Brihadiswara Temple. Rajendra Chola-I (இராசேந்திர சோழன்), the son of the illustrious Rajaraja-I, reigned from 1012 to 1044 AD. Renowned for his conquest that extended as far north as the Ganga river, he was conferred the title Gangaikondacholan, signifying ‘The Chola who brought Ganga.’ Rajendra, commanding one of the most formidable naval forces of his time, subsequently expanded his father’s kingdom across distant shores. His reign witnessed the Chola Kingdom’s dominion over large swathes of Southern India, as well as territories in Northern India such as Kalinga (present-day Orissa), Bihar, and Bengal/Bangladesh. Moreover, their influence extended to foreign regions including Sri Lanka, Burma, Bali, Java, Sumatra, Kadaram (now Kedah in Malaysia), and Cambodia. It is notable that the Hindu traditions observed in Indonesia and […]

THE GREAT LIVING CHOLA TEMPLES, PART 1 of 3 : BRIHADISWARA (பெருவுடையார் கோயில்)

‘The Great Living Chola Temples’, a group of three magnificent architectural marvels, were constructed during the Medieval Chola period and continue to stand proudly in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. These extraordinary temples – Brihadiswara, Gangaikondacholapuram (<click) and Darasuram (<click) – are renowned for their Dravidian architecture, advanced scientific knowledge, and exceptional artistic craftsmanship. During my explorations of the history of the Chola empire, I had the opportunity to witness the entire life cycle of a dynasty that governed nearly all of Southern India for an extensive period. While the precise origins of the Chola dynasty remain ambiguous, it is thought that they coexisted with Ashoka around 300BC and maintained their dominance until 1279AD. Similar to many influential civilizations situated near rivers, the Chola territory was also established around the Kaveri river basin, and their remarkable legacy endures through the grand temples they constructed in the area. Among the prominent Chola rulers, Raja Raja Cholan and his son Rajendra Cholan stand out as leaders who oversaw the prosperous era during the 460-year Chola reign. The Cholas boasted one of the most formidable naval forces of their time, enabling them to capture the northern half of Sri Lanka in 996AD. Towards the conclusion […]

Oct 28

by GOPAN NAIR in Indian architecture & Heritage 9 comments tags: architecture, blog, buddha, buddhism, buddhist, caves, cut, elephanta, ellora, ferry, gateway, gharapuri mural, gop.org, gopan, gopan g nair, gops, gops photography, heritage, hindu, hinduism, india, MUMBAI, of, photography, rock, shiva, shrine, site, temple, Temples, tourism, unesco, WORLD

EXQUISITE ELEPHANTA CAVES

The relentless bombardment from the artillery persisted for weeks and months, despite the absence of any actual enemies in the vicinity. Surprisingly, it was the Portuguese soldiers who were using the cannons to target the imposing rock sculptures in Elephanta Caves as part of their training exercises. Reflecting on the historical timeline of explorations, invasions, and colonization, it becomes evident that bloodshed and devastation were the unwelcome companions of each successful event. Descendants of the ruthless invaders who reduced the treasures of a magnificent country to mere rubble and sand should feel remorseful for the actions of their ancestors. While we proudly extol the rich culture and heritage of India, it is disheartening that these distressing truths are frequently overlooked. The ancient island kingdom near Mumbai harbour was known as Gharapuri, which translates to ‘City of Caves’ in Marathi. Evidence of early settlement dating back to the 2nd century BC can still be seen on this little island. For travelers in Mumbai, it offers a quick escape from the bustling city life. The island is made up of two small hillocks on its eastern and western sides, separated by a narrow ravine. Carved caves and sculptures made of Basalt rock, […]

Oct 31

DEVOTION, DEEP INSIDE THE JUNGLE : THIRUNELLI TEMPLE

Thirunelli MahaVishnu Temple stands as one of the most ancient and revered places of worship in Kerala. The name ‘Thiru Nelli’ translates to Holy Gooseberry tree (Amla). According to the sacred Hindu texts or puranas, Lord Brahma was captivated by the beauty of this valley and chose to descend upon it. It was then that he discovered an idol of Lord Vishnu situated on a gooseberry tree. Recognizing the divine presence of Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma consecrated the idol at the site and bestowed blessings upon the temple, declaring it as a sanctum that absolves all sins. As a result, the water stream in this area came to be known as Papanasini. Thirunelli temple, situated in the Wayanad district of Kerala, is surrounded by the lush green mountains of the Brahmagiri ranges, which are adjacent to the Western Ghats. It is located in north Wayanad, 34 kilometers away from Mananthavady. The exact age of the temple is unknown, but historians believe it could be 3000 years old, making it one of the oldest temples in Kerala. According to popular belief, the temple was founded by Chera King Kulasekharan (AD 767 – 834). Copper plate inscriptions discovered in the area date […]

Sep 26

by GOPAN NAIR in Indian architecture & Heritage, travel 2 comments tags: Achutaraya, bangalore, day, empire, ganesh, getaway, gopan, gopan g nair, gops, gops photography, gops.org, idol, Le Pakshi, Lepakshi, linga, naga, one, shiva, temple, trip, Veerabhadra, Vijayanagara, Virupanna

BANGALORE WEEKEND GETAWAY SERIES : LEPAKSHI TEMPLE

The term “Le Pakshi” in Telugu translates to “Rise, Bird”. This name originates from the epic Ramayana, where Lord Rama encounters the dying Jatayu and grants him the blessing to ascend to heaven. The ancient Hindu scripture Skandapurana identifies Lepakshi as one of the 108 significant Shaivite pilgrimage sites in Southern India. Another narrative suggests that Lepakshi was derived from ‘Lepa + Akshi’, signifying ’embalmed eye’. Lepakshi, situated around 120 km north of Bangalore, is a perfect destination for a weekend getaway. This small village in Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh, India, is located just 15 km away from Hindupur. The renowned Lepakshi Temple, dedicated to Lord Veerabhadra, a form of Shiva, was constructed during the reign of the Vijayanagara Kings (1336–1646). The temple, constructed in AD-1530 on a small hillock resembling a tortoise, is famously known as Kurma Saila. According to historical records, the temple was commissioned by two siblings named Virupanna and Viranna, who served as Governors during the rule of King Achutaraya. An intriguing tale surrounds the temple’s construction, involving Virupanna, the treasurer of the Vijayanagara Kingdom. While the King was absent, Virupanna managed the funds for the temple’s development. However, upon the King’s return during the […]

A HINDU MONK FROM ITALY

THE GREAT LIVING CHOLA TEMPLES, PART 3 of 3 : DARASURAM (தாராசுரம்)

THE GREAT LIVING CHOLA TEMPLES, PART 2 of 3 : GANGAIKONDA CHOLAPURAM (கங்கைகொண்ட சோழபுரம்)

THE GREAT LIVING CHOLA TEMPLES, PART 1 of 3 : BRIHADISWARA (பெருவுடையார் கோயில்)

EXQUISITE ELEPHANTA CAVES

DEVOTION, DEEP INSIDE THE JUNGLE : THIRUNELLI TEMPLE

BANGALORE WEEKEND GETAWAY SERIES : LEPAKSHI TEMPLE

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