The historical connection between Srirangam Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple and Tirupati Balaji Temple is indeed deeply rooted in a significant event during the invasion of Mohammed bin Tuglaq. When Srirangam faced invasion, Pillailogachariyar, a revered Vaishnavite saint, played a crucial role in safeguarding the processional deities of Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple. He ensured their protection by transporting them to the Tirupati Temple, where they found refuge. For over two decades, the idols of Lord Namperumal, Goddess Sridevi, and Sri Bhoodevi remained safely housed within the sacred precincts of the Tirupati Temple. This act of sanctuary provided by the Tirupati Temple during a tumultuous period in Srirangam's history was crucial in preserving the sanctity and heritage of the Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple. In recognition and gratitude for this invaluable protection, the authorities of Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Srirangam, established a tradition. Every year, during the Tamil mo

River Ganga is in danger of dying - but if the river dies, will Goddess Ganga too die? The question took journalist Julian Crandall Hollick on an extraordinary journey on the River Ganga – starting at Gaumukh, going down the Himalayas, past the great cities on the its banks and finally to Sagar Island where the river meets the sea. The book Ganga by Julian Crandall Hollick talks about the sacred Ganga and the exploited Ganga . Julian Crandall Hollick is an award-winning producer and writer of radio documentaries and is co-founder of Independent Broadcasting Associates, Inc., a non-profit media production company based in Massachusetts . Through his journey, Crandall Hollick looks at all the issues Ganga faces: from the Tehri dam which diverts most of her source water to create electricity for Delhi to the Farakka barrage which has wrecked havoc in the villages in Bengal; from Kanpur where the river is at its most polluted to Varanasi, next door, where millions take their holy d