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  The Nagannathaswamy Temple, located in Keelaperumpallam near Poompuhar in Tamil Nadu, is a unique and sacred temple dedicated primarily to Ketu Bhagavan , one of the nine Navagrahas. This temple is part of the highly revered Navagraha Temple Circuit of Tamil Nadu and is especially important for devotees seeking relief from Ketu dosha. Alongside Ketu worship, the temple is also dedicated to Lord Shiva , worshipped here as Naganathaswamy . Surrounded by traditional Tamil landscapes and steeped in ancient legends, the temple attracts thousands of devotees seeking spiritual cleansing and planetary harmony. History in Detail The temple’s origins are deeply rooted in Hindu mythology and early Chola history. Mythological Background According to legend: Keelaperumpallam is associated with the story of Rahu and Ketu , the two shadow planets. During the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), the asura Swarbhanu disguised himself and consumed the divine nectar. Lord Vishnu ...

  India suffered a humiliating defeat on a turning pitch to South Africa at Eden Gardens in just 2.5 days .  The surface, tailored insistently for sharp turn, ended up becoming a disastrous boomerang against India themselves. Simon Harmer suddenly looked better than world-class; he appeared almost unplayable. Ultimately, India were trapped by their own “made-to-order” wicket. The very pitch crafted under Gambhir’s instructions proved India’s undoing. Chasing a modest target of 124, Rishabh Pant and his men imploded for just 93. Harmer’s relentless spin handed India a humiliating 30-run defeat. Six years after Test cricket returned to Eden Gardens, the anticipation had been electric. The historic venue, usually steeped in colour only during white-ball cricket, looked resplendent even in the traditional whites. But instead of celebration, Eden ended the Test with Indian embarrassment and a fierce debate about the surface. The tone was set on Day 1 itself. South Africa’s captain...

  The Ramanathaswamy Temple in Rameswaram is one of the holiest and most iconic Hindu temples, located on Pamban Island in Tamil Nadu. Dedicated to Lord Shiva , it is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and a major pilgrimage site, forming a vital part of the Char Dham Yatra (Badrinath, Dwarkadhish, Jagannath, and Rameswaram). The temple is globally renowned for its majestic corridors, sacred water tanks, spiritual vibrance, and deep mythological connections to Lord Rama. History in Detail The temple’s history is interwoven with the Ramayana and holds immense mythological and historical importance. Mythological Origins According to the Ramayana: After defeating Ravana in Lanka, Lord Rama , along with Sita and Lakshmana, returned to Rameswaram. To absolve himself from the sin of killing a Brahmin (Ravana), Rama decided to worship Lord Shiva. Hanuman was sent to bring a Shiva Linga from Kailasa, but since he was delayed, Sita fashioned a Shiva Linga out of sand , known as the R...

  Jasprit Bumrah claimed a superb five-wicket haul in the first innings, while Ravindra Jadeja has already picked up four in the second. South Africa’s spinner Simon Harmer, too, has pocketed four wickets. Remarkably, not a single batter has managed even a half-century so far in this Eden Gardens Test. At this rate, the match looks almost certain to finish on the third day itself—thanks largely to Eden’s treacherously “orderly” pitch. Some deliveries are shooting low, some are leaping unexpectedly, and others are turning sharply to shatter the stumps. By stumps on Day 2, South Africa were 93 for 7, leading by 63 runs. A staggering 15 wickets tumbled in a single day—India losing 8 (with Gill unable to bat) and South Africa 7. If India fail to wrap up the South African innings quickly on Day 3, trouble awaits, because they too will have to chase on this unpredictable surface. Yet Gambhir’s brigade cannot breathe easy. The Eden pitch can turn “self-destructive” at any moment. No o...

  The Meenakshi Amman Temple, located in the heart of Madurai, is one of India’s most iconic and grandest temples—renowned for its towering gopurams, exquisite sculptures, and deep spiritual heritage. Dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi (an avatar of Parvati) and Lord Sundareswarar (Shiva) , the temple stands as a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture and a symbol of Tamil culture. It is one of the oldest and most visited pilgrimage sites in India, drawing millions of devotees and tourists every year. History in Detail The temple’s origins trace back more than 2,000 years , with references in ancient Tamil Sangam literature. According to legend, the city of Madurai was built around the temple, blessed by Lord Shiva himself. • Legend: King Malayadhwaja Pandya and Queen Kanchanamala performed a yagna to have a child. Goddess Parvati herself incarnated as Meenakshi , born with three breasts—a sign that her third breast would disappear when she met her future husband. When Meenakshi ...

  After six long years, Test cricket finally returned to Kolkata. The anticipation around the India–South Africa Test at Eden Gardens was evident well in advance. From Goshto Pal Sarani to the Maidan, long queues for tickets signalled the city’s excitement. And when the soft winter sun broke through on Saturday morning, thousands of fans streamed toward Eden. At the toss, with the clock nearing nine, Shubman Gill’s luck didn’t change. But unfazed, he told match presenter Ravi Shastri, “Maybe my luck will turn in the World Test Championship final.” His voice carried unshakable confidence — a confidence that soon reflected in India’s performance. Powered by Bumrah, Kuldeep and Siraj, South Africa were bundled out for just 159 in their first innings. India replied with 37/1 at stumps. South African captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and opted to bat — the expected choice. India entered the Test with a bold combination of four spinners , or more accurately, one specialist spinner an...

  Here’s a detailed, travel-friendly guide on La Fortuna , Costa Rica 🌋🌿 Introduction La Fortuna , located in northern Costa Rica in the Alajuela Province , is one of the country’s most famous adventure and nature destinations. The town sits at the base of the Arenal Volcano , an iconic cone-shaped giant that once was one of the world’s most active volcanoes. La Fortuna combines tropical rainforest beauty, hot springs, waterfalls, wildlife, and adventure sports — all in a serene and eco-friendly setting. It’s a top choice for eco-tourism, honeymooners, families, and thrill-seekers , offering activities like volcano hikes, ziplining, rafting, and soaking in natural hot springs. Despite its popularity, La Fortuna maintains a small-town charm , with friendly locals, cozy restaurants, and stunning views in every direction. Best Spots to Visit in Detail 1. Arenal Volcano National Park The main attraction of La Fortuna. Covers over 12,000 hectares of forest, lava fields, a...

  The Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple, situated on the banks of the sacred River Pamba in Mallapuzhassery near Aranmula, Kerala, is one of the 108 Divya Desams—holy abodes of Lord Vishnu revered by the Alvars. Dedicated to Lord Parthasarathy (Lord Krishna as the charioteer of Arjuna), this ancient temple stands as a shining example of Kerala’s architectural and spiritual heritage. It is also famous for the annual Aranmula Boat Race (Vallamkali) and the Aranmula Vallasadya , attracting thousands of devotees each year. History in Detail The temple’s origins date back over 3,000 years, and it is closely linked to the Mahabharata . According to legend, after the Kurukshetra war, the Pandavas built temples in Kerala to atone for their sins. Arjuna constructed this temple for Lord Krishna, his divine charioteer. Hence, the deity is known as Parthasarathy (Partha’s charioteer). Historical records and temple inscriptions suggest that the temple was established during the early Chera d...

  The 2025 WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia , carried an unmistakable New York afterglow , with three of the four semifinalists having also reached the last four at the US Open earlier in the season. Yet, in this desert showdown, it was Elena Rybakina who reigned supreme, outshining her New York contemporaries to capture the biggest year-end title of her career. The Kazakhstani powerhouse , who had achieved her best US Open result this year by reaching the fourth round, produced an immaculate 5-0 run in Riyadh, culminating in a 6-3, 7-6(0) victory over reigning US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday’s final. Displaying her trademark composure and crisp shot-making, Rybakina never allowed Sabalenka’s explosive power to rattle her rhythm. Her path to the title also included wins over Jessica Pegula , another US Open semifinalist, and Amanda Anisimova , the 2025 US Open runner-up, whom she defeated in her opening match. At 26, Rybakina’s triumph marked her first WTA Fi...

  Manuel Antonio is one of Costa Rica’s most stunning and visited destinations, located on the Central Pacific Coast in the Puntarenas Province . It’s world-famous for its Manuel Antonio National Park , which combines lush rainforests, pristine beaches, rich wildlife, and adventure in one compact area. Despite being a small town, Manuel Antonio offers a perfect balance of natural beauty and modern comfort —you can spot monkeys and sloths in the jungle by day, then enjoy ocean-view fine dining by evening. It’s an eco-tourism paradise , popular with nature lovers, photographers, adventure seekers, and couples. The nearby town of Quepos serves as its gateway and offers marinas, markets, and transport connections. Best Spots to Visit in Detail 1. Manuel Antonio National Park The star attraction, and one of the most biodiverse parks in the world . Encompasses rainforest trails, beaches, and coral reefs . Wildlife includes three-toed sloths, white-faced capuchin monkeys, ig...

  The Pazhavangadi Maha Ganapathy Temple , located in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram , Kerala’s capital city, is one of the most prominent temples dedicated to Lord Ganesha , the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom and success. Nestled near the iconic East Fort and close to the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple , it holds immense religious and historical importance. This temple is especially known for its unique idol of Lord Ganesha seated in a right leg-folded posture , a rare representation among Ganesha temples. Every day, thousands of devotees—especially from the Indian Armed Forces and travelers—visit this sacred site to seek blessings before beginning new ventures. History in Detail The origins of the Pazhavangadi Maha Ganapathy Temple date back to the period when Thiruvananthapuram was under the rule of the Travancore Kingdom . The temple’s history is closely associated with the Travancore Army and the Royal Family . Originally, the idol of Lord Ganesha was worshi...

  The Attukal Bhagavathy Temple , situated in Thiruvananthapuram , Kerala, is one of the most famous temples dedicated to Goddess Bhagavathy (Parashakti) , the Supreme Mother. Popularly known as the “Sabarimala of Women” , this temple is renowned for hosting the Attukal Pongala Festival , which holds the Guinness World Record for the largest annual gathering of women for a single religious event. The presiding deity, Attukal Devi , is considered an incarnation of Kannaki , the heroine of the Tamil epic Silappathikaram , symbolizing divine justice, womanhood, and strength. The temple stands as a beacon of feminine divinity and devotion , drawing millions of women devotees each year. History in Detail The origin of the Attukal Temple is steeped in legend and divine intervention. According to local belief, the temple’s history dates back several centuries, linked to the Tamil epic Silappathikaram . The story goes that Kannaki , after avenging the wrongful execution of her husb...

  The Guruvayoor Srikrishna Temple , located in Guruvayoor town in Thrissur district , Kerala, is one of the most important and ancient temples dedicated to Lord Krishna in South India. The presiding deity is worshipped as Guruvayoorappan , an enchanting four-armed form of Lord Vishnu carrying the conch ( Panchajanya ), discus ( Sudarshana ), mace ( Kaumodaki ), and lotus ( Padma ). Known as the “Dwarka of the South” , Guruvayoor Temple is a spiritual heart of Kerala’s Hindu community, attracting millions of devotees every year. The temple is especially renowned for its deep rituals, traditional discipline, grand festivals, and as a center for classical arts and devotion. History in Detail The origin of the Guruvayoor Temple is steeped in divine legend and ancient tradition. According to Hindu mythology , the idol of Lord Krishna worshipped here was originally worshipped by Lord Vishnu himself in Vaikuntha. It was later handed over to Brahma , who gave it to Sutapa and Pra...

  The Vaikom Mahadev Temple , located in Vaikom town in the Kottayam district of Kerala, is among the oldest and most revered Shiva temples in South India . The presiding deity, Lord Shiva , is worshipped here as Vaikkathappan , and the temple is considered one of the most powerful centers of Shaivism in Kerala. This temple holds deep spiritual, cultural, and historical importance — not only as a major pilgrimage site but also as a symbol of social reform and equality due to the famous Vaikom Satyagraha (1924–25), a pivotal movement in India’s struggle against caste discrimination. Vaikom Mahadev Temple, often called “The Kashi of the South” , attracts thousands of devotees seeking Lord Shiva’s blessings for longevity, prosperity, and liberation from sins. History in Detail The Vaikom Mahadev Temple has a history that spans over 1500 years , with its origins rooted in Hindu mythology and early medieval Kerala . According to legend, the Shivalinga at Vaikom is one of th...

  India sealed the five-match T20I series against Australia 2–1 after the final game in Brisbane was washed out — a result that reflected India’s overall dominance, particularly with the ball. Such scenes are rarely witnessed in Australia — rain interruptions like those seen in England, accompanied this time by thunder and lightning. The fifth T20I at the Gabba was eventually abandoned due to the weather, handing India a 2–1 series victory. With this, India took sweet revenge for their ODI series defeat. The opening T20I of the series had also been washed out. The match in Brisbane began on schedule. India once again lost the toss, and Australia opted to field first. The visitors made one change — Rinku Singh replaced Tilak Varma, who was rested. Apart from that, the team remained unchanged. Batting first, India got off to a flying start. When rain stopped play after 4.5 overs, India had already reached 52 without loss. Initially, there was no rain — only frequent lightning strike...