Meenakshi Temple

In Tamilnadu, the temple city of Madurai is presented with the special privilege of becoming the point of attraction because of the eminent Meenakshi Sundareswara Hindu Temple which is more often known as Tiru-aalavaai or Meenakshi Amman Temple in the city.  Here deity Shiva and Parvati are called as Sundareshwara and Meenakshi and the main divinity of the temple is deity Parvati. The temple’s history is around 2500 years old and it has 14 Dwars or entrance called as ‘Gopurams’. The tower at the Southern end is 50 ft high and is the tallest among other towers. Demons and Gods are painted in dazzling colors and many animals are engraved on the stones of various compositions and adore every Gopuram. The holy sanctum area of the temple is ornamented with two Gold Vimans. The present temple was built most probably from 1623 AD to 1655 AD and in the archaic Tamil literature; the reference of the temple is there because of its significance as the main noteworthy icon of Tamils.  Around 15,000 people visit this temple and in Fridays around 25000 people visit the temple. The temple’s yearly collection crosses around Rs. 60 million.  The temple’s aesthetic sculptures would be nearly 33,000 in total and this temple was nominated in the world contest for the new 7 wonders. Every year around 1 million people visit the temple to celebrate Thirukalyanam which is the function of holy marriage of the divinities celebrated for 12 days in April-May.

Attractions Inside the Temple

• Thousand Pillars – The Commander and Minister of Viswanatha Naicker, Ariyanatha Mudaliyar was responsible for building the Mandapam ‘Thousand Pillars’ in the year 1569. This Mandapam has nearly 985 pillars and is positioned in the north direction near the Veeravasantharayar Mandapam.  The Mandapam’s specialty is that from every possible angle these pillars seem to be in a row. The heart of the Mandapam holds an icon of Lord Nataraj.
• Wedding Hall – During 1706 to 1732, the Vijayaranga Sokkanatha Nayakkar constructed the holy wedding hall which is in south direction of the Mandapam Veeravasantharayar. The roof area of the wedding hall is decorated with amazing planks of teak. The dome of the Mandapam is suitably painted with Lord Sivaperuman’s 64 miracles. The holy wedding celebration of Lord Shiva and deity Parvati is celebrated in this Mandapam.

Golden Lotus Pond

There is a famed pond situated in the temple compound, where bloomed the Golden Lotus to allow him to carry out the pooja is known as the Pottramarai Kulam. It is also known by few other names such as Uthama Theertham, Adhi Theertham and Sivaganga and is considered to be Lord Shiva’s created Theertham.

Festivals

• The festival celebrated in spring season from April to May in this temple is called as Vasonthosavam festival.
• The festival in which deities Meenakshi and Sundareswara are taken round the tank of water and then taken to the tank of Mariamman Teppakkulam is known as Teppam Festival. After doing these activities for many days, the deities are taken to their main places in the temple.
• The 12 days marriage festival of the deities Meenakshi and Sundareswara is celebrated in the Chaitra month between April to May every year and it is called Thirukalyanam festival.

Timings and Entry Fee

The Meenakshi Temple remains open whole year and the working hours of the temple are 5.00 to 12.30 in the daytime and 4.00 to 10.00 in the evening. This temple is open for all and no entry fee is required.