Introduction:-
Madurai Meenakshi Sundareshwarer Temple is an hindu temple located in the city of Madurai
in Tamil Nadu. It is dedicated to god Shiva - in the form of Sundareswarar or Beautiful Lord- and his consort, Parvati in the form of Meenakshi.
The temple complex is within a high-walled enclosure, at the core of which are the two sanctums for meenakshi and Sundareshwara, surrounded by a number of smaller shrines and grand pillared halls. Especially impressive are the 12 gopuras. Their soaring towers rise from solid granite bases, and are covered with stucco figures of dieties, mythical animals and monsters painted in vivid colours.
History:-
This Temple is the lifeline for 2500 old city Madurai.According to Hindu legend, Shiva came
down to earth in the form of Sundareswarar to marry Meenakshi, an incarnation of Parvati. Parvati had earlier descended to earth in the form of a small child in response to the great penance of Malayadwaja Pandya, the ruler of Madurai. After growing up to adulthood, she began ruling the city.The Lord appeared on earth and proposed to her. The marriage was supposed to be the biggest event on earth, with the whole earth gathering near Madurai. Vishnu, the brother of Meenakshi, was traveling to preside over the marriage from his holy abode at Vaikuntam.
Due to a divine play, he was tricked by god Indra and delayed on the way. Meanwhile, the marriage was presided over by a local god from Thirupparankundram Pavalaakanivaai Perumal. This is celebrated annually as 'Chitirai Thiruvizha' in Madurai.
Festivals:
The most famous as well as the most significant festival celebrated at the Minakshi Sundareswarar Temple is Meenakshi Thirukalyanam, the divine marriage of Goddess Meenkashi with Lord Shiva. It is celebrated every year, in the month of April. Other festivals organized at the temple include Ther Thiruvizhah (Chariot festival) and Theppa Thiruvizhah (Float festival).
Other festivals celebrated in the Madurai Meenakshi Temple include
1) Vasantham Festival – Vaikasi month - May
2) Unjal Festival - Aani month - June
3) Aadi Mulai Kottu Festival - Aadi month – July
4) Aavani Moolam Festival – Puttukku Mansumantha Leela Festival – Aavani month - August
5) Navarathri Festival – Purattasi month – September
6) Kolattam Festival –Ayppasi month – October
7) Kolattam Festival - Karthikai month – November
8) Thiruvathirai – Arudhra Dharsan Festival and Thiruvembavai and Thiruppavai Festival – Margali month – December
9) Float Festival – Thai month – January
10) Maasi Mandala utsavam – Masi month – February
11) Summer Vasantham Festival - Panguni month – March
Temple Facts , Structure & Architecture:
Due to a divine play, he was tricked by god Indra and delayed on the way. Meanwhile, the marriage was presided over by a local god from Thirupparankundram Pavalaakanivaai Perumal.
The temple complex is within a high-walled enclosure, at the core of which are the two sanctums for meenakshi and Sundareshwara, surrounded by a number of smaller shrines and grand pillared halls. Especially impressive are the 12 gopuras. Their soaring towers rise from solid granite bases, and are covered with stucco figures of dieties, mythical animals and monsters painted in vivid colours.
Both the Meenakshi shrine and the Sundareswarar shrine are huge temples in themselves– with their own sets of 2 prakarams mahamandapams and gold plated vimanams. Here is also seen the Mukkuruni Vinayakar shrine, with a collossal image of Ganesha.
The Sundareswarar temple alone has 5 gopurams – four 5 tiered ones on its outer walls and a single three tiered one adorning the entrance to the inner prakaram. This tower is said to be an ancient structure.Crowning the sanctum is the Indra Vimaanam. Also seen here are several images of the manifestations of Shiva, as seen in the Tiruvilayadal Puranam. Within the Sundareswarar temple complex is a shrine to Nataraja – the Rajata Sabha or the Velliambalam.
Meenakshi’s image is made of green stone. The eastern entrance to shrine houses a 13th century gopuram. A 5 tiered gopuram adorns the Western entrance to the Amman temple complex. At every entrance along the axis of the shrine are shrines to Vinayakar and Subramanyar.
Surrounding the Shiva and Meenakshi temples is a huge prakaram with imposing 9 tiered gopurams, in each of the 4 cardinal directions. The tallest of these is the southern tower, rising to a height of 170 feet. There are thus a total of 12 gopurams, two gold plated vimaanams (crowning the sancta) and several mandapams with carved pillars within the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple complex.
Temple Timings
The temple is open from 5 am to 1 pm and from 4 pm to 10 pm.
How to Reach Madurai Meenakshi Temple
- By Air : Madurai has its own airport, located 12 km from the city center. There are daily flights to Chennai and twice a day flights to Mumbai.
- By Rail : Regular trains connect Madurai to Coimbatore, Chennai, Rameswaram, Kanyakumari and other towns of South India. The Madurai Railway Station is within the city center.
- By Road : Madurai is well connected by a network of roads and road transport is available to all major towns of Tamil Nadu and surrounding areas.
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