Meenakshi Temple

Madurai

Main Deity : Meenakshi Sundareswarar (Chokkanathar – Lord Shiva). The deity is also called as Sundareswarar, Meenakshi Sundarar, Somasundarar, Kalyana Sundarar, Shanbaga Sundarar, Attavai Shevagan, Chockalingam, Adiyarku Nallan, Adhiraveesi, Vilayaduvan, Abhideka Chockar, Azhagiya Chockar, Kadambavana Chockar, Puzhugu Neidhu Chockar, Kadambavaneswarar, Karpoora Chockar, Madureswarar, Irayanar, Peralavayar and other names.

Ambal : Meenakshi ( Goddess Parvathi – Angayarkanni)

Holy Water : Potramarai Kulam (pond of Golden Lotus), Theppakulam

Temple Tree : Kadamba Tree

Prominence of the Shrine : Madurai is the home for all the Tamil Sangams (Sangam means association. There 3 major Sangams happened in ancient times where many amazing tamil literatures have been created). Madurai was also a capital of Pandya Kings. The Meenakshi Amman temple is located in center of Madurai city.

Temple Towers: The temple which has five entrances covers an area 847 feet (254.1 meters) long and 792 feet (237.6 meters) wide in the North South direction. The temple has four Rajagopurams, there are five towers on top of the sanctum sanctorum of the Lord, three on top of the sanctum sanctorum of the Goddess and two golden towers, all which have been exquisitely designed and sculptured. There are many foreign visitors come to see the splendid work of Architecture.

Architecture & Paintings: The mandapam which is in the eastern entrance of the Amman Sannidhi has been constructed by Thirumalainaicker’ s wife. Thirumalainaicker is one of the Hindu kings who ruled Madurai during 17th century. The eight forms of Goddess Sakthi the consort of Lord Shiva, Karumari, Rowthiri, Vaishnavi, Mahalakshmi, Yangnarubini, Shyamala, Maheswari and Manonmani have been sculptured into the pillars of the mandapam individually.There are drawings depicting the life of Meenakshi Amman on the roof of the mandapam.The drawings depicting incidents of the Thiruvilayadal or miraculous dramas of Lord Shiva belong to the Naicker period.There are paintings depicting the 64 miracles of Lord Shiva, all which were enacted in Madurai. These aesthetic drawings can be seen on the northern wall facing the Potramarai Kulam (the temple tank).

Meenakshi Temple History

According to legend, the linga here is Suyambu discovered by the king of Devas Indra at Kadambavanam, was later enshrined by him in Madurai. The fact that the Lord is seen on the vehicle of Indra in this temple is said to be proof for this. Many historical evidences of the temple have been found dating back from early A.D. The temple was almost completely destroyed in the year 1310 following the invasion of the Islamic conqueror Malikkapur and the invaders destroyed most of the ancient sculptures of the temple.

Thirugnanasambandar the Hindu Saint has mentioned the temple in his songs which go back to early 7th century. The Lord has been described as Alavai Iraivan in his songs. The temple was restored to its pristine glory in the late 14th century when the Hindu Kings came back to power in Madurai. This can also be termed as a new beginning of a new era in the history of the temple, when it was almost rebuilt. The King Thirumalai Naicker played an important role in the construction of the new form of the temple according to records.

who worshipped here : Thirugnanasambandar

Meenakshi Temple Darshan Timings

Morning 5:00 AM to 12:30 PM

Evening 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Pooja Details : Six times a day

If the devotees take bath in the waters of this temple tank on new moon day, the first day of the month, days of eclipse and other auspicious days and worship the Lord, they will be blessed with all their aspirations for success.

Temple Festivals : 

chithirai- Chithirai big festival

Vaikasi - vasantha Urchavam

Aadi - mulaikottu Urchavam
Aavani - moolam
Purattasi - navarathri
Aippasi - pavithra Ursavam
Karthigai - kolatta Urchavam
Maargazhi - Thiruppalli Ezhuchchi
Thai - pongal
Maasi - masi mandala Urchavam
Panguni - Kodai vasantha Urchavam