History, Importance, Timings, Festivals, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Meenakshi Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Meenakshi Temple also called as Meenakshi Amman Temple or Meenakshi Sundareshwara Temple of goddess Meenakshi, the consort of lord Shiva which is located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in the temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu. The temple is being located at the centre of the city and it holds the oldest and one of the most important temples in India which attracts tourist across the India as well as international tourist throughout the year. This Temple has the most historical and mythological significance. It is believed that in this site the Lord Shiva in the form of Sundareshwara Married to Goddess Parvati in the form of Meenakshi.
It is said that Kulashekarar Pandyan built this temple and main portions of the three-storeyed gopura at the entrance of the Sundareshwara shrine and the central portion of the goddess Meenakshi shrine are the some of the parts which were built during those time. The temple which we see today was rebuilt throughout during the whole 16th century as it was destroyed by the Muslims invaders. The temple at present is of 14 gopurams and 33000 sculptures including two golden sculptures and spread across the 14 acers of land. The whole temple is enclosed with the walls and from the height it is been viewed as Mandala. There are also various shrines of Lord Vishnu, flute playing Krishna, Rukmini, Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Sarasvati and Lord Ganesh etc. within the temple campus. The temple also has a sacred lake - Porthamarai Kulam which means pond with a golden lotus. Golden lotus is placed in mid of the pond which is also known as Adhi Theertham, Sivaganga and Uthama Theertham.
According to legend, the king Malayadwaja Pandya with his wife Queen Kanchanamala had performed several yajna to get child. From the fire, the three year old baby emerged out from yagna with blessings of Ma Devi Parvati. The princess Meenakshi, grew in such environment and becomes the beautiful and heroic young woman of great bravery who occupied several lands and challenged the greatest kings. It is said that the princess was actually the incarnation of Goddess Parvati who came on earth to complete the promise given to Queen Kanchanamala in her previous life. Then, Lord Shiva in form of Sundareshwarar came to Madurai and married to princess Meenakshi and then they had ruled for several years. Finally they left for their heavenly abode mount Kailash from the place where the temple is now built.
As per the another legend, Lord Indra performed penance after killing the demon king but he was not pleased and then came down to earth. While crossing the Kadamba trees in the Pandya land, Lord Indra was calmed. After some time he got to know it was because of the Shivalinga present under a Kadamba tree that soothed his heart. Then to pay his regards to the Lord Shiva, Lord Indra had built a temple named Indra Vimana around the ShivaLinga at this place which presently is worshipped in Madurai.
It is said that in Tamil culture, palaces were built in the form of temples for the gods and kings ruled over region on behalf of the gods.
Then, lord Shiva and Meenakshi married to this place. Even today, the wedding ceremony is celebrated every year as Chithirai Thiruvizha or Meenakshi Tirukalyanam generally arranged in month of April – Hindu month Chaitra which attracts millions of devotee across the world. Apart from the main festival other festival like Vasantham festival, Navaratri, Unjal festival, Mulai-Kottu festival, Arudhra Dharsan festival, Thai utsavam, Kolattam festival etc. are celebrated here with great zeal.
How to reach Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Madhurai is connected well with state roads and national highways. You can hire taxi/cab or private/state buses. The air connectivity is present in Madhurai which is 12kms at a distance from this temple. The nearest railway route is Madhurai railway junction which is 2kms at a distance from this temple.
