India
Pondicherry, a Little Bit of France in India
On the Coromandel coast, Pondicherry — “Pondy” — has a unique atmosphere and charm, very different from the rest of…
Hindu deities
India
Gingee, Forts off the Beaten Track
Off the tourist trail, Gingee is a spectacular, almost-abandoned site: four old forts perched on hills, in an extraordinary granite…
India
Kanchipuram, One of India’s Seven Sacred Cities
Kanchipuram, “the golden city” (from kanchi, gold, and puram, city), is one of India’s seven sacred cities. Former capital of…
India
The Mamallapuram Dance Festival
Each year-end, Mahābalipuram hosts one of the most important festivals of classical Indian dance. It runs from 26 December to…
India
Tirukalikundram
Tirukalikundram, 17 km from Mahābalipuram, is a village dedicated to Śiva, known for its fruit, vegetable and flower market at…
India
Cheyyur, South of Mahābalipuram
This village, off the tourist trail, lies 48 km south of Mahābalipuram, before Merkanam, 6 km to the right of…
India
The Temple of Chidambaram
Chidambaram is famous throughout India for its temple dedicated to Śiva as Naṭarāja, the “cosmic dancer” who dances creation (Ānanda…
India
The Kapaleeswarar Temple in Chennai
In the heart of Mylapore, one of Chennai’s oldest districts, the Kapaleeswarar temple is one of the great Śaiva sanctuaries…
India
The National Art Gallery in Chennai
If there is only one place to visit in Chennai, it is its National Art Gallery. A single complex houses…