Here is Some Information of Madurai Meenakshi Temple in Tamil Nadu India.
Location : Madurai,Tamil Nadu
Built in : 17th Century A.D
Built By : Nayak rulers
Area : 65000 Sq.miters
Height: 52 m
Architectural style: Dravidian architecture
Also known as: Meenakshi Amman Temple
Significance: One of the sacred abodes of Goddess Parvati
Famous For: World Renowed Meenakashi Temples
Phone: 0452 234 4360
Delicated to : Goddes Meenakshi and Lord Shiva
Festival : Include Teppam festival, the annual Float Festival,Masi Mandala Utsav
Coordinates: 10°3'31"N 76°39'8"ENearby cities: Thodupuzha, Kuttampuzha, Anakulam - Chittur Sangam
More Information about Meenakshi Temple Madurai
The world renowned Meenakshi Temple is situated in Madurai, the second largest city in Tamil Nadu. It is at 450 km from Chennai and 435 km from Bangalore.It is one of the most ancient cities in India with an active history of over 2500 years. It is also known as the Athens of East.currently it is an important pilgrimage site and a commercial centre. The significance from the tourism angle is evident from the fact that 10-20 thousand visitors come here everyday.
In the ancient times, pearls and cotton textiles gave it its commercial significance, while it was the intellectual centre of entire Southern India.
It was here that during the Non-Cooperation Movement of 1921 A.D., Gandhiji decided to wear only Khadi The city is also famous for jasmine (Madurai Malli) flowers and cosmetics made from it.This big temple is situated in a huge complex spread over 65,000 square metres. Here there are 12 Gopurams, 4 belonging to the main temple, and 8 to the other shrines which are relatively smaller in size. The biggest Gopuram is the southern one which is 170.6 feet tall. Generally the temple is entered in from the eastern Gopuram. A little ahead is the Swarn Kamal Sarovar (golden lotus lake) in which pilgrims bathe before proceeding into the temple. The belief is that the Tamil Sangams were organised on the banks of this lake. The temple has several mandaps where various festivals are held. Besides, there are also temples of other Gods and Goddesses like Vinayak, Subramaniam etc.
History of Meenakshi Temple Madurai
In the ancient times, Madurai organised 3 Sangams (assembly of scholars).
It was supported by 197 Pandyan kings according to the tradition. Shrinivas Iyengar states that these Sangams were held between 500 B.C. and 500 A.D.Panini’s Ashtadhyayi and Kautilya’s Arthshastra have a reference of Madurai.
Megasthenes has written in Indica that the Pandya kingdom was known for pearls and was ruled by Pandiya, the daughter of Krishna.The Roman author Stravo has also written about the Pandya king sending an ambassador to the kingdom of Augustus Caesar.shaiv saint Sambandar, a contemporary of Pallav king Mahendra Varman, has mentioned about the Kapal Temple which is currently in the Meenakshi Temple campus.Between 920 and 1223 A.D., it was under the Cholas followed by the Pandyas for the next 100 years.
In 1311 A.D., Malik Kafur attacked the city and plundered the temples. In 1323 A.D., it was merged with the Delhi Sultanate by Jauna Khan (Mohammad bin Tughlaq) , the son of Ghayasuddin Tughlaq.
During the times of Bukka-I (1356-1377), Kumar Sampan merged it with the Vijaynagar Empire.
After the fall of Vijaynagar, the Nayaks controlled the region of which the first one was the famous Tirumal Nayak (1632-1659) during whose reign most of the parts of the temple were built.
Madurai came under the British rule in 1780 A.D. George Procter was appointed as the first collector.
Special Features of the Temple
The Temple Towers or The Gopurams The temple has 12 temple towers also known as the Gopurams. The outer towers of the temple work as landmarks of Madurai.
➤Gopura
The Gopuras or the Pyramidal gates have an enormous height of more than 50m. The entrance to the temple complex is indicated by towering gateways at the four cardinal points, while lesser gopuras lead to the sanctums of the main deities.
➤Stucco Work
After every 12 years, the figures of deities on the tower are reconditioned, repainted and ritually reconsecrated.
➤Ashta Shakthi Mandapam
To enter the temple through the eastern gateway, one has to first enter the Asta Shakti Mandapam (Hall). Built by Thirumalai Nayakar's wives Rudrapathi Ammal and Tholimamai. Next to this hall is the Meenakshi Nayaka Mandapa, a spacious columned hall used for shops and stores. This hall has a dedicated lamp-holder with 1,008 lamps, which are lit and decorated on festive occasions. The sculptures on the pillars tell us about some of the miracles of Lord Shiva and also the story of Meenakshi's birth and her life as the princess of Madurai.
➤Meenakshi Nayakkar Mandapam
Adjacent to the Ashta Shakthi Mandapam, this big hall consists of 110 pillars carrying the figures of a queer animal with a lion's body and an elephant's head called Yalli.
➤Potramaraikulam (Golden Lotus Tank)
The Potramaraikulam temple tank is an ancient tank where devotees take bath in the holy water. It is believed that the area around this tank was the meeting place of the TamilSangam - the ancient academy of poets. The tank is encircled by a pillared corridor. There are steps that lead down to the tank, enabling worshippers to take bathe in it.
➤Oonjal Mandapam
Menakshi TempleThe Oonjal (swing) Mandapam and Killikoontu (parrot cage) Mandapam are situated on the western side of the tank. The golden idols of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar are seated on the swing in the Oonjal Madapam every Friday and hymns are sung as the deities swing to and fro. There many parrots in the Kilikoontu Mandapam who have been trained to repeat Goddess Meenakshi's name. The 28 pillars of the Mandapam are the most interesting parts, exhibiting some excellent Sculptures of figures from Hindu mythology.
➤Swami Sundareswarar Shrine
The Shrine of Lord Sundareswarar (Shiva) the consort of Goddess Meenakshi is to the north of Kilikoontu Mandapam . There's a gigantic idol of Sri Ganesh called Mukkurini Pillaiyar on the way. There's a stump of a Kadamba tree, in the outer pragaram (corridor outside the main shrine), which is said to be a part of the same tree under which Indra worshiped Shiva linga. There's also Kadambathadi Mandapam in the outer corridor and big hall called 'Velli Ambalam'. There's also an idol of Nataraja (Shiva as the Lord of Dance), covered with silver leaves. Thus this hall is named as Velli Ambalam (Silver Hall).
➤Vasantha Mandapam
Built by Thirumalai Nayakkar, the mandapam is the venue of the Vasanthosavam - the Spring festival, celebrated in Vaikasi (April/May). The pillars present at the mandapam has elaborate sculptures of Lord Shiva, Goddess Meenakshi. There are scenes from their wedding as well as the figures of ten of the Nayak Kings and their consorts. The Vasantha Mandapam is also called Pudhu Mandapam.
➤The Thousand Pillar Mandapam
The thousand pillar mandapam is regared as the 'wonder of the palace'. There are around 985 beautifully decorated columns. Each pillar is beautifully sculptured and presents the glory of the Dravidan sculpture. This hall also houses a Temple Art Museum, where you can see icons, photographs, drawings, etc., exhibiting the 1200 years old history. Other than this mandapam there many smaller and bigger mandapams in the temple.
Timing For Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai
- Open Days: Open All days of the week
- Morning: 5:00 AM to 12:30 PM
- Evening: 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Thiruvanandal pooja Morning: 05:00 to 06:00 AM
- Vizha pooja Morning: 06:30 to 07:15 AM
- Kalasandhi pooja Morning: 06:30 to 07:15 AM
- Thrikalasandhi pooja Morning: 10:30 to 11:15 AM
- Uchikkala Pooja (Noon Pooja): 10:30 to 11:15 AM
- Maalai pooja Evening: 04:30 to 05:15 PM
- Ardhajama Pooja: 07:30 PM to 08:15 PM
- Palliyarai Pooja: 09:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Simap Residency 2.0 Star Hotel
12 A/1, Meenakshi Kovil Street, Next to Central Bank, Madurai
0.2 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai
Hotel Nambi
89/1, West Avani Moola Street, Opp to Madurai Radha Transport, Madurai
0.3 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai
Hotel Kathir Palace 2.0 Star Hotel
14, Dhanappa Mudali Street, Madurai
0.4 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai
The Golden Park
28,29 West Perumal Maistry Street, Madurai
0.5 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai
Abinaya Lodge
198, Near Meenakshi Amman Temple, West Masi Shreet, Madurai
0.5 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai
Rathna Residency Hotel
109, West Perumal Maistry Street, Madurai
0.6 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai
Hotel Boopathi
16 - 17 Perumal Tank (E), Town Hall Road, Madurai
0.6 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai
Gopu Iyengars Restaurant
1, West Chitrai Street Near Meenakshi Temple Madurai
0.1 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai
Hotel New Manorama Restaurant
42A East Chithirai Street Mman Sannathi
0.1 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai
Hotel Durga Bhavan Restaurant
30 East Chitrai Street Hotel Durga Bhavan, Near Indian Bank, Simmakkal
0.1 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai
Chetty Nadu Mess
21, Thiyagi Thayammal Street North Chitrai Street
0.3 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai
Sri Shank Wala Restaurant
No 19/28, Near South Masi Road Jadamuni Koil Street
0.3 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai
Pandian Restaurant
8 Vengalakadai Street, East Masi Street Near Raj Mahal Jewellers
0.3 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai
Murugan Idli Shop
No 196, Near Pothys & Jos Alukas, West Masi Street
0.5 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai
Sree Mohan Bhojanalaya
33,Dhanappa Mudali street, West Tower Street, Opp Hotel Temple View
0.4 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai
How to Reach Meenakshi Temple Madurai
By Road: There are excellent roads connecting Madurai to all parts of South India. Madurai city has 5 Major Bus Stands- Periyar Bus Stand, Anna Bus Stand, Palanganatham Bus Stand, Arapalayam Bus Stand, Mattuthavani Bus Stand. From Madurai town buses, suburban buses, taxis, auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are available to reach the temple.
By Rail : Madurai has direct rail connections to Bangalore, Coimbatore, Kollam, Chennai, Rameshwaram, Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli, Tirupathi and Tuticorin.
By Air : Madurai is connected by air with Mumbai and Chennai. Madurai airport is 10-km away from the city.
Pictures Gallery of Meenakshi Temple Madurai
Google Map of Meenakshi Temple Madurai
