For some reason, the Karpagambal Temple in Mylapore, Madras has been in my thoughts this morning. The wonderful Dravidian temple built by the Pallavas in the 7th century is one of favourites. Unlike some of the great temples in places like Madurai and Trichy, the Karpagambal is right in the heart of an Indian metro city.
It was a pleasure for me to visit the temple and the area during a hectic business trip in February. Away from the usual crowds of Chennai, Karpagambal and its pond take you back to another era. The simplicity, charm and cleanliness of the area are also a major turn-on.
As much as I love Banganga on Malabar Hill, the feeling at the ancient Madras temple is different. It's one of continuity, of traditions that have been passed down through several scores of generations. Another temple that has that kind of aura is the Bull Temple in Basavanagudi in Bangalore. I wrote an article about that temple and the area a couple of years ago.
http://in.reuters.com/article/2009/08/28/us-bangalore-neighbourhood-idINTRE57R0TG20090828
It was a pleasure for me to visit the temple and the area during a hectic business trip in February. Away from the usual crowds of Chennai, Karpagambal and its pond take you back to another era. The simplicity, charm and cleanliness of the area are also a major turn-on.
As much as I love Banganga on Malabar Hill, the feeling at the ancient Madras temple is different. It's one of continuity, of traditions that have been passed down through several scores of generations. Another temple that has that kind of aura is the Bull Temple in Basavanagudi in Bangalore. I wrote an article about that temple and the area a couple of years ago.
http://in.reuters.com/article/2009/08/28/us-bangalore-neighbourhood-idINTRE57R0TG20090828
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