108 Vishnu Temples: Architectural Splendor, Spiritual Bliss is a pictorial journey into ancient architecture and the art of temple construction and sculpture with interesting trivia about 106 Vishnu temples across the length and breadth of India; a devout Vaishnavite is expected to complete a pilgrimage of these sites to gain access to the two temples in the mystical realm. These temples are collectively known as the 108 Divya Desams amongst Vaishnavites, more particularly Vaishnavites from South India and are distributed across India – eighty-four in Tamil Nadu; eleven in Kerala; two in Andhra Pradesh; eight in North India and one in Nepal. Laden with historic, religious and architectural eminence, these temples often remained concealed in the folds of history. With detailed images and wholesome information on the temples’ history, architectural brilliance, art forms, rituals, beliefs and landscapes, the book is aimed at connoisseurs of art, architecture and literature. The temple legend (the Sthala Purana), deity positions and other significant mythical specifications are also built into the text. Miniscule details ranging from directions to reach the temple, proximal towns, festivals celebrated at the temple, the sacred ponds and trees associated with it, to details of the associated Azhwar(s) are also incorporated in the text. The book opens up an incredibly fresh experience of knowing these veiled jewels from the pages of the past. The photographs elucidate the author-photographer’s mastery over his craft, making the images seem life-like, touching the soul of the beholder.
