Meenakshi Temple in Madurai,Meenakshi Temple in Madurai India,Madurai Meenakshi Temple

Meenakshi Temple, madurai tour packages,Meenakshi Temple In Madurai India

The Meenakshi Temple In Madurai in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu is an important pilgrimage centre in India. Dedicated to Lord Shiva and his wife Meenakshi, the temple attained its present architectural excellence during the reign of Nayaka rulers. The construction of the temple, however, was started by the Pandya King, Kulasekhara.

History and Legends Of Madurai Meenakshi Temple
Madurai is one of oldest cities of South India and its history dates back to the Sangam age of pre Christian era. Madurai was a major seat of learning of Tamil literature and culture. The Nayaks who ruled Madurai from 16th to 18th century constructed several temples. The present temple was built in the early 17th century by Tirumala Nayak. According to legend, Madurai is the actual place where wedding of Lord Shiva and goddess Meenakashi took place. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva as Sundereshwara("Lord of Beauty") and his wife Meenakshi.

Architecture Of Meenakshi Temple In Madurai India
The Madurai Meenakashi Temple complex is an excellent example of South Indian temple architecture. Its outer wall is about 259 m by 221 m and there are around 33 million carvings in the temple. The temple has 12 large gopuras or gates. There are four huge gopuras with painted statues on the outer wall.

Its southern tower is the largest one with a height of 170 feet, the west tower measures around 154 feet high and the north tower is about 152 feet high. All these towers have beautiful sculptures on them. The eastern gopuram(gateway) leads to the Astha Shakati Mandapa, where one can see a number of sculptured pillars depicting images of eight shakatis. The sculptures on the pillars also have images of the birth and life story of goddess Meenakashi and her marriage with Lord Shiva.

Meenakshi Temple, tour to tamilnadu, tour to madurai,Meenakshi Temple In Madurai India There is another mandapa near the Astha Shakati Mandapa known as the Meenakshi Nayakkar Mandap, consisting of 110 pillars carrying figures of a peculiar animal with a lion's body and an elephant's head called Yalli. Each pillar measures about 6.7 m in height with beautiful sculptures associated with Lord Shiva. The mandapa also houses a 25 feet Thiruvatchi (frame of lamp) that has 1008 brass oil lamps. Adjacent to the mandapa is a holy tank known as the Golden Lotus Tank or Swarnapushpakarini where pilgrims bathe before entering into the inner sanctum.

On the western side of the golden tank, there is the Oonjal Mandap or Swing Mandapa where the golden idols of main deities are placed on a swing, worshipped every Friday. Next to this there is the halls of the parrot known as Kilikootu Mandapa. Here there used to be parrots that chanted the name of Meenakshi. But more interesting to see are the 28 pillars of the mandapam that exhibit some beautiful sculptures and figures from the Hindu mythology.

Next to the Kilikootu Mandapam stands the entrance gateway to the main shrine. This gateway or gopuram is a three-storied structure with beautiful carving images. In the inner sanctum, goddess Meenakshi is depicted as the fish-eyed goddess.

Festivals & Celebrations - Madurai Meenakshi Temple
There are several festivals celebrated in the Madurai Meenakshi temple. The most prominent among them are the Teppam Festival and the Meenaskhi Kalyanam.