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Arvind Venkatraman's Gallery

Valeeswaram, Cheran Madevi

May 3, 2012

Photos: 42

Chola Art Exhibition at Chennai Museum

A special exhibition of Chola Bronzes from 11th and 12th Century were on display in Chennai Museum.

Apr 21, 2012

Photos: 129

National Museum, New Delhi

Feb 19, 2012

Photos: 502

Tharuvai Vazha Vallaba Pandeeswarar Koil

Jan 7, 2012

Photos: 41

Thirukarunkudi Sculptures

Jan 7, 2012

Photos: 127

KodaParameeswarar Temple (Thiruvenkatanathapuram)

Jan 7, 2012

Photos: 31

Krishnapuram Venkatachalapathy Koil

Jan 7, 2012

Photos: 28

Dews of Marghazi

Some random shots on a misty morning in Chennai

Jan 7, 2012

Photos: 12

Kazhugumalai Jain Relief panels and surroundings

Jan 7, 2012

Photos: 22

Andichi Parai (Ganagaikonda - Sivalaperi)

Jan 6, 2012

Photos: 13

Baktavatsala Perumal Koil, Cheran Madevi

Jan 5, 2012

Photos: 50

Kazhugumalai Trenched Hindu Temple

8th Century Monolithic Temple, trenched from top down like the Kailasanatha of Ellora. Beautiful Sculptures adorn the vimana at 3 levels. The temple is incomplete, but still impressive. The sculptors had amazing sense of beauty and rich understanding of the anatomy. Every sculpture is unique and fine. The ganas play riot as usual, the apsaras are exquisite.

Jan 4, 2012

Photos: 88

Short visit to Mallai

Quick visit to Mallai’s Arjuna’s penance and Adivaraha cave temple

Jan 1, 2012

Photos: 28

Viakunda Perumal Panels - C Minakashi

C Minakshi had done a great research on the Vaikunda Perumal Koil historical panels. She had identified each of the panel and has described it to a great detail. The plates on the books are so old, it is hardly recognizable. The attempt here is to map the pictures and the identification done by Minakshi. We also find that many of the sculptures have worn down further.

Dec 4, 2011

Photos: 113

Osian Temples, Jodhpur

Oct 24, 2011

Photos: 274

Kiradu Temples, Barmer

Oct 24, 2011

Photos: 83

Lourdua Jain Temples, Jaisalmer

Oct 23, 2011

Photos: 84

Nareshwar

This is remote site near Morena. Nareshwar village is close to Bareta Gaon on Maharajpura Road. The village can be reached through a dirt track. A trek of 2 kms from there would lead you to the site. You would need help of the villagers to reach the site. Villagers are very helpful and accompany you to the site. Nareshwar has a group of 25+ Temples of the Prathihara period.

Oct 7, 2011

Photos: 57

Tele ka Mandir, Gwalior

Oct 7, 2011

Photos: 33

sahas bahu mandir, gwalior

Oct 7, 2011

Photos: 65

Bateshwar

Bateshwar, in the Morena District of Madhya Pradesh has over 100 temples built between 6th to 9th Century in the Prathihara Period, post the Guptas. The site is being restored by ASI.

Oct 6, 2011

Photos: 142

Padawali

Padawali, Murena District, Madhya Pradesh. Here the temples was built during the gupta period, the fort was built much later. The sanctum has been destroyed. The antarala is alive, espically the ceiling. All the sculptures are from the ceiling. The lack of white spcae dulls the actual intricacy. The scupture is of greate quality.

Oct 6, 2011

Photos: 57

Mitavali

A unique circular Temple on a small hill in Murena district of Madhya Pradesh. This is considered as the inspiration for Sansad Bhavan.

Oct 6, 2011

Photos: 17

Kagan Matt

Amazing Imposing Temple, close to Sihoniya in Morena District of MP. The adhistanam / Base is over 18 feet. Built around the same time as Brahadeeshwara. Unfortunately it is in ruins, but still impressive.

Oct 6, 2011

Photos: 83

bharatpur

Sep 24, 2011

Photos: 114

Vienna, Austria

Vienna’s Leopold Museum and The Arts Museum houses some very good paintings and sculptures. The sculptures and paintings from the greek and medieval period are astonishing

Aug 1, 2011

Photos: 220

Qutub complex

Qutub Complex in New Delhi, is one of the great monument complex. Apart from the impressive Minar, it also houses the Iron Pillar, which stands testimony to Indian metallurgical advancement as early as 5th Century. The complex also houses the ruin of the hindu temple of an earlier age.

Aug 1, 2011

Photos: 52

Masrur, Himachal

Masrur, is in Himachal Pradesh. 7th Century Monolith cave temples, built on sandstones would have been beautiful then. There is just few structure and statues left owing primarily to the soft stones used

Aug 1, 2011

Photos: 56

Ajanta Day 2

Jan 25, 2011

Photos: 98

Ajanta Day 1

Jan 24, 2011

Photos: 114

Ellora Day 2

Jan 23, 2011

Photos: 322

Aurangabad Caves

Paranyothi Yathirai Day 1

Jan 22, 2011

Photos: 102

Ellora day 1

Jan 16, 2011

Photos: 259

2010 Kollo

Oct 9, 2010

Photos: 20

Vandalism

Oct 7, 2010

Photos: 66

Thakkolam Ganadeswarar Koil

Sep 24, 2010

Photos: 22

Arambiyam Kottur

Sep 24, 2010

Photos: 4

Sivapuram

Sivapuram, is in Kanchipuram District, very close to Thakkolam. This a chola temple currently maintained by Department of Archeology, Tamil Nadu

Sep 24, 2010

Photos: 46

Pullamangai 3rd visit

Sep 6, 2010

Photos: 89

Kulambandal - Gangaikonda Choleswarar

This temple was built during the period of Rajendra Chola I. Isanasiva Pandithar the rajaguru of Cholas then, is supposed to have commissioned this temple. The photos were taken by good friend Ashok Krishnaswamy and he has the copyright over them.

Aug 21, 2010

Photos: 16

Ukkal Ruined Perumal Temple

Ukkal, close to Kulamabandal, has been recorded to house a Vishnu and a Shiva temple. Vishnu Temple has been assigned a late pallava date. There are inscriptions of Kampavarman, Aditya Chola I, Paranataka, Aditya Chola II, Uttama Chola, Raja Raja. The village was referred Vikramanbharana Chaturvedimangalam , Siva chudamanimangalam and Aparajita Chaturvedimangalam (once). The temple is in ruins and the inscriptions in a complete state of neglect. The photos were captured by Ashok Krishnaswamy, who reserves the copyright for the same.

Aug 21, 2010

Photos: 13

Cholapuram

Cholapuram is in outskirts of Kumbakonam on the way to Anaicut. SRB accounts for 5 temples between Cholapuram and a neighboring village of Manambadi. When we visited we where given to understand the existence of 3 temples in Cholapuram. We could only visit 2 of them - Bairavar Temple and Kailanathar temple. The other Perumal temple was not open. Kasiviswanthar temple mentioned by SRB as in state of despair is not to be seen. SRB also states that the requests have been made to state archeology department for repairs of the temple (1979). These temples belong to the period of Kulothunga. Kailasanatha temple and Bhairava temple are being repaired by local committee. We sincerely hope that the restoration retains the original structure and architecture.

Jul 30, 2010

Photos: 68

Sembanarkoil - Swarnapuriswarar

Jul 26, 2010

Photos: 33

Nageswaram - Kumbakonam

Jul 26, 2010

Photos: 132

Punjai

Punjai, near Sembanarkoil (Myladuturai) in Nagai district. The temple is supposed to have been built during the period of Aditya II (Aditya Karikalan). An inscription citing him has been found on the walls of Chandikeswarar. Temple has also been rebuilt during reign of Raja Raja Chola. There are also inscriptions of Krishnadeva raya - All inscriptions pertain to donation made to the temple, tax applicable and subsidy to other temples. There are references to 2 more temples in the village, tough there are no traces for the same. The temple is a must visit site for all students of Iconography.

Jul 26, 2010

Photos: 144

Moovalur

A later Chola temple assigned to Kulothunga period. There have been numerous additions to the temple since. The temple complex is huge is very much visible on the road which connects Myladuturai and Kumbakonam.

Jul 26, 2010

Photos: 22

Kilmavilangai

A small rock cut relief panel in a small cell is all what this place has. This was also carved during the Pallava period past Narashima varman.

Jul 16, 2010

Photos: 13

Thirumalpadi

Thirumalpadi is close to Seeyamangalam, Vandavasi, Tiruvannamalai district. There is a Ranganatha temple built during the Chola times. The temple has gone through many renovations, but the recent one has almost buried its antiquity. Between the polished granite tiled floor and cemented walls and enamel painted sculptures the whole temple has been butchered. The inscriptions too have not been spared, The floor level around the temple has been raised and floor cemented burying one or two rows of inscriptions. The other inscriptions over the current floor level, have been gaudily painted. It is a classic example of Art and History being buried in name of renovation done with regular construction workers.

Jul 16, 2010

Photos: 20

Seeyamangalam - Avanibhajana's Cave Temple

Seeyamangalam - A Pallava Rock Cut temple, which houses the earliest Dancing Shiva sculpture in Tamil Country. This seventh Century monument has been added to by Cholas and Vijayanagar as well

Jul 16, 2010

Photos: 39

Brahadeeshwara Temple Consolidated

Consolidating photos of this temple taken over several trips

Jul 2, 2010

Photos: 398

Baahur

Baahur, Pondicherry - A beautiful temple, whose main structure of Garbagriha and Arthamandapa are the one of historical significance. The temple is dated to the late Pallava / Early Chola period. Various historians claim / observe differently to who could have built the Temple. Jouveau Dubreuil, opines that this was a late Pallava construction, while S R Balasubramanyam affirms that this was constructed in reign of Parantaka Chola. American Institute of Indian Studies and the later research claim this to be of Rashtrakuta origin and constructed by Krishna, who has claimed to have built temple in Tamil Country, including the one in Thirumalacherry.

Jun 29, 2010

Photos: 78

Panamalai

Jun 19, 2010

Photos: 58

Mandagapattu

Jun 19, 2010

Photos: 39

Dhalavanur

Jun 19, 2010

Photos: 63

Singhavaram

A Pallava Cave Temple housing the largest Ananthasayana Vishnu in a cave temple. There have been many additions to the main structure. The kottravai and the Sayana perumal are exquisite.

Jun 19, 2010

Photos: 43

Airavateswarar Koil

Jun 17, 2010

Photos: 29

Chennai Museum Bronze Gallery

Chennai Museum houses the most important Bronze work of South India. Between Chennai Museum and Thanjavur Museum most of the great works of Bronze can be seen. Thanks primarily to the work of P R Srinivasan - Bronzes of South India and Chennai Musesum Website, we have a good documentation of these artefacts. The description given to the images are reproduction of these texts.

Jun 4, 2010

Photos: 331

Natraja

May 27, 2010

Photos: 19

Mahishamardhini

May 26, 2010

Photos: 38

Mukhalingas

May 26, 2010

Photos: 9

Ardhanarishwara

May 26, 2010

Photos: 24

Shenbagadevi Samedha Chooleswarar

Apr 20, 2010

Photos: 66

Sithandeeswarar Temple Samathur

Apr 20, 2010

Photos: 47

Sarkar Periyapalayam

Dec 22, 2009

Photos: 61

Perrur

Dec 21, 2009

Photos: 192

Thiruparamkundram

Dec 19, 2009

Photos: 128

Madurai Meenkashi Amman Koil Kopuram

Dec 19, 2009

Photos: 31

Ayiramkal Mandapam Madurai

Dec 19, 2009

Photos: 128

Madurai Meenakshi Amman Koil Pudhu Mandapam

This Hall is a later date construction, which is now a market place. Some of the fine sculptures are now are the mercy of the merchants and their goods, not to forget the electrical wiring entangling the sculptures.

Dec 19, 2009

Photos: 84

Madurai Meenkashi Amman Koil Sculptures

Dec 19, 2009

Photos: 186

Kodumbalur Muchu Kundeswara Koil

Dec 18, 2009

Photos: 26

Kodumbalur Iyvar Koil

Dec 18, 2009

Photos: 13

Kodumbalur Moovar Koil

Dec 18, 2009

Photos: 113

Malaiadipatti

Dec 18, 2009

Photos: 186

Narthamalai Vijayalaya Chooleswaram

Dec 18, 2009

Photos: 87

Visalur Temple

Dec 18, 2009

Photos: 20

Narthamalai Kadambar Temple

Dec 17, 2009

Photos: 29

Srirangam Temple

Dec 17, 2009

Photos: 169

Tiruchy Rockfort Pallava Cave

Dec 17, 2009

Photos: 71

Ellora

Dec 17, 2009

Photos: 92

Pandya Cave - Rockfort - Tiruchirapalli

Dec 17, 2009

Photos: 67

Pullamangai Visit 2

Dec 17, 2009

Photos: 191

Nallur Koil

Dec 16, 2009

Photos: 11

Umapathy Stapathi's Creations

Dec 16, 2009

Photos: 7

Thirubuvaman visit 2

Dec 16, 2009

Photos: 85

Chidambaram

Dec 16, 2009

Photos: 42

Tiruvalanchuzi near Swamimalai

Dec 16, 2009

Photos: 16

Gangaikonda Cholapuram visit 2

Dec 15, 2009

Photos: 169

MelaiKadambur

Dec 15, 2009

Photos: 69

udayalur

Dec 15, 2009

Photos: 30

Uttaramerrur Kailasanatha Koil

Dec 14, 2009

Photos: 55

Uttamerrur Vaikundaperumal Koil

Dec 14, 2009

Photos: 10

Kurangu Anil Muttam

Dec 9, 2009

Photos: 34

Jvarahresvara koil

Dec 9, 2009

Photos: 35

Vaikunda Perumal Kovil - Vimana and Inner Circumambulatory

Vaikunda Perumal Koil - has 3 tiers Ground Floor houses Vishnu as Vasudeva in a sitting Posture and in the first floor in Sayana or reclining posture on the second floor he is standing. The middle circumambulatory has panels depicting the life of Pallava kings specifically Nandivaraman II, who constructed this temple. The main panels identified by Dennis Hudson in his book "The Body of God". The identification leans on Baghavata Puranam and Thimangai Alwars hymns on this temples. Though the sculptures have worn a lot, it is still beautiful and the complex arrangements taken in account to state the space, time and metaphysical dimensions are superb.

Dec 9, 2009

Photos: 218

Kailasanathar Kovil Trip 2

A World Heritage Site. Great structural temples of Pallavas. Has great sculptures, some of the sculptures still has some traces of its original painting, one can imagine how this place should have been in its glory.

Dec 9, 2009

Photos: 141

Narasingamangalam

Dec 9, 2009

Photos: 7

Mammalapuram

Mamallapuram

Oct 10, 2009

Photos: 211

Jain Temple in Kanchipuram

Jain Temple situated in Tirupartuthikundram, Kanchipuram - Jeenaswamy Trilokyanathar temple. The painting in this temples have been recently restored.