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Meenakshi Temple
The enormous temple
complex is dedicated to Shiva, known here as Sundareshvara and his consort
Parvati or Meenakshi. The
original temple was built by Kulasekara Pandya, but the entire credit for
making the temple as splendid as it is today goes to the
Nayaks. The Nayaks ruled Madurai from the 16th to the 18th century and left
a majestic imprint of their rule in the Meenakshi - Sundareswarar Temple.
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.
Temple Towers
There are 12 temple towers(Gopurams).
The outer towers are the landmarks of Madurai. They are:
- East Tower
(Nine Storeys). Height 161'3". This Gopura has 1011 sudhai figures.
- South
Tower (Nine Storeys). Height 170'6". This Tower has 1511 sudhai
figures.
- West
Tower (Nine Storeys). Height 163'3". This Tower has 1124 sudhai
figures.
- North Tower
(Nine Storeys). Height 160'6". This Tower has lesser figures of sudhai
than other outer towers.
Gopura
Pyramidal gates(gopuras) rise to a height of more than 50m. These
towering gateways indicate the entrance to the temple complex at the four
cardinal points, while lesser gopuras lead to the sanctums of the main
dieties.
Stucco Work
The figures of dieties on the tower are repaired, repainted and
ritually reconsecrated every 12 years.
Ashta
Shakthi Mandapam
A visitor who
enters the temple through the eastern gateway, first enters this
Mandapam(Hall). It was built by Thirumalai Nayakar's wives Rudrapathi Ammal
and Tholimamai. In this hall food was once distributed to the devotees who
came from far off places. Next to this hall is the Meenakshi Nayaka Mandapa,
a spacious columned hall used for shops and stores. This hall has a votive
lamp-holder with 1,008 lamps, which are lit on festive occasions and present
a spectacular sight. The sculptures on the pillars here relate some of Lord
Shiva's Thiruvilayadals (miracles) and also the story of Meenakshi's birth
and her life as the princess of Madurai.
The story
descripted on the stones is as follows:
Malayadwaja Pandya, a king of Madurai , was childless for a long time. He
performed a number of yagnas (sacrifices made before a sacred fire)
because he wanted an heir to his throne. On one occasion, a three-year-old
girl came out of the fire and Malayadwaja adopted her. But the girl had
three breasts and this worried Malayadwaja. However, a divine voice assured
him that the third breast would disappear as soon as she met her consort.
The girl grew into a brave and beautiful princess. she won many battles, but
eventually lost her heart to Lord Shiva, when she met him on the
battle-field in Kailas. As soon as she saw him, her third breast
disappeared and she recognized her divine consort, for the princess was none
other than Shiva's wife, Parvathi. After ruling over the Pandya
kingdom for a while, they settled in the Madurai temple as Meenakshi
and Sundareswarar.
Meenakshi Nayakkar Mandapam
This big hall
is adjacent to Ashta Shakthi Mandapam, consisting of 110 pillars carrying
the figures of a peculiar animal with a lion's body , and an elephant's head
called Yalli.
Potramaraikulam
(golden lotus tank)
This
temple tank is an ancient tank where devotees take bath in the holy water.
The area around this tank was the meeting place of the
TamilSangam
- the ancient academy of poets. The history of the sangam goes back to the
days when gods dallied with men. This academy judged the worth of any work
of literature presented before it by throwing it into the tank. Only those
that did not sink were considered worthy of attention. The tank is
surrounded by a pillared corridor. Steps lead down to the tank, enabling
worshippers to take bathe in it.
Oonjal Mandapam
The Oonjal
(swing) Mandapam and Killikoontu (parrot cage) Mandapam are on the western
side of the tank. Every Friday, the golden idols of Meenakshi and
Sundareswarar are seated on the swing in the Oonjal Mandapam and hymns are
sung as the deities gaily swing to and fro. The parrots in the Kilikoontu
Mandapam have been trained to repeat Meenakshi's name. But more interesting
are the 28 pillars of the mandapam which exhibit some excellent Sculptures
of figures from Hindu mythology.
Vasantha Mandapam
This mandapam
was built by Thirumalai Nayakkar. Vasanthosavam - the Spring festival-is
celebrated in this mandapam in Vaikasi (April/May). Its pillars contain
elaborate sculptures of Shiva, Meenakshi, scenes from their wedding as well
as the figures of ten of the Nayak Kings and their consorts. This is also
called Pudhu Mandapam
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