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Meenakshi Temple, Information on Meenakshi Temple, Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai, About Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple

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Popular Devi Sites - Meenakshi - Introduction

Introduction

Image: 
Introduction: 
   
The world renowned Meenakshi Temple is situated in Madurai, the second largest city in Tamil Nadu. It is at 450 km from Chennai and 435 km from Bangalore.
    
It is one of the most ancient cities in India with an active history of over 2500 years. It is also known as the Athens of East.
    
Currently it is an important pilgrimage site and a commercial centre. The significance from the tourism angle is evident from the fact that 10-20 thousand visitors come here everyday.
    
In the ancient times, pearls and cotton textiles gave it its commercial significance, while it was the intellectual centre of entire Southern India.
    
It was here that during the Non-Cooperation Movement of 1921 A.D., Gandhiji decided to wear only Khadi The city is also famous for jasmine (Madurai Malli) flowers and cosmetics made from it.
 

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Mythological Beliefs

Mythological Beliefs: 
   
In the ancient times, this region was known as Kadamb Van.
    
 According to legendary texts, Indra was burdened with the sin of Brahm-hatya (killing of a Brahmin) after the slaying of Vritrasur. Under these circumstances, he came to Kadamb Van and saw a self-emerged Shivling under a Kadamb tree. He was absolved of his sin after worshipping the Shivling and he was the one to build the first temple here.
    
According to local beliefs, a merchant called Dhananjay saw this divine Shivling and informed the Pandyan king Kulshekhar who built a beautiful city over here. Lord Shiv was pleased and showered nectar (Madhu) which is why the place came to be known as Madhura.
   
According to the temple inscriptions, Meenakshi Devi was the daughter of staunch Shiv devotee, Pandyan King Malyadhwaj and Queen Kanchanmala. She was the heir to the king and after conquering several kingdoms reached, up to Kailash where she met Shiv. On her desire to marry him, he granted her a boon of marriage with her in the Sundareshwar form. At this marriage, Lord Vishnu fulfilled the responsibilities of a brother. Subramaniam was the son born of Meenakshi and Sundareshwar.
 

Historical Facts

History: 
   
In the ancient times, Madurai organised 3 Sangams (assembly of scholars).
   
It was supported by 197 Pandyan kings according to the tradition. Shrinivas Iyengar states that these Sangams were held between 500 B.C. and 500 A.D.
   
Panini’s Ashtadhyayi and Kautilya’s Arthshastra have a reference of Madura.
   
Megasthenes has written in Indica that the Pandya kingdom was known for pearls and was ruled by Pandiya, the daughter of Krishna.
   
The Roman author Stravo has also written about the Pandya king sending an ambassador to the kingdom of Augustus Caesar.
   
Shaiv saint Sambandar, a contemporary of Pallav king Mahendra Varman, has mentioned about the Kapal Temple which is currently in the Meenakshi Temple campus.
   
Between 920 and 1223 A.D., it was under the Cholas followed by the Pandyas for the next 100 years.
   
In 1311 A.D., Malik Kafur attacked the city and plundered the temples. In 1323 A.D., it was merged with the Delhi Sultanate by Jauna Khan (Mohammad bin Tughlaq) , the son of Ghayasuddin Tughlaq.
   
During the times of Bukka-I (1356-1377), Kumar Sampan merged it with the Vijaynagar Empire.
   
After the fall of Vijaynagar, the Nayaks controlled the region of which the first one was the famous Tirumal Nayak (1632-1659) during whose reign most of the parts of the temple were built.
   
Madurai came under the British rule in 1780 A.D. George Procter was appointed as the first collector.
 

Main Places To See

Main Places To See: 
   
Shri Meenakshi-Sundareshwar Temple:
 
This big temple is situated in a huge complex spread over 65,000 square metres. Here there are 12 Gopurams, 4 belonging to the main temple, and 8 to the other shrines which are relatively smaller in size. The biggest Gopuram is the southern one which is 170.6 feet tall. Generally the temple is entered in from the eastern Gopuram. A little ahead is the Swarn Kamal Sarovar (golden lotus lake) in which pilgrims bathe before proceeding into the temple. The belief is that the Tamil Sangams were organised on the banks of this lake. The temple has several mandaps where various festivals are held. Besides, there are also temples of other Gods and Goddesses like Vinayak, Subramaniam etc.
    
Tirumal Nayak Palace:
 
This palace is situated to the south-east of Meenakshi Temple and was built in 1636 A.D. The story of Shilpadikaram is depicted through a light and sound show which is organized every day.
    
Mariamma Teppakulam:
 
This is a huge tank to the east of the Meenakshi temple. The mandap in the centre has an idol of Vinayak. A float festival is organised on the Poornima of the Tamil month, Thai (January/February).
   
Gandhi Memorial Museum:
 
The museum has books and articles on the events of the freedom struggle (1757-1947) and the philosophy Gandhi.
   
Government Museum:
 
This museum houses articles of archaeological importance and statues of Gods and Goddesses.
   
Tiruparankundaram:
 
According to mythological legends, it was here that Subramaniam married the daughter of Indra. This place is considered as 1 among the 6 holy sites of Subramaniam.
 

Main Festivals

Main Festivals: 
   
Chithirai Brahmotsav (Chithira Utsav):
 
This 12-day festival begins in April. The special attraction of the festival is the eighth day (Rajyabhishek or coronation of Meenakshi Devi) and tenth day (Meenakshi-Sundareshwar marriage). The last day is the day of Teerthotsav.
   
Vasantotsav:
 
This festival is celebrated for 10 days in May. On this occasion a ceremonious procession of the 63 Nayanars (Shaiv saints) is carried out.
   
Oonjal Mahotsav:
 
This 10-day festival is held in June.
   
Aadi Mulai Kottu Utsav:
 
This festival in July also lasts for 10 days. The key attraction of the festival is the recital of Nadaswaram (an air blown musical instrument).
   
Kolattam Mahotsav:
 
This 6-day festival is celebrated in September-October.
Besides these, the other festivals celebrated in the temple are as follows:
 
Navratri
:
 in the Tamil month of Purattasi (September)
Deepotsavam (Diwali)
:
 in November
Masi Mandala Utsav
:
 in February (for 48 days)
Tiruppavai Utsav
:
 in December
Greeshm Mahotsav
:
 in March
Pongal
:
 3-day agricultural festival celebrated in mid-January. On this occasion, Jallikattu event (taming the bull) is organised.
 

Where To Stay

Where To Stay : 
   
Dharamshalas:
 
 Mangniramji Ramkumar Dharmshala  Station, Madurai
   
Hotels:
 
 Category  General
 Name  The Gateway Hotel
 Address  T. P. K. Road, Pasumalai, Madurai - 625 004
 Telephone  +91 - 452 - 2371601
 Fax  +91 - 452 - 2371636
 Email  gateway.madurai@tajhotes.com
 Web Site  www.tajhotels.com
   
 
 Category  Medium
 Name  Hotel Blue King
 Address  Near Airport
 Telephone  +91 - 452 - 2620511
   
 
 Category  Medium
 Name  Hotel Supreme
 Address  West Perumal Street, Madurai-625001
 Telephone  +91 - 452 - 2343151, 4372555
 Fax  +91 - 452 - 2342637
 Email  hsupreme@airtelmail.in
 Web Site  www.supremehotels.com
   
 
 Category  High
 Name  T. M. Lodge
 Address  50, West Perumal Street, Madurai- 625001, Tamil Nadu
 Telephone  +91 - 452 - 2341651
 Fax  +91 - 452 - 2526682
 E-mail  tmlodge@maduraiinfo.com
 

Location/Climate

Location/Climate: 
 
Location
 
 Geographical  Location  Height  Above  Sea Level  Average Annual Rainfall
 Latitude  Longitude  101 metres  85 cm
 9.8˚ N  78˚ E
   
 
Temperature

Temperature is given in degrees Celsius.
 
 Month  Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr  May  Jun  Jul  Aug  Sep  Oct   Nov    Dec
 Maximum   30  32  35  36  37  37  36  35  35  33  31  30
 Minimum  21  22  23  25  26  26  26  26  25  24  23  22
   
 
Important Informations
Madurai city is situated on both the ends of the Vaigai River. On the outskirts of the city are 3 hills called Yanai Malai, Naga Malai, and Pashu Malai.
Like the other parts of Tamil Nadu, here too rains are brought in by north-eastern monsoons in the month of October-November.
The hottest month is June when the temperature reaches 39o Centigrade while the coldest month is January.
Tourists visit throughout the year as some or the other festival is celebrated all year round. The ideal time for touring is from November to March.
 

General Information

General Information: 
 
 STD Code
 0452
 Puja Timings
 8 a.m.-12 p.m., 6-8 p.m.
 Police Assistance
  Tel: +91 - 452 - 2330072
 Hospital/Ambulance
 Madurai City Hospital
 No. 34, Shivgange Road, Opp. Milk Project,
 Gandhi Nagar, Madurai, Tamil Nadu - 625 020
 Currency  Exchange
 
 State Bank of India
 No. 6-A, Veli Street
 Madurai, Tamil Nadu - 625 001
 Tel: +91 - 0452 - 2348792
 Canara Bank
 Algar Koil Main Road, Pudur
 Madurai, Tamil Nadu - 625 007
 Tel: +91 - 452 - 2568866
 ATM Centre  HDFC Bank
 7-A, Veli Street West, Madurai - 625 001
 ICICI Bank
 Plot No. 23, Meenakshi Nagar,
 Vilangudi Post Office, Madurai - 625 018
 SBI
 Madurai City-Ambika Complex
 263, Kamarjar Salai, 57/1,
 Madurai, Tamil Nadu - 625 001
 Post Office
 Madurai Head Office, Madurai Taluka, Dist - Madurai
 Tourist Office
  Tourist Information Centre
 Railway Station, Madurai - 625 001
 Tel: +91 - 452 - 2342888
 Shopping
 Madurai is known for its Sangudi sarees. They can   be   bought from Temple Boutique Shop (North   Chithirai   Street) or Tamil Nadu State Handloom   Emporium (West   Chithirai Street).
   
 
Food
Madurai is a combination of beauty and sacredness where pilgrims and tourists from India as well as abroad visit. Therefore one can find a variety of foods and restaurants of which some are: Jairam Fast Food (for fast food), Gujarati Bhojanalay (for vegetarian food), Shri Ram mess (for South Indian food).
 

Travel Planner

Address (Click on "A" to locate): 
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PDF File: 
application/pdf iconmeenakshi.pdf
Airports in the vicinity: 
Madurai
Tiruanantpuram
Kochi
Railway: 
 Main Railway Stations  Station Code
 Madurai Jn.  MDU
 Rameshwaram  RMM
 Tiruanantpuram  TVC
 Kanyakumari  CAPE
 Kochi  KOCHI
Road Distance from Destinations: 
 Madurai  Kochi
232 Km
 Rameshwaram  Kochi
297 Km
 Tiruanatpuram  Kochi
126 Km
 Shabrimala
 Kochi
142 Km
 Tiruanantpuram
160 Km
  Kanyakumari  Madurai
236 Km
 Rameshwaram
281 km

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