Visakhapatnam :

The Karya Siddhi Vinayaka temple at Chodavaram is considered one of the two self-originating Vinayaka temples in AP, the second one being the Kanipakam temple in Chittoor district.

According to archaeological experts, both the temples were constructed roughly during the same time by the Chalukya Cholas (roughly 1200 AD).

The original Vinayaka temple and idol were discovered over 200 years ago at the spot where the present temple was built. According to the village elders, much effort was then put into shifting the idol to a nearby sivalayam. However, they were unable to do so as, according to a well-known local story that has gained mythical proportions, the snout of the Vinayaka was so long that they could not unearth it.

M Jagannadham, a local history buff, native and old timer, said, “The remains of the old temple were unearthed in 1850. However, the idol continued to remain sunk as it could not be propped up. Even today the Mula Virat, Lord Ganesh’s idol, cannot be completely seen. Only the upper portion of the torso can be properly seen and the rest lies buried.”

According to heritage conservationist Rani Sarma, not much may ever be known about the origins of the temple as the new temple built on the old premises has been repaired and reconstructed beyond recognition in the last 200 years. “One cannot go against the beliefs of the people for the Vinayaka here is said to be the Karya Siddhi Vinayaka, one who helps us achieve what we set out to do. It is people who wanted the temple to be built and rebuilt in the name of development and betterment,” she said.

Pointing out that the temple was built during the Chalukya-Chola period she said: “The Eastern Chalukya-Chola period saw a resurgence of Shaivism in the region and hence the large number of Shiva temples.”

Regarding the Swayambhu (self-originating) legend — a term generally used to describe ancient shrines that have been discovered by accident — a senior employee of the state archaeology department said, “How does one explain the remains of a temple unearthed from the ground? Though the general perception is that the shrine came out on its own, not much should be read into it from the archaeological or scientific point of view. It has more to do with the faith of the people.”

“The pity is that there is little or no scope for archaeological studies to be conducted as the temple has been rebuilt many times over the last 200 years. But the fact that the idol is located close to the old fort premises goes to prove that the temple may originally date back at least a 1,000 years,” he added.

The temple priest, Kodamanchili Ganesh, said, “We have been the priests for several generations now. It is true that the temple, which dates back to several hundred years, has been built and rebuilt over the years.” While pointing out that many people did come to research the origins of the temple, he said that keeping in view the fact that it was a live and vibrant place of worship, not much digging and excavation work could be done.

According to Jagannadham, Chodavaram came into existence as an agraharam (a Brahmin hamlet) following a grant by Chalukya Cholas to members of the Brahmin community. “It then developed into a centre of Vedic learning and Shaivite worship and went on to draw the attention of members of the trading class, who also contributed immensely to its growth, making it a major trading centre. A garrison was later built by the Chalukya Cholas to protect their trading interests,” he explained.

The legend: Legend has it that the snout of the Vinayaka is so long that the locals were unable to unearth it. The idol continues to remain sunk even today with only the upper portion of the torso visible to devotees and the rest remaining buried

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Visakhapatnam / by Venkatesh Bayya, TNN / July 04th, 2015

The Port City may today be regarded as the most cosmopolitan city of Andhra Pradesh with people of various cultures and religions living together in harmony and while this is generally attributed to the mushrooming of several public sector units, industries and government establishments in the post independence era, the seeds of cosmopolitanism were sowed much before that.

For, even a century prior to independence and long before the port, steel plant or the Indian Navy dropped anchor in Vizag, a pluralistic culture thrived in the city.

It all started with the British landing on Vizag’s shores in the 19th and early 20th century, some of whom married local women when their regiments were posted in Vizag during the First and Second World War.

While most members of the city’s Anglo Indian community are descendants of British soldiers and administrative officials, some of them are also of Australian and Canadian descent. “Anglo-Indians were found from the 19th and early 20th century in Vizag and were concentrated in areas like Soldierpeta, Gnapuram, Suryabagh and Old Town. The first and second generation Anglo Indians were mostly with the armed forces or served as administrative officials. The subsequent generations mostly worked in the ports or railways and followed a fully European way of life,” said city-based historian Edward Paul.

Being literate, the community had one of the most progressive ideologies, denouncing the dowry system, forced arranged marriages and gender bias, and their women were also quite liberated. Culturally active, they influenced almost all aspects of the city, be it education, sports, music and dance, or even the social scene.

Mostly Roman Catholics and a few Protestants too by religion, the community would be found every Saturday and Sunday in churches, which served not just as a platform for religious congregation but also as a forum for socialising and cultural dos. Dressed in fashionable clothes and high-heels, they would dance, play music and exchange pleasantries in the churches. The Port Gymkhana Club, Railway Institute and Town Hall were other places for socializing and partying.

Almost all Anglo-Indians had penchant for music and thanks to them Vizag had a lively social scene, good live bands and guitarists, while most houses had pianos. Thanks to their penchant for socializing they were also instrumental in setting up many clubs. They also made good sportsperson and were into hockey, football,bicycling and athletics.

The fun-food-drink loving Anglo Indians were an industrious lot too and did not look down upon any job. An old-timer of Vizag, Sohan Hatangadi, who has seen the community at close quarters, reminisced, “My neighbour Michael Buckley would clean the streets in front of his house every day using his own brooms. He would lay the pavement in his area with tar and stone.”

One of their major contribution was towards education and saw them set up many English medium schools. “As far as education is concerned, the oldest school in Vizag, St Aloysius Anglo Indian School catered to the boys, while the girls studied in St Joseph’s Convent. Even though not too academically inclined, they preferred to be financially independent soon after turning 18 years old. Women were mostly into teaching and nursing, while men, with their knowledge of English, would get clerical jobs or work in the railways, customs or port workshops,” said Owen Perera, an old timer belonging to the community.

During Christmas, the homes and narrow by-lanes of the Old Town area (Vizag in those days was limited to the Old Town area) would come alive with decorated stars,Christmas trees and lamps. Aromas of freshly-baked cakes and melodious yuletide music would waft from every Anglo-Indian household. Easter was another important festival.

With a spurt in migration to Australia, UK and other countries since the late 1960s and 70s, when there were around 200-plus families in Vizag, today barely 15-20 families (the elderly ones) are left in Vizag with life more about nostalgia for the good-old days while for some its about waiting for the younger generation’s homecoming from abroad during Christmas.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Visakhapatnam / by Sulogna Mehta, TNN / June 25th, 2015

The iconic structure was established in 1903 to guide ships.

Setting a new benchmark in restoration of heritage structures in the city the Visakhapatnam Port Trust and the Visakha Container Terminal Pvt Ltd restored the old Lighthouse at Flagstaff on the Beach Road and the iconic building was thrown open to public on Friday.

The iconic structure which was a source of inspiration for the seafarers is a landmark that is the pride of the Port City standing testimony to the rich marine traditions of the region. This would probably be the first historical monument whose restoration has been taken up in a proper manner. “It is the first text-book restoration work in the city,” convenor INTACH PV Prasad said thanking the Port and the VCTPL for taking keen interest in the restoration work.

“We are proud to be associated with the proper restoration of a genuinely historical monument,” VCTPL managing director Vir Kotak said. We have taken up the work and gladly spent the amounts required for the restoration, he added.

Monuments and their architecture reflect the culture of the earlier generations and any work to preserve our heritage is praiseworthy, Chairman Visakhapatnam Port Trust M T Krishna Babu said lauding the efforts of the VCTPL in restoring the landmark building.

The 59-foot masonry tower was a transit line lighthouse. It was established in 1903 in the present location to help guide the ships into one of the safest natural harbours in the world – the Visakhapatnam Harbour. The dome and lantern of the lighthouse were from the lighthouse at Chantilly or Chintappali some 18 km from Bheemunipatnam. The light house had a gas-fired white diopter light of the 2 order with brightness levels of 45000 candles. It flashed every 20 seconds and was visible from 12 miles in clear weather. During World War II there were two anti-aircraft guns set up next to the lighthouse.

The lighthouse went into disuse in 1962 and after that the building itself went into disrepair. VCT persuaded VPT management to hand it over for restoration and revival. Chairman of VCT and JM Baxi Group of Companies Krishna B. Kotak, an ardent restorationist, brought onboard Mumbai’s conservation architect Vikas Dilawari to oversee the project which began in 2012.

Adding value

VCTPL has made a request to Navy for providing two surface-to-air guns to be installed on the cemented pedestals which were originally made for the purpose.

VCTPL proposes to request GVMC to take up the periodical maintenance and upkeep of the area outside the boundary.

Quotes

We have to thank Krishna Kotak for taking such keen interest in the conservation project.

MT Krishna Babu, Chairman VPT

We have to preserve our past to learn from it and build a strong future.

C Rajendiran, Principal Commissioner of Customs

As a Vizagiite we are proud that the restoration of this monument has been taken up

Monish Row, vice president, Vizagpatnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by G.S. Subrahmanyam / Special Correspondent – / Visakhapatnam – June 27th, 2015

Restored harbour lighthouse sans lantern to be inaugurated tomorrow

The Visakhapatnam Port Trust has taken the lead in restoring the structure of its iconic harbour lighthouse and the restored landmark is set to be inaugurated on Friday.

The restoration of the lighthouse signals the importance the State government is giving to maritime trade. The Government is looking at logistics to play a catalytic role in bringing about double digit growth to the State economy as part of which Visakhapatnam Port plays a key role as a gateway to the East. Under the guidance of well-known conservation architect Vikas Dilawari, the 59-foot round tower with gallery and lantern has been given a makeover. However, the port has not been able to get a lantern and the restored structure would be without a lantern.

The iconic building that was a transit line lighthouse directing the ships into the harbour channel went out of service in 1962. The building was plastered over and the stairs inside had collapsed. The yard had become a garbage dump for the neighbourhood.

Original glory

The Visakha Container Terminal Private Limited took the responsibility of restoring the structure to its original glory and after some painstaking work over the last two years has made it stand out. It has a shining new dome and the gallery is complete with a proper parapet. The structure itself is brick red reflecting its historical value. The yard has been converted into a well-maintained garden.

The restored icon is scheduled to be inaugurated by Visakhapatnam Port Trust Chairman M.T. Krishna Babu.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by G. S. Subrahmanyam / Visakhapatnam – June 25th, 2015