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Meenakshi Amman Sundareshwara Temple Madurai Post-19

Meenakshi Temple

After dinner, I was sitting in the lobby near the hotel reception at Rameshwaram with unforgettable memories of Rameshwaram.

I asked the manager when the first bus is available for Madurai.

No problem, it will be started at 4 am in the morning, and so many buses are thereafter one by one he replied.

Early in the morning, I moved to Madurai. The 5 AM bus was available. The gentle breeze touching our face. My bus running on the Pamban bridge. I remembered the struggle and courage of Lord Rama once again. (kindly see my previous post-Rameshwaram Jyotirling).That is why Lord Rama is adorable to millions of Indians.

It takes two and a half hours to reach Madurai. At 8 am I was at Madurai Meenakshi Temple.

Madurai is a synonym with the Meenakshi temple. It is an ancient temple dedicated to goddess Meenakshi Devi, who is an incarnation of goddess Parvati.

The city is situated around the temple.temple. Market and shops are all around the temple.

Mobile Gadgets are not allowed

Mobile, gadgets, tablets, and camera etc are not allowed inside the temple. But it is not a problem. There is a nice arrangement to keep all these items as well as your begs at the counter. They will charge only Rs 10/-.

Entry in the temple

There is a long queue for Darshan. It will take approximately 2 hours to reach the main shrine.

The temple has 4500 pillars and 14 Tower. The area of the temple is spread in 14 acres. There is entrance in each direction, east, west, south and north. These towers are multi-stories called Gopuram.

Name of the temple

The temple is known as Meenakshi temple. It is also known as the Meenakshi Amman temple. Its full name is  Meenakshi Amman Sundereswarar Temple. Meenakshi means Parvati and Sundereswarar means Lord Shiva.

Story Behind  The Temple

Goddess Meenakshi emerged from a Yagya which was performed by king Malyadwaja Pandya and his wife seeking a son.

It is said that Meenakshi was abnormal with three breasts. The king and his wife were very worried. There was an oracle sound that the third breast will disappear when she meets her husband.

The king upbringing her as a prince. Afterward, she captured many kingdoms and went to capture KailashParwat (mountain). That is the home of Lord Shiva. She meets with Lord Shiva. Her thirst breast was disappeared.

Lord Shiva and Meenakshi came to Madurai. They married where the present temple is situated.

Even today marriage festival arranged every year as Chitrai festival in the month of April/May. The tradition of beauty and culture of Tamil may be observed during this period. Thousand number of devotees from all parts of the country attend this function.

History of Temple

It is said that Indra Dev has established the temple and worshiped Lord Shiva. The accurate proof regarding the establishment of the temple is not available.

During Islamic ruling Muslim invader Malik Kafur attacked the temple and looted all valuable things, gold, silver and destroyed the temple.

When the Vijay Nagar dynasty came in power, they renovated the temple and started worshiped again. Thereafter Nayak came in power, various Mandapam prepared during this period.

Thousand Pillar Mandapam

Image credit Richard Mortel (Bazar inside Meenakshi temple)

Now, came out of the trap of history. As shown in the name, there are one thousand pillars in the Mandapam. It is a very long Mandapam. All the pillars depict the story of the goddess Meenakshi and Lord Shiva. The beautiful art carving is amazing. The Mandapam is used for the rest of pilgrims. It is also called Ayirakkal Mandapam on the name of the king who built the Mandapam.

Astha  Shakti Mandapam

Image credit  by Richard Mortel

The Astha Shakti Mandapam is near to the East Gopuram(entrance). There is an increased hall. At the end of the hall, the main shrine Meenakshi Devi Shrine is situated. The nine forms of Devi are created on the pillar.

Main Shrine of Meenakshi Devi and Sundareswara

The green blackish stone idol of Meenakshi Devi is very beautiful. The idol is a standing position and bending one leg.

The shrine of Sundareswarar having stone Shivling. The vimanam (tower) of both shrines are gold plated. Auspicious and energetic.

The symbolic idol of Lord Sundareswarar kept in a shrine, is shifted to Meenakshi Devi shrine every night and brought back to Sundareswarar shrine in the morning. Amazing.

Between both the shrine, there is an idol of Lord Ganesha. This is one stone idol. On the other hand,  we can see Natraj(idol of Lord Shiva in a dancing position). Which is covered by silver leaves?

Golden Lotus Tank(Porthamarai Kulam)

There is a big tank in the middle of the temple having lotus at the central, called the golden lotus tank. The Tamil name of the tank is Pothamarai Kulam means pond having golden lotus. Pilgrims take a dip in the holy tank.

Meenakshi Naykkar Mandapam

The Mandapam has 110 pillars in two rows. The pillars depicted an image of Yalli. Yalli means a typical animal who has a body of a lion while the head of an elephant.

Oonjal(swing) Mandapam

The Mandapam is on the western side of the lotus tank. Every Friday, the golden idol of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar kept here for swinging. Pilgrims chant prayer and bhajan (hymn) during this event.

The Timing of Darshan

The temple opens for pilgrims at 5 AM to 12.30 PM thereafter at 4 PM to 10 PM. You will find a long queue always here. So it is better that you should reach here early in the morning.

Temple Phone No.+91 4522344360

The web site of the temple-

http://maduraimeenakshi.org

What to eat and purchase

What to eat is a big puzzle. All we know that diversity is the beauty of our country. The temple is in the middle of the city. There is a market all around the temple. South Indian food always favorite people is available at every food stall.. So many small vendors are available with a quality and tasty South Indian food.

After Petpuja (eating food) you can purchase golden items and cloth. The cotton Sari of Madurai is famous.

How to reach Meenakshi Devi Temple

Madurai is known for Meenakshi Devi Temple, Simultaneously it is a business center. The city well connected to another part of the country. Chennai capital of Tamilnadu is 462 KM, Puducherry is 334 KM, Rameshwaram is 173 KM and Triuananthpuram capital of Kerala is 311 KM from Madurai.

Madurai well connected by rail. Trains for other cities are available. Madurai airport is 11 KM from the temple. Flight for another part of the country is available.

You are welcome at  Madurai. Come to Meenakshi temple. Inspiration from our roots and feel incredible India.

Now share it among your friends (if you like it). Your comment in the comment box inspired me. It will help me in improving the next post. You can also visit my previous post-Rameshwaram Jyotirling.