Sacred Splendor: Unveiling the Magnificence of Meenakshi Temple in Madurai

In the heart of Madurai, the Meenakshi Temple stands as a testament to the rich cultural heritage of India. This architectural marvel spread over 6,00,000 square feet, dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi, is a journey through time, offering a glimpse into the sacred splendor that defines its existence.

Architectural Grandeur

The Meenakshi Temple is renowned for its awe-inspiring architecture, showcasing the brilliance of Dravidian style. Every pillar, every intricate carving, narrates a story of craftsmanship that has withstood centuries. The ornate sculptures that adorn the temple walls not only depict mythological tales but also serve as a visual feast for connoisseurs of art and history.

Meenakshi Temple: A Stalwart of South Indian Architecture and Spiritual Grandeur

The Meenakshi temple is not only the architecture of the state of Tamil Nadu, or Dravidas, but also the proudest architecture of the temples across India. Gopurams painted in flamboyant colors like red, yellow, blue, and pink are seen from far and wide. It can be said that the Meenakshi temple has a unique identity in South India, similar to Taj Mahel in North India. These two are completely different types of architecture; one has historical significance, while the other has religious significance. Even so, if evaluated from the point of view of architecture, both are top-notch in their own way.

Some features are common in Dravidian architecture in South India. Such as entrance mandapams on temples, wide entrances in two or more directions, rooms known as mandapams with many artistic pillars, reservoirs for holy bathing, etc. The Meenakshi temple in Madurai is also built in the same style. Constantly buzzing with various religious activities, this complex is an extremely attractive and artistic complex of 33,000 sculptures, large and small. Of course, the main purpose of most Indian visitors here is not to enjoy the artistry but to have ‘Devadarshan’.

Tracing History Along the Banks of the Vaigai River

Located on the banks of the Vaigai River, Madurai is a historic town in the village, which has a history spanning more than 250 years. In the 6th century BC, the Padya king, Kulshekhar, built the city of Madurai, which is considered to be the origin of the original Tamil language. The ancient multi-pillared temple of Parthanan, located in Athens, the capital of the European country, was built on high ground in such a way that it could be seen from any part of the city. The Meenakshi temple was built on a slight elevation, and thus Madurai was known as ‘Athens of East’.

Spiritual Significance

Beyond its architectural magnificence, the Meenakshi Temple is a spiritual haven. Devotees from across the globe flock to this sacred site, seeking solace and divine blessings. The temple’s sanctum sanctorum, where the idol of Goddess Meenakshi resides, exudes an atmosphere of tranquility and devotion. The rituals performed here are a blend of tradition and spirituality, creating an ethereal experience for the worshipers.

 

The Divine Origins: Legend of the Sacred Shivalinga in South India

It is said that more than 3,500 years ago, Lord Indra saw a natural Shivalinga in South India, which he installed. Other gods followed Indra and started worshiping this Shivlinga. A human saw the sight of the gods worshiping the Shivlinga and informed the king, Kulshekhar Pandya. The king visited the place and built a temple there.

The Divine Transformation: The Tale of Meenakshi, Warrior Princess of Madurai

Meenakshi Devi’s story is also interesting. Meenakshi is considered to be a form (an avatar) of Parvati. A king named Malaydhvaj wanted to have a son who could be the heir of his kingdom. The king requested the gods grant them an heir by organizing a Yagya. Instead of a boy, a girl named Meenakshi was born to the king. Miraculously, the girl was born with three breasts. The gods assured the king not to worry and asked the king to raise the girl like a warrior. The gods also assured the king that the physical defect of the girl would vanish when she met the true love of her life. Believing it to be the will of the gods, the king raised the girl like a son. The girl became famous as a brave warrior. While conquering several kingdoms, she encountered Lord Shiva at Mount Kailash in the North Himalayas. This was her true love, and the defect in Meenakshi was automatically eliminated. Lord Vishnu acted as a brother of Meenakshi in the wedding, and the divine couple then settled in Madurai only.

Vast Premises and Main Temples

The temple is believed to have been built in the seventh century. It is said that the temple was destroyed by a Muslim invader, Malik Kafur, in 1952 AD. All the ancient articles and artifacts were destroyed in this destruction.

After this invasion, the Pandya kings started the reconstruction of the temple; all the sculptures seen in today’s premises are of the later period. The gopuram on the east side was constructed first, followed by the west in 1323 AD. The gopurams of the south in 1478 AD. During the reign of the Nayak rulers in the period 1564–1572, the north-side gopuram was constructed.

However, the gopuram on the north side is noted to have remained incomplete for years. It was completed in 1878 AD. Thus, it is estimated that it took around 650 years to complete the construction of the present complex. Today the entire premises is spread over an area of ​​14 acres (6 lakh square feet). Just for the sake of comparison, a football field is usually around 1.32 acres. The premises can truly be called a small settlement, with a small market as well. The glory of Meenakshi temple is the sculptures in the premises, along with twelve gopurams. These attractions draw an average of twenty thousand visitors a day.

The Meenakshi temple stands out among the small temples across India that have a deity at the center of attraction. The meaning of Meenakshi is Meen + Akshi, meaning a woman with fish-shaped eyes. Meenakshi symbolizes fertility and love. The two main shrines in the premises belong to Meenakshi Devi and her husband Sundareshwar. (Sundareshwar means Lord Shiva). Both the temples with golden kalash on top are at the center of the entire premises. Visitors have to pass through an artistic pavilion to reach the sanctum of the both.

The statue of goddess Meenakshi Devi is carved from green stone, with one leg of the goddess bent. She has a lotus in one hand, on which a green parrot is depicted sitting. The left arm swings. The statue is installed in a square sanctum. A replica of the main statue is cast in metal, which is used here for the religious processions that take place every year.

A Shiva-linga has been installed in the Sundareshwar temple, which also has a square-shaped sanctum. It is covered with the fangs of a snake carved out of stone. Here, Shivaji’s feet are enshrined on a small metal tablet. Every evening that tablet is placed in a palanquin and taken to Meenakshi Devi’s bedroom. The next morning the tablet is brought to the original place. Sundareshwar is the largest temple in the Meenakshi complex, with the entrance to the gopuram facing east. The temple of Meenakshi Devi is relatively smaller, yet religiously more important.

Before entering this premises one can see its gigentic Gopuram. Gopuram can be called as the entrance gate of the temple as it is an important part of Dravidian architecture.

The magnificent Gopuram of the temple

The other temples in the Meenakshi temple complex are located in three complexes with four-sided walls. Each complex has four entrances in four directions. As mentioned earlier, the total number of gopurams on the premises is 12, some of which are 9 stories high. Some are seven stories high, while five, three, two, and one-story gopurams are also located here. The tallest of all (170 feet, or equivalent to a 17-story building), is the gopuram facing south. This gopuram was reconstructed in the latter part of the sixteenth century. Of course, the oldest gopuram is the eastern one, built during the reign of Maravarman Sundar Pandya (1216–1238 AD). Among the twelve gopurams, five are entrances to the Sundareswara temple and three to the Meenakshi temple.

Each gopuram is carved with various sculptures, including animals, deities, demons, etc. Each of these statues is painted a fiery color and is repainted every twelve years. The sculptures on each floor or panel of the gopuram are interrelated, and some religious or mythological story is presented through them. The sculptures of the four tallest gopurams in this temple depict around four thousand mythological stories. The sentences of the stories presented in the sculptures on other gopurams should be considered different!

Beyond Devotion: Exploring the Architectural Marvels of Meenakshi Temple

A purely religious visit to the Meenakshi Temple may not be of much interest to see all these sculptures, but for architecture buffs and scholars, each gopuram is an eye-opening sight to hold for hours. The problem for such enthusiasts is that many idols carved on tall gopurams are too far from their range of sight. It is impossible to observe and identify them closely from the ground. A good pair of binoculars can help with this, but one must question whether it is permissible to carry them inside the temple premises.

Successive rulers tried to build a gopuram higher than the previous gopuram as a symbol of their power and dedication. For kings, devotion and dedication were also a means of displaying power and authority. Each gopuram has a distinct history of construction, related to different rulers of Madurai over time.

The Ancient Marvels: Unveiling the History of Meenakshi Temple’s Gopurams

Some parts of two three-story gopurams, the entrance to the Sundareswara temple, and the central part of the temple of Meenakshi Devi can be said to be the oldest parts of the complex. It was built during the reign of King Kulshekhar Pandyan (1190–1216 AD). It was destroyed by Malik Kafur in the fourteenth century, so it was rebuilt. The gopuram on the western side is locally known as ‘Muttalakkum Vayeel’. It was built during the reign of Marvarman Sundaran Pandyan II (1238–1252 AD). This gopuram is called ‘Chitra Gopuram’ because of the relief sculptures and fescoes carved on it. Hundreds of sculptures depict various stories of Hinduism.

The gopuram on the east side of the Sundareswara temple was constructed by Vasuvappan in 1372 AD after remaining in a dilapidated state for five decades. It was completed in 1374. According to the text of the inscription found here, the Gopuram known as ‘Nayaka Gopuram’ was built in 1530 AD by Vishwappa Nayakkar and ‘Palahai Gopuram’ was constructed by Mallappan around the same time. That is why both the Gopurs seem to have similar styles and architecture.

The gopuram near the temple of Ganesha (Mukkurunay Vinayagar in the local language), known as ‘Nadukattu Gopuram’ or ‘Idaikattu Gopuram’ in the premises, was built by Seeramalai Savantimurthy Chetty, a wealthy family living near Tiruchirappalli. This five-story gopuram is situated between Meenakshi temple and Sundareswar temple. The nine-story south-facing gopuram was also completed by the Chetti family in the late sixteenth century. This gopuram depicts more than fifteen hundred characters depicting stories from various Hindu scriptures as well as Puranas.

 

The construction of the Gopuram known as ‘Mottai Gopuram’ was started by Krishnappa Nayakkar, Amaravati Purur Chettiar family completed in 1878 AD. What is surprising is that the structure of this gopuram remained roofless for three centuries. Figures here are also relatively few, each gopuram of the Meenakshi temple is a repository of several works, which is a very time-consuming task to observe in detail. While visiting the temple, take a guide with you who can explain the sculpture and the religious story behind it as well as the history of the Gopuram.

Introduction to mandapams built over time

The ‘mandapam’ here are also the identity of the Meenakshi temple. A ‘mandapam’ means a large structure with many pillars. Various Mandapams were constructed by various rulers, with the main purpose of being a resting place for devotees. A brief introduction to some of the main mandapams is also worth getting.

‘Ayramkal Mandapam’ is the main attraction here. In English, it is known as ‘Hall of Thousand Pillars’. However, the actual number of columns is 985. There are two temples in place of the remaining fifteen pillars; not only is each pillar beautifully carved, but the pose of each idol is quite different from the other. Rows of pillars, colorfully designed ceilings, and glittering pavements create a mesmerizing atmosphere in Ayramkal Mandapam. These pillars were built by Aryanath Mudaliar in 1569 AD. He was the prime minister of Vishwanath Nayak, the first Nayak of Madurai. At the entrance of this mandapa is a statue of Mudaliar riding a horse. Apart from Kamdev‘s wife Rati, the statues of Lord Kartikeya, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Shiva are eye-catching here.

‘Meenakshi Nayakkar Mandapam’ is a 110-pillared mandapam. 52 of the pillars here are carved with Yali figure. ‘Yali’ is a mythological animal, which has a combination of lion, elephant and horse parts. Its sculptures can be seen in many temples in South India.

 

 

– The hundred pillared ‘Nayak Mandapam’ was constructed by Chinnappa Nayakkar in 1526 AD, this mandapam houses the most famous Nataraj form of Lord Shiva. This statue is unique, as normally the left leg of Lord Shiva is seen lifted in bronze sculptures of Nataraj. Instead, here the right leg is seen up lifted.

Around the same time, a small mandapa with six pillars was built by Sevanti Murthy Chetty, which was used for Friday rituals. Every Friday evening, the images of Meenakshi and Sundareshwar are swung on a swing. This mandap is situated on the western bank of the reservoir in the temple. A model of the entire temple premises is also placed in this mandapam, after which one can get an accurate idea of the vastness of the Meenakshi temple.

In the Mandapam called ‘Kambatadi Mandapam‘ the sculptures depicting the eight forms of Lord Shiva are the main attraction, while the pillars of the ‘Ashtshakti Mandapam’ are carved with the eight forms of Shakti Devi (Kaumari, Raudri, Vaishnavi, Mahalakshmi, Yaksharupini, Shyamala, Maheshwari and Manonmani). The spirit of Woman power in Hinduism is symbolized here. This mandap has a unique feature: a painting of Meenakshi Devi’s coronation is painted on the ceiling, with townspeople dressed in traditional attire. One face stands out the most in this crowd—and that is Mahatma Gandhiji’s face! The original painting was done in 1885, but it was recreated in 1923 when an artist painted Gandhiji’s face once again. Because Gandhiji’s name was prominent in the freedom movement at that time

– Sculptures of all the five Pandavas are seen in the Panch Pandava Mandapam. A statue of Gandhi is also placed here. Kilikundu Mandapam’ is adjacent to the main temple of Meenakshi. ‘Kilikundu’ means parrot cage, in the past parrots were kept in cages here and trained and made them speak ‘Meenakshi’. This Mandap was built in 1623 AD by Muttu Veerappa Nayakkar. Here are sculptures of Mahabharata characters. Unique is the sculpture of a ‘Yali‘ carved on a pillar, in whose mouth a stone ball can rotate freely.

The ‘Veer Vasantharaya Mandapam’ was also constructed by Muttu Veerappa Nayakkar in 1611 AD. It houses a statue of Nandi, whose face is right in front of the sanctum of the Sundareshwar temple. To the south of this Mandapam is the ‘Kalyan Mandapam’ i.e. wedding hall. The wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati is celebrated with pomp every year at this place.

Mandapam known as ‘Pudumandapam‘ or ‘Vasant Mandapam’ was built by Tirumalai Nayaka in the seventeenth century. It has 124 pillars, on which events from gods and goddesses to common life are depicted.

‘Golu Mandapam’ was built in 1565 AD by a layman named Titiyappa Chetty during the reign of Krishnappa Nayakkar. In this mandap, the idol of Meenakshi Devi is worshiped in nine different forms during the festival of Navratri. Apart from these main pavilions, there are many other pavilions in the Meenakshi temple premises. It is possible to spend days looking at the carvings on each pillar. These multi-pillared mandapas look amazing and grand in pictures, they are as grand in reality, but their scale is such that after seeing the first few mandapas, the exclamations of wonder stop and the eyes get used to them.

 

Sacred Hub: Navigating the Devotional Tapestry of Meenakshi Temple

There are many small shops in the premises of Meenakshi temple. It sells everything from prasad to fruits for offerings, books, t-shirts and many more. This scenario may seem strange. It also seems that a visitor who comes here as a tourist can hardly enjoy the beauty and artistry of this place enough. Because, all the facilities here are made keeping in mind the devotees. Devotees are in a hurry to worship their god rather than enjoying the art of the temple. Due to this, the main temple is very crowded. Of course, remember that a person of any religion can enter the temple premises, but non-Hindus are prohibited in the sanctum of both the main temples. There are also complaints, which are mostly true, of frivolous behavior on the part of the priests due to the huge crowd that fills the sanctum. Even today, the way many rituals continue to be performed in the Meenakshi temple and thousands of devotees continue to throng, it seems that time has frozen in the premises of 600,000 square feet.

 

The science of Meenakshi temple dampens sound waves

It is natural that faith is involved in the construction of all the temples in India, but in some temples architecture is strongly interwoven in addition to faith. If you look at them with an educated eye, you will shout praises to the architects of that era. As noted in the article here, the Meenakshi temple in Madurai has a number of pavilions. Each mandap is enclosed, meaning its walls repeatedly absorb the voices of hundreds of devotees congregating in the mandap, eventually giving a painful echo. Words spoken in an unfurnished confined room are quickly becoming embarrassing as we hear them echoing.

Even though the mandaps of the Meenakshi temple, built hundreds of years ago, are thronged every day, the words uttered by the devotees do not echo. The unique design of the Mandap is responsible for that. Instead of rounding each pillar of the mandap, the architects have kept their edges sharp. Such edges cause the sound waves to become chaotic and scattered. Also the stone of the sculptures on the pillar has been deliberately kept rough instead of polished. Some sound waves are absorbed in porous stone cavities. In addition, the convex surface of each sculpture made according to the golden ratio with a ratio of 1.618 also reflects the sound waves in different directions.

FYI: Nature used the golden ratio of 1.618 to create everything from the solar system to the formation of the human body. The distance of planet Mercury from the sphere of Sun is 5791000 kilometers. The planet Venus is located at 108210000 kilometers from the Sun. Calculating the ratio of Mercury to Venus distance is 10.821 divided by 5.791 = 1.868, which is very close to the golden ratio number. The average ratio of distances between all the planets in the solar system is exactly 1.618. The human body is also made up of those ratios. Multiply the length of the claw of the hand by 1, then the measurement from the claw to the elbow is in the ratio of 1.618.

Experts have discovered that the golden ratio was also used in the arrangement of the pillars of the Meenakshi temple. A few years ago, when a team of acousticians installed microphones in the Meenakshi temple mandapam, there was no sign of an echo, even though the noise level of a crowd of devotees engrossed in microphones was 80dB/decibels. (A motorcycle produces a sound of 100dB). On the contrary, the scientists standing at the end of the porch could communicate with each other in a normal voice even in the midst of such noise.

The intense sound waves of 80dB generated in the mandap were largely absorbed and attenuated by the walls and pillars of the mandap itself. After knowing this amazing fact, one should not be without respect towards the architects who built the Meenakshi temple. How easily they would have digested the difficult subject of geometry like golden ratio and science like acoustics.

Cultural Extravaganza

Madurai, with its Meenakshi Temple, is not just a pilgrimage site; it’s a cultural extravaganza. The temple hosts numerous festivals throughout the year, each a vibrant celebration of music, dance, and religious fervor. The annual Meenakshi Thirukalyanam festival, in particular, transforms the city into a kaleidoscope of colors and joy, attracting tourists and devotees alike.

 

 

 

Planning Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

To truly absorb the grandeur of the Meenakshi Temple, plan your visit during the months of October to March. The weather during this period is conducive to exploring the temple complex and its surroundings comfortably. The temple can be visited according to whether the purpose of the visit is to see God or architecture. Various offerings and rituals start from 5 am in the morning, the details of which are available from the temple’s own website www.maduraimeenakshi.org

Guided Tours

For a comprehensive understanding of the temple’s history and cultural significance, consider opting for a guided tour. Knowledgeable guides provide insights into the symbolism behind the intricate carvings and share captivating stories that bring the temple to life.

Cultural Etiquette

Respectful attire is essential when entering the Meenakshi Temple. Visitors are encouraged to adhere to cultural norms, removing footwear before entering the inner sanctum. Photography restrictions are in place in certain areas to preserve the sanctity of the religious rituals.

Tansportation:

Madurai is connected to major cities of the country by rail, air and road. There are flights from Ahmedabad via Chennai Haydrabad to Madurai, while there are direct flights from Mumbai to Madurai. It takes a good amount of time to reach Madurai by train. There are several trains from Chennai to Madurai, which take around eight hours. It is easy to include Madurai in an itinerary to Chennai.

Accommodation:

There are many hotels available in Madurai with different budgets. Tamil Nadu Department of Tourism Website: www.ttdconline.com has hotel details.

Plus Know: Entry to Meenakshi Temple is free. Different rates are fixed for different types of worships and rituals.

Beyond the Temple Walls

Exploring Madurai

While the Meenakshi Temple is undeniably the crown jewel of Madurai, the city itself is a treasure trove of historical landmarks and vibrant markets. Take a stroll through the Meenakshi Amman Teppakulam, a temple tank adjacent to the main temple, or lose yourself in the bustling streets of the surrounding bazaars.

The “Gandhi Smriti Museum” here is worth a visit. After the assassination of Gandhiji, to perpetuate his memory, ‘Gandhi Smriti Sangharalaya’ was established across the country. Apart from Sabarmati, Mumbai, Barakpore, Patna, Vardha, there is one such museum in Madurai. Some of Gandhiji’s original letters have been preserved. Rani Mangammal’s palace built in the seventeenth century has been converted into a museum.

Local Cuisine

No visit to Madurai is complete without indulging in the local culinary delights. From the aromatic filter coffee to the spicy Chettinad cuisine, the city offers a gastronomic journey that complements the cultural richness of the region. Idli of Madurai is very popular. Idli can be relished in many restaurants serving Indian cuisine around the world.

In Conclusion

The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai is not merely a structure of stone; it’s a living testament to the artistic and spiritual prowess of a bygone era. Its allure goes beyond the physical, transcending into a realm of cultural and historical significance. A visit to this sacred site is not just a journey through time; it’s a pilgrimage into the soul of India.

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