|
|
 |
|
|
Meenakshi Temple - Located in the temple city of Madurai by jackson curry
|
|
|
Meenakshi Temple - Located in the temple city of Madurai |
|
|
|
|
|
Travel & Tourism
|
|
|
The Meenakshi temple is an excellent demonstration of the Dravidian architecture. The temple covering an approximate area of 45 acres is a huge complex with many enclosures bounded by huge walls. There are 12 gopurams or gateway towers around the temple decorated with painted sculpture and carvings associated with Shiva -Parvati stories. Gold plated Vimanam (tower over sanctum) adorns the Meenakshi and Sundareswarar shrines. There are many magnificent halls in the Meenakshi temple which fascinates every single visitor coming here. A few of them are the Meenakshi Nayakkar Mandapam, Puthu Mandapam, Ashta Shakthi Mandapam, Kalyana mandapam, Viravasantharaya Mandapam, Iruttu Mandapam and the Aayiram Kal Mandapam. There are also various ponds or temple tanks in and around the Meenakshi temple. Located in the temple city of Madurai in the state of Tamil Nadu, is the most beautiful and largest temple of Meenakshi. The temple traditionally known as Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple or Meenakshi Amman Temple or Tiru-aalavaai is spread on the banks of River Vaigai. Meenakshi refers to Goddess Parvati and Sundareshwar is Lord Shiva himself. As per mythology, Lord Indra during a pilgrimage to alleviate his misdeeds discovered a svayambhu lingam (a symbol of Lord Shiva) at a forest named Kadambavanam. He later constructed a temple at Madurai and enshrined this lingam there. Some books also mention that Goddess Parvati was born as a Pandya princess who was married to Lord Shiva at Madurai. They both ruled over Madurai for a long period of time and then assuming the divine forms of Sundareshwar and Meenakshi, presided in this temple. The history of the temple dates back to the twelfth century. But the temple was almost destroyed during the Muslim invasion in 1310 and it was later restored when the Hindu kings came back to power. However it was during the reign of King Thirumalai Naicker that the temple saw its new structure and splendour. The Meenakshi Temple is currently under the administration of the HR and CE department of Tamil Nadu. The priests here are primarily Shivaites or the followers of Lord Shiva. The poojas are conducted 6 times a day with many rituals for both the deities. These rituals are often accompanied by popular South Indian instruments like the nagaswaram and tavil. The temple is open from 5.00 in the morning to 12.30 at noon and again from 4 in the evening to 9.30 at night. The 10 day Meenakshi Tirukalyanam festival celebrated every year during April–May is the major festival and thousands of devotees throng the temple at this time. The Meenakshi temple is associated with many social services like free food to all, free marriage scheme, free education and shelter to poor, spiritual and moral education classes etc. For More Info: Meenakshi Temple Madurai and Places to Visit in Madurai
Related Articles -
Meenakshi Temple Madurai, Places to Visit in Madurai,
|
Rate This Article  |
|
|
|
|
|
Do you Agree or Disagree? Have a Comment? POST IT!
| Reader Opinions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Author Login |
|
|
 |
Advertiser Login
ADVERTISE HERE NOW!
Limited Time $60 Offer!
90 Days-1.5 Million Views
|
|
TIM FAY
After 60-plus years of living, I am just trying to pass down some of the information that I have lea...more
|
|
|
|
|
LAURA JEEVES
At LeadGenerators, we specialise in content-led Online Marketing Strategies for our clients in the t...more
|
|
|
|
|
STEPHEN BYE
Steve Bye is currently a fiction writer, who published his first novel, ‘Looking Forward Through the...more
|
|
|
|
|
GENE MYERS
Author of four books and two screenplays; frequent magazine contributor. I have four other books "in...more
|
|
|
|
|
ALEX BELSEY
I am the editor of QUAY Magazine, a B2B publication based in the South West of the UK. I am also the...more
|
|
|
|
|
SUSAN FRIESEN
Located in the lower mainland of B.C., Susan Friesen is a visionary brand strategist, entrepreneur, ...more
|
|
|
|
|
SHALINI MITTAL
A postgraduate in Fashion Technology. Shalini is a writer at heart! Writing for her is an expression...more
|
|
|
|
|
ADRIAN JOELE
I have been involved in nutrition and weight management for over 12 years and I like to share my kn...more
|
|
|
|
|
JAMES KENNY
James is a Research Enthusiast that focuses on the understanding of how things work and can be impro...more
|
|
|
|
