Welcome back to ILF Radio! For our first episode of the New year, fresh out of the Christmas season, we asked, what significance does Christmas hold in an Indian context? What are the origins of Christianity in India? A religion of Semitic roots, but popularly known through the lens of Western tradition. Was it a colonial import or does its history run far deeper?

The practice of Christian tradition in India is as diverse as its culture, having evolved and assimilated within an Indian context over two millenniums since the death of Christ. But the most fascinating and overlooked fact is that the very first introduction of Christianity on Indian shores took place as early as the apostolic era by one of Jesus’ chosen 12 apostles – Thomas who was also known as Didymus, “Doubting Thomas” and most popularly referred today as St. Thomas, the Patron saint of India. How did a Palestinian Jew from Galilee come to live and die on our Southern shores? What is the legacy he left behind? We are joined today by Vijay Kamalkara, founder and CEO of Chennai based Story trails – one of the pioneers of story-based walking tours in the country to give us an account of what we know of the ministry of St. Thomas in India.

Links to key heritage sites from today’s episode:

- Santhome Basilica, Chennai

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Thomas_Cathedral_Basilica,_Chennai#/media/File:Santhome_Basilica.jpg

- Spearhead believed to have killed St. Thomas at Santhome Basilica

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Thomas_Cathedral_Basilica,_Chennai#/media/File:Chennai,_basilica_di_san_tommaso_apostolo,_museo,_reliquiario_dell'osso_di_s._tommaso_e_della_lancia_che_lo_uccise,_02.jpg

- Tob of St. Thomas at Santhome

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tomb_of_St._Thomas_in_India.JPG

- Marthoma Pontifical Shrine, Kodungaloor

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Mar_Thoma_Church,_Kodungaloor#/media/File:Kodungaloor_Mar_Thoma_Church.jpg

- Bone relic believed to belong to St. Thomas at Marthoma Kodungaloor

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Mar_Thoma_Church,_Kodungaloor#/media/File:Thomasreliquiar_Kondungallur.jpg

- St. Thomas Church on the Mount - the site believed to commemorate the martyrdom of St. Thomas

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:St._Thomas_Church_on_the_Mount#/media/File:Main_Entrance_St_Thomas_Mount_Church_Chennai_Aug22_A7C_02249.jpg/2

- 14 stations of the Cross positioned along the 160-step climb up the mount (nos 3,5,10 and 13)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Thomas_Mount_National_Shrine_Basilica#/media/File:Statue_of_jesus_at_st.Thomas_mount_church,_chennai_3.JPG

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Thomas_Mount_National_Shrine_Basilica#/media/File:Statue_of_jesus_at_st.Thomas_mount_church,_chennai_5.JPG

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Thomas_Mount_National_Shrine_Basilica#/media/File:Statue_of_jesus_at_st.Thomas_mount_church,_chennai.JPG

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Thomas_Mount_National_Shrine_Basilica#/media/File:Station_Cross_XIII_Thomas_Mount_Chennai_Aug22_A7C_02282.jpg

Follow India Lost and Found on Instagram @indialostandfound, X (formerly Twitter) @IndiaLostFound, and Facebook @IndiaLostFound for more captivating stories of heritage sites. Let's ensure that the essence of our civilizational history is preserved for generations to come. You can also visit our website at https://www.indialostandfound.com/ to explore additional content and join our mission to uncover India's lost treasures.

Intro/Outro music credit: Dhaka by Kevin McLeod

Welcome back to ILF Radio! In today’s episode, we discuss a powerful relic of the Kachhawa dynasty - the Jaigarh fort.

A monument of immense strategic significance, Jaigarh remains a powerful symbol of resilience, ingenuity and artistic brilliance. From its advanced water conservation systems to the awe inspiring Jaiban canon, it is a place where engineering marvels, artistic expression and spiritual beliefs converge. Dr Chandni Chowdhary delves into its legacy to uncover how its past continues to shape the cultural identity of Rajasthan, particularly Jaipur today.

Links to key heritage sites from today’s episode:

- View of the fort with watchtower: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:External_walls_and_towers_of_Jaigarh_Fort#/media/File:Jaigarh_Fort,_Jaipur,_20191218_1627_9453.jpg

- Jaiban Canon: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Jaivan_Cannon#/media/File:Jaibaan_Canon_(The_Jaivana).jpg

-Water collection pond:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Rainwater_Collector_(Jaigarh_Fort)#/media/File:Jaigarh_008.jpg

- Fortifications along the Aravallis:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:External_walls_and_towers_of_Jaigarh_Fort#/media/File:20191218_Jaigarh_Fort,_Amer,_Jaipur_1615_9417.jpg

- Garden and North wall:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:External_walls_and_towers_of_Jaigarh_Fort#/media/File:Jaigarh_Fort,_Amer,_Jaipur,_20191218_1613_9402.jpg

Follow India Lost and Found on Instagram @indialostandfound, X (formerly Twitter) @IndiaLostFound, and Facebook @IndiaLostFound for more captivating stories of heritage sites. Let's ensure that the essence of our civilizational history is preserved for generations to come. You can also visit our website at https://www.indialostandfound.com/ to explore additional content and join our mission to uncover India's lost treasures.

Intro/Outro music credit: Dhaka by Kevin McLeod

Welcome back to ILF Radio! In today’s episode, we’re set to explore the iconographic development of Durga as Mahishasuramardini.

The earliest depictions of Durga as Mahishasuramardini can be found in the 1st century BCE, with a lion beneath her feet, armed with weapons, killing a bull. This form is found throughout the subcontinent, depicted on temples, caves, seals and coins, and widely supplemented by texts like Devi Mahatmyam, which describes the killing of an asura named Mahisha in great detail, and widely found in folklore as well. Around the 6th century CE, the form develops further as Mahishasura transforms from a bull, as depicted earlier, to a half-man, half-bull; this is observed in the temples constructed by early Chalukyas, such as Aihole, and further, in the Mahishasuramardini cave at Mahabalipuram made by the Pallavas. The adaptation of this form in worship also varies through various regions. While she is a daughter returning to her father's house in Bengal, the same Goddess is just form, Katyayani, among the nine forms of the Goddess in North India.

Deepa Chakravarthy takes us through the iconographic changes, and helps us connect with the true essence of the tale as she uncovers the meaning behind the intangible force of Shakti.

Links to key heritage sites from today’s episode:

- Kotravai: the Tamil goddess of victory

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kottravai_at_peruvudayar_temple,_Thanjavur.jpg

- Elements of Hindu Iconography by Gopinatha Rao

https://archive.org/details/cu31924071128825

- Badami Cave 1 Durga

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:6th_century_Durga_spearing_buffalo_demon_Mahishasura_(cave_1),_Badami_Hindu_cave_temple_Karnataka.jpg

- Durga at Aihole

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Durga_Temple_Aihole_ADSC_1481.jpg

- Durga slaying Mahishasura at Mahabalipuram Rock-cut cave

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Durga_Slaying_Mahishasur_sculpture_at_Mamallapur_1913.jpg

Follow India Lost and Found on Instagram @indialostandfound, X (formerly Twitter) @IndiaLostFound, and Facebook @IndiaLostFound for more captivating stories of heritage sites. Let's ensure that the essence of our civilizational history is preserved for generations to come. You can also visit our website at https://www.indialostandfound.com/ to explore additional content and join our mission to uncover India's lost treasures.

Intro/Outro music credit: Dhaka by Kevin McLeod