Attractions Of Madurai: Sri Meenakshi - Sundareswarar Temple

Sri Meenakshi - Sundareswarar Temple

Short Overview:

Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple or Meenakshi Amman Temple is located in the holy city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva (in the form of Sundareswarar or beautiful lord) and his consort, Goddess Parvati (in the form of Meenakshi). Complex houses 14 magnificent Gopurams, including two Golden Gopurams for the main deities, that are elaborately sculptured and painted. The Sri Meenakshi temple is also famous for a Meenakshi Tirukalyanam festival, which is an annual festival, celebrated for 10 days and enjoyed by almost 1 million visitors.

Long Overview:

Sri Meenakshi-Sundareswarar or twin temple is of the significant temple of Madurai believed to be built-in the early 17th century. The name Meenakshi has come from Goddess Parvati and Sundareswarara from Lord Shiva. This is one of the biggest temple complexes in India. The temple is approximately 258 meters in length and about 241.4 meters in breadth. This temple also displays the splendid architecture having 14 gopurams (towers) including two Golden Gopurams for the main deities that are ornately painted and sculptured all over huge Mandapams.

Madurai Meenakshiamman Kovil was built by Kulasekara Pandya, but the entire credit for making the temple as splendid as it is today goes to the Nayakas. A striking feature of the temple is the astonishing structure known as “Ayiramkaal Mandapam” or the Hall of Thousand Pillars and each pillar features high, ornate, bold sculptures that look at life like. Thousand Pillar Hall contains 985 (instead of 1000) carved pillars. The Sri Meenakshi temple is famous for a Meenakshi Tirukalyanam festival, which is an annual festival, celebrated for 10 days and enjoyed by almost 1 million visitors.

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