Meenakshi Temple: Madurai’s Sacred Hindu Site

The Meenakshi Temple (also known as Meenakshi Amman Temple) is one of the most famous and magnificent Hindu temples in India, located in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi (an incarnation of Parvati) and her consort Lord Sundareshwarar (Shiva), it is a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture and a major pilgrimage site.

Key Features of Meenakshi Temple:

1. Architecture

   • Built in the Dravidian style, the temple complex covers around 14 acres.

   • Features 14 towering gopurams (gateway towers), the tallest being the Southern Gopuram (52 meters high).

   • The temple has 1,000+ intricately carved pillars, including the famous “Hall of Thousand Pillars” (Aayiram Kaal Mandapam).

2. Main Deities

   • Meenakshi Amman (Goddess with fish-shaped eyes, symbolizing prosperity).

   • Sundareshwarar (Shiva, the “Handsome Lord”).

3. Sacred Tanks

   • Porthamarai Kulam (Golden Lotus Tank): Pilgrims bathe here before worship.

   • Believed that the Mahabharata was dictated here by Lord Shiva.

4. Festivals

   • Meenakshi Thirukalyanam: Annual festival celebrating the divine marriage of Meenakshi & Sundareshwarar (April-May).

   • Chithirai Festival: A grand 12-day event with processions and rituals.

5. Temple History

   • Originally built by Kulasekara Pandyan (12th-13th century).

   • Expanded by Tirumalai Nayak (17th century).

   • Destroyed by Malik Kafur (14th century) and later rebuilt.

Visitor Information:

• Timings: 5:00 AM – 12:30 PM & 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM

• Dress Code: Traditional attire preferred (no shorts/sleeveless).

• Best Time to Visit: October-March (cooler weather).

Interesting Facts:

• The temple is mentioned in ancient Tamil texts like “Thiruvilayadal Puranam”.

• The “Parrot Mandapam” has parrots trained to chant Meenakshi’s name.

• Madurai city is designed in the shape of a lotus centered around the temple.