Parantharami Mani

     This is from the collection of photographs taken during the visit of Madras Presidency by Prince of Wales ( later King Edward  VII)143 years  ago in 1875.  It is the  Ther festival of Kokilambal  udanurai Thirukameswarer temple at  Villianur in Pondicherry.  The Ther  then and now at same spot.

     A so far unseen photograph of Mylapore temple.  Going  by the period car outside the temple the photograph should be 1940s. It seems the  side gate was not there at that time

      Prince of Wales Albert  Edward  ( later  King Edward VII ) with his wife Princess Alexandria of Denmark on their marriage in March 1863. He  visited India  in 1875-76  and Madras was part of his itinerary.  He came by train and alighted  at Perambur station.  A first hand account of the reception given to him.     " The reception of the Prince at Perumpore a station some three miles landward of Madras was of course gorgeous.  The  Duke of  Buckingham in political  uniform of Blue and Gold was there  surrounded by his suite. There was a large assemblage of native princes and functionaries including the Chiefs of Travancore,  Cochin, Arcot and Vizianagaram. The  Prince was escorted to a carriage over which was reared an umbrella covered with gold the magnificence of which would make the renowned one from Ashantee pale into utter insignificance.  The  procession pass...

     A colour photograph of  NSC bose road junction in mid sixties. The  Kuralagam building which was constructed in 1967 is still to come.  Savaran Pakku  Thool advt and Hero cycle advt can be seen.  Two constables in their  half trousers and striped old model  cap seen crossing the road in their trademark cycle companion.

Tirupathi  Sannidhi Street  in 1950s with the thousand pillar mandapam on the  left.         The  East India Company handed over the  administration of the temple of  Tirupathi along with auxiliary  temples of  Sri Govindaraja,  Sri Kodandarama, Sri Kapileswara  in Tirupathi along  with Sri Padmavathi  temple in Tiruchanur in September 1843 to Mahant  Sri Sevadasa of Sri Hathiramji  Mutt designated as Administrator of Temple   by agreement dated 21st April  1843 to carry the management  through  successor  disciples. The  Mahant  was a Gowda  Brahmin  from  Bengal a follower of Vishnu  and in no way concerned in the distinctions of Tengala and Vadagala. The  Mahant was deeply  interested in the worship of the temple  and was respected by the community in general.  The  temple was under the administration of th...

      The  Prince of Wales later King  Edward  VII toured the subcontinent during 1875-1876. His tour included a visit to Madras during which he laid the foundation of Madras Harbour  works on 15th December 1875. In 1875 Edward was hardly a man of 34 years was not in the  good books of Queen  Victoria in view of his habits.  He was sent to the subcontinent to  improve his stature and to become a model monarch. Victoria had also her own ambition to become the Empress of India which she did two years later. The  tour of the Prince  was meant to improve diplomatic relations with the sub continent and various  Kings, Maharajahs and Nabobs to make way for Victorias ambition.  He was given a grand reception at  Madras Club,  Mount  Road  which was attended by the  who's who of Madras. He could ultimately become King in 1901 at the  ripe age of  60.

       Ponnambala Vaddiyar  Street  abetting  the  eastern  tower of Kapaliswar  Temple  around 1915. Ponnambala Vaddiyar was the dharmakartha of the  temple in early  18th century along with Kannakasabai  Pandaram. He was not from the Tuluva Vellala community which dominated the dharmakarthaship.  The street  must  have been named in honour of him . The street is full of coconut trees. It must have been Brahmotsava time since pandal is there on Sannadhi street. The  row of shops abetting the compound wall selling flowers and other items  were established in 1950s

     The  8th century  Parthasarathy Temple around 1900 AD. The  four pillared mandapam is Vijayanagar  era one with  stone rings on the  four corners. The  32 pillared  mandapam at the back was constructed during the period 1851-55 by Mannivakkam  Somasundara  Mudaliar who was also in the  Pachaippas Trust  board. Mudaliar  and his wife are sculpted in one of the pillars of the mandapam.  Thirumadhil  (compound wall) of the  temple was constructed around 1564 AD during the reign of  Sadasiva Raya of Vijayanagar  dynasty  by one Narasingha Dasan when major expansions were carried out in the  temple. Pic  Deltufo  & Co

      Mylapore of bygone era. This so far  unseen   photograph must have been taken around 1910 when the steps of the tank were yet to be constructed.  The view should be from North Mada  Street perhaps from  NAC showroom towards South Mada street. The  building on the  opposite side must be bommai chathiram.    Lush green trees . It should  have been a cooler place then to live.