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Hanuman, Hinduism’s beloved Mahadeva (Part 2)
Morning at the Madurai Meenakshi Temple. Tamil Nadu, South India. (Part 2)
Within the walls of Madurai’s famed Meenakshi temple we explore the area in front of the Siva Sanctum. The pillars in this area are amazing in beauty and in size, and probably the best in the entire temple. Most of these I did not photograph but amongst all the gigantic pillars there was one that was quite simple but very popular among many of the pilgrims. The statue of the Mahadeva (great angel) Hanuman was carved on it. Hanuman is the popular monkey faced being who is worshiped by most Hindus.
Here he is covered in an orange-red paste. Countless pilgrims stop by him, touching his feet in search of blessing and lighting small clay oil lamps in offering. Hanuman is getting much attention amongst the devout pilgrims of this temple.
The morning light was just right to capture all of this and I quietly positioned myself next to a nearby pillar and took the following photos. I hope you enjoy them.
A statue of Hanuman portrudes out of a tall granite pillar at the Madurai Meenakshi temple.
An elder pilgrim touches Hanuman's feet in search of blessings.
A lamp is kept filled with oil throughout the day and burns brightly next to Hanuman.
Morning at the Madurai Meenakshi Temple (Part 1)
I always feel blessed when I have the opportunity to visit the Meenakshi temple in Madurai. The sanctum of the temple is powerful and the experience each time ineffable. I always leave my camera behind when I go to temples and if I do take my camera I hardly ever take any photos. This trip…
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Marina Beach in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, South India
After a long flight from New York via Dubai I finally arrived in Chennai at the painful 3am arrival hour. With a day to spend in Chennai before our afternoon flight to Madurai we decided to explore a few places, one of which was Marina Beach. Having never been to a beach in Chennai I…
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2013 Kumbh Mela and a journey across North India
A 13-day epic journey to the Kumbha Mela and across North India The map above does not shy away in reminding us that our spiritual adventure will take us almost all the way across north India. A massive distance to cover with a great many things to see in between. It also tells us that…
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Off to India!
So, I’m off to India again to conduct my 3rd spiritual adventure for the year. First stop is Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and it is a brief stay here before heading further south to Madurai. I came across this Tamil movie poster that I had photographed a few years back. I love the posters that are&...
Read MoreIs God Siva male or female?
8 year old Rohan from the Caribbean asked his mother if God Siva is male or female? She replied that she thought Siva was genderless. Rohan then asked his mother if Siva is genderless then why is he married? Mom at this point said to Rohan “let’s email Dandapani and ask him”. I ...
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The road to Badrinath, Temple in the Himalayas
Since I posted a few days ago about Mana, the last Indian village before Tibet, I thought I’d share a little about the journey to Badrinath. Badrinath is the little town just prior to Mana village. It is famed for the Badrinath temple, one of four holy sites in the Hindu Char Dham pilgrimag...
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