Thiruvarur

Window Seat 

Recently I went to Central University of Tamilnadu located at Thiruvarur, an ancient temple town. Thiruvarur, located about 100 km east of Trichy is famous for the massive Thyagarajaswamy Temple. It is home to one of the largest temple chariots in Asia. It is also the birthplace of the Carnatic Music Trinity (Tyagaraja, SyamaSastri, MuthuswamiDikshitar), making it a significant cultural and religious hub with many ancient temples and festivals, plus natural attractions like bird sanctuaries and mangroves.

Thiruvarur's main deity is Lord Shiva, worshipped as Thyagarajaswami, a form of Somaskanda (Shiva with Parvati and Skanda), with his consort Parvati as Goddess Kamalambika (or Neelotpalambika). The temple also features Vanmikanathar, believed to have emerged from an anthill, and is a significant Shakti Peetha.

The temple was originally constructed with brick during the Pallava period and later rebuilt as a granite structure by the Chola dynasty in the 9^th century. Significant renovations and upgrades occurred under Rajaraja Chola I and Rajendra Chola I (10th-11th century). 

Thiruvarur district hosts numerous important temples, including the KoothanurMahaSaraswati Temple and Alangudi Guru Temple for planet Jupiter.

Velankanni Basilica

The Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health in Velankanni, one of India's biggest Catholic pilgrimagecenters, is just about 30 kms from Thiruvarur. Located on the Coromandel Coast in the Nagapattinam district, Tamil Nadu this Gothic-Portuguese style shrine attracts millions, especially for its August-September feast, and is dedicated to miraculous healings.

Its origin goes back to the 16th/17th century based on legends of Mother Mary appearing to a shepherd boy, a buttermilk vendor, and saving Portuguese sailors. Gradually it was built as a massive complex of white buildings with red tiled roofs, featuring both Gothic and Portuguese styles, with extensions added in 1928 and 1933. It is one of the leading Marian shrines worldwide — like Lourdes in France, Fatima in Portugal and Guadalupe in Mexico, and is popularly known as ‘Lourdes of the East’. It was consecrated in 1962. The complex features a Lower Basilica and Upper Basilica, a museum filled with offerings (gold/silver body parts, etc.), and holds regular, live-streamed masses in Tamil, Telugu, and other languages. 

The Tonsure Hall

Basilica Velankini is known for reported miracles and cures. Millions of people, mostly from all over south India across faiths visit the Basilicia. Some of the rituals followed here are almost the same as that of the Hindus like tonsuring (mundan), ear bouring (ear piercing), offering milk and so on. There are several shops selling idols of Mother Mary, beads, lockets and other knick-knacks near the shrine.

See the large tonsure hall, which can serve over twenty persons simultaneously.

International Mother Language Day

Yesterday, 21 February was International Mother Language Day. UNESCO began observing the day in 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity across the world.

The day commemorates the historic language movement in Dhaka, where students sacrificed their lives in 1952 while demanding recognition of their mother tongue as one of the two national languages. Their struggle symbolised the deep emotional and cultural connection people share with their native language.

Mother language is the first medium through which individuals learn to express emotions, thoughts, and identity. It forms the foundation of cognitive development and cultural continuity. Research shows that early education in one’s mother tongue improves comprehension, creativity, and academic success. It helps children grasp complex concepts more effectively and fosters confidence in learning.

In today’s globalised world, multilingualism has become increasingly important. While international languages help people connect globally, mother languages preserve cultural heritage and community traditions. Unfortunately, many indigenous and minority languages are facing extinction due to several factors including globalisation, migration, and changing social dynamics. The loss of a language often results in the disappearance of unique knowledge systems, folklore, and cultural practices.

International Mother Language Day reminds governments, educators, and communities to promote inclusive education systems that respect linguistic diversity. Encouraging mother tongue-based multilingual education ensures that children from diverse linguistic backgrounds receive equitable learning opportunities.

By preserving and promoting mother languages, societies can safeguard their heritage while embracing global connectivity. As individuals, respecting and nurturing our mother tongue strengthens our roots and enriches our understanding of the world’s cultural mosaic.

International Mother Language Day stands as a powerful reminder that linguistic diversity is not merely a cultural asset but a vital component of human civilization.