Tourism in india

History

This is a twin temple. The temple in the southern side is dedicated to Sri Meenakshi the consort of lord Sundareswarar (Shiva) and the other to lord Sundareswarar. This is one of the biggest temple complexes of India. The temple is about 258 meters in length and about 241.4 meters in breadth. Of the five Gopuras (towers) that surround the 48.8 meters high southern tower is the tallest. Madurai Meenakshiamman kovil was built by Kulasekara Pandya, but the entire credit for making the temple as splendid as it is today goes to the Nayaks. The Nayaks ruled Madurai from the 16th to the 18th centuries and left a majestic imprint of their rule in the Meenakshi-Sundareswarar temple.the temple has many inscriptions of the rulers in the 16th century . it is very interesting to note that the nayaks are so very talented to bring into excistance such a amazing temple with all incidance carved on the great pillars. According to Hindu mythology, Meenakshi was a princess who was born with three breasts, fish-shaped eyes and fishy smell. According to the story, after seeking advice from holy men, she was told that the extra breast would disappear when she met her future husband. She was also told that the fish-like qualities would transform into beauty. This duly happened when she met the god Shiva, whom she married 8 days later in Madurai, the husband taking on the form of Lord Sundareshwara. The Meenakshi temple in south India is named after her.


Structure Of The Temple

The temple is situated in the heart of the city. There are four entrance for the temple in the North West South and East sides of the temple.Its twelve gouprams (towers) are replete with sculpted figures of gods and goddesses. The four tallest gopurams stand on the massive outer walls of the temple, one on each side. The Southern Gopuram is the tallest in the temple and the only one that may be climbed. From atop this 50 m. (160 ft.) high gopuram, one gets a complete view of the other gopurams as well as the two vimanas (roof above the shrine).


Musical Pillars

There are 2 specimens of ingenious ‘musical pillars’ in the Ayirankkal Mandapam. There are five such pillars in North Adi Street also, near the Mottai Gopuram. Each musical pillar has a central column surrounded by groups of slender columns chiselled from the same stone. Each of these thin pillars produce a different musical note when struck Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple is very popular because the meenakshi amman is very powerful in hearing to the problems of the devotee. Many people from various cities come here to wash away their sins and to receive Amman’s blessings. During the function times like Sivaraathiri , prathosham etc special pooja’s and rituals are been performed. Annathanam is been given daily for the poor. Recently Meenakshi Amman Kovil was incluted in the list to be selected as one of the wonders of the world. Voting was been done for many days. But unfortunately it was not been selected.It is a place full of devotion, so come forward to visit and receive ammans arul.


Other Attractions

About a kilometre away from the temple is the Tirumalai Nayak Palace, which was built in 1636, by the ruler, after whom it has been named. Much of the palace has now fallen into ruins, and only the entrance gate, main hall and dance hall remain. Gandhi Museum provides some of the little - known facts about Mahatma Gandhi. It has the blood - stained dhoti worn by Mahatma Gandhi, at the time of his assassination. Mariamman Teppakkulam Tank, few kilometres east of the old city, is the site for Teppam Festival (Float Festival) in the months of January and February.

How to Get There

Air
There are daily flights to and from Tiruchirapalli, Madras and Bangalore.

Train
There are train connections to Madurai from Madras, which takes eight hours via Trichy and from Rameshwaram, takes six hours. If you approach Madurai from Kerala, some spectacular scenes of the Western Ghats can be viewed.

Bus
There is very good service from Madurai to most of the major cities.

Location :Madurai, Tamil Nadu

Deity Worshipped:Lord Somasundara (Lord Shiva) And Goddess Meenakshi

Built By:The Pandyan King, Kulasekhara

Important Festivals Celebrated:Meenakshi Kalyanam in April-May And The Teppam Festival