Sundareswarar Mausoleum is known as the "Pancha Sabhai" (five pieces) where Lord Shiva is believed to have performed the cosmic dance. Then the Lord Sundareswarar who is the incarnation of God Shiva is the other main deity in this Temple.There are many Gopuram (gate tower) in this Temple. It is dedicated to Parvati who is known as Meenakshi and her consort, Shiva, named here as Sundareswarar. Valuables such as gold, silver and precious stones were brought to Delhi. The temple was completely restored in 1995. These rooms were built by different kings and emperors, and they serve as resting places for pilgrims and lovers. The entrance door was rebuilt by Tumpichi Nayakkar in the middle of the sixteenth century. The sthapatis were trained to interrelate the Shastras with Prayoga. Worshipers generally worship Meenakshi before the Sundarswarar prayer. Meenakshi Temple is the most exquisite example of the Dravidian architecture. Kadka Gopuram: This opulent entrance gate leads to the main shrine of the Meenakshi goddess. Quick Facts: Address: Madurai Main, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625001; Height: 52 m; Architectural style: Dravidian architecture; Photography: Not allowed inside the temple In Tamil folklore, the pool is believed to be a resident to review the value of any new literature. Urban Grains of the city. Madurai Meenakshi Temple Architecture Meenakshi temple is situated in the heart of the city of Madurai. Located in the city of Madurai, the temple has a great mythological and historical significance. Nevertheless, the … The temple also houses goddesses Lakshmi, Rukmini, and Saraswati.Â. Meenakshi Amman Temple is a historic Tamil Hindu temple situated in the temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, on the southern bank of the Vaigai River. One of the rituals consists of placing the Sundareswarar image inside the palanquin, which is then transferred to the Meenakshi shrine. The temple also portrays the cordial relationship between Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Shaktism. However, the temple is definitely one of the "wonders of India". The most important part of Madurai tour, this temple was built during the Pandya reign and is now under the administration of HR and CE department of Tamil Nadu. The temple was then expanded by many later Nayaka rulers before the advent of the British East India Company. The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai is one of the best examples of Dravidian architecture that exists in southern India. Lord Shiva is said to have blessed this blessing and announced that there would be no marine life there. Some of these include ‘Vasantham festival,’ ‘Unjal festival,’ ‘Mulai-Kottu festival,’ ‘Arudhra Dharsan festival,’ ‘Thai utsavam,’ ‘Kolattam festival,’ etc. One of the rituals involves placing an image of Sundareswarar inside a palanquin which is then moved to the shrine of Meenakshi. In the Tamil folklore, the pond is believed to be an evaluator for reviewing the worth of any new literature. The temple has four main towering gateways (gopurams) that look identical to each other. Meenakshi Amman Temple, also known as Minakshi-Sundareshwara Temple, is one of the oldest and most important temples in India. The temple is enclosed with huge walls, which were built in response to the invasions. TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE. • Meenakshi Temple - Built by Pandya Rulers – This Structure has been Constructed in Madurai in Early 17th Century - 1623 AD Prepared By- Ar.Roopa Chikkalgi. The temple was once again degraded and parts of it were destroyed during the British Rule. For the people of Madurai, the temple is the very center of their cultural … Discover new destinations,Travel guide and travel tips from Domestic and international travel experts. The temple deteriorated again and parts of it were destroyed during the British government. When the Vijayanagar Empire seized Madurai after defeating the Muslim sultanate, the temple was rebuilt and reopened. A mandala is a structure built according to the laws of symmetry and loci. Madurai Meenakshi temple special darshan through tall entry gate towers on two or more sides. Kulashkarar Pandian, the king who ruled the Pandian dynasty, is said to have built the temple according to the instructions given in his dream by Lord Shiva. Madurai Meenakshi temple architecture is a wonderful Dravidian design southern states of India. It’s complex is huge and is divided into a number of quadrangular enclosures supported by high brick walls. The "gopuram" consists of five floors. When Malayadwaja and his wife expressed their concern over the girl’s abnormal appearance, a divine voice ordered them not to fret over the girl’s physical appearance. Parvati also assumed the shape of Meenakshi, and Lord Vishnu, Parvati's brother, handed it over to Lord Shiva. Though the temple is mentioned in early literature, the present structure has undergone many a renovation and rebuilding. The temple complex is the center of the old city of Madurai. During his reign, several "Mandapams" (pillar rooms) were built. Each of these festivals has its own significance and is celebrated during various months throughout the year. When Malayawada and his wife expressed concern about the abnormal appearance of the girl, a divine voice instructed them not to be concerned about the girl's physical appearance. Meenakshi ruled the ancient city of Madurai and also captured the neighboring kingdoms. Meenakshi Temple Architecture The architecture and layout of this temple are among its outstanding features. This vast temple complex has numerous mandapams exposing architectural marvels starting from the Pandya period to the end of the nineteenth century. It extends from the temple till periphery. The Sundareswarar shrine is known as one fifth of ‘Pancha Sabhai’ (five courts) where Lord Shiva is believed to have performed the cosmic dance. I have recently visited the place and was left with extremely rich experience of ancient Indian Architecture and Culture. It is also one of the main attractions of South India, where thousands of worshipers invade it daily. The Meenakshi Sundareshwarar temple is the nucleus of this ancient city. This is among the most famous temples of India which is known throughout the world for its outstanding and impressive architectural beauty. In 1959, the restoration work was started by Tamil Hindus by collecting donations and by collaborating with historians and engineers. Texts dating back to the early sixth century describe the temple as a place where academics gather to discuss important issues. But to her panic, a girl with two breasts escaped from the sacred fire. The entire structure, when viewed from above, represents a mandala. The temple also celebrates ‘Navarathri festival.’ During ‘Navarathri’ the temple displays colorful dolls which are collectively called ‘gollu.’ ‘Gollu’ often convey stories from mythological scenes. Residences with its traditional planning with courtyards and thinnai helps with the hot weather and provides natural surveillance. Even today, the wedding ceremony is celebrated every year as ‘Chithirai Thiruvizha’ which is also known as ‘Tirukalyanam’ (the grand wedding). The temple also celebrates the "Navarathri Festival". It is the main attraction of the city and pilgrims come to the place in the search of spirituality and peace. Kingdom of Mysore. The road trip started at magnificent Meenakshi Temple in Madurai and ended at Mahabalipuram. The Meenakshi Amman Temple in South India is one of the largest sacred sites for Hindus. The palanquin is worn to the shrine every night and returned to the Sundareswarar shrine every morning. The temple is surrounded by huge walls that were built in response to invasions. They were also told that the third girl's breast would disappear as soon as she met her future husband. During his reign, many ‘Mandapams’ (pillared halls) were built. The temple occupies a large area in the heart of Madurai, spanning 14 acres. Courtesy www.indiatraveltours.com . The temple was completely restored in 1995. This is the currently selected item. Apart from the main festival, which is basically the wedding ceremony of the deities, a number of other festivals are celebrated in the temple. Email. It is a master piece and was the center of activity for the promotion of art and culture in Madurai. Here are some of the most important "mandapamates": Since Meenakshi is the chief deity of the temple, the temple indicates the importance of women in the Hindu Tamil family. Meenakshi stems out of the designer’s journey for exploration, reverence for design and love for detail in the architecture of the temple towns in Tamil Nadu, India. It consists of monuments inside a number of concentric enclosures, each layer fortified with high masonry walls. Meenakshi Amman Temple is a historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in the temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. Since the royal couple had no children, the king presented his prayers to Lord Shiva, and asked him to give them a son. The temple also depicts the friendly relationship between Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Shaktism. The Meenakshi Temple at Madurai. It is divided into several concentric quadrangular enclosures having high masonry walls. It is dedicated to Parvati and her consort, Shiva, here called Sundareswarar, known as Meenakshi. The majestic temple is built in the architectural style called the Dravidian … Privacy Policy. In addition to the main festival, which is basically the deity's wedding, many other festivals are held at the temple. The temple also contains several rooms with columns called "Mandapams". After the city's destruction in the 14th century, the Tamil tradition states that the king Vishwantha Nayaka rebuilt the temple and the Madurai city around it in accordance with the principles laid down in the Shilpa Shastras(… Vijayanagara period . Architectural Style. It has long been the focus of both Indian and international tourist attraction as well as one of the most important places of Hindu pilgrimage. Mandala is a structure built according to the laws of symmetry and position. The temple is a symbol of Dravidian architecture, known for its … The entire structure, when viewed from above, represents a mandala. However, the temple was rebuilt as it is today throughout the sixteenth century, as it was destroyed by Muslim invaders. The city and the temple align to the directions of the compass. Since Parvati herself had assumed the form of Meenakshi, Lord Vishnu, Parvati’s brother, handed her over to Lord Shiva. Each of the gopurams have hundreds of intricately carved idols on them. The first Madurai Nayak king Vishwanatha Nayak (1529–64 CE) redesigned the city as per the rules of architecture that are laid out in the Shilpa Shastras. by Edward Fosmire. According to the researchers, during the reconstruction of the temple, the rulers of the Nyaka dynasty followed the architectural style "Silpa Shastras". Apart from the four ‘gopurams,’ the temple also houses many other ‘gopurams’ that serve as gateways to a number of shrines. But to their dismay, a triple-breasted girl emerged from the sacred fire. There are many shrines built within the temple complex. During the 14th century AD, Malik Kafur, the leader of the Sultanate of Delhi, led his army to most of southern India and plundered many temples, including the famous Meenakshi Amman Temple. Apart from the two main shrines, which are dedicated to Sundareswarar and Meenakshi, the temple has shrines dedicated to various other deities like Ganesha and Murugan. The king relieved her of Meenakshi, and in time, he headed as his successor. Ancient mythology has it that Lord Shiva came down in the form of Sundareswarar to marry Meenakshi, anincarnation of Goddess Parvati, who … This is decidedly the oldest city of South India, truly representing Dravidian culture. The palanquin is taken into the shrine every night and is brought back to the shrine of Sundareswarar every morning. The temple is square shaped and a series of concentric streets with names from Tamil months surround the structure. It is said that Kulashekarar Pandyan, a king who ruled over the Pandyan dynasty, built the temple as per the instructions given in his dream by Lord Shiva. The temple is enclosed with huge walls, which were built in response to the invasions. Some religious texts belonging to the first century to the fourth century AD speak of the temple and describe it as the central structure of the city. It is said that Lord Shiva blessed this pond and declared that no marine life would grow in it. Texts dating back to the early 6th century, describe the temple as a place where scholars met to discuss important topics. Dedicated To: Meenakshi (Goddess Parvati) and Sundareswarar (Lord Shiva), Major Festival: Tirukalyanam Festival / Chithirai Thiruvizha. Architecture The Goddess Meenakshi Amman, who is the incarnation of the Goddess Parvati is the main deity in this Temple. Meenakshi ruled over the ancient city of Madurai and also went on to capture the neighboring kingdoms. Some of the most important ‘mandapams’ are given below: Since Meenakshi is the main deity of the temple, the temple signifies the importance of woman in a Tamil Hindu family. The temple has 14 towers known as Gopurams, the tallest of the tower zooms to a height of 170 feet. The relieved King named her Meenakshi and in due course crowned her as his successor. It is also one of the main attractions of South India with thousands of devotees thronging it every day. Google Classroom Facebook Twitter. Dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Meenakshi, this temple has become a major tourist spot over the years and is often referred to as the ‘Mathura of South’. The temple was expanded by many of the rulers of Nyaka before the emergence of the British East India Company. But the reign of the Nayaks marks the golden period of Madurai when art, architecture and learning flourished expansively. During the ‘Tirukalyanam Festival,’ which takes place over a period of 10 days, the temple attracts more than a million devotees. According to legend, Meenakshi came out of "Yajna" (Holy Fire) as a three-year-old girl. Legend has it that he captured Indralok, the home of Lord Indra, and was also on his way to capture Kailash, the home of Lord Shiva. In addition to the two main shrines, dedicated to Sundareswarar and Meenakshi, the temple contains shrines dedicated to various other deities such as Ganesha and Murugan. The devotees usually worship Meenakshi before offering their prayers to Sundareswarar. It is said that the wedding was attended by all gods and goddesses. Meenakshi Amman Temple Nayaka Period (16th - 17th century) Madurai Meenakshi Temple Tour "The temple city of Madurai is situated at a distance of 307 miles south of Madras on the main railway line. The temple also has a consecrated pond named ‘Porthamarai Kulam.’ The term ‘Potramarai Kulam’ is a literal translation of ‘pond with a golden lotus.’ The structure of a golden lotus is placed at the center of the pond. They were also informed that the girl’s third breast will disappear as soon as she meets her future husband. The ‘Yajna’ was performed by a king named Malayadwaja Pandya along with his wife Kanchanamalai. Madurai Meenakshi Temple is world-renowned for these spectacular towers in and around the temple, which can be seen from a long distance. Meenakshi Temple, Madurai The ancient city of Madurai, more than 2,500 years old, was built by the Pandyan king, Kulashekarar, in the 6 th century B.C. Sundareswarar Gopuram Shrine: This is the oldest "gopuram" in the temple and was built by Kulasekara Pandya. The Temple Architecture The Madurai Meenakshi Temple is one of the largest temples in India and is an architectural wonder. Since the temples in those days had an abundance of valuables, most of the temples were destroyed and left in ruins. Meenakshi Madurai Temple, is a place worth seeing by every art lover. Each of these festivals has its own meaning and is celebrated for several months throughout the year. Meenakshi Amman Temple. So tall pillared halls, and a water tank for ritual bathing. "Yajna" was executed by a king named Malayadwaja Pandya with his wife Kanchannamalai. Located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in Madurai, this Hindu temple is an epitome of classic architecture with murals so gorgeous that it will take your breath away. Valuables, such as gold, silver and precious gems were taken to Delhi. The Meenakshi Temple at Madurai. The temple forms the center and lifeline of Madurai's 2,500-year-old city. Spread over 14 acres this temple has 4 majestic Raja Gopurams that tower over the city and form a spectacular feature in the sky line. The outer walls have four towering gateways, allowing devotees and pilgrims to enter the complex from all four directions. Read Travel News From India and Around the World. History: Meenakshi Amman Temple is a historic Hindu temple located in the southern bank of river Vaigai in the temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. Legend has it that she even captured Indralok, the abode of Lord Indra, and was on her way to capture Kailash, the abode of Lord Shiva, as well. The temple has four entrances which face towards four directions, a feature quite rarely found in the temples of Tamil Nadu. There are various shrines built within the temple complex. MEENAKSHI. "Gopuram" serves as a gateway to the Sundareswarar shrine (Lord Shiva). The temple occupies a huge area in the heart of Madurai as it spreads over 14 acres. Next lesson. The Koodalazhagartemple is also located to the Southwest of the Sundareswarar temple, thus reflecting the There are 4 gates that provide entry into the temple and these are situated in the four directions, namely, North, South, East, and West. Let me know you about Meenakshi temple … Worship mainly involves rituals and processions. The history of Meenakshi Temple dates back to the 1st century C.E with scholars claiming it to be as old as the city itself. Meenakshi Temple, Madurai. The golden lotus hull is placed in the center of the pond. The present temple was constructed during the reign of Tirumalai Nayak, a king who lived during the 17th century. The temple was expanded again by Thirumalai Nayak, who ruled Madurai from 1623 to 1655. It is dedicated to Parvati, known as Meenakshi, and her consort, Shiva, here named Sundareswarar. The Meenakshi temple is dedicated to goddess Meenakshi, the Consort of Lord Siva. The entire structure, which appears from above, represents the mandala. Our mission is to provide a … If Tamil Nadu is the seat of South Indian temple architecture, the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple is its crowning glory. It is said that the wedding was attended by all the gods and goddesses. The temple was once again expanded by Thirumalai Nayak who ruled over Madurai from 1623 to 1655. Sort by: Top Voted. Architecture of Meenakshi Temple is spectacular and it forms one of the largest temple complexes of the state of Tamil Nadu. The temple also contains a dedicated pond called "Porthamarai Kulam". Renowned for its astonishing architecture, Meenakshi Temple was nominated as one of the wonders of the world, but couldn’t make it into the list of ‘Seven Wonders of the World’. The temple has a total of 14 towering gateways. Shiva and Meenakshi returned to Madurai where their wedding took place. Madurai Meenakshi Temple Architecture Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple. Worship mainly involves rituals and processions. 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