Photographs

Puduperiyavar at IIT Madras, 1965

Visiting VIPs

This photograph was taken at the Jalakanteshwara Temple on the IIT Madras campus. The temple is historically relevant to the city. A report suggests that the idol of Lord Shiva (Jalakanteshwara) is over 400 years old. It was worshiped by residents of villages in the area when it was placed in a small shrine near the lake. It was moved to its current location and the temple construction started in 1962 after Mahaperiyavar instructed IIT Madras residents to do so in order to continue worship of the deity.

Jagadguru Sri Jayendra Saraswathi Shankaracharya was known as Puduperiyavar. He was the head of the Kanchi Kamakoti Pitham, also known as the Kanchi Matha. Puduperiyavar visited IIT Madras when the Jalakanteshwara Temple was opened after construction was completed in 1965. The kumbhabhishekam was conducted on 18 June 1965 in his presence.

Seen in the photograph, Puduperiyavar (second from left) and Mr. Y. S. Ramaswamy (Superintending Engineer, third from right).

Collection:

Gourishankar Collection

Album Name:

Jalakanteshwara Temple Kumbhabhishekam, 1965 and Visit of Mahaperiyavar, 1966

Photograph ID:

001/0290/IMG_0066

Album ID:

0290

Photographer:

C. Gourishankar (1936-2002). A geologist by qualification, Gourishankar started his career as a photographer after working for many years with the Geological Survey of India. In everything that he did, Gourishankar strove to achieve flawlessness and impeccable quality. Thus his photography too was characterised by this drive for perfection. Every photograph that Gourishankar took was meticulously planned and shot and printed with diligence and patience. Gourishankar carried out most of the official photography at IIT Madras in the 1960s.

Event:

Jalakanteshwara Temple Kumbhabhishekam

Place:

Possibly Near Jalakanteshwara Temple

Date:

18 June 1965

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