Meenakshi Amman Temple - Madurai | Historic Hindu Temple
The crowning glory of temple architecture of South India, Meenakshi Amman Temple is the most popular attraction in Madurai. Placed on the southern banks of river Vaigai, the temple is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi (Parvati), the consort of lord Shiva, who here is known as Sundareswarar. If statistics are accounted for, the temple receives as many as 15000 devotees daily. According to the legend, God Indra discovered the self manifested Shiva lingam at Kadambavanam, which he later brought to Madurai. This thing is proven from the fact that the linga is seen on lord Indra’s vehicle. It is stated that the temple has a history that goes even before the early AD’s.
It was almost ruined at the time of invasion by Malik Kafur, a Muslim ruler in 1310. The temple was restored in a grand way during the second half of the 14th century by the first ruler of the Nayak dynasty, Viswanatha Nayak. Important additions in the architecture of the temple were later made by King Thirumalai Nayakkar. It was Goddess Parvati, who came here as the result of the prayers of Pandya ruler Malayadwaja Pandya and his wife Kanchanamala. She was named Meenakshi and brought by the king. As an adolescent, she participated in the wars and conquered everyone and went all the way to Mount Kailash, the abode of lord Shiva. She, along with lord Shiva came back to Madurai and everyone on the Earth witnessed the grand wedding.
Meenakshi’s brother, lord Vishnu unfortunately, could not attend the marriage on time due to the pranks given by lord Indra, by which he stayed back on the other side of the Vaigai river bank. That place is the present day Alagar kovil in Alagar hills. Their union is celebrated every year as a 10 days festival in April / May. The original structure of the temple was given by Kulasekara Pandya, but the initiative to rebuild the structure was taken by Viswanatha Nayak (1559-1600). The temple was substantially expanded to the current structure during the reign of Thirumalai Nayak between 1623 and 1655 CE and the other Nayak rulers. The complex is built in around 45 acres of land with 14 towers, the tallest of which, the famous southern tower that rises to over 170 feet high. It was built in 1559.
The oldest tower is the eastern one, built by Maravarman Sundara Pandyan during 1216 to 1238. The temple is estimated to have 33000 sculptures. There are several corridors, halls and shrines inside the temple adorned with wonderful artwork in detail. The sacred pond (Potramarai Kulam) inside the Meenakshi Amman Temple measuring 165 feet by 120 feet is visited before entering the temple. The view of the temple is very clear and appealing from this pond. The thousand pillar hall built by Ariyanatha Mudaliar in 1569 is a must visit. It currently houses a museum with artifacts collected from Madurai from the 8th century onwards. There are the musical pillars outside this hall towards the west and each one produces a different musical note when struck.