My half Cross-Stitch project - Srirangam Gopuram

Tiruchirappalli, is situated on the banks of the river Cauvery in Tamil Nadu. It was a citadel of the early Cholas and later the Pallavas. This is supported by archaeological evidence and ancient literatures. Trichy has a fine tradition built around its history.

My mother hails from this temple city. As is customary in our family, the married women go to their mom's place for delivery. Thereby, i was blessed to be born in Tricurapally, Tamil Nadu.

Srirangam, a pilgrim centre is located in an island 7 kms from Tiruchy. This island is surrounded by the waters of river Cauveri and its tributary Kollidam. The largest Gopuram in the first wall on the southern side was completed as recently as 1987, and now measures 73m. Besides the Rajagopuram there are 20 beautifully decorated gopurams in the temple complex that spreads over 600 acres.

I used to visit my grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins every year during my summer vacation as a kid. It mostly used to be for December vacations, as Trichy has only 3 seasons viz. hot hotter hottest. Jokes apart, many a time this period coincides with the Vaikunta Ekadesi - hence the trip. It is believed that on this day who ever passes thur the Lord's Inner Sanctum, of the temple will get direct entry into heaven. During this period, Lord Ranganatha is adorned is an armor of diamonds, pearls, rubys, emralds, etc and is brought to the Thousand-Pillared Hall from the sanctum. This gate is opened just once in a year. On this day it is auspicious to even be present on the sands of Tricy. I used to prefer to the sands of Trichy part, than the rush inside the temple! Irrespective we make multiple trips to the temple via the cauvery bridge. The bridge used to be a perfect visual treat - the breeze from the river, the colorful rajagopuram amidst lush green neem and coconut palms, orange sun raising, the ancient church tower, paddy fields with white pelicans flying across..... what a beauty - man and nature complimenting each other!!

The Trichy Innovative Ladies United Needlework Association – TILUNA members wanted to put this rich culture on the Guinness Book of Records as well as do some social act. They narrowed down to help giving vocational training to the children who finished special aid schools.

The plan of action to was, to make a half cross stitch of the tallest temple tower of Srirangam on a 36x26 inch canvas. The aim was to make a Record of 15,000 sq ft on a single theme of the Gopuram. Now they are into the Limca book of records as well.

My eldest aunt has made more than 11 Gopuram half cross-stitch before we lost her for ever. My mom and many other cousins/ aunts have also contributed to this amazing cause. I used to be quite busy with my work, so never gave it a hand. In 2008 i was in Bay Area. I had managed my to spare some time to stitch and soon I fell in love with it. The art form uses 10 brilliant colors to make this master-piece. The finished master piece looks like the one here.

In 2010, the TILUNA held an exhibition to announce the art pieces for sale! I pray that the entry of this art piece to peoples home, bring them a sense of the culture we hail from as well as help the spastic kids!!