Thursday, June 30, 2016

india 105th in human capital index

http://reports.weforum.org/human-capital-report-2016/economies/#economy=IND

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brexit overview

china executes millions of falun gong for organ harvesting

Fwd: [The India Forum] Social structures and social progress in Ancient India (Caste)- 1/4


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rajiv Varma <notification+olvpifff@facebookmail.com>
Date: Thu, Jun 30, 2016 at 9:30 AM
Subject: [The India Forum] Social structures and social progress in Ancient India (Caste)- 1/4
To: The India Forum <theindiaforum@groups.facebook.com>


  Rajiv Varma posted in The India Forum .       Rajiv Varma June 30 at 9:30am   Social structures and social progress in Ancient India (Caste)- 1/4 Freedom from Bias- the last frontier to cross because of ignorance and bias, mythical notions are cr...   Like Comment Share    
   
 
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Rajiv Varma posted in The India Forum.
 
   
Rajiv Varma
June 30 at 9:30am
 
Social structures and social progress in Ancient India (Caste)- 1/4
Freedom from Bias- the last frontier to cross because of ignorance and bias, mythical notions are cr...
 
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Quick notes: 4G disruptor, US justice...

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Fwd: NEW POST: The Dave Freedholm Interview – Rajiv Malhotra


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: 
Subjece Dave Freedholm Interview – Rajiv Malhotra
To:



 

​See this very interesting interview with a very 
articulate school teacher!


The Dave Freedholm Interview – Rajiv Malhotra

Posted on June 24, 2016 by Admin

Dave Freedholm

Rajiv MalhotraDave Freedholm teaches world religion and philosophy at a nationally recognized independent college preparatory school in the U.S. Recently, he was a delegate to the World Congress for the Preservation of Religious Diversity in Delhi, India. A frequent speaker on Hinduism and religious pluralism, Dave is currently co-authoring Hinduism: An Introduction for High School Students with Prof. Arvind Sharma. 

I consider his views interesting for two reasons. First, as a teacher he has important things to say about the way schools portray India and its traditions. Second, as he identifies himself as a Hindu, his insights may also reflect the views of many 'Euro-American Hindus', i.e. over 15 million Americans who now practice Hindu activities, such as yoga, meditation, and kirtan, amongst others. Neither of these perspectives has been given much coverage by the Indian media. — Rajiv Malhotra

Rajiv: Why are you interested in the way Hinduism is portrayed in American textbooks?

Dave: Any treatment of India in courses on world history, social studies, or in any other discipline, inevitably includes an analysis of Hinduism. Thus, portrayals of Hinduism greatly affect America's understanding of India. This is a point that many 'secular' Indians seem to ignore, hoping that they can construct an image of an India apart from religion. But, it seems to me, such efforts are doomed to fail. The importance of understanding the role religion plays in the world, especially after September 11, has never been more apparent. This is reflected in the U.S. by increasing interest in studying world religion in secondary schools, public and private. It is important to note that 'teaching about' religion is not the same as preaching or promoting any given religion. Rather it is a distant and objective view. While I understand religion is deliberately excluded from the education system in India just as it has been in the U.S., I hope that they too will consider the importance of giving students a fair and sympathetic introduction to the world's religion in a neutral manner.

Given the surge in interest in teaching world religion, it is about time that America's education system takes a serious look at the way Hinduism is currently portrayed in its textbooks. As a teacher in a religiously unaffiliated, independent high school, I have been able to teach world religion and world philosophy to American high school students for some time. Over the years, I've become increasingly dissatisfied with the ways in which Hinduism is treated in the textbooks books I've used and reviewed.

Rajiv : Why? In what ways are these portrayals different from your own understanding and experience of Hinduism?

Dave : I've spent years studying theology in general and Hinduism in particular in an academic way. Also, I've been a practitioner of Hindu spirituality for some years. I'm one of the millions of Americans who practice yoga, kirtan and meditation. I've made several trips to India, including a pilgrimage to the source of the Ganges river. Last year, I led a group of high school students to India and Nepal.

In all my encounters with Hindus and Hinduism, both in the U.S. and abroad, I've never recognized the 'Hinduism' that is described in many American textbooks. Also, it has surprised me to find so many Indian Hindus who seem reluctant to identify themselves as such, as if there were some taboo associated with it. I wonder if the negative stereotypes often connected with Hinduism have resulted in this suppression of identity, especially with young people growing up in a 'Westernized' world.

Rajiv : How does the treatment of Hinduism in textbooks differ from the treatment of other religions?

Dave : When scholars examine the world's religions they usually attempt to distinguish between their 'universal' theological/philosophical foundations and the particular historically and culturally bound social structures of societies that practice those religions. To take Christianity as an example, biblical scholars, using a sophisticated hermeneutics, extract a 'universal' Pauline theology from the social context of Paul's letters that presumed slavery, the subjugation of women, etc. Pauline statements that seem to support this social order are reinterpreted in light of passages that are deemed to reflect more universal values.

Rajiv : What are specific examples of the way Christianity's core theology is kept separate from social ills in its history?

Dave : Any particular historical and/or social out-working of Christianity is interpreted in context, and distinguished from universal Christian theology. Hence, the feudal system in medieval Europe, which was widely justified via Christian theology and texts, is not used as a defining characteristic of Christianity or an interpretive key for its theology today. The same could be said for the system of slavery upon which 'Christian' America was built. In fact, as time moved on, Christian theology and biblical interpretation were later used to overturn these systems.

Likewise, unjust social and economic structures in predominantly Christian countries today are not used as defining characteristics of Christianity or Christian theology. To give one more example, Christian theologians today have repudiated the anti-Judaism which was widely practiced in Christian societies for a long time and culminated in the Holocaust by arguing that anti-Judaism is not a part of 'genuine' Christianity as properly understood.

Most Christians today (and most scholars of religion) would be scandalized if the feudal system, slavery, capitalist exploitation or anti-Judaism were used to define the essence of Christianity. They would understand these things to be historically and socially bound and not part of Christian universal ideals. In short, descriptions of Christianity in textbooks would distinguish the core or essence of Christian theology from specific social, historical and political contexts. However, Hinduism is not treated in the same way.

Rajiv : To look for a moment at other examples, isn't the same true in the portrayal of Islam post-Sept. 11? Don't many scholars of Islam and many Muslims assert that it is wrong to portray 'genuine' Islam by appealing to social policies of the Taliban or to the violent jihad of bin Laden?

Dave : Absolutely. Muslims would be up in arms if American schoolchildren were to be taught about Islam through that negative lens.

Rajiv : Yet, you take the position that the same even-handed treatment isn't given to Hinduism, is that right?

Dave : That is unfortunately the case. Let's look at the example of caste again. When it comes to portraying Hinduism, scholars use 'caste' (itself a European construct) as a (and sometimes the) defining characteristic of Hinduism and Hindu theology/philosophy. As Ronald Inden has emphasized, caste has become an 'essence' in defining Hinduism and India. Little or no attempt is made to understand caste as a context-bound social structure apart from the more universal elements of Hindu thought.

Also, textbooks often ignore attempts by Hindu reformers and thinkers to use Hindu theology itself to combat what many see as an unjust social system that has little to do with 'genuine' Hinduism. The sophisticated theological, historical and sociological interpretation given to Christianity (and other religions) is often denied to Hinduism. Instead, 'caste' is used as a club against Hinduism, in order to prove its backwardness when compared to other religions.

Rajiv : In your research on the hardened, four-tier 'caste system', that is seen as essential to Indian society, what did you find to be the historical factors that gave shape to it?

Dave : It does seem that the caste system, as understood today, was foisted on Indian society by its Western (Christian) oppressors, the British. A number of scholars have done work on this recently (see e.g., Dirks, Hobson and Kishwar). The British were frustrated in their attempts to understand and govern in the midst of the very diverse community-bound, self-governing sets of social customs and laws which existed in Indian society. The British wanted to find a 'universal' set of 'Hindu' laws and customs (like their own) that they could use to govern (read 'subjugate') India. Finding no simplistic universal laws similar to, say, the Ten Commandments, they established their idea of 'Hindu Law' based on their interpretation of the Manusmriti.

As Madhu Kishwar writes, "A policy decision was taken at the highest levels in the India Office to keep this particular document in circulation and project it as the fountainhead of Hindu jurisprudence, for the purpose of perpetuating the illusion that the British were merely enforcing the shastric injunctions by which Hindus were governed anyway, and that they had inherited the authority to administer this law."

Censuses were conducted by the British to confirm and solidify the system that they themselves had identified and established as a norm. They then promoted this myth to the Indian population and to people abroad (with the aid of Western scholars) until it became accepted as a historical, sociological and philosophical 'truth'. 

Rajiv : What was the impact of all this?

Dave : 'Caste' was used to justify Christian proselytizing and for continued domination over the Indian population, and this continues to be the case today. Also, the ills of contemporary Indian society (poverty, caste, etc.), which were exacerbated in part due to centuries long foreign occupation, exploitation and domination, are blamed primarily on Hindu thought. Thus, some Western scholars, ignoring the historic subversion of Indian society and Hinduism by the West, align themselves with the 'oppressed' against the 'evils' of Hinduism. The victim is made to feel guilty and hence the 'Hindu shame' I find amongst some Hindus.

Rajiv : Have you been able to identify what modern Hindu leaders and thinkers have done, or are doing, to reform the caste system?

Dave : Efforts within Hindu society to reform itself, and to provide a new vision of Hinduism, are too often ignored or downplayed. Many leading Hindu religious leaders and thinkers (the list here would be tremendously long) have repudiated the caste system and tried to articulate a Hindu theology that is far more universal in character. Gandhi is an obvious example. Also, the great representative of Hinduism in the West at the turn of the 20th century, Swami Vivekananda, came out definitively against the caste system.

Vivekananda spoke candidly of the problems caused by inequality in Indian society, and of the need for reform. But he refused to see caste and other social problems as being inherently a part of Hinduism, seeing them rather as a perversion of its ideals. He challenged his fellow Hindus to strive for the ideals embodied in their tradition, saying: "Religion, the common inheritance, the universal birthright of the race, must be brought free to the door of everybody."

Likewise, most modern Hindu leaders have advocated societal reforms and an end to discrimination based on caste. Furthermore, such discrimination has already been legally abolished by the Indian constitution. It is natural that it will take time to end the problems just as the abolition of slavery did not end racism and prejudice in the U.S. It takes time to eliminate ingrained prejudices and patterns of behavior.

Rajiv : What have you seen in India in terms of reform of the caste system?

Dave : I am a great admirer and supporter of the work of Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji of Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh. He is one of the most admired Hindu leaders in India today, and runs numerous charitable projects, such as medical clinics for the poor, earthquake relief, orphanages, environmental projects, schools for the poor, etc. All of these services are open to everyone regardless of gender, caste, ethnicity or religion. At Parmarth Niketan, there is an orphanage for young boys from all castes and backgrounds. They are given a well-rounded education, including training in Sanskrit and Indian culture. Last fall, the ashram conducted a sacred thread ceremony for boys coming of age. This ceremony has usually been reserved for high caste boys, but it was performed for any boy who requested it, no matter what his background. I found no distinctions based on caste. This is just one example of many similar reforms going on from within the tradition.

Rajiv : Why have such views and efforts within Hindu society been ignored?

Dave : Attempts by Hindus to define themselves are seen as invalid or irrelevant, because they are not consistent with the construct of Hinduism in place today. As Madhu Kishwar says, "People in India have demonstrated time and again that they are willing to accept changes in their customs, provided those who propose change take the trouble to win the confidence of the community, rather than attack or humiliate the community as hostile outsiders. The success of the 19th century social reformers is testimony to this inherent flexibility of Hindu communities. In recent decades, the work of Swadhyaya [Parivar] in parts of western India, the Radhasoamis in Northern India, and many other reform movements have carried forward the same tradition."

Rajiv : Is caste central to portrayals of Hinduism in American textbooks?

Dave : Yes, absolutely. In recent years, Hindus in the U.S. have examined the portrayals of India and Hinduism in textbooks. First of all, American students are taught very little about India and Hinduism, especially in public schools. When India and Hinduism are mentioned in world history textbooks, caste is often one of the few things taught. To give just one example, students in New York State are required to take an exam in world history. The world's major belief systems are an area of examination. In reviews and sample essays in this area, caste is offered as the defining characteristic of Hinduism. In religion textbooks used in many major colleges, caste is the central part of almost every treatment of Hinduism.

Rajiv : What other problems exist in the way India and Hinduism are portrayed in American textbooks?

Dave : My review of many different textbooks shows that Indians' own achievements are under-emphasized, if mentioned at all. What is emphasized are the 'benefits' brought by outsiders entering India by invasion or other means. This has been called "the invasion theory of India." Under this picture of Indian history, the British period is mainly the history of the British, as it played out in India. The Islamic period is mainly about Islamic rulers and what they were doing in India—and so on. Indians do not seem to have their own history.

This reminds me of the earlier accounts of African-American history, in which African-Americans were seen as objects in the lives of their masters, and not as having a history of their own per se. Recently, many eminent African-American scholars have got organized and changed the way the history of African-Americans is understood and written in textbooks. Indians have not attempted this seriously, it seems.

Rajiv : So what should be done about this?

Dave : Well, based on what we have discussed, the problem seems clear. Rather than looking for what is universal in Hindu beliefs and practices, textbooks focus on and define Hinduism based on a social structure that is tangentially related and is not at its philosophical core. It would be like making the crusades in medieval Europe, or racism and segregation in 20th century America—societal ills that were justified by some with appeals to Christian theology—as the defining characteristics or essences of Christianity.

It is important to identify the universal principles and practices that are essential to Hinduism across cultures and nations, especially now that Hinduism is being practiced outside of India and Indian culture. In the U.S., the Indian-American community continues to grow and there are now many second and third generation Hindus who have grown up in American society. The same is true in the U.K., Australia, Canada and elsewhere. As well, increasing numbers of Euro-Americans have begun practicing Hinduism. In fact, I'm happy to be identified as a Hindu. What does it mean to be a Hindu in cultures where caste is irrelevant?

Rajiv : What is at stake here?

Dave : In the end, it seems incumbent on scholars to reassess the way they interpret Hinduism, especially with regard to caste. Will interpretations of Hinduism be done with the
same theological/philosophical, historical and sociological sophistication and subtlety afforded other religions? Further, will they allow Hindus to offer interpretations of their own faith that reflect new self-understandings and self-interpretations in light of new historical and social settings and concerns? Or will they continue to insist that Hindus and Hinduism conform to the images that were, and still are, made by those outside the community?

Rajiv : When I raise these issues with Indians, they seem convinced that there already exist many excellent books on India and Hinduism. So why are these not being used in schools?

Dave : There are some excellent books on India and Hinduism. Unfortunately, none are especially well-suited to the particular needs of U.S. secondary school students and teachers. For example, books intended for use within a faith community would not work well in American schools which emphasize the neutral, academic study of various religions. As well, it is important to consider just how materials on India and Hinduism might be used within existing school curricula in the U.S. It is important to understand the system in place and discover ways to make an impact within the institutions that exist and that are very powerful.

Rajiv : What have other religions and nationalities done in similar circumstances?

Dave : Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, each have several very well-funded and professionally run organizations, whose sole purpose is to bring American educators together, to ensure an authentic and sympathetic understanding of their faiths in schools. They lobby, they fund new publications that meet academic standards and norms, they participate in educational conferences, and they have representatives on education boards. In other words, they are involved, as opposed to assuming that all is well in the hands of third parties.

Rajiv : Thanks for speaking candidly about your professional views as well as some personal beliefs. This takes courage, commitment, and clarity. Yours is an interesting perspective that deserves to be integrated along with various other perspectives, if there is to be a truly 'global' Hinduism.

Dave : I am delighted to be able to explain to an Indian audience how many non-Indians feel about these matters. — Excerpted from Academic Hinduphobia by Rajiv Malhotra. The book is published in India by Voice of India, New Delhi.

Academic Hinduphobia





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Fwd: शारदा-गुरुकुलम् promoting sanskrit studies for girls in kerala


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Vasuvaj


Namaste

A new venture to promote Samskritam in Keralam.

Samskritabharati - Keralam has started a baalikaa-gurukulam at Chemmanda, Irinjalakuda, Thrissur district..

Some features of this Sharada gurukulam

It is for girls who have  passed tenth standard.

It is a residential gurukulam.

The girls will be appearing for the 12'th standard examination conducted by Kerala board and then for BA-Samskritam  and probably MA too.

The entire expenditure- the food, board, study materials , electricity, water, tuition and other miscellaneous expenses- will not be charged. It is entirely free for the students. The gurukulam will run on public contributions only.

We expected about five girls to enroll.
But we were pleasantly surprised to see the good response. So we screened and selected ten students only  from various parts of Keralam - Kannur to Pathanamthitta .

The students hail from cross section of the society.

Dr.Gangadharan Nair, Dr.Ramakrishna Bhat, Dr.Vasudevan  [ retired professors from various reputed colleges ] have volunteered to teach vyakaranam, nyaayam and alankara-shastram respectively. Many other voluntary teachers will also be involved in giving holistic education to these students.


The day starts at 5AM and will conclude at 10PM. Smt.Vatsala and Smt.Vandana are resident teachers who will always be with the students.

There will not be holidays on Saturdays or Sundays. Instead we will be following the traditional pattern- holidays on poornimaa, amaavaasya and such other tithiis.

The inauguration of the gurukulam was on 22'nd June 2016. Sri R.Hari popularly known as Hari-ettan was present.Hari-ettan who is in his nineties is a well known social worker and scholar.

----------

Please read Dr.Gangadharan Nair's message on his face book :

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1396718290342976&id=100000144550385

-------------

Whenever you come to India, please make it a point to visit Sharada gurukulam. It is about forty kilometres from Guruvayur and fifteen kilometres from Kodungallore - two famous pilgrim centres.

Three photos related to the gurukulam are in the attachment.

If you have any other queries, please feel free to contact Dr.Nandakumar- all India General Secretary of Samskrita bharati.This mail is being ccéd to him.  His telephone number -
 94477 55985





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Fwd: Godman story - but gets only two lines!


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: K


http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/australian-dad-who-raped-and-pimped-daughter-jailed-says-it-was-fun-while-it-lasted/story-kFywVcX4QMMZzHboVtH5nJ.html

An Australian who repeatedly raped his daughter and organised for strangers to abuse her while he watched was jailed Thursday for 22-and-a-half years, telling police "it was fun while it lasted".
......
One of the other men involved, church pastor David Volmer, was sentenced to 10 years' jail last November.
The court hearing that case heard he had sex with the girl after her father answered an advert he placed online for sexual massages.

Hindustan Times - balanced reporting when it comes to RoL!



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Fwd: E - Tamil Nadu Yatra Mail 15 - Pics of Meenakshi Temple (In and Outside), Emerald Nataraja Temple, Video of Pongal celebs in a village


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Sanjeev Nayyar


Namaskar,
 
Friends do share these links with friends worldwide so they too know about the beauty of Tamil Nadu. A lot of the credit for the captions goes to my Tamilian friends who are helping with details.
 
 
 
3. Emerald Nataraja Temple 83 kms before Rameshwaram – "The presiding deity is a Swayambulinga from the Ilandhai tree here. The Emerald Nataraja Idol in the temple is the rare one not to be seen in any other temple. Uthira Kosa Mangai is a tiny hamlet, famous for the Siva temple considered to be 3000 years old. This is the place where Siva transferred the secrets of  Vedas to Parvati. Uthiram means ( updesham ) kosam( secrets) Parvati  (Mangai )  hence this place is known as Uthira Kosa Mangai." http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Emerald-Nataraja-Temple.aspx
 
4. Video of Pongal celebrations in a village before Rameshwaram – villagers dancing, loved watching. Log in thru facebook. https://www.facebook.com/eSamskriti/videos
 
Earlier uploads
 
42. Navagraha Temples – includes each of the nine temples.
 
41. Video of Navagraha Temples (shot by third person) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q94I4pH7ZN8
 
40. Guide to visiting temples from Kumbakonam – lists down all temples with distances. In PDF format all in one sheet. http://www.esamskriti.com/essay-chapters/Guide-to-visiting-Navagraha-Temples-from-Kumbakonam-1.aspx
 
Earlier Uploads
 
39. Thiyagaraja Temple Tiruvarur – amongst the most amazing temples I visited in Tamil Nadu. The temple "is one of the ancient heritage sites of India and is a representation of the religio-socio-cultural history of the Tamil region for a period spanning over a millennium and a half." http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Thiyagaraja-Temple-Tiruvarur.aspx
 
38. Marriage Temple Thirumanancheri – 45 kms from Nagapattinam and close to Kumbakonam. Met a couple of software professionals who prayed for a right partner, both boys and girls. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Marriage-Temple-Thirumanancheri.aspx
 
37. Vedaranyam Shiv temple. "The Manikarnigai Theertham (tank) that you see is considered to be very sacred because it is believed that a holy bath in this well is equivalent to taking bath in the sacred rivers of Ganges, Yamuna, Narmada, Cauvery." http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Vedaranyam-temple.aspx
 
36. Ayyarappan Temple Tiruvaiyaru – this is a Shiv temple. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Ayyarappan-Temple-Tiruvaiyaru.aspx
 
35. Mahalinga Swamy Mandir, Thiruvidaimarudur, 10 kms from Kumbakonam, is a powerful Shiv temple. It is a Mahalinga sthala (Big Linga shrine). http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Mahalinga-Swamy-Temple.aspx
 
34. Bronze making Swamimalai – has brief notes on how bronze idols made and phone number of two artisans in case you want to buy. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Bronze-Making-Swamimalai.aspx
 
33. Tirunelveli Temple It is a twin temple dedicated to Parvati and Shiva. Very famous for its Halwa. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Tirunelveli-Temple.aspx
 
32. Swamimalai Murugan Temple - It is called Swaminathaswamy Temple, Swamimalai. Temple 8 kms from Kumbakonam. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Swamimalai-Temple.aspx
 
31. Srivilliputhur Temple – it one of the most important Divyadesams. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Srivilliputhur-Temple.aspx
 
30. Sankarankovil Temple – it is a Shiv mandir. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Sankarankovil-Temple.aspx
 
29. Murugan Temple Madurai is one of the 6 holy shrines of Muruga. It is carved out of rock. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Murugan-Temple-Madurai.aspx
 
28. Kasi Vishwanathar Mandir, Tenkazi – it is made for devotees who cannot go to Varanasi, temple made 1455, amazing statues and gopuram.  http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Kasi-Viswanathar-Temple-Tenkasi.aspx
 
27.  Sri Ramakrishna Math School Madurai – Established 30 odd years ago, school is
for kids from Pre Kg to the 5th. About 60% of the 520 odd students come from very poor backgrounds. Math also run Free Coaching classes in evening for 250 odd students (from government schools), provide scholarships to 50 odd students (who study in school and outside colleges), run a Free Dispensary. Math runs entirely on donations. If you like to support, caption have how to remit details or mail me.
 
26. Palaces of Chettinad – this album has Chettinad Palace of M.A.M. Ramaswamy and other mansions in Kanadukathan village.
 
25. Muruga Temple PALANI
went to Thai Poosam so got to see celebrations and lots of local devotees. Very powerful place. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Murugan-Temple-Palani.aspx
 
24. Nayak Palace Madurai – famous for its arches and stuccowork. Super. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Nayak-Palace-Madurai.aspx
 
 
22. Video Thai Poosam celebrations at village in Tamil Nadu  https://www.facebook.com/eSamskriti/videos
 
21. Tranquebar is a Dutch colony some 5 sq kms on the beach, some     best known today for a heritage hotel 'Bungalow on the Beach'. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Tranquebar.aspx
 
20. Ganesha Mandir Pondicherry is unique because it has images of Ganesha as found in S.E.Asian countries and India. Very popular with devotees. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Ganesha-Temple-Pondicherry.aspx
 
19. Murugan Temple Thiruchendur is dedicated to Murugan. It is on the sea side, an amazing place spiritually powerful. Loved it. It is 171 kms from Madurai. Worth a visit.  http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Murugan-Temple-Thiruchendur.aspx
 
18. Matrimandir Auroville Pondicherry is the place to go and meditate. Unique nothing like this anywhere in the world. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Matrimandir-Auroville.aspx
 
17. Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple – is a wow 7th century temple, no words to describe the sculptures. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Kanchi-Kailasanathar-Temple.aspx
 
16. The Bangala Hotel and MSMM Mansion in Karaikudi Chettinad – mansions of Chettinad belong to a different world. This is the first of the 3 albums on mansions. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/The-Bangala-Chettinad.aspx
 
15. Symbols of Ramayana around Rameshwaram – there are so many places associated with the Ramayana around Rameshwaram. Met devotees from Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Nepal etc. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Ramayana-around-Rameshwaram.aspx
 
 
14. Art Gallery Thanjavur – amazing collection of bronze statues of Nataraja. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Art-Gallery-Thanjavur.aspx
 
13. Rock Cut Fort Temple Trichy – the one of its kind. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Rock-Fort-Temple-Trichy.aspx
 
12. Sri Ramana Maharsri Ashram at Arunachala – an oasis of peace and positive energy. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Ramana-Maharishi-Ashram.aspx
 
11. Gangaikondacholapuram Temple – the town was the capital of the Cholas from about 1025 a.d. Temple is modelled on the Big Temple at Thanjavur. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Gangaikondacholapuram-Temple.aspx
 
10. Maratha Palace Thanjavur – The Marathas ruled Thanjavur in Tamil Nadu from 1674 to 1855. Pics of Maratha Durbar and Art Gallery. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Maratha-Palace-Thanjavur.aspx
 
9. Dhanuskodi Island and Pamban Bridge Rameshwaram – the island is 18kms from Rameshwaram. According to tradition Shri Ram left for Lanka from the tip of this island. Pamban has a rail and road bridge, amazing work and view of water/ beaches. Former made in 1904 and latter in 1988. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Dhanushkodi-Island-Rameshwaram.aspx
 
8. Rameshwaram Temple – wow is the only word. Very powerful place, the whole area has only good and positive vibrations. We present pics of main Gopuram early morning, 9 am and post sun-set.
 
 
 
5. Ramakrishna Mission Students Home Chennai – In Mylapore, they run a Polytechnic, Students High School (6-10), a Residential school and Primary school. Students are orphans or from rural areas. All services provided for free. It is a very eco-friendly school – use solar power and gas plant too. If you like to support school lunch for 700 students cost Rs 9,800/, High School student education & stay Rs 20,000 and ditto for Polytechnic College Rs 28k.
 
4. Vivekananda Illam or House, Marina Beach Chennai – original pictures of Swamiji's life journey. He lived here from Feb 6th-15th 1897. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Vivekananda-House-Chennai.aspx
 
3. In 1677 Shivaji Maharaj visited the Sri Kalikambal Mandir in Chennai. It is at Parry's Corner, a 10 minute walk from the main road. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Shivaji-Temple-Chennai.aspx
 
2. 5 Rathas Mahabalipuram – we present Mahabalipuram in 2 parts since too many pictures. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/5-Rathas-Mahabalipuram.aspx
 
1. Thiruvidanthai Divya Desam enroute to Mahabalipuram. Those who do not get married visit this temple, including my taxi driver. He is now married. http://www.esamskriti.com/photo-detail/Thiruvidanthai-Divya-Desam.aspx
 
Tamil Nadu is beautiful and people lovely. Ate idli, dosa, rice meals for 19 days and loved the food. Stomach was ok all through. Water is clean and hygiene levels at roadside and big rest high.
 
Eating in banana leaves is clean and eco-friendly. Rest of India should emulate.
 
My Pranams to all those who made and maintain the wonderful temples of tamil nadu.
 
Love and Light
sanjeev nayyar
 



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sent from samsung galaxy note3 neo, so please excuse brevity