Category: Asia

The Javanese Princess who became Durga statue in Prambanan temple complex

Posted on October 17, 2015October 16, 2021 by Saran Shanmugam

The Javanese Princess who became Durga Mahishasuramardini statue in Prambanan temple complex – This is the story of a Javanese princess and her love and betrayal. The princess’s name is Roro Jonggrang.

Culture and Belief of Balinese

Posted on September 11, 2015July 23, 2020 by Saran Shanmugam

Bali, Indonesia has a blend of culture,architecture and beautiful beaches which makes it a perfect place for tourists from elsewhere

Central Java – Epitome of Dharmic Architecture in SE Asia – Part 3 of 3

Posted on September 3, 2015January 17, 2018 by Saran Shanmugam

After my transfixion with Prambanan and Borobudur the previous few days, I had 2 more days in my

Central Java – Epitome of Dharmic Architecture in SE Asia – Part 2 – Borobudur

Posted on September 2, 2015August 13, 2020 by Saran Shanmugam

Part 2 – Borobudur Temples Borobudur – the architectural splendor with a splash of Indian culture and religion. This

Central Java – Epitome of Dharmic Architecture in SE Asia – Part 1 – Prambanan

Posted on August 30, 2015January 17, 2018 by Saran Shanmugam

Most Indians around the world know Bali as being the representative of Dharmic culture in SE Asia. But

Great Living Chola Temples – Big Temple

Posted on August 28, 2015February 11, 2018 by Hema Saran

Part 3 – Big Temple, Tanjore Continuing with my Travelogue of the Great Living Chola temples,

Mount Bromo,Java

Posted on August 9, 2015October 16, 2021 by Saran Shanmugam

Mount Bromo, one of the many volcanoes located in Eastern Java, Indonesia is an active volcano , along with the

Hue’, Vietnam

Posted on August 9, 2015October 16, 2021 by Saran Shanmugam

Hue’, Vietnam – city which triggered an emotional rollercoaster within me Hue’, pronounced as

Angkor, Cambodia

Posted on August 9, 2015October 10, 2022 by Saran Shanmugam

Angkor – Land of Dharmic Faiths and Khmer Architecture, which borrows some of the architectural practices from the South Indian

Wat Chalong, phuket - Most important Buddhist temple in Phuket

Thailand – The Time I felt like a Sage

Posted on August 8, 2015January 14, 2018 by Saran Shanmugam

In ancient Hinduism, a man’s life is divided into 4 stages – 1. Brahmacharya – student stage when a man

Aadi Perukku – The New Beginning

Posted on July 20, 2015October 16, 2021 by Hema Saran

The period was the 10th century and the country was the Chozha country (corresponding to the Cuddalore district of the State of Tamilnadu in India) and waterbody is the Veeranarayana lake. The occasion was Aadi 18. The above is the english translation of the opening chapter of the Tamil historical novel, Ponniyin Selvan. Aadi 18 is the occasion when the water bodies of Tamilnadu in India fill up, signifying the new beginning for the Tamilians that year. It is very apt that Kalki Krishnamurthy, the author of Ponniyin Selvan, kept it as the first chapter, Fresh Floods (Puthu Vellam – புது வெள்ளம்)