CENTER FOR ART AND ARCHAEOLOGY

Ariancoupam, Baroque Architecture, Pondicherry

Arthumkal, Baroque Architecture, Kerala

At the Arunajatesvara temple in Tiruppanandal, a female Asuri, Tatakai is said to have adored the Lord with garlands every day. So the temple is also called Tiruttatakai Isvaram. Sambandar and Appar have sung the glory of the Lord at this place. One of the Saiva saints associated with this place is Kungiliyak-kalaya Nayanar (one of the sixty-three Nayanars) of Tirukkadavur who served the Lord by burning incense before Him. His wife was driven to poverty by his self-sacrificial behaviour but the Lord was so impressed by his single-minded devotion that he raised a mansion for his devotee. This miracle is said to have wrought here. Another miracle associated with this place is that the Lord had turned His face to one eye to save Tatakai’s modesty while accepting a garland offered by her. Only Kungiliyak-Kalaya Nayanar could restore the Lord to his original position. The present structure of the temple seems to belong to the days of Prantaka I (907 – 954 CE). There are two inscriptions of the twenty-ninth year of Parantaka I. Reference: S.R. Balasubrahmanyam, 1966, pp.178-179.

Ashapuri Vav, Nadol, Rajasthan

Ashwin Jain is an engineer by training. He started photography a couple of years back as a hobby that has now become a passion. His profession often takes him to places never traveled or touched by masses. The photographs of Konark, Udaigiri and many other historical sites from his collection are result of his explorations of such sites in his free time and also his interest in recording marvels of Indian art.

Asokan Pillar (Hindu Rao Hospital), Delhi