History, Timing, Architecture, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide Sri Meenakshi Temple, Pearland, Texas, America
The Sri Meenakshi Temple is located in Pearland of Texas (the United States). It is a Hindu shrine. The temple is popularly known as the Sri Meenakshi Devasthanam. The presiding deity here is Goddess Meenakshi. She is believed to be the manifestation of Goddess Durga. Meenakshi is the wife of Sundareswarar, who is the manifestation of Lord Shiva. Goddess Meenakshi is also the presiding deity of the renowned Meenakshi temple of Madurai, Tamil Nadu (India). The temple in Texas is the only Meenakshi temple, present outside of India. It is the third ancient Hindu shrine in the United States.
The idea of building a temple came to people’s minds when they felt the need to have a religious place in their locality. The Sri Meenakshi Temple Society was formed in 1977. Eventually, the members of the society started to plan the design of the temple. As a first step, a plot of land of about 5 acres area was obtained between 1976 to 1978. Ranjit Banerjee, who was a professor of architecture at Houston University, drew a proper plan for the site. The first permanent structure of the shrine was the temple of Ganesha. In 1982, the first inauguration ceremony (Mahakumbhabhishekam) was performed for the main temple of Goddess Meenakshi. This temple was designed by the renowned Indian temple architect S. M. Ganapathy Sthapathi. Indian classical music artists, such as – M. Balamuralikrishna, Seerkazhi Govindarajan, and Parveen Sultana used to perform for the fundraising campaign of the temple. The temple kept extending by adding more temples in the complex. The last one was the corner temples including Rajagopuram. They all were finally completed in 1995.
Architecture of Meenakshi Temple, Texas, USA
The temple was built in 1982. The famous Indian temple architect, S. M. Ganapathy Sthapathi planned the design of the temple. It reflects the flavor of the Dravidian pattern (South Indian style) of architecture. This type of architecture is very common in the Southern states of India. The temple complex is home to other smaller shrines apart from the main temple. It also has a function hall (Kalyana mandapam), a library, and a peacock sanctuary. There is also a large canteen that serves south Indian vegetarian dishes to the devotees.
Festivals celebrated at Meenakshi Temple, Texas, USA
As the temple is home to many other gods and goddesses, different festivals are celebrated in the complex. Navratri, Sri Durgashtami, Rudra Japam, Suvasini Puja, and Ganesh Chaturthi are on this list. Although, Navratri and Durgashtami are celebrated lavishly. The reason for this is, that the main deity is a form of Goddess Durga. During this time, people gather at the temple with great energy. The Navratri celebration is continued for nine days. There is a huge crowd noticed these days of Navratri. Durgashtami is celebrated on the 8th day of Navratri. The devotees follow some special rituals to take part in it.
Special rituals followed at Meenakshi Temple, Texas, USA
There are a few special poojas performed in the temple. These are found exclusively in this temple. They are -
Meenakshi Abhishekam, every Friday at 7.00 pm
Shiva Abhishekam, every Monday at 7.00 pm
Ganapathi Homam at 7.00 pm every day
Sri Meenakshi Shadasopachara Pooja, last Friday of every month at 7.00 pm
Venkateswara Abhishekam, 1st Sunday of every month at 10.30 am
Padmavati Abhishekam, every Friday at 6.30 pm.
Daily darshan time of Meenakshi Temple, Texas, USA
The temple opens for visitors at 8.30 am and closes at 8.30 pm every day. The visiting hours for the followers are from – 8.30 am to 12 noon. And in the evening, 5.00 pm to 8.30 pm. The gates remain closed from 12 noon to 5.00 pm for every temple.
Being the 3rd oldest Hindu shrine in the United States, the temple welcomes many devotees every year. The ancient and modern architecture is a must-watch of the temple.
