Venkatraman receives Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Venkatraman "Venki" Ramakrishnan (Tamil: வெங்கட்ராமன் ராமகிருஷ்ணன்; born 1952 in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India) is a structural biologist at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, England.[1] He received the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry "for studies of the structure and function of the ribosome
Early life
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan was born in Chidambaram in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, India.

At the age of nine he moved to Baroda (Vadodara) in Gujarat state, where his father was an academician at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, after first spending a year, 1960–61, in Adelaide, Australia. Following his Pre-Science back at Chidambaram he then returned to Baroda for his undergraduate studies at the university on a National Science Talent Scholarship, graduating with a B.Sc. in Physics in 1971. Immediately after graduation he moved to the U.S.A., where he obtained his Ph.D. in Physics from Ohio University in 1976. He then spent two years studying biology as a graduate student at the University of California, San Diego while making a transition from theoretical physics to biology.

Career
Ramakrishnan first began work on ribosomes as a postdoctoral fellow with Peter Moore at Yale University. He continued to work on ribosomes as a staff scientist at Brookhaven National Laboratory. In 1995 he moved to the University of Utah as a Professor of Biochemistry, and in 1999, he moved to his current position at the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, England.

In 1999, Ramakrishnan's laboratory published a 5.5 Angstrom resolution structure of the 30S subunit. The following year, his laboratory determined the complete atomic structure of the 30S subunit of the ribosome and its complexes with several antibiotics. This was followed by studies that provided structural insights into the mechanism that ensures the fidelity of protein biosynthesis. More recently, his laboratory has determined the atomic structure of the whole ribosome in complex with its tRNA and mRNA ligands. Ramakrishnan is also known for his past work on histone and chromatin structure

Honours

Ramakrishnan is a Fellow of the Royal Society, a member of EMBO and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. He was awarded the 2007 Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine, the 2008 Heatley Medal of the British Biochemical Society and the 2009 Rolf-Sammet Professorship at the Goethe University Frankfurt. In 2009, Ramakrishnan was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry along with Thomas A. Steitz and Ada Yonath

Personal life
Ramakrishnan is married to Vera Rosenberry, an author and illustrator of children's books. He has a stepdaughter, Tanya Kapka, who is a doctor in Oregon, and a son, Raman Ramakrishnan, who is a cellist based in New York who plays with the Daedalus Quartet

Publications
link:http://www.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/ribo/homepage/ramak/ramak_publications.html

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Velankanni Church

Velankanni(Tamil:வேளாங்கன்னி,Meaning:Virgin of Velai,the town), also known as Vailankanni or "Velanganni", is a panchayat town in Nagapattinam district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is a small town located on the shores of the Bay of Bengal 350 km south of Chennai (Madras) and 12 km south of Nagapattinam on the Coromandel Coast, in Tamil Nadu, India.

Once a port that traded with Rome and Greece, the tiny commercial center gradually lost its importance to the larger Nagapattinam. The canal built to link that city with Vedaranyam still lies to the west of Vailankanni. The Vellayar, a minor branch of the Cauvery River, runs on the south of the village and flows into the sea.

The site of an important Roman Catholic shrine dedicated to Our lady of Good Health, Vailankanni was one of the worst hit areas in the tsunami that followed the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health
Main article: Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health
Velankanni can be traced to the mid-16th century and is attributed to three miracles: the apparition of Mary and the Christ Child to a slumbering shepherd boy, the curing of a lame buttermilk vendor, and the rescue of Portuguese sailors from a violent sea storm.

Although all three apparitions resulted in the erection of a shrine to our Lady, it was the promise of the Portuguese sailors that caused a permanent edifice to be built at Velankanni. The chapel was dedicated on the feast of the Nativity of Mary (8 September), the day of their safe landing. More than 500 years later, the nine-day festival and celebration is still observed and draws nearly 2 million pilgrims each year. The Shrine of Our Lady of Vailankanni, also known as the "Lourdes of the East," is one of the most frequented religious sites in India. Vailankanni church (Our Lady of Good Health) was built in the late 16th century CE with modifications by Portuguese and further expansions later on due to influx of pilgrimages.

The Gothic style of architecture is a unique feature of the church. The church itself is an imposing building with inspiring architecture. While the buildings have been painted white, roof of the church is made by the tiles with striking red in contrast to the colour of the walls. The environment around the shrine is spick and span radiating rays of hope and piety.

As a token of gratitude to Mother Mary, Portuguese sailors who escaped from a severe cyclone, built the chapel 24 feet to 12 feet with a dome overhead. In their possible subsequent visits, perhaps they brought porcelain plates, which could be seen even now illustrating bible scenes and other cultural arts of the time, to beautify the Church they had built earlier. The main statue that they had brought to the altar of the Shrine was Our Lady holding the Baby Jesus, standing majestically on the globe.

In the year 1771, Vailankanni acquired the status of a Parish with Fr. Antonio de Rozario as the First Parish Priest.

Vailankanni church was raised to the status of basilica in 1962 by His Holiness Pope John XXIII.

Festivals are celebrated here with all pomp and gaiety. Every year on August 29th the feast of our lady commences with the hoisting of the flag and on the 10th day it ends after the dismounting of the flag. A conservative estimate of the crowd is around 1.5 million on these days (Fifteen hundred thousands). Hotels and houses will be overcrowded during these days and people used to sleep in the open air. Holy masses are conducted in at least eight languages, Tamil, English, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, Konkani, Hindi and Marathi.

The Government, for security duty of the feast sends a contingent of 500 police officers, 10 DSPs, 25 Inspectors, 40 SISs and 60 women police. Over and above the Shrine spends enormous amount of money in deploying additional watchmen, sweepers and other work force. A sizable sum is also spent in supplying potable water, and keeping the place clean.

The shrine built a big hall of Museum to display the offerings. Periodically this is changed and the new ones are kept in the showcases.

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Dhanushkodi

Dhanushkodi or Dhanushkoti (Tamil : தனுஷ்கோடி) is a town/village at the southern tip of the Rameswaram island, at the eastern coast of the Tamil Nadu state of India.

Dhanushkodi is situated in the South-East of Pamban. Danushkodi is about 18 miles West of Talaimannar in Sri Lanka. The Dhanushkodi railway line was destroyed in the 1964 cyclone from Pamban Station and a trainload of passengers was washed into the sea.

Hindu Mythology

Hindu myth says that at the request of Vibeeshana, brother of Ravana and ally of Rama, Rama broke the Sethu with one end of his bow and hence the name Dhanushkodi, Dhanu meaning Bow and Kodi meaning end. It is also said that Rama marked this spot for Setu with one end of his famous bow. Bath in holy Sethu at the junction of the two seas normally precedes the pilgrimage to Rameswaram. A series of rocks and islets found in a line are shown as remnants of the ancient Setu also called as Rama's Bridge.

It is said that Pilgrimage to Kashi will be completed only after the worship at Rameswaram besides a holy bath in Dhanushkodi at the Confluence of Mahodadhi (Bay of Bengal) and Ratnakara (Indian Ocean). Setu is Sanskrit word to denote bridge or causeway. It has now acquired a special significance to mean the bridge across the ocean constructed by Rama to reach Lanka.

1964 Storm
Before 1964 storm there was a train service up to Danushkodi called Boat Mail from Chennai Egmore, the train linked to a steamer to Ceylon. During the 1964 storm a huge wave of about 20 ft came crashing on the town from Palk Bay/Strait east of the town and destroyed the whole town, a train, the Pamban Rail Bridge etc all happened at the dead of the night. Danushkodi has the only land border between India and Ceylon which is one of the smallest in the world just 50 yards in length on a sand dune in Palk Strait.

The Government of Madras declared the town as Ghost town and unfit for living after the storm, now a small group of fisher folk resides there. For reaching the village one has to go in a four wheel drive or in a fish cart.


Memorial for Dhanushkodi Victims
A memorial erected near the dhanushkodi bus stand reads as follows: "A cyclone storm with high velocity winds and high tidal waves hit Dhanushkodi town from 22nd December 1964 midnight to 25th December 1964 evening causing heavy damages.

On December 22nd at 23.55 hours while entering Dhanushkodi railway station the train no.653 Pamban Dhanushkodi Passenger which left Pamban with 110 passengers and 5 railway staff was hit by the cyclonic storm and high tidal waves and the whole train got submerged under water killing all 115 on the spot.


In addition over 200 people in dhanushkodi died in the cyclonic storm.

All dwelling houses in Dhanushkodi were blown to pieces in the storm and marooned.

Pamban bridge was washed away by the high tidal waves in this disas

Travel
Even though the railway line was laid between Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi, it was in course of time covered by six sand dunes and it was abandoned. One has to reach Dhanushkodi on foot along sea shore or in jeeps on sand dunes.

There are several temples associated with Lord Rama here. It is advisable to go during day to the village and return to Rameshwaram before Sun set as the entire 15 km stretch is very lonely and the place is notorious for drug peddling, trafficking, rape, waylaying and robbery after dark and most of the refugee boats from Sri Lanka arrive and land here during night also militant boats from Ceylon dock here for human and material trafficking.[citation needed] However, there are no reports to confirm these activities, apart from experiences shared by the locals. Tourism is budding in this area and a significant police presence to protect the visitors is there.

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Kannagi

Kannagi or (Kaṇṇaki) (Tamil: கண்ணகி), a legendary Tamil woman, is the central character of the South Indian epic Silapathikaram. Legend has it that Kannagi took revenge on the king of Madurai, for a mistaken death penalty imposed on her husband Kovalan, by cursing the city with disaster.

The Story
Kovalan, the son of a wealthy merchant in Kaveripattinam, married Kannagi, a young woman of legendary beauty. They lived together happily in the city of Kaveripattinam, until Kovalan met the dancer Madhavi and fell in love with her. In his infatuation he forgot Kannagi and gradually spent all his wealth on the dancer. At last, penniless, Kovalan realised his mistake, and returned back to Kannagi. Their only asset was a precious pair of anklets (cilambu--- hence the name of the epic), filled with gems, which she gave to him willingly. With these as their capital they went to the great city of Madurai, where Kovalan hoped to recoup his fortunes by trade.

The city of Madurai was ruled by the Pandya king Nedunj Cheliyan I. Kovalan's objective was to sell the anklets in this kingdom so that he and his wife would be able to start their lives over. Unfortunately, around the time he set out to sell the anklets, one anklet (out of a pair) was stolen from the queen, by a greedy court member. This anklet looked very similar to Kannagi's. The only difference was that Kannagi's were filled with rubies and the queen's filled with pearls, but this was not a visible fact. When Kovalan went to the market, he was accused of having stolen the anklet. He was immediately beheaded by the king's guards, without trial. When Kannagi was informed of this, she became furious, and set out to prove her husband's innocence to the king.

Kannagi came to the king's court, broke open the anklet seized from Kovalan and showed that it contained rubies, as opposed to the queen's anklets which contained pearls. Realizing their fault, the King and the Queen died of shame. Unsatisfied, Kannagi tore out a breast and flung it on the city, uttering a curse that the entire city be burnt. Due to her utmost chastity, her curse became a reality.

The city was set ablaze resulting in huge human and economic losses. However, after the request from the goddess of the city, she withdrew her curse and later, attained salvation. The story was narrated by the poet Ilango Adigal. A fascinating, but ironic, fact about this epic is that it portrays Madhavi, Kovalan's amorous lover, as an equally chaste woman. Manimekalai, another ancient Tamil epic, is written in praise of her.

After setting fire to Madurai City, Kannagi on her way to Kodungalloor in Kerala, gave "darsan" to the natives at Attukal in Thiruvananthapuram. They constructed a Temple at Attukal. The Attukal Devi Temple is famous for "Pongala". Millions of women gather every year at Attukal and offer "Pongala" to Devi in and around the Temple. The extra-ordinary gathering of women got an entry in the guinness book of world records.

It is also believed that Devi finally reached Kodungalloor and settled at Kodungalloor Devi Temple south of Guruvayoor.

The events related to Kannaki have high influence in the traditions and culture of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Perceptions of Kannagi
Kannagi or Kannaki Amman is eulogized as the epitome of chastity and is still worshipped as its goddess. She is praised for her extreme devotion to her husband in spite of his adulterous behaviour.

She is worshiped as goddess Pathini in Sri Lanka by the Sinhalese Buddhists, Kannaki Amman by the Sri lanka Tamils Hindus' (See Hinduism in Sri Lanka.) and as Kodungallur Bhagavathy and Attukal Bhagavathy in South Indian state Kerala.[1]

It must be noted that Kannagi is also viewed as a brave woman who could demand justice directly from the king and even dared to call him "unenlightened king" (Silapathikaram: Vazhakkurai Kathai). The point here is that while she was behaving in a non-interfering manner with her domestic problems, she was no meek woman that would brook injustice in the rule of the law.
Kannagi in Politics
A statue of Kannagi in anger holding her anklet in one hand obviously depicting her in the scene from Silapathikaram where she demands justice from the king, Pandiyan on the death of her husband Kovalan at the hands of the king's policemen, is an important landmark in Chennai, on the famed Marina Beach, since about 1968. It was removed during the regime of the ex-chief minister of Tamil Nadu, O. Paneerselvam in December 2001 during the night; ordered by ex-chief minister J.Jayalalithaa[citation needed]. The official reasons reported were that it was to be removed for facilitating traffic. But the media was rife with reports of a mystic counsel to Jayalalithaa advising her that as long as the statue of Kannagi in the posture of demanding justice stood there, she would have difficulty maintaining her office through the elected term.

The statue was reinstalled by the present Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on 03-06-2006.

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N. S. Krishnan

N. S. Krishnan, popularly known as Kalaivanar and also as 'NSK' was a leading Tamil film comedian, drama artist, playback singer and writer in the early stages of the Tamil film industry - in the 1940s and 1950s.

Born in Ozhuginachery, Nagercoil, in the princely state of Travancore, India on 29 November 1908, his stage and cine-screen comedy performances were unique and always carried a message for the people. 'Kalaivanar' N. S. Krishnan died at the age of 49, on 30 August 1957.
Career

N S Krishnan started his career as a Villupaatu artist (the Tamil way of reciting stories while singing songs and playing a musical instrument in the form of a bow - called 'Villu') and later became involved in Tamil drama and stage shows, as were so many film artistes in his days, and at one-time owned his own touring drama company; and when cinema gradually became popular in South India, he entered the Tamil film world to become one of the leading Tamil film comedians ever, with a unique style. He generally wrote his own comedy dialogues and expressed them in his drama and films in such a way that the message was carried across, but the subject to whom it was intended was not offended.

He acted in nearly 150 Tamil films and the matinee-duo of N S krishnan and T A Maduram (later his better half) in Tamil films was very popular in his days; he also did roles along with leading stage and cine artists of his time like T. S. Durairaj, 'Pulimootai' Ramasamy, C.S. Pandian and writers like Udumalai Narayana Kavi and Subbu Armugham and gave a number of hits in those days. He was also a talented singer and hits include Sivakavi, Raja Rani, and Manamagal.

Though he was more popular among the Tamil populace as a film comedian (and even in the modern day he is remembered for that), Kalaivanar was instrumental in bringing a number of leading Tamil stage and film personalities of his days to the fore; he was also a Gandhian, patriot and philanthropist, yet a very controversial figure - with his name linked to a murder and also some marital controversies.
Controversies

During Mid 1940's he and M.K.Thyagaraja Bhagavathar were arrested for suspicion of murder famously known during that time as Lakshmikanthan Kolai Vazhakku(Lakshmikanthan Murder Case), both were convicted and later released on appeal with privy council.

When MKT and NSK were flying very high in fame in drama, cinema and concerts, fate interfered in the form of Lakshmikanthan. Lakshmikanthan, a notorious criminal with a perverted mind, edited a yellow magazine called 'Hindu Nesan'. Lakshmikanthan's target was not only the small fry in the society but also the movie people, business magnates, prosperous lawyers, doctors, famed musicians, landlords, zamindars, Rajahs, press barons, religious heads, politicians etc. He wrote salacious and scandalous sex stories about them purely on the basis of gossips and hearsay. Majority of them were unauthenticated and filthy news. Being afraid of ill fame, some of those on whom Lakshmikantan wrote tried to silence him with hush money. Encouraged by this sort of income he continued to write all sorts of nonsense about them regularly and with the result had numerous enemies from all walks of life.

On 8 November 1944, he was attacked by some people with a knife in Purasawalkam, in Downtown Madras. He was admitted to the General Hospital, Madras but only as an outpatient, for the wound was not serious enough. Even in his statement to the police he did not name any particular person as the accused but only stated that someone had attacked him. He was found very jovial at the police station as he was in the hospital. During his treatment it was reported that he wanted to expose the murderers involved in the Boat Mail murder (In those days a train named Boat mail used to run between Madras and Dhanushkoti station which is not in existence now). A rich banker from Devakottai was murdered in the moving train between Chengalpet and Madras. A notable singer cum actress who travelled with the banker was missing/fled when the train reached Madras. The political backing which this singer had kept truth about the real killers under the carpet. The killers saw to it that the case should not come to the court for trial. There is another version which says that Lakshikanthan was murdered by this group and not by NSK/MKT.

But suddenly, the next day i.e. on 9 November 1944, Lakshmikanthan died mysteriously in the hospital. He was murdered. The police, based on the statement made by LKanthan's bodyguard, arrested eight persons as accused for the murder. Among them were MKT and N.S.Krishnan. This came as a rude shock to their fans and the cine world.

After usual committal proceedings before the Madras Presidency Magistrate, the case came up for hearing at the Madras High court before Justice Vera Mockett. A group of brilliant lawyers namely Mr. V.T.Rangasamy Iyengar, Sri Rajagopalachariar (Rajaji), Mr. Braddel, Mr. B.T.Sundararajan, Sri Govind Swaminathan, Mr. Srinivasagopal and Mr. K.M.Munshi argued the case for the accused. After prolonged trial, the Jury, much to the dismay of many, found MKT and NSK guilty along with four others.

Appeals were heard by a bench of the High Court consisting of Sir Linel Leach, Chief Justice of Madras, Justice K.P. Lakshmana Rao and Advocate General K.Rajah Iyer. The appeals were filed by the then leading members of the Bar, V.V.Srinivasa Iyengar and Sri V.C.Gopalarathnam. However, the appeals were dismissed.

MKT and NSK filed an appeal in the Privy Council, London which was then the highest court of appeal. The internationally famous ((British Barrister)), D.N.Pritt appeared for them. Privy Council then referred the case back to India for a fresh appraisal.

The appeal came up before a bench of two judges namely Mr. Justice Happel and Mr. Justice Sahabuddin (who migrated to Pakistan in 1947 during partition of India and retired as Chief Justice of Pakistan Supreme Court). Mr V.L.Ethiraj, a successful Barister appeared for MKT and NSK and argued that the Judges had not properly directed the Jury and the evidences of doubtful nature have not been properly assessed. Mr. Ethiraj convinced the Judges by his powerful arguments that all the witnesses produced against MKT and NSK were tutored and coached and there were a lot of inconsistencies in their evidence and statements and the case had many loopholes. The Judges agreed with Mr. Ethiraj's arguments and acquitted MKT and NSK. One of the judges who heard the remanded appeal remarked in the Court that the knife produced as evidence cannot even kill a rat !! The judgment was given a few months before India became free.

MKT, NSK and four others came out of prison after thirty months' imprisonment. Experts and even laymen felt that the truth about the real killers of Lakshmikanthan has not come out and MKT, NSK and others were the unfortunate victims of the game of power politics.

The real killers were never pinned down and the truth lies buried somewhere to this day. Indian legal history will record this case as one of the most tragic miscarriages of justice. It ruined the life and career of an astonishingly gifted musician. MKT Bhagavathar never regained his lost fame.

Later NSK resumed acting in Movies, but his jail term and fight for justice made him penurious, his hard earned wealth was lost in fighting the case and so was the case of co-accused MKT Bagavathar, who once ate in Silver and Gold plates and was the first Super Star of Indian Cinema. Haridas, which was released while he was in jail ran for 3 consequent Deepavalies with packed houses. People crowded the theatre as they felt, they would not have a chance to see their superstar in silver screen
Trivia

The leading Tamil Nadu politician and Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu 'Kalaignar' Karunanidhi, when asked once by a journalist (of the Tamil magazine Kumudham) about who the non-political hero in his life was, answered it was Kalaivanar. Karunanidhi knew him well and also worked in some of his film projects.

Kalaivanar was an active member of the Dravidian Movement. The Tamil Nadu Government erected a memorial-building in 1979, called 'Kalaivanar Kalai Arangam' (or Kalaivanar Arts Centre) in honour of Kalaivanar's contribution to the Arts, and the building is one of the leading landmarks in the city of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu.

NSK was generous to a fault. The following anecdote was written in Agathiyar Yahoo Group by JayBee (Dr. S.Jayabarathi of Malaysia):

One day, an emaciated looking man came to his house. At that time, NSK was playing carrom board with a friend. When the man approached NSK, NSK did not look up at him. He continued with his game. NSK simply asked him whether he had eaten. The man said he had not eaten for three days. NSK told him to go and eat a hearty meal first. Of course NSK knew that the man was hungry because he had no money. He called one of his friends who were around him watching his game. He told him to reach into NSK's shirt pocket and take out the money. The friend did so. But what came out was a thick unopened wad of five rupee currency notes. The friend tried take out a note. In those days, a five rupee was a big sum. NSK got angry. He scolded him, "ada thariththiraththukku thuNai pOnavanE! innum kuuda thaaraaLamaa pichchuk kuduvEn?". (" O, He who gives company to poverty, why don't you extend your magnanimity and take out some more?") The friend took out a thicker portion containing quite a number of notes and gave them to the poor man. When the man came back, NSK heard his story and needs and gave him substantial help. In the meanwhile...... NSK continued playing.......

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Mahamaham Festival in Kumbakonam

Mahamaham is a Hindu Kumb Mela festival celebrated every 12 years in a town called Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu, India. Hindus consider taking a holy dip at the Mahamaham tank on the day of Mahamaham as sacred. The last Mahamaham was celebrated on March 6, 2004, with people from various places taking the holy dip in the Mahamaham tank.

The festival is celebrated at an interval of around eleven to twelve years. The festival takes place at a particular time as determined by astrological position: during the full moon of the Tamil month of Maasi (February-March) when the conjunction of the moon with the lunar asterism (Magha Nakshatra) and when Jupiter is in the constellation of Leo.This Festival occurs when the sun is in the Zodiacal sign of Aquarius(Khumbha), Jupiter transists Leo(Simha) and the Moon is in conjunction with the constellation Maham. Generally all the these astronomical combination take place on a full moon day of the Tamil Month of Masi(Solar Kumbha Month) i.e. either in the latter half of February or in the first of March.

People are washing their sins on the holy rivers like Ganges, Yamuna, Sarasvati River, Sarayu, Godavari River, Mahanadi River, Narmada River, Pavoshnl and Kaveri River. These rivers wanted to get rid of their sins and approached Lord Brahma. Lord Brahma advised these rivers if you meet together and take bath in Mahamaham would wash off all the sins. Hence, during the time of Mahamaham festival, it is also believed that taking bath in the holy stream of water from the famous rivers like Ganges, Yamuna, Sarasvati River, Sarayu, Godavari River, Mahanadi River, Narmada River, Pavoshnl and Kaveri River, which are mixed together in Mahamaham tank, would get rid of sins according to Hindu religion.

Mahamaham bathing festival is concentrated on a single day, the concourse of pilgrims being all the more. During this festival, thousands of Hindu devotees come to Kumbakonam, and take bath in a tank named Mahamaham tank, generally followed or preceded by a dip in the kaveri river at Kumbakonam. The tank has 20 holy wells. These wells are named after 20 holy rivers flowing across India. People get themselves drained in these wells. These wells are also called as "Theertham" (Holy water).

Names of 20 Theertham :

1.Vayu Theertham 2.Ganga Theertham 3.Bramma Theertham 4.Yamuna Theertham 5.Kubera Theertham 6.Godavari Theertham 7.Eshana Theertham 8.Narmada Theertham 9.Saraswathi Theertham 10.Indira Theertham 11.Agni Theertham 12.Cauvery Theertham 13.Yama Theertham 14.Kumari Theertham 15.Niruthi Theertham 16.Bayoshni Theertham 17.Deva Theertham 18.Varunai Theertham 19.Sarayu Theertham 20.Kanya Theertham

It is believed that taking dip or sprinkling water of the tank on the bodies cleanses all the sins.

The Mahamaham Tank has four streets alongs its four banks. It is constructed with steps on the sides for people to easily access the tank and take dips. There are 16 Mandapas ( Gopuram Towers) around the corners and sides of the tank.These towers are considered to be forms of lord Shiva ( The Hindu God)

NAMES OF GOPURAM TOWER:

1.Brammatheertheshwarar 2.Mukundeshwarar 3.Dhaneshwarar 4.Virushabeshwarar 5.Baaneshwarar 6.Koneshwarar 7.Bhakthikeshwarar 8.Bhairaveshwarar 9.Agasthyeshwarar 10.Vyaneshwarar 11.Umaibakeshwarar 12.Nairutheeshwarar 13.Brammeshwarar 14.Gangatheshwarar 15.Mukthatheertheshwarar 16.Shethrabaleshwarar

History:

It is believed that when the earth was transformed from one planet to other, the samples of all the living beings are collected in a " Kumbaham" meaning a pot in tamil. When the same slipped over the earth , it fell on the place where the Mahamaham tank is located. When the pot fell down and toppeled, the living beings are created in earth. Hence the name of the place "Kumbakonam" meaning "Pot Toppled" in Tamil.

There are three famous temple in kumbakonam from where the idols are prayed. These temples include the " Abimuhadeeswara Temple" , " Kasi Viswanathar Temple" and " Kumbeshwara Temple".

On the Mahamaham day people start with praying these shivan temples and start dips in the 20 wells and go to kumbeswarar Temple and dip in the holy tank and finally in kaveri river to complete the process .

On the occasion of the festival, Metal idols of the deities of the main temples of Kumbakonam is carried on palanquins or chariots and taken around the different streets of the town.

There is an oft quoted popular saying in Sanskrit noting Kumbakonam as even as more sacred than Varanasi(Kasi). A sin committed at some ordinary place is washed off by a visit to a holy place, sin done in a sacred spot is washed off by going on a pilgrimage to Varanasi(Kasi). If one dares to commit a sin in that sacred city too, that sin is wiped off at Kumbakonam and any sinful act done at Kumbakonam is atoned for there itself.

The next Mahamaham will be celebrated in the year 2016.

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Kamal Haasan

Kamal Haasan (Tamil: கமல்ஹாசன்) (born November 7, 1954 in Paramakudi, Madras State, India) is an Indian film actor, script writer, and filmmaker, considered one of the leading method actors of Indian cinema. Haasan is known for winning several Indian film awards, including National Film Awards and Filmfare Awards, and has the distinction of being the actor with the most number of films submitted by India in contest for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. In addition to acting and directing, he is a screenwriter, lyricist, playback singer and choreographer. His film production company, Rajkamal International, has produced several of his films.
After several projects as a child artiste, Kamal Haasan's breakthrough into lead acting came with his role in the 1975 drama Apoorva Raagangal, in which he played a rebellious youth in love with an older woman. He secured his first Indian National Film Award for his portrayal of a guileless school teacher who tends a child-like amnesiac in 1982's Moondram Pirai. He was particularly noted for his performance in Mani Ratnam's Godfatheresque Nayagan (1987), which was ranked by Time magazine as one of the best films of all time. then he has gone on to appear in other notable films such as his own productions, Hey Ram and Virumaandi, as well as the magnum opus Dasavathaaram, in which he appeared in ten distinct rolesBiography

Early career: 1960s – early 1970s
Kamal Haasan made his film debut as a 6-year-old child artiste, in the film Kalathur Kannamma, which was released on August 12, 1959, directed by A. Bhimsingh. He was cast along with the veteran Tamil actor Gemini Ganesan in the film, which won him the National Film Award for Best Child Artist. He acted as a child actor in five other Tamil films in the subsequent few years co-starring with Sivaji Ganesan and M. G. Ramachandran.
Following a nine year hiatus from films, to concentrate on his education as well as learning karate and Bharathanatyam, Haasan returned with a series of low budget films in 1972, in all of which he played supporting roles. These films included roles in Arangetram and Sollathaan Ninaikkiren, both co-starring Sivakumar. His final supporting role before establishing himself as a lead actor was in Naan Avanillai.[5Late 1970s – 1980s
Kamal Haasan first received a regional Filmfare Award for acting for his role in the Malayalam film Kanyakumari (1974). In the next four years, he won six regional Best Actor Filmfare Awards, including four consecutive Best Tamil Actor Awards. He acted in director K. Balachander's Apoorva Raagangal, an exploration of age-gap relationships. The late 1970s was a period that saw Kamal Haasan's frequent collaboration with K. Balachander, who also cast him in many of his socially-themed films such as Avargal (1977). The film won Haasan his first Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award. In 1976, Haasan appeared in the drama Moondru Mudichu with Rajinikanth and Sridevi, another K. Balachander film, Manmadha Leelai, and Oru Oodhappu Kan Simittugiradhu, which won him his second consecutive Best Actor Award. 16 Vayathinile won him his third consecutive award, where he appeared as an mentally ill villager, once again alongside Rajinikanth and Sridevi. The fourth consecutive award came with Sigappu Rojakal in which he appeared as an anti-hero who is a psychopathic sexual killer. In the late seventies, Haasan appeared in other films such as the comedy, Ninaithale Inikkum and the horror film, Neeya.
Haasan's pairing with the actress Sridevi continued with Guru and Varumayin Niram Sigappu in 1980. Kamal Haasan also made guest–cameo appearances, such as in the Rajnikanth film Thillu Mullu; Rajinikanth had previously appeared in some of Kamal Haasan's previous films. Haasan's 100th career film appearance was in 1981's Raja Paarvai, which also marked his debut in film production. Despite this film's relatively poor reception at the cinemas, his portrayal of a blind session violinist earned him a Filmfare Award. His next acting role, in Ek Duuje Ke Liye, became his first Hindi-language film. It was the remake of his previous Telugu-language film, Maro Charithra by K. Balachandar. Following a year of starring in commercially-oriented films, Haasan won his first of three National Awards for Best Actor with his portrayal of a school teacher who looks after a mentally retarded girl in Balu Mahendra's Moondram Pirai, alter reprising the role in the Hindi version, Sadma. In 1983, Haasan appeared in Thoongadhey Thambi Thoongadhey playing a double roleTill 1985, Haasan began to appear in more Hindi language films, including Saagar, for which he was awarded both the Filmfare Best Actor Award and the Best Supporting Actor Award, making him the first actor to win both awards for a single film. Saagar portrayed him alongisde Rishi Kapoor both of whom were pinning for a woman, but Haasan ultimately loses out. Haasan also appeared in Geraftaar. He featured in Tamil cinema's first sequel Japanil Kalyanaraman, which followed up his previous, Kalyanaraman as well as acting in Uruvangal Maralam co-starring Sivaji Ganesan and Rajinikanth.
In the mid-1980s, Haasan appeared in two Telugu language films, Sagara Sangamam and Swathi Muthyam with director, Kasinadhuni Viswanath. The latter film was India's representative for the Academy Award for the Best Foreign Language Film in 1986. Whilst, the former film portrayed Haasan as a drunkard classical dancer, Swathi Muthyam portrays him as an autistic person attempting to change society. Following Punnagai Mannan, in which he portrays dual roles including a satire of Charlie Chaplin and Vetri Vizha as an amnesiac, Haasan appeared in Mani Rathnam's 1987 film Nayagan. Nayagan portrays the life of an underworld don in Bombay. The story revolves around the life of a real-life underworld don called Varadarajan Mudaliar, whilst sympathetically depicting the struggle of South Indians living in Mumbai. Haasan received a Indian National Award for his performance and Nayagan was nominated by India as its entry for the Best Foreign Language Film for the Academy Awards in 1987 as well as being included in the Time top 100 movies list. In 1988, Haasan appeared in his only silent film to date; appearing in the black comedy, Pushpak. In 1989, Haasan played a triple role in Apoorva Sagodharargal. The commercial film portrayed him in a role as a dwarf. He then attempted dual roles in Indrudu Chandrudu and its Tamil remake, winning the regional Best Actor Award for his performance


Kamal Haasan in his yet-to-be-completed Marudhanayagam
Michael Madhana Kamarajan in 1991 saw Haasan go one step further, acting in four different roles as quadruplets, the film started an ongoing collabaration for comedy films between Haasan and Crazy Mohan, a dialogue writer. Haasan won successive best actor awards for his portrayal of the protagonist in Guna and in Thevar Magan, where he played the son of actor, Sivaji Ganesan. After films such as Singaravelan, Maharasan and Kalaignan; Haasan began to appear in comedies such as Sathi Leelavathi, based on the English film She-Devil, as well as renewing his collobaration with Kasinadhuni Viswanath in his last Telugu language film till date, Subha Sankalpam. In 1996, Haasan starred in the police story, Kuruthipunal. His success in Kuruthipunal, was followed by his third National Film Award for Best Actor in Indian. Playing dual roles of a freedom fighter and his untrustful son, the film also won Haasan regional awards and plaudits for his portrayal.
Haasan appeared as a woman in Avvai Shanmughi inspired by the Hollywood production, Mrs. Doubtfire.In 1997, Haasan began his first directorial venture, the biopic of Mohammed Yusuf Khan, Marudhanayagam which failed to complete its schedules with only half an hour and a trailer being recorded during its shoot. Marudhanayagam had been speculated to be the biggest and most expensive film in Indian cinema with a number of high profile actors technicians signing up for roles. Moreover, the film was launched in a much publicized ceremony by Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom during her visit to India in 1997. Due to budget constraints, the film failed to materialize into feature length but Haasan has sinced stated his interest in building up funds for the project since. Haasan soon made his debut as director with a remake of Avvai Shanmughi in Hindi titled Chachi 420.
2000s: Hey Ram and onwards


Kamal Haasan pictured with Manisha Koirala in Aalavandhan
Following a two-year hiatus in Indian cinema, Haasan opted against reviving his magnum opus, Marudhanayagam, and filmed his second directorial venture, Hey Ram, a period drama told in flashback with a semi-fictional plot centering around India's Partition and the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Haasan also took on roles as the writer, the lyricist and the choreographer as well as producing the film under his home banner. The film, also featured Shahrukh Khan and was India's submission for the Academy Awards that year. His following film was Aalavandhan, where he portrayed two distinct roles, for one of which he had his head tonsured and gained ten kilograms. Despite much publicity prior to release, the film failed commercially, wih Haasan opting to repay distributors who had suffered losses with the film.
Following a series of successful comedies in Thenali, Panchathantiram and Pammal K. Sambandam and a couple of guest appearances, Haasan directed his third feature film in Virumaandi, a film about the death penalty. Haasan also appeared in Anbe Sivam alongside Madhavan. Priyadarshan, who started the film, departed allowing commercial director Sundar C to complete the film. Anbe Sivam told the story of Nallasivam, enacted by Haasan as an idealist, social activist and communist. Kamal Haasan's performance was highly lauded by critics with The Hindu stating that Haasan "has once again done Tamil cinema proud".
Haasan then appeared in the remake film Vasool Raja alongside Sneha. In 2006, Haasan's long delayed project, Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu emerged as a blockbuster.Gautham Menon's Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu was Haasan's first cop film since Kuruthipunal. In 2008, Haasan appeared in K. S. Ravikumar's Dasavathaaram portraying ten distinct roles in the venture which to-date remians the most expensive Indian film ever made. opposite Asin Thottumkal, the film became the second highest grossing film ever in Tamil cinema and won Haasan critical praise for his enactment. He had also undertook the opportunity of being the story and screenwriter for the project. Following the completion of Dasavathaaram, Haasan opted to direct his fourth directorial venture, with a film tentatively titled Marmayogi, which after a year of pre-production became stalled. He then opted to produce and star in a venture, Unnaipol Oruvan, co-starring him with Mohanlal. The film, which had Shruti Haasan appear as the music director, became a successful venture for Haasan at the box-office.
Personal life

Family
Kamal Haasan was born on November 7, 1954 to a criminal lawyer named D. Srinivasan and his devout wife Rajalakshmi, both a part of the Tamil Iyengar caste, in the village of Paramakudi in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. Haasan has referred to his parents in recent films, with references being made in Unnaipol Oruvan as well as in the song, Kallai Mattum from Dasavathaaram.Kamal Haasan was the youngest of three brothers, the others being Chaaru Haasan and Chandra Haasan. Chaaru Haasan, like Kamal Haasan, is a National Film Award-winning actor, who appeared in the noted Kannada film, Tabarana Kathe among others, but he has semi-retired from films since of recent times. Kamal's niece (Chaaru Haasan's daughter), Suhasini is also a National Film Award Winner and is married to noted director and fellow Award winner, Mani Ratnam, who collaborated with Kamal Haasan in 1987's Nayagan.Chandra Haasan has appeared as the producer for several of Kamal Haasan's films as well as being an executive of Kamal Haasan's home production company, Rajkamal International. His brother's daughter Anu Haasan has appeared in several films in supporting roles, most notably in Suhasini's Indira.
Relationships
Despite his much praised and applauded film career, his personal life had some setbacks which have been exploited by the media. In Haasan's early career, he co-starred in several Tamil and Malayalam films with noted actress Srividya. The pair were reported to have been a part of a notorious affair in the 1970s, with their relationship being explored in the 2008-released Malayalam film, Thirakkatha by Renjith, with Anoop Menon portraying Haasan and Priyamani playing Srividya. Srividya, who died in 2006, was visited by Haasan at her bedside during her final days. In 1978, at the age of twenty four, Haasan met and married danseuse Vani Ganapathy, who was elder to him. Vani put on the mantle of costume designer for her Haasan's movies and was publicized for walking along with Haasan into the Filmfare Awards South ceremony of 1980, immediately after their wedding. However, the pair split after ten years together, after finding out that Haasan was dating fellow actress, Sarika, with Haasan confirming in a recent interview that he and Vani have never been in touch since.
Subsequently, Haasan and Sarika married in 1988, with the pair having two children: Shruti Haasan (born 1986) and Akshara Haasan (born 1991). The former is a singer as well as an upcoming actress, whilst the latter is pursuing higher studies in Bangalore. Sarika, retired from acting roles soon after her marriage with Haasan, replacing his ex-wife, Vani Ganapathy as Haasan's costume designer, with acclaimed work in Hey Ram. However, the pair filed for divorced in 2002, with Sarika estranging herself from her children as well as Haasan by the end of the procedure in 2004. Haasan's intimate relationship with co-star Simran Bagga, who is twenty two years younger, became the reason for the split. A brief relationship with Simran, who appeared opposite Haasan in two consecutive ventures with Pammal K. Sambandam and Panchathantiram, followed after she ended her relationship with choreographer Raju Sundaram. However, the pair's companionship was short lived, with Simran going onto marry a childhood friend in 2004. Currently Haasan lives with former actress, Gouthami Tadimalla, who co-starred with Haasan in several films in the late 80's to the early 90's. Haasan helped her during her traumatic experience suffering from breast cancer and the pair have been in a domestic relationship since 2005. Along with Shruti and Akshara, Gouthami's daughter, Subbalakshmi, from an annulled marriage also lives with them.
Awards and honours

Main article: List of Kamal Haasan's awards, honours and recognitions
Kamal Haasan, a Padmashri holder, is the most decorated actor in terms of awards in the history of Indian cinema. He holds the record for the most National Film Awards for an actor with four, three awards for Best Actor and one for Best Child Artiste. Moreover, Haasan holds a record nineteen Filmfare Awards - ranging across five langauges, and after his latest award in 2000, wrote to the organisation to exempt him from further awards. Other recognitions include a string of Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, Nandi Awards and Vijay Awards, in which Haasan won four separate awards for his contribution in Dasavathaaram.
Notable filmography

Further information: Kamal Haasan filmography
Year Film Role Language Notes
1960 Kalathur Kannamma Selvam Tamil Winner: National Film Award for Best Child Artist
1975 Apoorva Raagangal Prasanna Tamil Winner: Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award
1982 Moondram Pirai Srinivasan Tamil Winner: National Film Award for Best Actor
1983 Sagara Sangamam Balakrishna Telugu Winner: Filmfare Best Telugu Actor Award
Winner: Nandi Award for Best Actor
1987 Nayagan Velu Nayakkar Tamil Winner: National Film Award for Best Actor
1988 Pushpak Pushpak Silent Winner: Filmfare Best Kannada Actor Award
1989 Apoorva Sagodharargal Sedhupathy,
Raja,
Appu Tamil Portrayed three roles; one was a dwarf
1992 Thevar Magan Shakthivelu Thevar Tamil Winner: Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award
Scripted and produced by Kamal Haasan
1996 Indian Senapathy Bose,
Chandra Bose Tamil Portrayed a dual role
Winner: National Film Award for Best Actor
Winner: Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award
2000 Hey Ram Saket Ram Tamil Winner: Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award
Simultaneously made into Hindi as Hey Ram
Scripted, produced and directed by Kamal Haasan
2008 Dasavathaaram Ten different roles Tamil Portrayed 10 different roles
Scripted by Kamal Haasan

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Gandhi Museum

Gandhi Museum Madurai stands as the living monument of the “Father of the Nation” Mahatma Gandhi. The Gandhi Memorial Trust came into existence after the assassination of Gandhi in the year 1948, through funds raised by public contribution. The trust allocated a huge amount to set up Gandhi Memorial Museums in seven places in the country associated with the life of Gandhi.

Madurai was selected as one among the seven places for setting up the memorial as several important decisions were made by Gandhi during his visit to Madurai. It was during his visit to Madurai in the year 1921, he made up his mind to wear a small towel like dhothi around the waist as his dress after seeing the poor people dressed in scarce clothes. He was mentally agitated and took up a firm decision to give up his rich dressing pattern. Still, one can find a firm proof at the residence where Gandhi started his simple mode of dressing. Also Gandhi visited Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple in the year 1946 when Harijans were allowed for the first time into the temple.

The palace of Rani Mangammal of Nayak dynasty with about 13 acres of land which was later occupied by the Nawabs and East Indian Company was gifted by the State Government for the construction of Gandhi Memorial Museum in the year 1955. Gandhi Memorial Museum stands as a living legend exhibiting the value of life, work and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi.

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Chennai Corporation

Chennai Corporation (also known as the Municipal Corporation of Chennai) is the civic body that governs the city of Chennai, India.The Chennai Corporation is the oldest municipal body of the Commonwealth of Nations outside the United Kingdom[2] and the oldest corporation India. It is headed by a mayor, who presides over 155 councillors each of whom represents one of the 155 wards of the city.
Contents
1 History
2 Gallery
3 See also
4 External links
5 References
History

The Chennai Corporation is the oldest municipal body of the Commonwealth of Nations outside the United Kingdom. It was formed in 1688 to control the powers of the then Governor of Madras, Elihu Yale.[3] The Corporation was created by a Royal Charter issued on December 30, 1687 by King James II on the advice of the chairman of the British East India Company, Josiah Child.
Prior to the establishment of the corporation, the Governor of Madras or the Company's agent managed the affairs of the Fort St. George and its residents with the assistance of a headman, an accountant, and the head of watch and ward. The Governor sat as Madraspatnam's Justice of Peace. Taxes were introduced by Governor Streynsham Master (1678 - 81). Complications arising out of these cesses and the growing expenses of a growing town led to Sir Josiah drawing up plans for a more formal body of civic administration.
The corporation was inaugurated on September 29, 1688, when the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses took their oaths. The first representatives of the corporation were from diverse ethnicities. Nathaniel Higginson was the first Mayor and he appointed representatives from British, French, Portuguese, as well as Indian mercantile communities as Aldermen. The post of the Mayor was for one year and he was elected by the Aldermen. The tenure of the Aldermen was for life.
By 1856, the duties of the Corporation became more clearly defined. By 1919, the Aldermen were re-named as Councillors. The name 'Mayor' had been replaced by 'President'. P. Theagaraya Chetty was nominated as President, the first Indian to be nominated so. The office of Mayor was however re-created in 1933 and Kumararajah M.A. Muthiah Chettiar made the transition from last President to first new Mayor - and the mayoralty has remained thereafter.
In 1913, the Corporation moved to the newly constructed Ripon Building, which was built on parts of People's Park. The building was named after Lord Ripon who, as Viceroy (1880-84), had introduced local government reforms. He is remembered in a statue in the Corporation precincts.The first native Indian to both govern the Madras Presidency and later serve as Mayor of erstwhile Madras was the Hon'ble L. Sriramulu Naidu. He served during the 1930s and 40s.

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maruthamalai temple

Maruthamalai Temple, situated on a hillock, about 12 kms from Coimbatore, is an important temple dedicated to Lord Muruga.

The temple gets its name from the Marutha trees in the forests on the hill. The hills also have many medicinal herbs in their forests.


The story behind the temple is that a thirsty Sanyasi was walking through the forest and took refuge under a Marutha tree. To quench his thirst, he prayed to Lord Muruga, who answered his prayers and water sprang from Marutha trees. Hence Lord Muruga has been hailed the Lord of Marutha.

This temple was built about 800 years ago. The temple was renovated recently and Kumbabishekam (renovation) performed. The temple and its surroundings are abuzz with devotees who can be seen trekking the 700-odd steps to the top of the temple, as penance. There are frequent buses from Coimbatore city to Maruthamalai. From the base of the temple local buses ply to the temple.

The word "Marudhachalapathy" or "Maruthamalai Andavar" means Master of Hills, abounding in Marudha trees. The name has also a legendary origin. A Siddha, overcome by excessive thirst and tiredness, sought shelter under the shade of a Marudha tree and prayed to the mercy of the Lord Muruga for a shower of water, which sprang at once as though by a miracle from beneath the tree! As water gushed out from the roots of the marudha tree, the Siddha leaped in joy, glorifying Muruga as the Lord of "Marudha" and "Jalam" (water) with the passage of time, "Marudhajalapathi" became "Marudhachalapathy.

The "Marudha Thirtam" and the"Pambatti Sunai" are springs on the hills with holy waters for ablution and a dip in them cures a number of diseases for they contain Medicinal Properties.

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Karpaka Vinayakar Temple Pillayarpatti

This image of Ganesha is bound to be familiar to anyone of Tamil origin; however, little is known to many about the fact that this is an image of the rock cut Karpaka Vinayakar Shrine at Pillayarpatti near Karaikkudi at one of the oldest Cave Temples (Rock Cut) temples of Tamilnadu. Pillayarpatti is situated between Pudukkottai and Karaikkudi. The nearest airport is at Tiruchirappalli. Chennai Rameswaram Express and Kamban Express travel to these two railheads.

The town of Pillaiyarpatti is named after 'Pillayar' - the tamil name for Ganesha, and this ancient temple houses rock cut images of Shiva, Lingodbhavar and others as well as several other shrines. Steeped in the tradition of Agamic textsthe temple bears testimony to the vibrant temple culture of the Tamil people, passed down through centuries.

Deities: Karpaka Vinayakar or Desi Vinayaka Pillaiyar is the presiding deity here, and he is portrayed with two arms and a trunk curled towards his right in the valampuri mode. This 6 feet tall mammoth image of Ganesha is a bas relief in an excavated cave, off of a hill in the precincts of the temple. Tiruveesar is a Shiva Lingam carved in a similar manner. Other deities in the temple include Marudankudi Eesar and his consort Vaadaamalar Mangai.

Antiquity: Over 15 inscriptions are found within the temple, that help establish the age of the temple. The Stalapuranam published by the temple classifies the growth of this temple into three distinct stages.
The first stage goes back in time by about 1600 years. During this period, the innermost rock cut shrines housing Karpaka Vinayakar and Tiruveesar came into being. The uniqueness of the image of Ganesha is one factor testifying this date; the characters used in the temple inscriptions also help establish this date. The pillars within the shrine are of pre-Pallava origin.

The Pallavas were prolific builders of rock cut temples (Mahabalipuram, Mahendravadi, Mamandur, Mandakapattu, Seeyamangalam, Namakkal, Tiruchi, Nartamalai, Kudumiyanmalai, Tirukkokarnam, Tirumeyyam, Peraiyur, Malayadipatti, Tirukolakkudi, Kunrakkudi etc.). A number of these can be traced to Mahendravarman I (615 - 630 AD) and Narasimhavarman I (630 - 668 AD). However, the inscriptions at Pillayarpatti date further back to the 4th century AD. Also, given the location of the temple in the Pandya kingdom it would only be logical to associate Pandya patronage to this temple, especially in the light of Pandya patronage at the Kazhugumalai temple not too far from here.

There are several inscriptions within this temple that date back to the period between 1091 AD and 1238 AD, making it apparent that the Pillayarpatti Nagarattar became the custodians of the temple during the 13th century AD during the second growth phase of this temple, when Vimanams and Rajagopurams were built.

The third phase of growth is much more recent and it involved the repair, rebuilding and refurbishment of the entire temple complex, including the renovation of the temple tank. The tank and the two Raja Gopurams provide an attractive approach to the temple, in this rather remote town of Pillayarpatti.

It is with great pride that the Pillayarpatti Nagarathar community which has been traditionally involved with the temple - patronizes maintenance of this temple and the scrupulous conduct of worship services.

Worship Protocol: Each day, five worship services are offered to the presiding deity, commencing at 6 AM , and closing down at 9 PM. During the fourth phase of each lunar half month, Pillayar is taken in procession around the temple. Hundreds of pilgrims patronize the temple on these days.

Festivals: The grandest of festivals is Ganesh Chaturti in the month of Aug - September, where a ten day celebration brings much gaiety to this temple town. Each day's celebration is marked by much splendor as Pillayar is taken in procession around town on several of his mounts, as are the other Pancha Murthys. The ninth day of the festival is marked by a chariot procession. In addition, the ten day festival in the month of Vaikasi (May - June) is held in honor of Kongu Nachiyamman, a village deity whose processional image is also housed here. The Margazhi Tiruvadirai festival is celebrated in honor of Nataraja and Sivakami (Dec - Jan).

Nearby Attractions: Pudukkottai houses the Gokarneswarar Temple, and Kunnakkudi houses the hill temple of Shanmukhanathar.

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Tamil Wedding Rituals and their Meaning

Below is a detailed description of the ceremony and the meaning of various rituals.

The priest recites Sanskrit mantras from the Vedas in the presence of agni (the sacred fire). Agni, the sacred purifier and benefactor, is deemed a witness to the marriage rites. With the grace of the vedic mantras and the blessings of the elders, the couple begins their journey of married life.

Prelude Rituals

Ganesha Puja
parents seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha (the elephant faced deity) for the removal of all obstacles and the success of the ceremony.

Vratham

This is a ritual conducted by the bride and groom with their parents. Prayers are offered to ensure that all goes well with the alliance. The groom is given a set of veshti by the bride’s parents. Sacred threads are dipped in turmeric are tied on the bride and groom’s wrists to protect them from inauspiciousness.

Paligai Navadanyam (sprouting of the seeds)

This is done by married women, symbolizing fertility and growth of progeny.

Kashi Yatra

Here, the groom sets off on a pilgrimage towards the holy city of Kashi, on the bank of the Ganges in search of spiritual knowledge. But as he leaves, the bride’s father meets him and convinces him to stay and marry his daughter. He agrees, and he proceeds toward the marriage hall.

Exchange of Garlands & Oonjal (the swing)

The groom meets the bride, they exchange garlands three times, then sit in a swing. Just as the two chains of a swing move together connected by one plank, the couple will jointly face the oscillations of life, sharing the joy and sorrow together. The elders then carry a lighted lamp and pour water around the swing to invoke Shri (auspiciousness). Colored balls of rice are thrown in different directions to lure away undesirable spirits, and music is played to drown out inauspicious sounds.


Marriage Rituals

Ganesha Puja & Sankalpam

Anu, Vijay, and their parents worship Lord Ganesha and express their intentions for the marriage ceremony.

Kanyaka Dhanam

The bride’s father, taking the bride’s hand in his, offers his most precious gift to the bridegroom. The groom’s parents then present the bride with the traditional nine-yard sari. The mangalyam (a gold pendent bearing symbols of the family deity on a yellow thread) is placed on a plate and presented to the elders and other guests for their blessings.

Vadhuparishuddhi (purification of the bride)

A small yoke is placed on the bride’s head and on it is placed a piece of gold, signifying auspiciousness. Water is poured through a hole in the yoke while mantras are chanted, invoking Surya (the sun), Varuna (the water), and other deities to purify the bride in preparation for a harmonious married life.

Mangalya Dharanam (tying the gold pendant)

This auspicious moment (muhurtham) is fixed according to the bride’s birth star. The groom takes the mangalyam, and fastens the first knot around the bride’s neck while chanting a mantra. Because marriage is not only a union of two inviduals, but is a union of two families, the groom’s sister fastens two more knots, symobolizing acceptance of the bride into the groom’s family.

Panigrahanam (holding the bride’s hand)

The groom lowers his right palm on the bride’s right hand and prays for a long life, progeny, prosperity, and harmony with the bride during their married life, marking the beginning of a new relationship.

Saptapadi (the Seven Steps)

This is the most important part of the marriage ceremony. Only when the bride and groom walk the seven steps together, is the marriage complete. The groom holds the bride’s right toe with his right hand and helps her take seven steps while reciting the vedic mantras.

Pradhana Homam (the main fire ritual)

The couple pay homage to Agni (fire) by doing pradakshina (going around), offering ghee, and chanting mantras.

Asmarohanam (stepping on the stone)

The groom helps the bride place her right foot on a special stone and he chants, “May you be strong and unshakable like this stone, face the challenges of life, and withstand all adversities.”

Laja Homam (offering puffed rice)

The bride’s brothers fill her cupped hands with puffed rice, which she offers to the fire. The bride recites mantras, praying for her husband’s well-being and a married life filled with peace and harmony. After each offering the couple circles the fire and the bride steps on the stone as above.

Sakhya Homam (ritual for friendship)

The couple offers oblations to fire chanting mantras for lasting friendship through mutual understanding.

Ashirvadam (blessings from the elders)

The couple, now husband and wife, seek blessings from the elders and guests present at the function.

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Cuisine of Tamil Nadu

he state of Tamil Nadu has a distinct place in culinary map of the country. Many famous dishes from Tamil Nadu are enjoyed by one and all and are now a part of the national cuisine.


The Ingredients and The Cuisine

Tamil Nadu has a wide range of vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies to offer. The food here gets its flavor from a host of spices and condiments used in Tamil Nadu. Coconut, tamarind and asafoetida are a must for almost all vegetarian recipes. Garam masala is avoided in Tamil cuisine. In Tamil Nadu Coconut oil is normally used as the medium of cooking. Chutneys and mixed spice are served in the lunch and enhance the taste of the meal.

In Tamil Nadu, a typical meal consists of rice (mostly steamed), lentils, grains and vegetables. Chettinad cuisine of Tamil Nadu is particularly famous all over the country. This cuisine is hot and spicy and provides delectable variety in mutton, chicken and fish dishes. Chettinad Pepper Chicken is one of the most famous dishes in Tamil Nadu. The Tamil style of Mughali food can be tasted in the Biriyanis and Paya. Paya is a type of spiced trotters broth and is eaten with either Parathas or Appam.


Delectable Tamil Meals

In Tamil Nadu cuisine, breakfast or tiffin includes idly(steamed rice cakes), dosai (a pancake made from a batter of rice) and lentils crisp fried on a pan, vada(deep fried doughnuts made from a batter of lentils), pongal (a mash of rice and lentils boiled together and seasoned with ghee, cashew nuts, pepper and cummin seed), uppuma(cooked semolina seasoned in oil with mustard, pepper, cumin seed and dry lentils). Most of the dishes in Tamil Nadu are eaten with coconut chutney, sambar (seasoned lentil broth) and mulaga podi (a powdered mix of several dried lentils eaten with oil).

The Tamil Lunch or meals consists of cooked rice served with different kinds of vegetable dishes, Sambar, chutneys, Rasam (a hot broth made with tamarind juice and pepper) and curd(yogurt). The non-vegetarian lunch includes curries or dishes cooked with mutton, chicken or fish. Tamil meals are incomplete without crisp Papads or Appalam.


Refreashing Tamil Drinks

Tamil Nadu, especially Chennai, is famous for its filter coffee. Most Tamils have a subtle disliking for instant coffee, therefore filter coffee is more popular. The preparation of filter coffee is almost like a daily chore, the coffee beans have to be first roasted and then ground. The coffee powder is then put into a filter set and hot boiled water is added to prepare the boiling and allowed to set for about 15 minutes. The decoction is then added to milk with sugar to taste. The drink thus prepared is then poured from one container to another in rapid succession to make the perfect frothy cup of filter coffee. An exotic drink that refreshes you and the taste that lingers.


Treat Your Taste Buds

The cuisine of Tamil Nadu is counted among the popular cuisines in India. It is enjoyed by the people of the country and equally relished by the foreigners coming to India. Dishes like Idli, Dosa, Sambhar and Rasam are the most exotic dishes among the south Indian cuisine. The south Indian platter or Thali is also very popular, comprising various vegetables, along with dominant coconut flavor. Another highlight of south Indian cuisine is, Pongal, a sweet dish prepared during the the harvest festival 'Pongal'. Every visitor coming to India, makes sure that he does not miss tasting this mouth watering cuisine. So, just look for restaurant that serves south Indian cuisine and taste some of the recipes and drinks from Tamil Nadu, after which you wont be able to resist tasting other delicious dishes of this state also.

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DINDIGUL LOCK

Dindigul is an interior region of Tamilnadu. Dindigul lies on the banks of Kudavanar River with a total landscape of 6058 sqkm. In spite of its geographical location there are about 110 tanneries both registered and non-registered in and around Dindigul. This district is well known for the making of locks. The Dindigul district is divided into 7 taluks namely, Dindigul taluk, Natham taluk, Kodaikanal taluk, Nilakkottai taluk, Palani taluk, Oddanchatram taluk & Vedasandur taluk

The Dindigul fort is one of the major Landmarks of the city which is visible from several kilometers. This huge rock hill on which the fort is constructed, looks like Pillow ('Dhindu'), when viewed from one angle (from south east) and hence the City is known as Dindigul. This fort is at a height of 280 ft.

Dindigul is noted for its Locks. Also Iron safe of good quality and durability are made here. A lock manufacturing unit under co-operative sector is functioning here. It is flourishing industry gives employment to vide section of people. Its one of the largest trading center in Tamil Nadu for chewing tobacco and “Roja Supari” are produced in this town and are being sent to various places in and around the Tamilnadu. Dindigul is flourishing with handloom industry at Chinnalapatti, which is located at 11 km away from Dindigul on the Madurai-Dindigul road. Art –Silk sarees and sungudi. Sarees Produced in Chinnalapatti is famous in the district. More than 1000 families are engaged in this Industry.

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Tamil calendar

Maasi" redirects here. For other uses, see Masi.

The Tamil calendar is used in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry in India, and by the Tamil population in Malaysia, Singapore and Sri Lanka. It is used today for cultural, religious and agricultural events, with the Gregorian calendar having largely supplanted it for official use both within and outside India. The Tamil calendar is based on the classical Hindu solar calendar also used in Assam, Bengal, Kerala, Manipur, Nepal, Orissa and the Punjab.

There are several festivals based on the Tamil Hindu calendar. The Tamil New Year follows the nirayanam vernal equinox and generally falls on April 13 or 14 of the Gregorian year. April 13 or 14 marks the first day of the traditional Tamil calendar and this remains a public holiday in both Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka. Tropical vernal equinox fall around 22 March, and adding 23 degrees of trepidation or oscillation to it, we get the Hindu sidereal or Nirayana Mesha Sankranti (Sun's transition into nirayana Aries). Hence, the Tamil calendar begins on the same date in April which is observed by most traditional calendars of the rest of India - Assam, Bengal, Kerala, Orissa, Manipur, Nepal, Punjab etc. This also coincides with the traditional new year in Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The 60-year cycle is also very ancient and is observed by most traditional calendars of India and China, and is related to 5 revolutions of Jupiter according to popular belief, or to 60-year orbit of Nakshatras (stars) as mentioned in Surya Siddhanta.

The traditional Tamil year starts on April 14, 2009, Kaliyuga 5111. Vikrama and Shalivahana Saka eras are also used. There are several references in early Tamil literature to the April new year. Nakkirar, the author of the Nedunalvaadai writes in the 3rd century that the Sun travels from Mesha/Chitterai through 11 successive Raasis or signs of the zodiac. Koodaloor Kizhaar in the 3rd century refers to Mesha Raasi/Chitterai as the commencement of the year in the Puranaanooru. The 8th century Silappadikaaram mentions the 12 Raasis or zodiac signs starting with Mesha/Chitterai. The Manimekalai alludes to the Hindu solar calendar as we know it today. .
Week

The days of the Tamil Calendar relate to the celestial bodies in the solar system: Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn, in that order. The week starts with Sunday.

This list compiles the days of the week in the Tamil calendar:
No. Weekday (Tamil) Weekday (English) Vaasara (Sanskrit) Lord or Planet Gregorian Calendar equivalent

01. ஞாயிற்றுக்கிழமை Jnyaayitru-kizhamai Ravi-vaasara Sun Sunday
02. திங்கட்கிழமை Thingat-kizhamai Soma-vaasara Moon Monday
03. செவ்வாய்க்கிழமை Sevvaai-kizhamai Mangala-vaasara Mars Tuesday
04. புதன்கிழமை Buthan-kizhamai Budha-vaasara Mercury Wednesday
05. வியாழக்கிழமை Viyaazha-kizhamai Guru Vaasara Jupiter Thursday
06. வெள்ளிக்கிழமை Velli-kizhamai Sukra-vaasara Venus Friday
07. சனிக்கிழமை Sani-kizhamai Shani-vaasara Saturn Saturday

Months

The number of days in a month varies between 29 and 32.

The following list compiles the months of the Tamil Calendar.
No. Month (Tamil) Sanskrit Name * Month (English) Gregorian Calendar equivalent

01. சித்திரை Chaitra Cittirai mid-April to mid-May
02. வைகாசி Vaisākha Vaikāci mid-May to mid-June
03. ஆனி Jyaishtha Āni mid-June to mid-July
04. ஆடி Āshādha Āṭi mid-July to mid-August
05. ஆவணி Shrāvana Āvaṇi mid-August to mid-September
06. புரட்டாசி Bhādrapada Puraṭṭāci mid-September to mid-October
07. ஐப்பசி Ashwina Aippaci/Aippasi mid-October to mid-November
08. கார்த்திகை Kārttika Kārttikai mid-November to mid-December
09. மார்கழி Mārgashīrsha Mārkaḻi mid-December to mid-January
10. தை Pausha Tai mid-January to mid-February
11. மாசி Māgha Māci mid-February to mid-March
12. பங்குனி Phalguna Paṅkuni mid-March to mid-April

The Tamilnadu Government recently passed a legislation to make "தை" ("Tai") as th e first month of the Tamil year. The change was contested in the Indian courts and is currently under judicial review. Note: The Sanskrit months above would start one month ahead of Tamil months since the Tamil calendar is a solar calendar while the Sanskrit calendar is a lunisolar calendar

Seasons

The Tamil year, in keeping with the old Indic calendar, is divided into six seasons, each of which lasts two months:
Season name English translation Sanskrit Name (Rtu) English equivalent Months
kār dark, rain Varsha rainy āvani, puratāci
kūlir chill, wind Sharath autumn aippaci, kārthikai
munpani early dew Hemanta early winter mārkazhi, tai
pinpani late dew Sishira late winter māsi, pankuni
ilavenil young warmth Vasanta spring chithirai, vaikāsi
mutuvenil extreme warmth Grishma summer āni, ādi

Sixty-year cycle

The 60-year cycle of the Tamil Calendar is also found in many North and South Indian traditional calendars, with the same name and sequence of years. Its earliest reference is to be found in Surya Siddhanta, which Varahamihirar (550 CE) believed to be the most accurate of the then current theories of astronomy. However, in the Surya Siddhantic list, the first year was Vijaya and not Prabhava as currently used. This 60-year cycle is also used in the Chinese calendar.

After the completion of sixty years, the calendar starts anew with the first year. This corresponds to the Hindu "century." The Vakya or Tirukannitha Panchangam (the traditional Tamil almanac) outlines this sequence.

The following list presents the current 60-year cycle of the Tamil calendar:
No. Name Name (English) Gregorian Year No. Name Name (English) Gregorian Year

01. பிரபவ Prabhava 1987 – 1988 31. ஹேவிளம்பி Hevilambi 2017 – 2018
02. விபவ Vibhava 1988 – 1989 32. விளம்பி Vilambi 2018 – 2019
03. சுக்ல Sukla 1989 – 1990 33. விகாரி Vikari 2019 – 2020
04. பிரமோதூத Pramodhoodha 1990 – 1991 34. சார்வரி Sarvari 2020 – 2021
05. பிரசோற்பத்தி Prachorpaththi 1991 – 1992 35. பிலவ Plava 2021 – 2022
06. ஆங்கீரச Aangirasa 1992 – 1993 36. சுபகிருது Subakrith 2022 – 2023
07. ஸ்ரீமுக Srimukha 1993 – 1994 37. சோபகிருது Sobakrith 2023 – 2024
08. பவ Bhava 1994 – 1995 38. குரோதி Krodhi 2024 – 2025
09. யுவ Yuva 1995 – 1996 39. விசுவாசுவ Visuvaasuva 2025 – 2026
10. தாது Thaadhu 1996 – 1997 40. பரபாவ Paraabhava 2026 – 2027
11. ஈஸ்வர Eesvara 1997 – 1998 41. பிலவங்க Plavanga 2027 – 2028
12. வெகுதானிய Vehudhanya 1998 – 1999 42. கீலக Keelaka 2028 – 2029
13. பிரமாதி Pramathi 1999 – 2000 43. சௌமிய Saumya 2029 – 2030
14. விக்கிரம Vikrama 2000 – 2001 44. சாதாரண Sadharana 2030 – 2031
15. விஷு Vishu 2001 – 2002 45. விரோதகிருது Virodhikrithu 2031 – 2032
16. சித்திரபானு Chitrabaanu 2002 – 2003 46. பரிதாபி Paridhaabi 2032 – 2033
17. சுபானு Subaanu 2003 – 2004 47. பிரமாதீச Pramaadhisa 2033 – 2034
18. தாரண Thaarana 2004 – 2005 48. ஆனந்த Aanandha 2034 – 2035
19. பார்த்திப Paarthiba 2005 – 2006 49. ராட்சச Rakshasa 2035 – 2036
20. விய Viya 2006 – 2007 50. நள Nala 2036 – 2037
21. சர்வசித்து Sarvajith 2007 – 2008 51. பிங்கள Pingala 2037 – 2038
22. சர்வதாரி Sarvadhari 2008 – 2009 52. காளயுக்தி Kalayukthi 2038 – 2039
23. விரோதி Virodhi 2009 – 2010 53. சித்தார்த்தி Siddharthi 2039 – 2040
24. விக்ருதி Vikruthi 2010 – 2011 54. ரௌத்திரி Raudhri 2040 – 2041
25. கர Kara 2011 – 2012 55. துன்மதி Thunmathi 2041 – 2042
26. நந்தன Nandhana 2012 – 2013 56. துந்துபி Dhundubhi 2042 – 2043
27. விஜய Vijaya 2013 – 2014 57. ருத்ரோத்காரி Rudhrodhgaari 2043 – 2044
28. ஜய Jaya 2014 – 2015 58. ரக்தாட்சி Raktakshi 2044 – 2045
29. மன்மத Manmatha 2015 – 2016 59. குரோதன Krodhana 2045 – 2046
30. துன்முகி Dhunmuki 2016 – 2017 60. அட்சய Akshaya 2046 – 2047

Celebrations

The months of the Tamil Calendar have great significance and are deeply rooted in the faith of the Tamil Hindus. Some months are considered very auspicious while a few are considered inauspicious as well.

Some of the celebrations for each month are listed below. Dates in parentheses are not exact and usually vary by a day or two. Underneath (or beside) the months of the Hindu calendar are their Gregorian counterparts.
Month Days Notes
Chithirai
(April) April 14 – May 14 Chitra Pournami & Varusha pirappu are the most important festivals in this month. Tamil new year and first month of the Tamil Calendar.
Vaikaasi
(May) May 15 – June 14 Vaikaasi Visaakam is the most important day in this month.
Aani
(June) June 15 – July 14 Aani Thirumanjanam or Aani Uttaram for Lord Nataraja is the most famous day in this month.
Aadi
(July) July 15 – August 14 A most important month for women. The most auspicious days are Fridays and Tuesdays in this month, these are called Aadi Velli and Aadi Chevvai and the Aadi Amavasya. Aadi Pooram is also a special day.
Aavani
(August) August 15 – September 14 An important month with many rituals. Brahmins change their sacred thread on Aavani Avittam. Each Sunday of the month is dedicated to prayers - Aavani Gnayiru.
Purattaasi
(September) September 15 – October 15 An important month for Vaishnavas. Purattaasi Sani(Saturday) is an auspicious day.
Aippasi
(October) October 15 – November 14 The monsoons typically start over Tamil Nadu in this month. Hence the saying, "Aippasi Mazhai, adai mazhai" - meaning "Aippasi rains are persistent rains".

Also Annaabishekam for Lord Shiva is very famous in this month. The most famous Hindu festival "Deepavali" is celebrated in this month. The Fridays of this month - Aipassi velli - are dedicated to religious observance.
Karthikai
(November) November 15 – December 14 Another auspicious celebration for Murugan devotees is Thirukaarthigai. The Krithikaa Pournami is the special day of the full moon in the month of Kaarthikai, and the star is Krithikaa.

Each Monday of this month is dedicated to the worship of Lord Murugan.Every Monday is called "Somavaaram" when 108 or 1008 sangabhishekam are offered to Lord Shiva and Lord Muruga.
Maargazhi
(December) December 15 – January 14 This is another special month in the Tamil Calendar. Temples open earlier in the mornings and Devotees throng the temples early for [[puja and prasadam - the offering made to the deity which is later distributed to the devotees. Arudra Darisanam (Thiruvaadirai star in Tamil) is the most auspicious day in this month. This is also a very popular festival in Kerala, where it is called Thiruvaadira. The offering made to Lord siva is the Thiruvaadira Kali. Mukkodi Ekathesi is called "Sorgavasal Thirappu" for Lord Vishnu. The Tiruvembaavai fast takes place in this month. The Thiruppavai pasuram by Aandal is recited during this month. There are 30 pasurams totally, and one pasuram is recited a day during the entire month. This is also the month of music and dance. Carnatic music and Bharathanatyam classical performances are conducted in various Samajams, Sabhas and Temples.
Thai
(January)
(pronounced Thy) January 15 – February 14 Pongal, which is the harvest festival, is celebrated on the first day of this month. Thai Sukrawaaram is a popular day among Telugu speaking peoples settled in Tamil Nadu. Thaipusam is also a special day for Murugan devotees, who carry Kavadis to one of the Aarupadaiveedu (Literally meaning "six abodes").
Maasi
(February) February 15 – March 14 Maasi Magam is the special day of the most famous Mahasivarathiri and Maasi Magam which comes in this Month.
Panguni
(March) March 15 – April 13 Panguni Uthiram, the last month of the year, is a famous festival and special to Murugan and Siva devotees. The State Government of Tamil Nadu declared it a holiday, during which offices and schools remain closed. However, shops remain open and do brisk business. The state's active film industry also releases a few new films, and cinemas usually overflow with eager fans waiting to watch the earliest show with their favourite stars on the big screen.

Significance

* The Hindus developed a system of calendrics that encapsulates vast periods of time. For computing the age of the earth and various geological and other epochs, as well as the age of mankind, they still employ a Tamil calendar derived from ancient astronomical data, known as the Tirukkanida Panchanga (cf. The Secret Doctrine, 2:49-51).

* This calendar contains a calculation of something over three hundred million years for the age of the present earth since sedimentation occurred, and a period of somewhat more than eighteen million years since the first appearance of our mankind.

* The 10th Tamil month, called Thai, falls in mid-January each year. It is celebrated with much enthusiasm within the Tamil Community all over the world. Thai is marked by gifts of new clothing for family members and prayers to God for prosperity in the coming year. Thai and the fifth month Aavani are considered very auspicious for marriage and most marriages occur during these months.

* The fourth month Aadi is considered inauspicious, so weddings do not often fall in this month. Aadi is also the month of preparation for the next crop cycle by farmers. Therefore, farming communities avoid major events like weddings in this month. Those members of the Tamil community who don't actively contribute/participate in farming take advantage by having important functions like wedding in this month. For example, the business community prefers this month for weddings. Asdi is usually the worst month for business, although when businesses recently initiated Aadi discounts, this situation has changed significantly. Each Friday of this month is set aside for prayer and worship.

* Aadi ia an inauspicious month for newlyweds to sleep together because a woman who conceives in this month will have a difficult delivery in May, the hottest month in Tamil Nadu (Agni natchathiram [pinezu] last 7 days of Chitharai and [munezu] first 7 days of Vaigasi).?)

* Purattaasi is when most of the non-vegetarian Tamil people fast from meat for a month. This faith can be considered similar to fasts undertaken by Muslims during Ramadan. Each Saturday of this month is set apart to venerate the planet Saturn.

* Deepavali, is celebrated on the new moon day, in the seventh month Aipassi. The month of Aipassi is usually characterised by the North-East Monsoon in Tamil Nadu, which has given birth to a phrase, Aipassi Adai Mazhai meaning the "Non-stop Downpour".

* Maargazhi falls in winter in Tamil Nadu, and is considered auspicious for unmarried women to find a groom. The Shaivite fast of Tiru-vembaavai and the Vaishnava fast of Tiru-paavai are also observed in this month.

* The total number of days in a Tamil Calendar is an average 365 days and the days of the week are named similarly to those of the western calendar. The Vakiya Panchangam is employed for both sacred and civil calculations. The Trikanitha Panchangam is employed for astrological calculations.

Festivals

The Tamil Calendar is so important to the life of Tamil-speaking people that most of the Festivals of Tamil Nadu are based on it. Some of Festivals include Tamil New Year or Puthandu in mid-April, Thai Pongal, Deepavali, Panguni Uthiram, Thirukaarthigai, Aadiperukku, Navaratri etc.

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