By Desis, for Desis and Everyone Else!!
This site seeks to demystify Indian customs and culture for anyone who wants to learn more. Hopefully, you find the content interesting, educational and find answers to questions you had, but never asked.
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What’s a Desi?
The term “desi” is a term that is commonly used by people from the Indian subcontinent to refer to themselves or other people (origin or ancestry) from the region.
The word “Desi” is derived from the Sanskrit word “desh,” which means “country” or “region” or “homeland”. (‘Sanskrit’ word ‘Desh’? What is Sanskrit?)
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Desi people can come from countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Maldives. The term can also be used to describe aspects of Indian origin culture, including food, clothing, music, and art.
Meenakshi Temple
The Meenakshi Temple is one of the most significant and revered temples in Tamil Nadu, India.
Top Image Credit எஸ்ஸார், CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where is the Meenakshi Amman Temple?
The Meenakshi Amman (Amman – Mother) It is located in the city of Madurai, and is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi, an incarnation of Parvati, and her consort Lord Sundareswarar, who is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. The temple is also known as the Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple, and is considered one of the finest examples of Tamilian architecture.
Madurai, the city where the temple is located, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a history dating back to the 3rd century BCE.
The Meenakshi Temple was built in the 17th century by the Nayak dynasty, who ruled over Madurai at that time. The temple complex covers an area of about 15 acres and is made up of four main entrances or gopurams, which are adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures. The main gopuram is over 50 meters tall, making it one of the tallest temple towers in India.
The main deity of the Meenakshi Temple is Goddess Meenakshi, who is considered the presiding deity of Madurai. She is depicted with four arms, holding a lotus, a parrot, a bow, and a scepter. Lord Sundareswarar, her consort, is depicted with one arm holding a trident and the other in a gesture of blessing.
The Meenakshi Temple is renowned for its Tamilian architectural style, characterized by towering gopurams, intricate carvings, and colorful paintings.
The temple’s pillars, ceilings, and walls are adorned with elaborate sculptures depicting scenes from Hindu mythology and daily life. The temple is also famous for its golden lotus tank, which is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva performed his cosmic dance.
Special Features in the temple
Gopurams
A gopuram is a monumental tower, usually ornately decorated, that is a prominent feature of the entrances to many Hindu temples in South India. These towers are typically made of stone or brick, and rise to several stories, with each story featuring intricate carvings and sculptures depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.
In South Indian temple architecture, the gopuram is an essential element and serves as the gateway to the temple’s inner sanctum. It is believed that the gopuram acts as a symbolic boundary between the physical world and the spiritual realm, and that crossing the threshold of the gopuram is equivalent to entering a sacred space.
The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu has 14 gopurams or towers, with the four tallest ones located at the entrances on the four cardinal directions. Each of these gopurams has a unique name and significance, which are as follows:
East Gopuram
This is the main entrance to the temple and is known as the “Indra Vimanam” as it is believed to be the abode of the Hindu god Indra.
South Gopuram
This entrance is known as the “Sundara Pandya Vimanam” named after the Pandya king who is said to have built the gopuram.
West Gopuram
This entrance is called the “Velli Vayil Vimanam” which means “Silver Courtyard Tower.” It is said to have been covered in silver plates in ancient times.
North Gopuram
This entrance is known as the “Kadaka Vimanam” named after the sage Kadamba who is believed to have built it.
The remaining 10 gopurams are smaller and are located within the temple complex. Each of these gopurams also has a unique name and significance, which are as follows:
Ashta Shakthi Mandapam Gopuram
This gopuram leads to the Ashta Shakthi Mandapam, which is a hall dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi’s eight forms.
Kilikoondu Mandapam Gopuram
This gopuram leads to the Kilikoondu Mandapam, which is a hall where the temple elephant is housed.
Ashta Bhuja Gopuram
This gopuram leads to a shrine dedicated to the eight-armed goddess Durga.
Sundareswarar Shrine Gopuram
This gopuram leads to the shrine of the temple’s presiding deity, Lord Sundareswarar.
Meenakshi Nayakkar Mandapam Gopuram
This gopuram leads to a hall used for religious and cultural performances.
Pudu Mandapam Gopuram
This gopuram leads to a hall used for temple processions.
Vasantha Mandapam Gopuram
This gopuram leads to a hall that is used during the spring festival of Vasanthotsavam.
Oonjal Mandapam Gopuram
This gopuram leads to a hall where the deities are placed on swings during festivals.
Kilikoondu Mandapam Vayil Gopuram
This gopuram leads to the courtyard where the temple elephant is bathed.
Shenbaga Vimanam Gopuram
This gopuram leads to a shrine dedicated to the god Vishnu.
Mandapas
Mandapas, are pillared halls or pavilions found in Hindu temples. These halls are used for religious and cultural events such as music, dance, and recitals, and also serve as spaces for devotees to gather and meditate.
The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, has several mantapas within its complex, each with its own unique name and significance. Some of the mantapas in the temple are:
Ashta Shakthi Mandapam
This is a hall dedicated to the eight forms of the goddess Meenakshi, and is located in the eastern part of the temple complex. It is also known as the “Hall of Eight Shakthis” and is used for various cultural and religious events.
Kilikoondu Mandapam
This is a pillared hall located near the temple tank, and is used for storing the temple chariots and the temple elephant.
Meenakshi Nayakar Mandapam
This is a hall located on the northern side of the temple complex and is used for various events such as music concerts and dance performances.
Oonjal Mandapam
This is a pavilion located in the southwest corner of the temple complex and is used during temple festivals. It is also called the “Swing Pavilion” and is where the deities are placed on swings.
Pudu Mandapam
This is a hall located near the eastern entrance of the temple, and is used for various events during temple festivals.
Vasantha Mandapam
This is a hall located on the northern side of the temple complex, and is used during the spring festival of Vasanthotsavam.
Raja Gopuram Mandapam
This is a hall located in the tallest gopuram of the temple, and is used for various events during temple festivals.
Interesting facts about the Meenakshi Temple and the surrounding area include:
- The temple has 14 gopurams, with the tallest one being the southern tower, which is 170 feet tall.
- The temple complex has several shrines and halls, including the 1000-pillar hall, which is renowned for its intricate carvings and sculptures.
- The temple is a popular pilgrimage site, with thousands of devotees visiting every day.
- The temple also hosts several festivals throughout the year, including the Meenakshi Thirukalyanam, which celebrates the marriage of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar.
- Madurai, the city where the temple is located, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, with a history dating back to the 3rd century BCE.
- The city has been an important center of trade and culture for centuries and is known for its rich heritage, including its music, dance, and cuisine.
- Madurai is also known for its street food, including the famous Madurai Jigarthanda, a refreshing drink made with milk, almond gum, and nannari syrup, and the delicious Madurai idli, which is softer and fluffier than the typical South Indian idli.
- Madurai is also home to several other important temples, including the Koodal Azhagar Temple, the Pazhamudhir Solai Temple, and the Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple, all of which are worth visiting.
Angkor Wat
What is Angkor Wat?
Angkor Wat is a temple complex located in the city of Siem Reap in Cambodia. It was built in the early 12th century by the Khmer Empire, a powerful civilization that ruled over much of Southeast Asia from the 9th to the 15th century.
The Khmer Empire was responsible for constructing many impressive structures, including Angkor Wat, which is considered one of the most significant and impressive archaeological sites in Southeast Asia.
Who built Angkor Wat?
It was built during the reign of King Suryavarman II, who ruled from 1113 to 1150 AD. The temple complex was originally built as a Hindu temple dedicated to the god Vishnu, but was later converted into a Buddhist temple in the 14th century.
Why is Angkor Wat popular?
Angkor, the largest pre-industrial city in the world, was more expansive than modern-day Los Angeles or Paris and ANY medieval European cities.
Flourishing around the 12th and 13th centuries, it spanned over 1,000 square kilometers with a population between 700,000 to 900,000.
Its urban planning and architecture were advanced, with extensive roads, canals, and sophisticated water management systems supporting its large population and agriculture.
Angkor Wat, the city’s centerpiece, showcased elaborate construction techniques and detailed stonework, illustrating the Khmer Empire’s cultural richness and organizational prowess. Compared to medieval London’s 50,000 residents, Angkor’s scale was monumental.
Angkor Wat is significant for its incredible architectural design and intricate carvings, which depict scenes from ancient Hindu epics and everyday life in ancient Cambodia. The temple complex is also a symbol of the Khmer Empire’s power and cultural achievements during its heyday.
The complex includes several smaller temples surrounding Angkor Wat such as Ta Prohm Temple which has been left mostly untouched since its discovery in 1858; Bayon Temple which features four giant stone faces carved into towers; Banteay Kdei Temple whose walls are decorated with intricate carvings depicting Hindu mythology; Preah Khan (Sacred Sword) Temple which contains some well-preserved sculptures from Buddhist iconography; Phnom Bakheng Hill where visitors can enjoy stunning views over Siem Reap city at sunset time ; Banteay Srei (“Citadel of Women”); and many more!
Who are the Khmer?
The Khmer people are an ethnic group that is native to Cambodia and parts of neighboring countries such as Vietnam and Thailand.
The Khmers have a long and complex history, and are believed to have originated from the Indian subcontinent.
They are related to the people of India and other parts of South Asia through a shared cultural and linguistic heritage, and were heavily influenced by Indian religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism.
What’s does India got to do with Angkor Wat?
The Khmer Empire was particularly influenced by Indian culture, and many of its art and architectural styles were inspired by Indian models.
For example, the design of Angkor Wat is believed to have been inspired by the Indian temple architecture of the Pallava dynasty in southern India. (See more South Indian temples)
The Khmer people also adopted many Hindu and Buddhist religious beliefs and practices from India, which greatly influenced their culture and way of life.
See this for more details and what to do when you visit Angkor Wat.
Barabagh
Badabagh, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
In the outskirts of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, there is a complex known as Bada Bagh, which is famous for its cenotaphs.
Bada Bagh, also referred to as Barabagh, is an ancient royal cenotaph garden located about 6 kilometers from the city of Jaisalmer. It is a serene and captivating place where you can find a series of beautifully crafted chhatris (cenotaphs) dedicated to the rulers of the Bhatti dynasty.
The cenotaphs are made of yellow sandstone and showcase intricate architectural designs. They stand tall against the backdrop of the desert landscape, creating a mesmerizing sight. Bada Bagh is a popular tourist attraction where visitors can explore the rich history and architectural heritage of Jaisalmer.
Cultural Significance
The cenotaphs at Bada Bagh in Jaisalmer hold significant cultural and historical importance. They are dedicated to the rulers of the Bhatti dynasty, who played a crucial role in the history of Jaisalmer.
In Rajasthani culture, cenotaphs, also known as chhatris, serve as memorial structures to honor and commemorate the deceased. These cenotaphs are constructed in a distinctive architectural style, reflecting the artistic traditions of the region. The cenotaphs at Bada Bagh are primarily made of yellow sandstone, which is a characteristic feature of Jaisalmer’s architecture.
Each cenotaph is adorned with intricate carvings, depicting scenes from the lives of the rulers and their valorous deeds. The chhatris are often decorated with intricate motifs, including floral patterns, ornamental designs, and religious symbols. The craftsmanship displayed on these structures is a testament to the artistic skill and cultural heritage of the region.
Visiting the cenotaphs at Bada Bagh provides a glimpse into the regal history of Jaisalmer and offers an opportunity to pay respects to the rulers who once reigned over the land. It allows visitors to appreciate the architectural splendor and immerse themselves in the rich cultural tapestry of Rajasthan.
These cenotaphs not only serve as architectural marvels but also serve as a link to the past, preserving the memory and legacy of the Bhatti rulers for generations to come. They stand as a reminder of the glorious history of Jaisalmer and the contributions of the rulers who shaped the region’s identity.
What’s a Chhatri? When were these built?
A chhatri, is a type of architectural feature commonly found in Indian and Rajasthani architecture. The word “chhatri” translates to “umbrella” or “canopy” in Hindi. It refers to a small, dome-shaped pavilion or cenotaph that is often supported by pillars.
Chhatris were traditionally built as memorial structures or cenotaphs to honor important individuals, such as royalty or high-ranking officials. They served as architectural tributes to commemorate the deceased and their contributions to society. Chhatris were typically constructed in prominent locations, such as near water bodies, atop hills, or within temple complexes.
The construction of chhatris flourished during the medieval period in India, particularly from the 16th to the 19th centuries. They can be found across various regions of India, with notable examples in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.
The chhatris are characterized by their elegant design and elaborate decorations. They often feature intricately carved pillars, domes, and arches, showcasing the architectural skills and artistic traditions of the time. The materials used for construction vary, ranging from stone and marble to sandstone and brick, depending on the region and the resources available.
Chhatris are not limited to cenotaphs but can also be found as decorative elements in palace complexes, temples, and havelis (traditional mansions). They continue to be an integral part of Indian architecture, representing the cultural heritage and artistic finesse of the bygone eras.
The term Desi can refer to people of Indian subcontinent origin or ancestry, or it can refer to the cultural practices and products of the region.
Desi food, will include dishes such as biryani, Pongal, samosas, Dosa, Idli, Parantha, Chawal and dal, while Desi fashion may feature traditional clothing styles like sarees, salwar kameez, Dhoti, and kurta pajama.
Desi music may include traditional folk music (dozens of styles), classical music (also several distinct schools), traditional dance (several traditional and ancient styles) and popular movie or music genres like Bollywood, Tollywood, Kollywood, Mollywood (all different regional language film industry names – a play on the word Hollywood).
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