Book Titled “Vishnu Temples of South India’ Authored by Dr.Chithra Madhavan, contains articles on vishnu temples in Tamil Nadu with many excellent photographs of the tower and deities in the temples . South India is famous for her temples, both big and small, found in every city, town and village. Many of these temples are dedicated to vishnu. Many of the larger temples dedicated to Vishnu are well known and are often visited devotees and also by those interested in History, archaeology and temple architecture.
The Divya desams or temples wherein the deities have been eulogized by the Azhvars in their hymns collectively called Nalayira Divya Prabandham, are quite famous and many books and articles have been written about them. However there are innumerable smaller vishnu temples in cities, towns and villages, which have not been glorified by the Azhvars, but are still very important from the religious and historical perspective. Unfortunately, these temples are not well known and therefore not visited often.
Some of the temples given in this book have great historical significance, having many important inscriptions etched on the walls of the times of the Pallava, Pandya, Chola and Vijayanagara monarchs. They reveal that these temples were the hub of the socio-economic and cultural life of the villages and towns in which they were situated. some of these temples are also of great architectural beauty and are studded with innumerable sculptures which reveal the talent and dexterity of the architects and sculptors of times bygone.This book has covered many excellent photographs of the tower and deities in the temples. Some of them are given below.
Volume 1 covers thirty articles on vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu especially those near chennai and Kanchipuram. Four of these are Divya desams or the temples sanctified by the hymns of the Azhvars or the Vaishnava saints and are famous. All the other articals in this book describe the smaller temples mostly found in villages, small towns or in suburbans of chennai which are also important historic and religious centres. This book costs Rs.200.This book is available in haristore.com. Orders can be placed by clicking the direct link http://haristore.com/index.php/vishnu-temples-of-south-india-volume-one-tamil-nadu.html.
Volume 2 covers twenty articles on vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu especially those near chennai and Kanchipuram. While the Divya desams or the temples eulogized in the hymns of the Azhvars or the Vaishnava saints and are famous. All the other articals in this book describe the smaller temples mostly found in villages, small towns or in suburbans of chennai which are also important historic and religious centres. This book costs Rs.100.This book is available in haristore.com. Orders can be placed by clicking the direct link http://haristore.com/index.php/vishnu-temples-of-south-india-volume-two-tamil-nadu.html
Volume 3 covers twenty articles on vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu dedicated to Vishnu in different areas known as Tondaimangalam, Especially near Kanchipuram and also in many historic places in Chennai.Most of these shrines are not famous today, although in the past, they were well known religious centres as seen from the information contained in the insciptions etched on their walls.This book costs Rs.100.This book is available in haristore.com. Orders can be placed by clicking the direct link http://haristore.com/index.php/vishnu-temples-of-south-india-volume-two-tamil-nadu.html
Volume 4 covers twenty articles on vishnu temples of Tamil Nadu. Three of them are Divya desams and the rest are smaller temples which are important from the view points of history and religion. All the temples covered in this volume are located on the East Coast Road (ECR) leading from Chennai, in Pondicherry, Cuddalore, Thirukoilur, Tindivanam and surrounding areas. This book costs Rs.200.
These books are available in haristore.com. Orders can be placed by clicking the direct link http://haristore.com/index.php/vishnu-temples-series.html
