Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple

The architectural masterpiece, Meenakshi Madurai Temple, is a famous pilgrimage for Hindus. The temple is an excellent example of the Dravidian style of architecture and attracts art lovers from across the country and abroad. The temple is thought to be constructed during the Pandya reign and now the HR and CE department of Tamil Nadu looks after it. Although the construction of the temple is too old it had undergone extensions and gained its present shape under the rule of Thirumalai Nayak (1623-55 AD). The holy temple is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswara, who is believed as an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Madurai city surrounds the temple in the shape of a lotus. The temple has been in limelight ever since its construction, that’s because of its beauty, miraculous architecture, intricate carvings, artistic paintings, exquisite sculptures, and ancient history. The temple gives enough reasons for the devotees and the art lovers as well, to visit it. This architectural marvel has seen contributions from many dynasties. The temple occupies great acres of land and has five different entrances. There are fourteen majestic towers in the fate of this temple. Four of these are Rajagopurams, which are nine tiers high. Along with it is a seven-tier gopuram, another five are five-tier gopurams and two are three-tier gopurams, while the other two are golden gopurams. The gopurams are brilliantly carved showing the great carving skills of the craftsman. The temple has numerous stories associated with its construction and the deity it holds. The attractions of the temple are-

• Ashta Shakti Mandapam which is used for serving food to the devotees. The walls and pillars of this huge mandapam have antique carvings saying stories from the lives of Lord Shiva and various stages of Goddess Meenakshi’s life.
• The Golden Lotus Tank- which was once said to have seen golden lotus blossomed.
• The thousand pillared majestic museums, holding rare photographs, antique idols made up of five metals, antique coins, carved tusks, antique items related to Shaiva and Vaishnava religion, etc.
• The ancient paintings dating back to a period of Naick reign.
• The stone inscriptions found on the walls to the shrines of Sundareswarar and Meenakshi Amma shrine, depicting methods of performing prayers, rituals, religious history as well as a social history of ancient times.

Festivals- The temple commences huge celebration during Avanimoola festival, Masi Mandala festival, Chitra festival, Navarathri cultural festival and Float festival. This place should be on the top of your itinerary to Madurai.