Spirituality In Parry's

TRAVEL SERIES IN PARRY'S

Parry’s Corner 

Tradition of Spirituality

 In Parry’s 

Keeping with the tradition of preserving all that is old, Parry’s is an apt example of evolution; from the Dravidian times through the British Raj, and a part of a famous metropolitan of south India. Though it has come a long way, there certainly are some aspects which have remained constant. One such is the tradition of spirituality that one finds rampant in Parry’s. Past is always part of present and a living example of this we see in the Temples, Churches and Masjids that hold a very special place in every Parry’s dweller’s heart.

Legend has it that the Chennaikuppam area, a 17^th century settlement, had a presiding deity called Chennamman, the Goddess who is consecrated near the sea shore in Chennai. This area was called Muthialpet, which later was famous as Chennammankuppam. The presiding deity of Chennammankuppam was Kali and now she is called Kalikambal.

Sri Kalikambal Temple is situated in the heart of old Madras. It is a famous area for many schools, one such being the Muthialpet Higher Secondary School, an old school in Tamil Nadu since 1847. The temple was relocated to its present location during the period of British rule in India, but many believe that its original location was closer to the sea shore. It is also believed that a firece ugra form of the Goddess was held in worship earlier, and that this form was replaced with the Shanta Swaroopa form of Kamakshi, along with a Meru in the recent past.

The Temple’s historical significance is very prominent. It is recorded that Chatrapathi Sivaji, visited Madras to pray at this temple, in 1677. He then returned to his kingdom, This temple, located in a street named Thambu Chetty street, sees crowds on Fridays. And special arrangement is made for traffic movement on this day, as crowds throng even outside the temple, as devotees install make-shift stalls selling flowers, jaggery and pooja items in the form of an attractive flea market. A 10-day festival known as the Brahmotsavam  is celebrated in all vigor during the months of May and June.

Another famous temple in the near-by area is the Kandaswamy Temple, situated at the Rasappa Chetty Street. The temple dates back to many centuries. Saivates are inclined towards this temple, as shrines of Siva, Vishnu and Brahma are worshipped here. Amongst so many visitors to Parry’s a sizeable of them definitely come to visit this temple. The temple is centrally located, easily accessible to pilgrims, located in the busy Flower-Bazaar, more famously known to auto-gars and rickshaw-pullers as ‘Kandaswamy Koil street. Apart from its sanctity, the temple is also known for its architectural brilliance. The most astonishing thing about this temple is that the Thirtha or water in the temple tank is reportedly to be at the same level as it was during its installation.

Amazingly, three churches - The Armenian Church, The St. Anthony’s Church and the St. Mary’s Co-Cathedral are located in linearity. As much as the Armenian Church is a quiet testimony to the passage of time, the St. Anthony’s Church witnesses crowds of faithful devotees visiting the St. Anthony’s Church. Amongst scores of visitors, devotees jostle their way to receive a share of their patron Saint’s sublimity. The street corner is filled with activity and bustle, with flower sellers, gift and prayer item-sellers, vying for space and attention amongst thousands of vistors who pave their way into the street on Tuesdays.

On the other hand, the Armenian Church located adjacent to the St. Anthony’s Church, on the Armenian Church is a very quietly beautiful place. Reconstructed in 1772, is the oldest surviving church of its kind in India. It is famous for its belfry of six. The Church is also called the Armenian Church of Virgin Mary. The care-taker, Alexander even till today, lights a lamp in the chapel everyday, and rings the Sunday bells, a reminder to us of our glorious past. 

As I move around and take in the quiet beauty of this old church, he tells me that Armenians have a deep link to history of Madras than what is known. Khojah Petrus Watskun, the man behind the Marmalong Adyar bridge, devoted his time and money to this bridge, and the steps to the St. Thomas Mount have also actually been built by an Armenian, he tells me. While trying to put the pieces of this glorious history together at the Church, many visitors from Armenia come here, probably in something similar quest as mine. And I realize that the Church is not just a historical monument. But a living entity which is a melting pot for communities.  

The famous Masjid-e-Mamoor, located in the colorful angappa naicken st, was first built in 18^th century, and reconstructed in 19^th century, by the Nawab of Arcot. The street is a busy  zone with shops and eat-outs clustered around the masjid. The street wears a distinct charm, as shops are open upto 9.00 pm and there is always activity here, since there are a number of joints where people gather to eat.  There is scope for window shopping here for variety of prayer items, women’s hijabs and men’s clothing that are open here 365 days a year. The masjid can accommodate more than five thousand people at a time.

The Saifee Masjid, an example of the rich Fatemi legacy in Chennai, was inaugurated by the Head of its community in the late 1970’s. A three-floor masjid, it is spacious, accommodating about 9,000 people at a time. The marble-walled inscriptions engraving the name of Allah and Prophet Mohammed (A.S)’s followers, is a masjid for Dawoodi Bohras of the city. It is located in the Moore Street, which is close to beach station. This stretch got its name Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin Street, named after the Head of the Community.

Parry’s a home to many classic temples, churches and masjids mirrors the unique blend of the ancient and the new, an illustration to us of the glorious link that Parry’s has to our past. Absorbing all of this into a vibrant present, this is the tradition of spirituality in Parry’s.