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Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai

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Meenakshi Amman Temple

meenakshi-amman-temple - 1000 pillar

Meenakshi Amman Temple of Madurai is also known as the Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple, is one of the oldest and most important temples in India. Located in the city of Madurai, Tamilnadu. This temple has a mythological and historical significance. It is believed that Lord Shiva took the form of Sundareswarar (beautiful) and married Parvati (Meenakshi) at the present location of the temple.

Meenakshi Amman Temple is famous for its stunning architecture, the Meenakshi Temple has been nominated as one of the Wonders of the World, but has not been included in the list of ‘Seven Wonders of the World’. However, this temple is definitely one of the ‘Wonders of India’. It is one of the major attractions of South India and attracts thousands of devotees daily.

During the ‘Thiru Kalyanam Festival’ which held 10 days in a year, this temple attracts more than one million devotees. Despite being visited by a large number of people every day.

 

History of Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai

Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple is a historically rich temple that offers blessings of Lord and Goddess Meenakshi to the devotees. The Meenakshi Amman Temple was built by Kulasekara Pandya during the reign of Pandya. According to historical finds, the construction of this temple dates back to the early A.D. Found up. The temple has references to the songs of the great Hindu saint Thirugnana sambandar who lived in the 7th century. It is said during the Islamic conquest in 12th Century; the temple was destroyed to some extent. However, it was later reconstructed to its current Structure by Thirumalai Nayak (1623-55 AD).

 

Architecture of Sri Meenakshi Sundareshwara Temple, Madurai

nataraja sculpture - meenakshi templeThe temple covers an area of ​​14 acres in the heart of Madurai City. The temple is surrounded by huge walls which were built in response to the invasions. The whole system, when viewed from above, represents a zone. The mandala is a structure structured according to symmetrical and logic rules. Various temples have been built within the temple premises. Apart from the two main temples dedicated to Sundareswarar and Meenakshi Amman, this temple also has Lord Shiva temple and also temples dedicated to various deities like Lord Ganesha, Lord Murugan, Lakshmi, Saraswati and Rukmini.

The temple also has a sacred pool called ‘Por Thamarai Kulam’ / ‘pool with golden lotus’. The structure of a golden lotus is placed in the middle of the pond. It is said that Lord Shiva blessed this pond and declared that no sea creatures could grow in it. The temple has four main entrances (towers/gopuram’s) which are identical to each other. Apart from the four ‘towers’, there are several ‘towers’ in the temple which serve as the entrances to many temples. The temple has a total of 14 high Gopuram/enttrance. Each of them is a multi-storey structure and displays thousands of myths and sculptures.

The main Gopuram’s of the Meenakshi Amman temple are listed below:

Kadaga Gopuram – This Tower elevated entrance leads to the main temple entrance where Meenakshi Devi resides. by Tumpichi Nayakkar during the 16th century mid. This gopuram has five floors.

Sundareswarar Shrine Gopuram – This is the three storeyed gopuram which was built by Kulasekara Pandyan, This gateway serves as the entrance of Sundareswarar Shrine and the central portion of the Goddess Meenakshi Shrine.

Chitra Gopuram – Built by Maravarman Sundara Pandian II(1238-1251)., The tower is named for paintings and reliefs depicting the secular and religious themes of Hindu culture.

Nadukkattu Gopuram –  Also known as the ‘Intermediate Tower’, this entrance leads to the Lord Ganesha Shrine. The entrance is placed between the two main shrines.

Mottai Gopuram ( “bald” gateway)  – This ‘gopuram’ has had no roof structure for nearly three centuries, is simpler and has fewer stucco images than other major entrances, giving it a relatively bald look and local name.

Nayaka Gopuram – Visvappa Nayakkar built the Nayaka gopuram in the second prakaram around 1530, This Gopuram is remarkably similar to another entrance called the ‘Balahai Tower’.

Ayiram Kaal Mandapam – Built by Ariyanatha Mudaliar  in 1569, this hall houses 1000 pillars, The sculptures and statues on each pillar are unique and magnificent. It is amazing that such intricate sculptures and statues were made hundreds of years ago. So art and taste. In the center of this hall is a statue of Natarajar. This is an example of the wonders of Indian architecture.

Kilikoondu Mandapam (“bird cage corridor”) – The walkway around sanctum of Meenakshi is called Kilikoondu Mandapam. This place was once used to have green parrots trained to pronounce Lord Meenakshi’s name. There are two large cages full of screeching green parrots.

The Ashta Shakthi Mandapam (“Hall of eight goddesses”) This is the first hall at the entrance of the Meenakshi Gopuram near the East Tower. Ashta refers to the eight and Shakti refers to deities – there are idols of eight deities in the hall. From this hall you can see the outside Gopurams.

Nayaka Mandapam – ‘Nayaka Mandapam’ was built by Chinnappa Nayakkar in 1526 with 100 pillars in the north-eastern part of the second courtyard. Here in Lord Nadaraja statue, instead of the left foot here he stands beautifully balanced on his right leg.

Temple Details

Meenakshi Amman Temple

Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple is a historical Hindu temple located on the south bank of the Vaigai River in Madurai City, Tamil Nadu in India. This temple is dedicated to form of Parvati ( Thirugamakottam Udaya Aludaya Nachiyar).

Temple Address

Meenakshi Amman Temple

Madurai Main, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625001
Phone: 0452 234 4360

Temple Timing

Arulmigu Swami & Meenakshi amman abhishekam

Morning

06:30 am

Cost

Rs. 1500

Ubaya Thiru Kalyanam

Morning

10:00 am

Cost

Rs. 1650
Ubaya Thanga Ratham

Evenining

07:00 pm

Cost

Rs. 1650
Arulmigu Sidthar pushpa koodaram

Evenining

05:30 pm

Cost

Rs. 650
Arulmigu Durgai Abhishekam

Morning

08:10 am

Cost

Rs. 650

Arulmigu Saraswathy Abhishekam

Morning

08:20 am

Cost

Rs. 650

Arulmigu Mahalakshmi Abhishekam

Morning

8:15 am

Cost

Rs. 650
Arulmigu Pathra Kali Abhishekam

Morning

08:20 am

Cost

Rs. 1150

Arulmigu Ahora Veerabhadhrar Abhishekam

Morning

7:45 am

Cost

Rs. 1150

Arulmigu Mukkurini Vinayakar Abhishekam

Morning

08:00 am

Cost Rs. 1150

Arulmigu Dhakshina Moorthi Abhishekam

Morning 08:20 am Cost Rs. 650

Annadhanam – Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple

Night 11:01 pm Cost

Rs. 12500

Annadhanam – Arulmigu Thiruvappudaiyar Temple

Afternoon

12:01 pm

Cost Rs. 2500

Arulmigu Mahalakshmi Sandal Paste Decoration

Evening

6:30 pm

Cost

Rs. 1150

Annadhanam – Arulmigu Marriamman Temple

Afternoon

12:01 pm

Cost

Rs. 2500

Arulmigu Dhakshinamoorthy Sandal Paste Decoration

Evening

6:15 pm

Cost

Rs. 1150

Arulmigu Pathrakali Sandal Paste Decoration

Evening 6:40 pm Cost

Rs. 2500

Arulmigu Muktheeswarar temple Annathanam

Morning

11:30 am

Cost

Rs. 2500

How to Reach by Road

  • Chennai to Madurai Bus / Car - 63.3 km 8 Hrs
  • Madurai is connected by state and national highways. Inter-city and inter-state buses run regularly and frequently between Madurai, other major cities in Tamil Nadu and nearby states. Depending on the choice, passengers can take public or private buses. Madurai has 3 bus terminals.

How to Reach by Air

  • Madurai is well connected by a well-established road network to places including Coimbatore (222 km), Kochi (235 km), Thiruvananthapuram (260 km) and Bangalore (450 km). One can book A / C buses and non-A / C buses.

How to Reach by Train

  • Madurai Junction Railway Station is connected to other parts of India by an extensive railway network. Many direct trains connect Madurai with major cities and towns in the country. High speed trains also run regularly between Madurai and Chennai.

Temple Phone Number

  • 0452 234 4360

Website

VIP Darshan Ticket Price

Rs.500

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