Sripuram Golden Mahalaxmi Temple

Golden Temple - when uttered this word, immediately people thinks of Amritsar and the Highest Body of the Sikh's pride Golden Temple.

Thirmalai naiker mahal-MADURAI

The palace is situated 2kms south east of Meenakshi Temple. The palace was built in 1636 by Thirumalai Nayakar.

The Meenakshi temple complex

Madurai or "the city of nectar" is the oldest and second largest city of Tamil Nadu..

The big Waterfalls at Hogenakal

You get the feel of the river running nearby when you enter the sanctuary enclosing Hogenakal waterfall. Suddenly.

Dr. Avul Pakir Jainulabhudin Adbul Kalam

Adbul Kalam, was born on the 15th October, 1931, at Rameshwaram in TamilNadu. He did his B.Sc..

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Covelong Beach


Introduction:

Covelong Beach is located 40 kms away from the city Chennai. The beach is located is picturesque view Chennai village that is miles way from busy city life. The sport makes the tourist enjoy the charm that resides in the place. The golden sandy beach, the lively waves and the tranquil ambience make the perfect holiday spot.

Location

40kms away from hustle and bustle of the city life, the beach is the ideal place to relax and enjoy the virtuous nature. The local bus and auto will take you to this serene beach where you can indulge yourself in various activities.

About Covelong beach

Covelong beach was first discovered by Saadat Ali, he was the Nawab of Carnatic. In the year1746, Covelong was under the rule of French General Laboudonnais and a port was constructed to utilize the place as of the main business area. In the year 1752, the port was captured and destroyed by British East India Company under the leadership of Lord Clive.

Elliot's Beach


Introduction:

Elliot's beach is one of the popular beaches among the tourists who want to spend their time in leisure and receive fresh air. This beach is popular among the younger generation who loves to hang out in the less populated place. Elliot's beach is ideal picnic spot and water sport like swimming.

Location

The beach is well accessible by all modes of transport and the local autos and buses are the main mode of communication. The beach is a secluded beach unlike marina beach and is ideal for relaxing in peace away from the hustle and bustle of city.

About Elliot's beach

Elliot beach is the popular beaches in Tamil Nadu and this beach is very famous among the foreigners and young people who wants to spend their time in peace and gaze towards the beauty of the nature. There is a memorial stone to Danish sailor and there is a temple of Ashtalakshmi which is another name of Mahalakshmi.

You can relax and enjoy the sand and the sea and also indulge yourself in swimming and other water sport activities.

Tamilnadu new assembly building


Chennai: Bangalore firm Geodesic will be constructing the dome for the new Tamil Nadu Assembly building coming up in the Omandurar Government Estate. According to sources, the contract was awarded to the firm, which has a vast experience in constructing domes, late last month.

The dome will roof the Assembly hall alone and will be 30 m tall and 45 m in diameter. The fins of the dome will be cladded with granite and the lamellas with aluminum sheet. They will be held together with steel. The arhitects, GMP International of Germany, plan to project the dome as a modern reinterpretation of the thatched archaic temples typical of south India.

With the awarding of the contract for the construction of the dome, the Rs 425-cr project now moves to its final phase. The official date of completion is exactly three and a half months away, and the Public Works Department and the contractors and the architects are working overtime to make sure that at least the Assembly hall and the chief minister’s chamber are ready by March 31 next year.

On Thursday, work will also begin for construction of Block B or the Secretariat complex (Block A being the Assembly complex) with the ‘ground-breaking’ ceremony. Demolition of buildings is going on to make way for the Rs 272-cr project which will comprise seven blocks of sixstoreyed buildings. So far, the site has been cleared for construction of three blocks. Among the buildings awaiting demolition include the offices of the Tamil Nadu Public Services Commission, which will vacate the premises by the first week of January. The Secretariat project will be executed by Pune-based Vascon Engineers, while the Assembly complex is being built by East Coast Constructions and Industries Ltd.

To match the appearance of the Secretariat with the new Assembly complex, a special type of granite, sapphire blue, will be used to furnish the exterior of the seven blocks. The construction is expected to be completed in 15 months. An elevated corridor will connect the Assembly and the Secretariat complexes.

'Karma Veerar' KAMARAJAR



This most notable Tamilian once ruled Indian Politics. Called as the KING MAKER of Indian Politics, he was instrumental in making Lal Bahadur Shastri and Indira Gandhi as Prime Ministers.Kamraj was born on July 15, 1903 at Virudunagar. He was named Kamakshi Kumaraswamy Nader. He was a school dropout. At 16 he became full-time worker of the Congress. Kamarajar was arrested thrice by British for his participation in freedom struggle.

Kamaraj became Chief Minister of Madras Presidency in 1954 and ruled the state for three consecutive terms (thirteen years). Under his able leadership TamilNadu went through massive reforms. Tamilnadu took big strides in Education, Agriculture and Economy. His Mid-day meal scheme is still popular and servers its cause in Tamilnadu.He resigned his post to serve his party and the nation. He became the President of the All India Congress in 1964.Kamaraj was called with respect as Perunthalaivar Kamarajar. He lived in a rented house when he died on October 2, 1975. He was a rare gem of a politician and was awarded the Bharat Ratna (India's highest civilian award) after his death. "Mr Kamaraj was not rich and has not grown rich; he is a bachelor and has no family ties. He has been and is a whole-time politician and has laboured to acquire personal knowledge of men and things all over the Tamil country and he knows all the leaders of his party from every part of India. He has also acquired facility in English and very considerable knowledge of world affairs.


He is immensely popular for all these reasons and especially because he has no vices and leads a simple life. Above all he is the 'representative' Tamil as most Tamils imagine that figure. His ways of speaking, walking, eating and dress commend themselves to the many millions to whom these are familiar ways with nothing outlandish about them"


The political career of Kumaraswamy Kamaraj (1903-1975) spanning about 50 years, cutting across the colonial and post-independent phases, of Indian history, is indeed an enviable record. Representing a novel political culture neither bordering on Gandhian thought and action nor possessing the anglicised sophistication and cosmopolitanism of the Nehruvian vision, Kamaraj, rose from an underprivileged background, stood forth as a sober and robust figure winning the confidence and respect of the common people.


He showed a rare political acumen and the uncanny ability to grasp social and political realities from the grass roots level upwards. A hard core political realist, his political life was never governed by any high theories or fancy jargon. Accredited with the capacity to be at ease with cliques, groups, factions and castes, Kamaraj applied his energies in favour of common people. Endowed with an extraordinary memory, his minimal formal schooling was never a serious impediment. In fact rarely could a man from such a humble origin possess such knowledge about Tamil Nadu, be it geography or ethnography, which is beyond most intellectuals and academicians.


Kamaraj rose from the lowest Congress ranks during the freedom struggle to become the president of the Tamil Nadu Congress Party for over 20 years (1940-1963) interspersed by short intervals, the chief minister of Madras (1954-1963) for nine years; and, as the president of the Indian National Congress (1964-1967), he assumed the crucial role of 'kingmaker'. Kamaraj's ascendancy is all the more significant because he belonged to the low caste Nadar community, which had a long history of struggle against social oppression and economic deprivation.


The Nadars, originally known as Shanars, were found principally in the two southern districts of Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari. Palmyra climbing and toddy tapping were their traditional occupations. In the Hindu caste hierarchy the Nadars were ranked very low just above the untouchables and were forbidden entry into temples because of their association with alcohol. Mercantilism and Christianity played crucial roles in facilitating their upward mobility. Within a span of two centuries, they rose from near untouchability to a position of social and economic power. Though Kamaraj typified the Nadar success story he never was a leader of his community and transcended the bounds of Nadar caste identity dropping the caste title early in his political career.


Kamaraj was 'reluctant to accept' the chief ministership but the circumstance prevailed upon him as there was no 'alternative to the kingmaker himself ascending the throne.'Kamaraj took the mantle from Rajaji, and formed his first cabinet, which did not contain a single Brahmin contrary to Rajaji's first ministry in 1937, 'dominated by Brahmins'. The elevation of Kamaraj as the chief minister on the wave of opposition to the Rajaji scheme of education, led to the development of closer ties between Kamaraj and E V Ramasamy. The Congress gained the support of E V Ramasamy and Kamaraj's equation with the non-Brahmins was kept intact. E V Ramasamy was all set to endorse his solidarity with Kamaraj on the grounds that in all these years he was the first and only non-Brahmin with Tamil as his mother tongue to become the chief minister; and for the first time a full-fledged ministry had been formed without a single Brahmin headed! by Kamaraj.


One of the first political acts of Kamaraj during his tenure as chief minister was to widen representation of the rising non-Brahmins in the cabinet. Ministerial berths were given to the non-Brahmin caste-based parties, Tamil Nadu Toilers Party and Commonweal Party. Both the parties were subsequently 'subsumed' by the Congress. In a move to counter Tamil cultural politics espoused by the DMK, Kamaraj made conscious attempts to partake in the linguistic cultural matters. In order to placate Tamil aspirations, Kamaraj effected some measures. The efforts towards introducing Tamil language as a medium of instruction in schools and colleges was accompanied by the publication of textbooks on 'scientific and technical subjects' in Tamil. In 1960 the state education minister took steps to introduce Tamil in government arts colleges as a medium of instruction.


The introduction of the Tamil typewriter in government offices was another effort to change the language of administration gradually. Similarly the usage of Tamil in the courts received encouragement. To affirm his role in the linguistic politics of the state, Kamaraj did introduce a bill in February 1962 in the legislative assembly for changing the name of Madras to 'Tamilnad' for 'intra-state communication', the bill also proposing Madurai as the capital. But no decision was taken on it. However these moves were on a low key and inadequate to woo the masses. The DMK made capital out of this, routing Congress in the 1967 elections four years after Kamaraj relinquished his office as chief minister in accordance with the Kamaraj Plan to concentrate on Congress organisational work.


Committed to his version of 'socialism' meaning that "those who are backward should progress", Kamaraj remained truthful to the simple dictum of his 'socialism', providing 'what is essential for man's living' such as 'dwelling, job, food and education'. The great feature of Kamaraj rule was the ending of the retrogressive educational policies and setting the stage for universal and free schooling. Six thousand schools closed down by Rajagopalachari were revived and 12,000 schools added. The percentage of school going children in the age group between 6 and 11 increased from 45 per cent to 75 per cent within a span of seven years after he became the chief minister.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Mahabalipuram


Tamilnadu is best known for the hospitality shown towards, by every individual. This tendency of the people has made people visiting Tamilnadu more comfortable and secured. The people are sentimental and lone to be kind and generous. There are many qualities to speak about this state and its people. Tamilnadu has its own history right from the past. Tamil is one of the ancient languages. Tamil is also the source for the others neighboring Dravidian languages such as Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam and Thulu.

Tamilnadu which has in the southern past of India, which is the last of all states in the topography of India, has many beautiful places to watch. There are many beautiful sceneries, ancient monuments, historic temples for their unique sculptures, the culture and tradition of the natives and so on. There are lots of other things to be spoken as well. One such place to be watched, toward and enjoyed is mahabalipuram. This is a magnificent tourist place. Welcome to mahabalipuram, a legacy in stone.

Mahabalipuram lies on the Coromandel Coast which faces the Bay of Bengal. This is an elegant place to watch which a well established sea port was during the 7th and 10th centuries of the Pallava dynasty. This was the second capital of the Pallavas who ruled Kanchipuram. Formerly, mahabalipuram was known and called as Mahabalipuram. The former name of this place ‘Mahabalipuram’ has a history. A very rude cruel king Mahabali reined this place and in a fierce battle king Mahabali was killed by Lord Vishnu and the place was named after the dead, arrogant kind Mahabali.

It was during the reign of King Narasimha Varman I, the name Mahabalipuram was changed. It was renamed mahabalipuram which is called till now. There is a story behind. The name Mamallpuram king Narasimha Varman I was a great and valiant warrior. He was given the title Mamalla which means ‘the great wrestler’ so the name was converted from Mahabalipuram to mahabalipuram considering the great king and his achievements.

After the decline of the Gupta Dynasty, the pallavas rose to the pioneer in south India. They ruled over from the 3rd century till the end of the 9th century A.D. The best period of their rule was between 650 and 750 AD and this period was called the Golden Age of the pallavas. The pallavas were very powerful. They were profound thinkers.

It was during the rule of the pallavas, great poets, dramatists, artists, artisans, scholars and saints emerged. As one can say that the pallavas are the pioneers and forerunners of new styles both in art and architecture and mahabalipuram is the best place to praise off their skill and talent. New sculptures and unique paintings were innovative and exuberant. This place mahabalipuram itself became their exploring field and they made the best use of the resources. They game a shape and creative energy to what they imagined. It became a dream come true as it witnessed innovations in all styles.

The richness in mahabalipuram was not known to many, as these pallavas did not outlet and expose their quality and innovative creations to the outer world for obvious reasons. The aestheticism in mahabalipuram was hidden until the late 185h century. What is special about mahabalipuram? Of course every one can point out the rock - cut caves, temples made from a single rock, temples and strives of different structures, and bas-reliefs which are so artistic and sheer creativity. Mamallpuram is referred as an ‘open-air museum’. The great pallava kings Narasimha I and Rajasimha have well preserved these stylistic qualities that one enjoys in mahabalipuram even in the present day.

The beauty of the place is not only due to these architecture but the vast casuarinas trees, the silvery sandy beach the classical hand male crafts around have made them all to form what is a collective splendor. Any visitor who visits mahabalipuram will remain startled and intoxicated with the grandeur. They feel hand hearted and more out from this historical and fascinating tourist spot.

Mahabalipuram Information

Mahabalipuram Area 8 sq. km.
Mahabalipuram Altitude Sea level
Mahabalipuram Population 12,000
Mahabalipuram Climate
Summer Max. 36.6°C Min 21.1°C Winter Max. 30.5°C Min 19.8°C
Mahabalipuram Rainfall 32.5 cm average
Mahabalipuram Clothing Tropical
Mahabalipuram Languages Spoken Tamil and English
Mahabalipuram Tourist Season Throught the year

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