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Showing posts from August 8, 2013


Khatvanga – Staff with Human Skull Attached to Bone

Some of us must have noticed the weapon a human skull attached to bone in the hands of tantrics and also in images of certain gods. It is known as Khatvanga. This is a weapon that comes from very ancient times. In modern times, the bone is replaced with decorated wood. Khatvanga in its original form is very rare but some Tantrics attending the Ambubachi Mela at Kamakhya Temple in Assam holds it. Khatvanga is a sort of club (gada). The handle is made up of the bone of forearm or leg. The end portion of the bone is attached to human skull. The bone was replaced by wood during the Chalukya and Hoysala period. They used intricately carved wood. There are several different types of Khatvanga today without human skull. The skull is made using metal or wood. In some the human skull is attached to Trishul. In some the skull is attached to sword or spear. Some people have created designer Khatvanga in which more than one skull is attached in different styles. But these are

Chellandi Amman Temple near Karur in Tamil Nadu

Chellandi Amman Temple located at Madhukarai near Karur in Tamil Nadu. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati. Legend has it that Chellandi Amman appeared before Chera, Chozha and Pandya kings and asked them to stop wars that were troubling her devotees. As Goddess gave darshan to the three kings she came to be known as Chellandi Amman. Chellandi Amman is seated on a lion in temple. There are murtis of Aariya Raja and his wife Chandanathammal, Pechiyamman, Madhurai Veeran and Kathavarayan. Chandana Karuppar riding a horse can be seen on the eastern side of the temple. There is also a murti of Shiva near the eighteen steps leading to Kaveri River . People believe that by praying to Lord Shiva, women can be blessed with children. Location - Madhukarai Village is 20 km from Trichy on the Trichy –Karur road.