Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple - Madurai Tourism

The Madurai Meenakshi Temple is located just one kilometer from the bus stand in the city of Madurai. Meenakshi is the presiding deity in the temple. Kulasekara Pandya was the king who constructed the temple but it is said that the temple developed in the reign of the Nayaks. It was from the 16th to the 18th century that the temple was built to what is now called as the Meenakshi Amman Temple.

Amidst a dozen gopurams (temple towers), four are the landmarks of the City. They are:

1. East Tower – The east tower has a height of 161′3″. There are about 1011 stucco figures in the tower.

2. South Tower – The south tower has a height of 170′6″. There are about 1511 stucco figures in the tower.

3. West Tower – The west tower‘s height is 163′3″ with about 1124 stucco figures in the tower.

4. North Tower – The north tower’s height is 160′6″ with less number of stucco figures than the other towers.

Ashta Shakthi Mandapam

When you enter the temple from the eastern gate then you will enter into a mandapam that was built by the wives of Thirumalai Nayakar namely Rudrapathi Ammal and Tholimamai. In the early days, food was distributed to devotees who traveled from a very long distance. The ‘Thiruvilayadals’ (divine acts) of Lord Shiva are depicted in sculptures in the mandapam. The birth of Meeenakshi and her life as a princess are also depicted.

There is also a story behind Meenakshi who ruled as the princess over Madurai. King Malayadwaja Pandya was childless. As it worried the king and his wife, they performed yagnas (rituals) and prayed to God for a child. From the fire came a little girl who had three breasts. The king was very much worried about it but he then heard a voice which said that the third breast will disappear when she meets her consort. The princess learnt all the skills and turned into a very brave princess and she was the one who stood first in the times of war. It was in the battle field of the Kailas that the princess lost her heart to Lord Shiva. Her third breast also disappeared and their wedding took place. They then realized that she was meant to be none other than Parvati, Lord Shiva’s wife. From then on they ruled over the city of Madurai as Meenakshi and Sundareswarar. The wedding of the Lord Shiva and Meenakshi takes place every year as a very grand festival and there is the procession of the Lord and Meenakshi for 9 days. The wedding takes place on the tenth day in the month of Chithrai.

Meenakshi Nayakkar Mandapam

Next to the Ashta Shakthi Mandapam is situated the Meenakshi Nayakkar Mandapam which is famous for the pillars within. There are about 110 pillars in the mandapam in which the Yaali (the mythical animal) which has the head of the elephant and the lion’s body is the most special of them.

Potramaraukulam (Golden Lotus Tank)

The tank in the Meenakshi Amman Temple is known as the Potramaraukulam meaning the Golden Lotus Tank. In the earlier days devotees took a dip in the tank. The poets of the Tamil Sangam met in the place that surrounds the tank. The judgement for the work of the people in the field of literature was carried here. There are steps on all the sides of the tank which take the devotees down to the tank.

Oonjal Mandapam (The swing hall)

On the western side of the tank one will find the Oonjal (a swing) and the Killikoontu mandapam. The Meenakshi and Sundareswarar idols are made to swing in the mandapam every Friday as a ritual. In the Kilikoontu Mandapam, it is said that there are parrots which utter the name of the Lord.

Amman Sannithi (Meenakshi shrine)

Adjoining the ‘Onjal mandapam’ is the Meenakshi Shrine wherein Goddess Meenakshi is placed. There is always huge crowd to worship the Goddess on Friday which is believed to be the day to worship the Goddess.

Swami Sannithi (Swami Sundareswarar Shrine)

Lord Sundareswarar’s shrine is situated on the northern side of the Kilikoontu Mandapam. In between the two shrines, is a huge idol of Lord Sri Ganesh called as the Mukkurini Pillaiyar. It is believed that the idol was found when the king Thirumalai Nayakar built a tank about 3 kms from the temple. He installed it in the temple.

The kadamba tree is present in the outer wing of Lord Shiva’s shrine. There is a dancing posture of the Lord present in the shrine called as the Velli Ambalam. This is one of the idols of Nataraja which is called as the Velli Sabhai. There are many Sabhais present in the temples of Lord Shiva all over the State.

The Thousand Pillar Mandapam

The hall with 1000 pillars can be seen when one enters the temple from the eastern entrance. Today there are only 985 pillars in the hall. One will also be able to see the musical pillars in the temple. One will be able to see in front of the mandapam, the history that covers about 1200 years in the form of icons, photographs and drawings and sculptures.

Vasanta Mandapam

Today Vasanta Mandapam is known as Pudhu Manadapam. There are various sculptures within that depict the wedding of the Lord and Meenakshi. In this area there are also many temple shops selling metal idols, charms, vessels, clothes, beads, bangles etc.