| Meenakshi Temple |
| About: |
| Madurai or is the oldest and second largest city of Tamil Nadu. This city is located on Vaigai River and was the capital of Pandyan rulers. The Pandyan king, Kulasekhara had built a gorgeous temple around which he created a lotus shaped city. It has been a center of learning and pilgrimage, for centuries. Legend has it that the divine nectar falling from Lord Shiva’s locks gave the city its name – ‘Madhurapuri’, now known as “Madurai”.Madurai is famous for its Meenakshi Temple, one of India’s biggest Temples which is dedicated to Meenakshi, the consort of lord Shiva. Exquisite sculptures, hall of thousand pillars, icons, photographs & illustrations make this Temple a famous tourist spot. The Temple is an excellent example of Dravidian architecture. The Meenakshi temple complex is one of the largest and certainly one of the most ancient.According to legend Madurai is the actual site where the wedding between Shiva and Meenakshi took place. The gigantic temple complex, the statues exploring the entire range of human emotions, everything here is larger than life. The soaring and exquisitely carved towers enclose the temple dedicated to Meenakashi. The south gateway contains the twin temples of Shiva and Meenakshi and is about nine storeys high. |
| Location info: |
| Address:Meenakshi Temple,Madurai,Tamil nadu India |
| District: Madurai |
| Nearest City: Dindigul |
| Best time to visit: September-March |
| Climate/Weather: |
| The summer months are very uncomfortable with May being the hottest month. Temperatures reach as high as 38º Celsius in May.The monsoon season in Madurai stretches from September to November. During this period the city of Madurai is susceptible to heavy torrential rains.Summer: 37.5°C -26.3°C, Winter: 29.6°C – 20.9°C |
| History: |
| The ancient city of Madurai, more than 2,500 years old, was built by the Pandyan king, Kulashekarar, in the 6th century B.C. But the reign of the Nayaks marks the golden period of Madurai when art, architecture and learning flourished expansively. The most beautiful buildings in the city including its most famous landmark, the Meenakshi temple, were built during the Nayak rule |
| Interesting places to Visit: |
The Temple Towers or The Gopurams
The temple has 12 temple towers also known as the Gopurams. The outer towers of the temple work as landmarks of Madurai. . |
Gopura
Gopuras rise to a height of more than 50m. These towering gateways indicate the entrance to the temple complex at the four cardinal points, while lesser gopuras lead to the sanctums of the main dieties..Stucco Work :After every 12 years, the figures of deities on the tower are reconditioned, repainted and ritually reconsecrated.Ashta Shakthi Mandapam :A visitor enters this Mandapam through the eastern gateway, .It was built by Thirumalai Nayakar’s wives Rudrapathi Ammal and Tholimamai. In this hall food was once distributed to the devotees who came from far off places. Next to this hall is the Meenakshi Nayaka Mandapa, a spacious columned hall used for shops and stores. This hall has a votive lamp-holder with 1,008 lamps, which are lit on festive occasions and present a spectacular sight. The sculptures on the pillars here relate some of Lord Shiva’s Thiruvilayadals (miracles) and also the story of Meenakshi’s birth and her life as the princess of Madurai.Meenakshi Nayakkar Mandapam :This big hall is adjacent to Ashta Shakthi Mandapam, consisting of 110 pillars carrying the figures of a peculiar animal with a lion’s body , and an elephant’s head called Yalli. The Thousand Pillar Mandapam:Itis the ‘wonder of the palace’. Actually the number of pillarscount to 985 beautifully decorated columns. Each pillar is sculpturedand is a monument of the Dravidan sculpture. There is a TempleArt Museum in this 1000 pillars hall where you can see icons,photographs, drawings, etc., exhibiting the 1200 years old history.Vasantha Mandapam:This mandapam was built by Thirumalai Nayakkar. Vasanthosavam – the Spring festival-is celebrated in this mandapam in Vaikasi . Its pillars contain elaborate sculptures of Shiva, Meenakshi, scenes from their wedding as well as the figures of ten of the Nayak Kings and their consorts. This is also called Pudhu Mandapam. |
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| How to reach? |
| Nearest Railway Station:Madurai Junction |
| Nearest Airport:Madurai Airport |
| Road Transport:Well connected by a good roads and bus services to and from Chennai, Bangalore and other places. |
| Nearest Visiting places:Tirunelveli : Thirunelveli, the southernmost district of Tamil Nadu is described as a microcosm of the state. The district has diverse geographical and physical features such as high and lofty mountains and low plains, rivers, cascades, seacoast, thick inland forest, sandy soils and fertile alluvium, a variety of flora, fauna, and protected wild life.Kalugumalai: Information about Kalugumalai, Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu, India. Kalugumalai locates in between Kovilpatti and Sankarankoil. This small beautiful town has great historic background and religious land.Kodaikanal :Kodaikanal, 2135 metres (7000 feet) above sea level is a lovely hill resort which lies amidst the sylvan grandeur of the Palani Hills in the dindugal district. The nearest railhead is Kodaikanal Road on southern Railways. From Kodaikanal Road, one has to travel 80 kms. (50 miles) by road to reach Kodaikanal. Two-thirds of this motor journey up the hill through the ghats is an exciting experience with the vista and scenery changing at every bend and curve on the mountain road. |
| Nearest Petrol Pump: |
| Petrol Pump :Madurai,India |
Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:Hotel Vijay
122, Tirupparankunram Rd, Vasantha Nagar, Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625001? – 0452 2336321
Category: Travel – HotelsHotel Germanus
28, Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu- 0452 4356999Hotel Supreme
110, West Perumal Maistry Street, Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu – 0452 2343151Hotel Park Plaza
Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu- 0452 3011111The Madurai Residency
15, west Marret Street, Madurai – 652 001, Not Specified, Madurai, 652 001- 0452 4380000Taj Garden Retreat
Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu- 0452 2371601 |
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| Help Line/Phone Number: |
Police Station:Police Station
Race Course Road, Chockikulam, Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Sellur Police station
Madurai, Madurai, Tamil NaduAnna Nagar Police Station
Madurai, Madurai, Tamil NaduSouthgate Police station
Madurai, Madurai, Tamil NaduBazzar Police station
Madurai, Madurai, Tamil NaduB1 Police Station
East Masi Street, Madurai – Main, Madurai, Madurai, Tamil NaduKeerathurai Police Station
, Keerathurai, Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625001Womens Police Station
South Maret Street, Madurai – Main, Madurai, Madurai, Tamil NaduTallakulam Police Station
, Chockikulam, Madurai, Madurai, Tamil NaduAndalpuram Police Station
Tirupparankunram Road, Vasantha Nagar, Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu- 0452 2302153 |
Nearest Hospital:Chirstian Mission Hospital
East Marret Street, East Marret Street, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625001- 0452 2326458Visaka Poly Clinic
#1 Katarapalayam,, T.P.K Main Road,, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625001- 0452 2338275Vijaya Vennila Hospital
16/185, North Veli Street, North Veli Street, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625001- 0452 2343365Brain Nerves Hospital
72, Vakkil New Street, Vakkil New Street, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625001- 0452 2325123 |
