It is dedicated to lord shiva in the form of sundareswarar or beautiful lord and his consort, goddess parvati in the form of meenakshi. The temple is at the center of the ancient temple city of. Madurai meenakshi temple architecture meenakshi temple is situated in the heart of the city of madurai. Many historical evidences of the temple have been found dating back from early a. It is dedicated to meenakshi, a form of parvati, and her consort, sundareshwar, a form of shiva. Meenakshi also known as meenatchi and tadadakai, is a hindu goddess and tutelary deity of madurai who is considered an avatar of the goddess parvati.
Madurai meenakshi sundareswarar temple architecture. Madurai meenakshi temple guide timings,significance and. The city of madurai has been constructed in the form of a lotus and is built around the temple. The king thirumalai naicker played an important role in the construction of the new form of the temple according to records.
Meenakshi amman temple history tamil madan gowri mg. Madurai meenakshi amman temple simple english wikipedia. Madurai being situated on the banks of river vaigai, the city has its history connected with the river. This can also be termed as a new beginning of a new era in the history of the temple, when it was almost rebuilt. The roads connect the new developing city with the historic core area.
She is the divine consort of sundareswarar, a form of shiva. Pandyan dynasty the pandyan or pandiyan or pandian dynasty was an ancient tamil dynasty, one of the three tamil dynasties, the other two being the chola and the chera. The temple is in the center of 2,500yearold city of madurai and is a significant symbol for the tamil people. The kamakshi temple is an ancient hindu temple dedicated to kamakshi, the ultimate form of goddess lalitha maha tripurasundari. Meenakshi amman temple free download as powerpoint presentation. Rutul joshi study of city evolution madurai 10 in madurai, meenakshi amman temple is. Book on meenakshi amman temple released arts culture. Located on the banks of river vaigai, madurai has been a major settlement for.
A religious and mythological symbol dating back 2,500. Built sometime between the year 1623 and 1655, the wonderful architecture of the place is renowned globally. Meenakshi amman temple madurai history, architecture. The meenakshi temple in madurai, the akilandeswari temple in thiruvanaikaval near tiruchirappalli and this kamakshi temple are the important centers of worship of. However, in time, the importance shifted to worshiping meenakshi as the primary deity. The meenakshi temple is dedicated to goddess meenakshi, the consort of lord siva. She finds mention in literatures as the princess or queen of the ancient pandya kingdom who elevates to godhood. Description this is a premier ios app catering to almost every information of meenakshi amman temple. The madurai temple complex in itself is breathtaking, given the fort like walls pierced with lofty towers, surrounding an area of about 640000 square feet. Apart from its numerous temples, madurai has a rich heritage of. The temple which has five entrances covers an area 847 feet 254. Meenakshi amman temple madurai, india atlas obscura. A book on the history of the famous meenakshi amman temple here was released on the occasion of the new year.
Meenakshi temple also referred to as meenakshi amman or meenakshisundareshwara temple, is a historic hindu temple located on the southern bank of the vaigai river in the temple city of madurai, tamil nadu, india. Meenakshi jain author of the battle for rama case of. The fact that the lord is seen on the vehicle of indira in this temple is said to be proof for this. Meenakshi amman temple is a historic tamil hindu temple located on the southern bank of the vaigai river in the temple city, madurai, tamil nadu, india. It is dedicated to parvati who is known as meenakshi and her consort, shiva, named here as sundareswarar. 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. It features 7 different modules providing information of the meenakshi amman temple like. Madurai meenakshi temple is located on the banks of the legendary river vaigai in tamil nadu.
Meenakshi amman temple, madurai photos, history, timing. Roads connecting meenakshi amman temple andvaigai river. The aadi, chittirai and the maasi, and veli streets surround the temple the towers, or the gopurams for which this temple is known, are visible from a distance. A presentation about meenakshi amman temple located in madurai. Meenakshi amman temple guide for ios free download and. The nattukkottai nagarathar sangam has come forward to install a door made out of pure silver for the palli arai of mother meenakshi. Central to this standing is the sprawling meenakshi sundareswarar temple the plurality of faiths centered around the meenakshi sundareswarar temple, the. 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 it is dedicated to parvati, known as meenakshi, and her consort, shiva, here named sundareswarar ancient mythology has it that lord shiva came down in the form of sundareswarar to marry meenakshi, anincarnation of. Famous temples in india pdf download for competitive exams. Read more about book on meenakshi amman temple released on business standard. Studyofcityevolution madurai asia scribd read books. The book titled the great temple of madurai, released by the shrine, would. The historic meenakshi amman temple is located on the southern bank of the vaigai river, madurai, tamil nadu.
Map showing settlement pattern of madurai city with ancient town planning system. The history of madurai dates back thousands of years almost to 6th century b. Meenakshi temple is primarily dedicated to parvati, known as meenakshi, and her spouse, shiva. Documents on a forgotten chapter of indian history. In common talk, people refer to this temple complex only as meenakshi temple or meenakshi amman temple.
If tamil nadu is the seat of south indian temple architecture, the madurai meenakshi amman temple is its crowning glory. Interesting facts about meenakshi amman temple just fun. Meenakshi amman temple madurai it is a hindu temple located in india. Vishnu situated 21 km from the city of madurai, the history of madurai meenakshi amman temple. Madurai meenakshi amman temple is a ancient historic hindu temple on the southern bank of the vaigai river in the temple city of madurai, tamil nadu, india. The temple is square shaped and a series of concentric streets with names from tamil months surround the structure. Please wear appropriate clothing, which covers shoulders and knees. Pandyan dynasty the pandyan or pandiyan or pandian dynasty was an ancient tamil dynasty, one of the three tamil dynasties, the other two being the. The temple has four rajagopurams, there are five towers on top of the sanctum. A touch screen system providing all information on the meenakshi temple such as its history, significance, festivals and important events would be installed. Initially, lord sundareshwara was worshiped as the primary deity. The temple was restored to its pristine glory in the late 14th century when the hindu kings came back to power in madurai.
It is dedicated to parvati, known as meenakshi, and her consort, shiva, here named sundareswarar. Brief history of madurai fortune pandiyan hotel madurai. Meenakshi sundareswarar temple renovation committee 81. The history of meenakshi temple dates back to the 1st century c.
Ry is a major city in the indian state of tamil nadu. Fire in madurais meenakshi temple sparks demand for shops. Madurai is one of the ancient cities of south india with a glorious history. 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. Thousands of colorful stone statues blanket the facade of meenakshi amman temple, one of the few religious monuments in india devoted to a female deity. E with scholars claiming it to be as old as the city itself. The meenakshi amman temple is located in center of madurai city.
The book titled the great temple of madurai, released by the shrine, would contain rare details about the temple, considered. The lord has been described as alavai iraivan in his songs. It is famous for its world acclaimed meenakshi sundareswarar temple. It features 7 different modules providing information of the. Madurai meenakshi amman temple history in tamil pdf 21. The temple has its rituals connected with the river and the mandapam. In the temple rituals, meenakashi is given precedence. Meenakshi sundareswarar temple, tiruaalavaai12 and meenakshi amman kovil is a historic hindu temple located on the southern bank of the vaigai river3. The meenakshi amman temple is the heart of the ancient city of madurai in tamil nadu, india. A book on the history of the famous meenakshi amman temple here was released on the occasion of the new year today. It is the cultural capital of tamil nadu and the administrative headquarters of madurai district, the third largest city in tamil nadu and 44th most populated city in india. It was a key commercial center for the pandya dynasty that ruled the place.
The presiding deity of the temple is goddess meenakshi goddess parvati and her consort lord sundareshwara lord shiva. While he was on a pilgrimage to atone for his misdeeds. Meenakshi jain is an associate professor of history at gargi college, university of delhi. Free download new latest hd meenakshi amman temple in india wallpaper under temples category for high quality and high definition wide screen computer, pc and laptop desktop background photos, images and pictures. Meenakshi amman temple sculpture religion and belief. Dresses like shorts and sleeveless garments for both men and women are. On friday night, a major fire broke out in the famed meenakshi amman temple in madurai, tamil nadu, destroying 36 shops located in the 400yearold veera vasantharayar mandapam, a. The madurai meenakshi amman temple is now under the administration of the hr and ce department of tamil nadu. A few religious texts that belong to the 1st to 4th century c. It would be no exaggeration to state that madurai is a true representation of the cultural ethos of india, and of the grandeur of indian art. The temple structure with its concentric squares and high walled enclosures is a lesson for students of architecture. 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. The meenakshi temple is believed to have been founded by indra king of deva celestial deities.
About madurai meenakshi amman temple according to legend, the sacred suyambulingam discovered by the king of gods indira at kadambavanam, was later enshrined by him in madurai. This can be seen in another southern temple town srirangam also. According to legend, the sacred suyambulingam discovered by the king of gods indira at kadambavanam, was later enshrined by him in madurai. The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2,500yearold city. Meenakshi sundareswarar temple or meenakshi amman temple is located in the holy city of madurai, tamil nadu, india.