Meenakshi Amman Temple
The crowning glory of temple architecture of South India, Meenakshi Amman Temple is one of the most popular attractions of Madurai in Tamil Nadu. Placed on the southern banks of River Vaigai in the temple city of Madurai, this temple is also known as Meenakshi Amman Kovil and Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple. It is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi or Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva, who here is known as Sundareswarar.
The idol of Lord Sundareswarar and her consort Goddess Meenakshi are encircled by 3 closed spaces wherein each one is bounded by 4 small towers like 4 points of a compass. While the idol of the Goddess is an emerald-color black stone idol in her shrine Mukuruny Vinayakar, the Lord’s image is placed right in the complex’s center. Both the idols are gold-plated. In the center of the shrines of Sundareswarar and Meenakshi is a huge Lord Ganesha sculpture, carved out from a single stone. The Meenakshi shrine is on the left side of the Shiva shrine.
The temple complex also has a sacred tank, Porthamarai Kulam or ‘Pond with the golden lotus. It is believed that an excellent work of literature would float while the ones that are not worthy would sink. Just a few paintings of the 17th and 18th centuries are found in a small portion near the western side of this tank. One such painting depicts the grand union of Sundareswarar and Meenakshi.
History of Meenakshi Amman Temple
The temple is believed to have come into existence when the King of Devas - Indra found sacred 'Suyambu Lingam'- a form of Lord Shiva discovered at Kadambavanam and enshrined at Madurai. However, the building now stands as a result of Sadayavarman Sundara Pandyan in the 12th century followed by the extensions made by Nayaka rulers between the 12th to 18th centuries.
As far as legends go, they tell about Goddess Parvati taking birth in the home of King Malayadwaja Pandya and his wife Kanchanamalai as a reward for their 'Yagya'. She was born with the physical abnormality of having three breasts but 'Heavens' reassured the parents of the vanishing of the third breast on soon as the girl will meet her husband. This eventually happened when trained in all war arts, she won over Vaikunth (abode of Vishnu), Amravati (abode of Celestial deities Devas), and Sathyalok (abode of Brahma), couldn't meet her eyes as soon as she saw Lord Shiva in his abode Kailasha. She realized her destiny with the Lord and came back to her home Madurai, where the couple was wedded in the presence of the world. They are now the presiding deities of Meenakshi Temple.
Architecture of Meenakshi Amman Temple
This temple has received architectural contributions from each changing dynasty. Madurai Meenakshi temple is built over an area of a vast area, with five different entrances. This temple has fourteen majestic towers. Four of these massive towers known as Rajagopurams are nine tiers, while there is one seven-tier gopuram as well. There are five numbers of five-tier gopurams. Along with these, there are two three-tier gopurams and two golden gopurams. All the gopurams display fine sculpting with intricate carvings on them, adding to the grandeur of the Meenakshi temple.
Ashta Shakti Mandapam is one of the most captivating parts of the temple. This mandapam hall is said to be built by the wives of Thirumalai Nayakar and used to serve food to the devotees. The walls and pillars of the mandapam are carved with stories from the lives of Lord Shiva and various stages of Goddess Meenakshi’s life. The Golden Lotus Tank of the temple is said to be the place where a golden lotus blossomed for the puja which was performed by Lord Indira.
This temple has a museum as well. The majestic thousand-pillar hall of the temple has been serving as a museum since 1966. It houses a great collection of artistic and cultural importance. It is a place that is worth spending your time, admiring the beauty and exquisiteness of work excellence, that have been displayed here. Some of the items displayed at this imposing hall of thousand pillars are various rare photographs, antique idols made up of five metals, antique coins, carved tusks, antique items related to Shaiva and Vaishnava religion, etc.
It also has various paintings which were damaged with time, but now have been renovated with the help of various natural dyes. These gripping paintings at the temple belong to the period of Naick's reign, depicting various miracles of Lord Shiva. There are also paintings on the northern wall of the temple which face Pottamarai kulam of a tank of the golden lotus. There are also paintings of the songs by Nakkeerar, Panchaga Sabhas of Tamil Nadu, representations of Earth and heaven, etc.
Another striking feature of the Meenakshi Temple is the stone inscriptions. These stone inscriptions can be seen on the walls of the shrines of Sundareswarar and Meenakshi Amma shrine. These inscriptions have details about performing prayers, rituals, religious history as well as the social history of ancient times.
Every part of the temple is an example of mesmerizing craftsmanship. The majestic structure of this temple along with compelling sculptures, drawings, paintings, and serenity of religious piousness mesmerizes every visitor. A visit to this temple makes every Madurai Tour memorable.
