{"chapterKey":"india-peninsular/cauvery-temples-4-kumbakonam","title":"Cauvery Temples 4. Kumbakonam","regionSlug":"india-peninsular","status":"published","photos":[{"sha":"d933302e62bc58094c927fec86443b1cb896a17c2aa464d13b2ad750577ea88a","caption":"An Immaculate wall, even modern if you overlook the little Nandis up top.  This is the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram, just outside Kunbakonam.  It was built at the order of Rajaraja II (r. 1150-1173) about a century after Rajaraja I built the Big Temple  Tanjore.  Yes, at the left edge you can see lawn, a tipoff that the Archaeological Survey of India is in charge.","width":4080,"height":3072,"aspect":1.3281,"orientation":"landscape","layoutHint":"wide","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/78512da039b72954036b427d293cef5b","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/a31d2858ab3326fc911c4451898277fa","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/2ed9552241883dc55d896bce95da6f1e","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/06375cb81195228f46d6b18b73bd1e1f","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/d933302e62bc58094c927fec86443b1c","altText":"An Immaculate wall, even modern if you overlook the little Nandis up top.  This is the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram, just outside Kunba"},{"sha":"d83c428f49192772d07fbb191425afdbe18fc32bf5c1ddd1b19a946c277e3c99","caption":"The main entry is modest compared to that at Thanjuvur's Big Temple., but everything here, not just the entry, is on a reduced scale.  The gopuram reminds me (I'm shameless) of a covered wagon carried by family members acting like pall bearers.  Note also that the temple is below the ground surface.   Credit civil engineers who sometime in the last century failed to realize (or didn't care) that the temple would flood during the monsoon.  The little sign on a pedestal is another reminder that we're at a World Heritage site and are not allowed to take pictures that don't include something new.  (You're right.  Things could be worse: consider the huge sign blocking the \"Sleeping Buddha\" at Polonnuwara--or, worse still, the tower at Pagan/Bagan.)","width":3072,"height":4080,"aspect":0.7529,"orientation":"portrait","layoutHint":"beside_text","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/7c648976fdfbfb3a536d5a4283756434","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/de722d1cdda98c9cd1266a57f8de39a1","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/a1d43d64555da8471ac14c97fe75e3e1","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/d83c428f49192772d07fbb191425afdb","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/d83c428f49192772d07fbb191425afdb","altText":"The main entry is modest compared to that at Thanjuvur's Big Temple., but everything here, not just the entry, is on a reduced scale.  The g"},{"sha":"58e307ade52195fbbc3a60681aba3d5dd47ec8fc5490a431166fdc26d7664281","caption":"An eminent student writes that \"the temple at Darasuram is the most evocative in Chola art...\" (Calembus Sivaramamurti, in *5000 Years of the Art of India*, 1978, p. 251.)  Elsewhere, he writes that Airavatesvara is so elaborately detailed that it is \"a sculptor's dream re-lived in stone.\" (Sivaramamurti, *The Art of India*, pp. 256-7, quoted by S. R. Balasubrahmanyam in *Later Chola Temples: Kulottunga I to Rajendra III (A.D. 1070-1280), *1979, p. 233.)","width":4080,"height":3072,"aspect":1.3281,"orientation":"landscape","layoutHint":"wide","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/b833a8be506f13a83d60487332383453","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/a65dd344bb1af79c6397d2c32fb4e530","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/a499d2ca355c6f3bcbb7ccf299b96b07","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/71da9541a509faba8d6eabdb95125408","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/58e307ade52195fbbc3a60681aba3d5d","altText":"An eminent student writes that \"the temple at Darasuram is the most evocative in Chola art...\" Calembus Sivaramamurti, in 5000 Years of the"},{"sha":"b8a6b444fa365113bc0f54aa007c97d3f610255dc732bea41e8e9eed592e42ba","caption":"The temple is about to take flight, thanks to its horses and wheels.  The idea of making a temple into a chariot was not new: it appears (appeared first?) 20 miles to the northeast at the small Melakkadambur temple built by Rajaraja II's predecessor.  After its use here, the idea was magnified a century later at the huge sun temple at Konark, on the coast some 800 miles to the north.   The connection is that the builder of Konark, Narasimha, was a descendant of Kulottunga I, the builder of Melakkadambur.  (A few photos of Melakkadambur, including its wheels, are at the tail end of the Gangaikondacholapuram Temple.  There's a file on Konark, too.)","width":4080,"height":3072,"aspect":1.3281,"orientation":"landscape","layoutHint":"wide","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/465123d615c4c6c0aac8ab1ca9fec8e4","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/db202128222a52e8b1d38e3bd97c12cc","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/ba628ead7d76b9a092ec783db17c4ce7","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/4304f1fc611a8b14583e55b3e1f5f1fe","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/b8a6b444fa365113bc0f54aa007c97d3","altText":"The temple is about to take flight, thanks to its horses and wheels.  The idea of making a temple into a chariot was not new: it appears app"},{"sha":"01e86c65e086153e5f2b5a20c93a6b2f0f0a4e4ba7fa1da35848d01457b5969c","caption":"Near those wheels there's this confusing image.  Notice that the left breast is male, the right one female.  Some authors call this Ardhanari, a bi-sexual blend of Shiva and Parvati.  The female half holds a skull cup, however, which is part of the reason for  another scholar (Ramachandran Nagaswamy) calling this an image of Tantri Mahamaya.   Opting for vagueness, the Archaeological Survey of India has called this a \"unique syncretisation of divinities...\" (Sirkali Ramaswamy or just plain S. R. Subrahmanyam wonders if this image was part of a Sakti cult. (S.R. Subrahmanyam, *Later Chola Temples*, 1979, pp. 232-4.)","width":3072,"height":4080,"aspect":0.7529,"orientation":"portrait","layoutHint":"beside_text","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/011d51518fdbfada98a2f0a41e4ce64e","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/c2a501792dc2b7426fb02f9d1a76dca6","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/da3380bee4bac629c75f4ffcd91d834c","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01e86c65e086153e5f2b5a20c93a6b2f","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/01e86c65e086153e5f2b5a20c93a6b2f","altText":"Near those wheels there's this confusing image.  Notice that the left breast is male, the right one female.  Some authors call this Ardhanar"},{"sha":"35e592f9cb0af3de30e4bd6b9bdcd02177fe0932d88b5d7a058068007022516f","caption":"I\n\nPathway through the temple toward the sanctum, the *garbhagriya, *literally the womb chamber.","width":3072,"height":4080,"aspect":0.7529,"orientation":"portrait","layoutHint":"narrow","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/eff4625d9dabe816c3b96b444d574ccc","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/2b1a898565a0b380ede20c87cb86aaf9","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/3468d4e5f207794cd92b84f706d2b738","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/35e592f9cb0af3de30e4bd6b9bdcd021","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/35e592f9cb0af3de30e4bd6b9bdcd021","altText":"I\n\nPathway through the temple toward the sanctum, the garbhagriya, literally the womb chamber."},{"sha":"21555c4a11a460fcfdd6a4c0e929543eb69c83a6a1d55d0a7003d87f2cfecc6e","caption":"The lingam.","width":3072,"height":4080,"aspect":0.7529,"orientation":"portrait","layoutHint":"narrow","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/e4de522ac6ae5ff06d1a0102dcedbaea","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/c618d7bac4fe4a520f40b301469a7392","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/415b6b17fc6efd5e714be782a57a38c8","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/21555c4a11a460fcfdd6a4c0e929543e","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/21555c4a11a460fcfdd6a4c0e929543e","altText":"The lingam."},{"sha":"ba9f7321938beb59e67e535d67cd670666bfc8a8c684a7d57023fbe9ee04d95a","caption":"The temple once held a statue of Rajaraja II, but it's been moved to the Thanjuvur Art Gallery.  Pity.  Don't suppose there's a campaign to repatriate it.","width":4080,"height":3072,"aspect":1.3281,"orientation":"landscape","layoutHint":"wide","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/6e14fefeab346c0b2c74082abac27c17","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/f81ab24cb66c722bba51c5d642189260","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/37469fe342e0cf0e1e915e95c7d6cc97","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/5f7fd93ac44342801509e1c624bb6990","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/ba9f7321938beb59e67e535d67cd6706","altText":"The temple once held a statue of Rajaraja II, but it's been moved to the Thanjuvur Art Gallery.  Pity.  Don't suppose there's a campaign to"},{"sha":"94540f2f57840b308b353325b025c0acbc4c1fad0e7880d2b20cd8c6c2325f27","caption":"We've moved to an older temple in the center of Kumbakonam.  *The Encyclopedia of Indian Temple Architecture* calls this \"perhaps the most celebrated\" early Chola building (vol. 1, part 1, p. 159).  It's the Nagesvaran Temple, with a core built during the reign of Aditya I (870-907), the second Chola king.   The gopuram is centuries later.","width":3072,"height":4080,"aspect":0.7529,"orientation":"portrait","layoutHint":"beside_text","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fbc63b60da258c6fed0aa0ecfa34a2c8","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/5de68c8124b1734dba7d657888196fb6","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/adbea3ef69c80b9118b50dd264889c2b","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/94540f2f57840b308b353325b025c0ac","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/94540f2f57840b308b353325b025c0ac","altText":"We've moved to an older temple in the center of Kumbakonam.  The Encyclopedia of Indian Temple Architecture calls this \"perhaps the most cel"},{"sha":"85aeb4cacabf9e7937447239d24c780afd01f373e226dc32615a8f392605dffc","caption":"You're not impressed by the inside?  Cool your jets.","width":4080,"height":3072,"aspect":1.3281,"orientation":"landscape","layoutHint":"wide","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/b72d24dd51ff6f168e5abe04dcc61134","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/05ed83c2103354016e89b61f5dde77f6","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/b66bd36b63873e30361bb90c3b108004","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/320cd4a86a71a647603ec95077c84c8e","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/85aeb4cacabf9e7937447239d24c780a","altText":"You're not impressed by the inside?  Cool your jets."},{"sha":"a4cbb00eb604b586d7c7a28fc1de62bf41cb84cf48b5ea9d9eba454de1c187e4","caption":"No better?  Take it easy.","width":4080,"height":3072,"aspect":1.3281,"orientation":"landscape","layoutHint":"wide","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/f84193b0df21f10ffe3208fb28e79b16","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/ac3fb698454bbe22351c62fd83f1dfb9","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fa07cfd9cccec84385570f701c918aa2","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/f711bf15171c934df49827db21ca4122","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/a4cbb00eb604b586d7c7a28fc1de62bf","altText":"No better?  Take it easy."},{"sha":"8fbebd67d25ee72b93d815cc5dbb721697fb03fbf1fdebb3afc43901264c8b70","caption":"'\n\nWe're entering the mandapas or porches leading to the shrine.","width":4080,"height":3072,"aspect":1.3281,"orientation":"landscape","layoutHint":"wide","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/2ff621b3f86d0af920b9fe0ba0d06cdf","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/9fffcee0b68f9cbd3d58246a899ffda4","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/cc75b9bf547f65bc37c1d789088becd2","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/f50d8f8e16a5190158ccc985bcbdb450","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/8fbebd67d25ee72b93d815cc5dbb7216","altText":"'\n\nWe're entering the mandapas or porches leading to the shrine."},{"sha":"d27f29f7c649da84c0d635727f2884c1f997cbac55f3a762c81f9703c8f2f8dd","caption":"I may as well tell you that I'm heading to the outside wall.","width":3072,"height":4080,"aspect":0.7529,"orientation":"portrait","layoutHint":"narrow","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/cfbadd75b9a8997976d9ccb5fb2fb9cd","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/8cbcd8e71f06282080b9fafe4777558d","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/7b22958f853deb9fe2895471f2e3123c","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/d27f29f7c649da84c0d635727f2884c1","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/d27f29f7c649da84c0d635727f2884c1","altText":"I may as well tell you that I'm heading to the outside wall."},{"sha":"fb59643a720772f0d6e57fba2513538770446dae6f52c2662efe00bcc420e25e","caption":"The late S.R. Balasubrahmanyam, a leading authority, writes, \"This is one of the finest of the early Chola temples.  Its original structure and the exquisite sculptures on it were really things of beauty radiating joy and aesthetic elevation.  It is a pity that this gem of art is marred by bizarre colour-coating indulged in by modern renovators ignorant of the value of true art.\"   (S.R. Balasubrahmanyam, *Early Chola Art*, Part 1, 1966, p. 136.)  An English author is almost equally angry: this shrine  \"cleaned and relieved of its disfiguring stucco on the tower, would be one of the finest things in India.\"  (Douglas Barrett, *Early Cola Architecture and Sculpture*, 1974, p. 68.)\n\nAnd they didn't even get to enjoy the concrete addition!","width":4080,"height":3072,"aspect":1.3281,"orientation":"landscape","layoutHint":"wide","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/c1ec9034ece773378ad26efeef3885f4","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/1205fe3c1a5dcd744e0d4d6d2d101d0d","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/976f3081896336ab45b9f8306abebc3d","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/801f2b6419305d594f3d948760e16f9e","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fb59643a720772f0d6e57fba25135387","altText":"The late S.R. Balasubrahmanyam, a leading authority, writes, \"This is one of the finest of the early Chola temples.  Its original structure"},{"sha":"c385fb6600155fb1e691207a4f69b38b7fde0ae3166f3b435e66163e7fcda44e","caption":"Here's the stand-out: an image of Brahma on the north side of the *vimana*.","width":4080,"height":3072,"aspect":1.3281,"orientation":"landscape","layoutHint":"wide","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/717676d40cbaed5ab4367dde01ba4efc","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/0860f66cd14a358faa7297e8891a916e","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/37249f41dd6877bca7a59fd439dbfb4d","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/b40230463c198f3a2149d6f48f993fc1","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/c385fb6600155fb1e691207a4f69b38b","altText":"Here's the stand-out: an image of Brahma on the north side of the vimana."},{"sha":"56e11311452ac8d7aaa095675562ce44ef0e916bbae78b60c4d55b319cd801c3","caption":"Closer.  The *Encyclopedia of Indian Temple Architecture *says that these figures have a \"vitality and intensity unknown in other Cola examples\"  (1983, vol. 1, part 1, p.161).","width":3072,"height":4080,"aspect":0.7529,"orientation":"portrait","layoutHint":"narrow","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/b406f39a1260bb58c9e154356e979aa4","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/af68b65543c095e97d642c41361dac2e","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/52a5ee6e432cbee9711d8e5b3c958242","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/56e11311452ac8d7aaa095675562ce44","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/56e11311452ac8d7aaa095675562ce44","altText":"Closer.  The Encyclopedia of Indian Temple Architecture says that these figures have a \"vitality and intensity unknown in other Cola example"},{"sha":"83b23e563ec867b17d278df23b6248d9a384faeab0213286aeb91331a105d8c2","caption":"You buy that?  I do--and more.  Sorry, but I can't tell you what he's saying.  It's personal.","width":3072,"height":4080,"aspect":0.7529,"orientation":"portrait","layoutHint":"narrow","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/00d1483dc440bb8fb8f8976f556b0a44","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/f583afde90325ca16e48a464e971969d","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/5428a1c2c8865660bd05d56e7930477e","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/83b23e563ec867b17d278df23b6248d9","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/83b23e563ec867b17d278df23b6248d9","altText":"You buy that?  I do--and more.  Sorry, but I can't tell you what he's saying.  It's personal."},{"sha":"70611500759da2772a3de218e9c46869a326581585295f05915a2318f6cf6866","caption":"We've moved on to a side entrance (no gopuram here, or at least none left) of the Adi Kumbeswararar Temple.","width":4080,"height":3072,"aspect":1.3281,"orientation":"landscape","layoutHint":"wide","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/ca4782ad1b22f77bc83ee037837c6f69","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/710ed20305c5849dc9b1bbf3e1f46fdd","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/307d51f80a3dfc29023ed180a73b334a","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/f85ad979c80cc87c9884601a2c2dbba0","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/70611500759da2772a3de218e9c46869","altText":"We've moved on to a side entrance no gopuram here, or at least none left of the Adi Kumbeswararar Temple."},{"sha":"1776f8fda4496f59ca903d6b6ba3872615becfd31723d0af58160de0abf730a2","caption":"Gotta love these billboards.","width":4080,"height":3072,"aspect":1.3281,"orientation":"landscape","layoutHint":"wide","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/6bfe44eafcf3d86960ae0e26c9bada12","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/7294a552525f855772694909dde4997d","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/caf760a4516700675c93d34b1d432846","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/145a97119d6ebc1d4e5d06948b46bcd6","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/1776f8fda4496f59ca903d6b6ba38726","altText":"Gotta love these billboards."},{"sha":"66bb4344fdf5d756e8d3fb2c184c4f67765a58e02fac2ca89f5f0a2bf6296d0f","caption":"Popular place, with shrines to both Shiva as Adi Kumbeswarar and Parvati as Mangalambai Amman.","width":4080,"height":3072,"aspect":1.3281,"orientation":"landscape","layoutHint":"wide","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/9921b2eee089ee7c8379df4bc69a4e02","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/26166e9c31b90e2c5e6f2f6c41e1e9bc","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/f2073641bc22d5f5fe4faa7de0b0f746","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/3ee40f200ec1f6c29cb9a19b73edea3b","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/66bb4344fdf5d756e8d3fb2c184c4f67","altText":"Popular place, with shrines to both Shiva as Adi Kumbeswarar and Parvati as Mangalambai Amman."},{"sha":"7c910f8d06be5773967d5f7d6db42d674b81a825df807f657da10d740d078d63","caption":"Parts of the temple, like these pillars, are from the 1600s and later.","width":3072,"height":4080,"aspect":0.7529,"orientation":"portrait","layoutHint":"narrow","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/9874103e0637085963edaa2373a07eff","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/4a036ba22188867179a8360d5e3babcf","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/81097b163b18cb49e6aa964f9dce7e92","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/7c910f8d06be5773967d5f7d6db42d67","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/7c910f8d06be5773967d5f7d6db42d67","altText":"Parts of the temple, like these pillars, are from the 1600s and later."},{"sha":"5e75837ebd556879783293a39c8f488d70ffba26f7d1d8e9ceb576c3caed40d1","caption":"This pillared hall had no wall until somebody in charge decided that walls should be added, with barred windows.  A trifle grim, no?","width":4080,"height":3072,"aspect":1.3281,"orientation":"landscape","layoutHint":"wide","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/9539605e6a3bfd21e943cfbe66564935","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/c264872b36f08b85f9f75d0698d955a5","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/90dd10debbce0125a611dcc88eb8b7f8","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/78a80458d75cd4f2869c4ef08c6ee838","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/5e75837ebd556879783293a39c8f488d","altText":"This pillared hall had no wall until somebody in charge decided that walls should be added, with barred windows.  A trifle grim, no?"},{"sha":"02f1afb258679ab1c0f4d5f10f5ad5d1dd8aaa3c8e2e61fee1e8cca92917610c","caption":"We're drifing around inside.","width":4080,"height":3072,"aspect":1.3281,"orientation":"landscape","layoutHint":"wide","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/55423cf7dd6625c8b44edde89346b67f","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/9ec1187520d0739253a55706bfb22742","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/f480352192690e2d95e2d91dca001120","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/07a6d645b28263df4b511df5a17fc7e8","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/02f1afb258679ab1c0f4d5f10f5ad5d1","altText":"We're drifing around inside."},{"sha":"b7de5d38dbf491fca28161bb368d74ef11f0ea2036299b754dd065f89aac2978","caption":"Everybody is happy wth the stainless steel, the bright lights, the signs.","width":3072,"height":4080,"aspect":0.7529,"orientation":"portrait","layoutHint":"narrow","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/d832aa272bd2c3441d156cb856d00c50","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/25b8fc71c3b4637324d7a04acb26e6e4","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/e816d951eed71076defe819a8e90292b","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/b7de5d38dbf491fca28161bb368d74ef","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/b7de5d38dbf491fca28161bb368d74ef","altText":"Everybody is happy wth the stainless steel, the bright lights, the signs."},{"sha":"f7a1b6e37480995bceeb3027624f74a7f7e310b744abc6178086a085c5969c9c","caption":"Some relief: just outside the Shiva as Adi Kumbeshwarar shrine, a man chants from the *Tevaram, *sacred poem from the  7th and 8th centuries.  Too bad you can't hear him.  Very peaceful.  Resonant in this space.  Nobody paid him any attention.","width":4080,"height":3072,"aspect":1.3281,"orientation":"landscape","layoutHint":"wide","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/ea62634c79c5eefef1c8f246eae3ff3d","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fbee43e8c4c416bb69009e4cfdf9fc76","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/57123b384866a49475951eee8fdb2734","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/fa6a0d67b7cfd44977a29fdc13dc7df7","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/f7a1b6e37480995bceeb3027624f74a7","altText":"Some relief: just outside the Shiva as Adi Kumbeshwarar shrine, a man chants from the Tevaram, sacred poem from the  7th and 8th centuries."},{"sha":"797598ca8a4c6827a7157b5ba0519accb3babfd7584b6321a3083a05d003e1de","caption":"Gotta feel sorry for this elephant, even if he does support a family or two.  He was shifting his weight back and forth like a convict pacing.","width":4080,"height":3072,"aspect":1.3281,"orientation":"landscape","layoutHint":"wide","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/8a7564f0ca37fe0a30d52ee51e910b0c","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/e511ebfcff203187773e0b720bf56d5f","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/52b82494224dac9a2f1f8c7582575863","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/7dfbd3b6f62b086cf29ebc9d4cdc8056","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/797598ca8a4c6827a7157b5ba0519acc","altText":"Gotta feel sorry for this elephant, even if he does support a family or two.  He was shifting his weight back and forth like a convict pacin"},{"sha":"9d7a8baafaf9932908dc5a6a92af1ac64ff03e4626546117d82c379370ba68eb","caption":"I was trying to get to the Arulmigu Sri Oppiliappan Temple, but I got lost.  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Still, when I found this street I knew I had to be near an impo"},{"sha":"d1a6c17c90368bf8e9aa49869f7054462eaa83d00a810b5da3b87e3cdd9db613","caption":"Be careful what you wish for.  Here are some Disneyesque side shrines; the main temple is under the gopuram.","width":4080,"height":3072,"aspect":1.3281,"orientation":"landscape","layoutHint":"wide","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/de642856415114533603920b7f719a05","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/c785fdf39d2a124ab078c87f8283994b","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/93fe5335e9a794db274a191eb8750df2","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/90da570941b75172f9ef9477767b3d72","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/d1a6c17c90368bf8e9aa49869f705446","altText":"Be careful what you wish for.  Here are some Disneyesque side shrines; the main temple is under the gopuram."},{"sha":"df71bf14da6cee305a2fd44be0c23387a98baba2d5a00c00265ab7e96fc18aa0","caption":"Paint makes everything better.","width":4080,"height":3072,"aspect":1.3281,"orientation":"landscape","layoutHint":"wide","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/050046ecb9c31fb012da861d4f28705c","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/cf9c13a61601b43b07c280ff584f8dc3","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/2a34a4b3a5c599d059b19dc51ba27ef5","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/47e8b4a9ef805c45e37c71b3e36b50ca","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/df71bf14da6cee305a2fd44be0c23387","altText":"Paint makes everything better."},{"sha":"b13b2987656091462b517007f75de7dcc03599543483005155252a3f9e67a8c9","caption":"I hear Nandi asking somebody to please remove those cold, cold LEDs.","width":3072,"height":4080,"aspect":0.7529,"orientation":"portrait","layoutHint":"narrow","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/f5bd842541b694e2f1600b8d2faccd19","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/dece9c971cfe7c841105c3e3054107a1","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/98db3d90c59da99541f5af15a3ed0aa3","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/b13b2987656091462b517007f75de7dc","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/b13b2987656091462b517007f75de7dc","altText":"I hear Nandi asking somebody to please remove those cold, cold LEDs."},{"sha":"56e4bc38e6a336c321c71505ab9c3735a31da1efb10b2bd0c1d97bb5e2b543ec","caption":"I'll wait out here, next to the airport-style qeueing.  Obviously, it's a quiet day.","width":4080,"height":3072,"aspect":1.3281,"orientation":"landscape","layoutHint":"wide","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/d54bbe2f1f292d46c285068b5df19a30","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/aeb9bd72b3fe184a822caef3bb2fb51c","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/eb8c51ff1be41d400ac38667f53bcb40","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/32301d14259017f9c155523d008158b6","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/56e4bc38e6a336c321c71505ab9c3735","altText":"I'll wait out here, next to the airport-style qeueing.  Obviously, it's a quiet day."},{"sha":"cc318a57af7c7204725fceea4b2962829fdb83da66d63f90b49f57930150afdf","caption":"Wonder what a peak day would be.","width":4080,"height":3072,"aspect":1.3281,"orientation":"landscape","layoutHint":"wide","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/be47e1512ee8ccb07e75dac2e6d2d35f","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/48328aa81502beddad50516f2b0c06eb","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/777f028565b0ebe93eeca643756c6683","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/3c49e34c23c670869eee7326674c90e3","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/cc318a57af7c7204725fceea4b296282","altText":"Wonder what a peak day would be."},{"sha":"9bea3f2aad1bc1f12e9b2d16d70ddb260aa21dd84fbd0790c819f9a1b1f6d63b","caption":"I was trying to get out of the parking lot, but I wound up turning off the engine and waiting at least five minutes for somebody to unpick the gridlock.","width":4080,"height":3072,"aspect":1.3281,"orientation":"landscape","layoutHint":"wide","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/e51f6f6bcab679f9883b9a246acf7048","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/de04c43b1173c30dcd7e1cc602fbe13a","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/957a3e1c05b001cb040a075b58d0ef3d","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/f74b2f2a7b33d5f8e09507e1bb5e0a44","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/9bea3f2aad1bc1f12e9b2d16d70ddb26","altText":"I was trying to get out of the parking lot, but I wound up turning off the engine and waiting at least five minutes for somebody to unpick t"},{"sha":"95cf56d984080578e9fd2e159ecc6e78577049bbd7517e71cd84478562bbbdd6","caption":"People were still entering.  No point in warning them.","width":4080,"height":3072,"aspect":1.3281,"orientation":"landscape","layoutHint":"wide","srcThumb":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/e161c51ef3266864a51cecfec21327e7","srcSmall":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/62f762772245a24940369588f6e4232e","srcMedium":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/43b73c16057ff8aa5aac908533807caf","srcLarge":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/06b27da4f5e13fee9f4bc7e5fc26481e","srcOriginal":"https://wtbl.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/95cf56d984080578e9fd2e159ecc6e78","altText":"People were still entering.  No point in warning them."}],"createdAt":"2023-03-27T16:06:17.821Z","updatedAt":"2023-03-27T16:06:17.821Z","visitedDate":"2023","publishedDate":"2023-04-02T04:00:03.000Z","heroSha":"d933302e62bc58094c927fec86443b1cb896a17c2aa464d13b2ad750577ea88a","authorLabel":"Bryan Wallach","_meta":{"sameAs":[]}}