The historic MeenakshiAmmanTemple is situated in the south of VaigaiRiver, at Madurai, in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. This temple is dedicated to Parvati (Meenakshi). The temple is known as the lifeline and heart of Madurai. One of the important attractions of the MeenakshiTemple is "Aayiram Kaal Mandapam". The name "Aayiram Kaal Mandapam" is quite self explanatory of the significance of the place. In Tamil language it means "A hall of 1000 pillars". However, now you can find only 985 pillars.
History
Meenakshi is known to be an Avatar of Parvati, a Hindu Goddess. She is one of the very few Hindu female goddesses to have a temple devoted in her name. Aayiram kaal Mandapam is one of the main attractions of the hall. It was constructed by Aritanatha Mudaliar in the year 1569. It is a vital construction, where the artistic vision and the excellent engineering skills are blended perfectly. Ariyanatha Mudaliar is the founder of the historical Pilgar System.
The Pilgar system is the quasi-feudal association of the country. It was divided into many small provinces. Each of these small provinces was led and ruled by a petty chief. The hall forms a significant part of the temple. Many of the rituals of the temple are performed at the hall. At the entrance of this hall there is a large life size statue of Ariyanantha Mudaliar seated on the back of a statue of a horse. This statue is regularly presented with garlands by the devotees.
Each and every pillar present inside the hall is basically a monument of the historical Dravidian sculpture. Some of these sculptures include Rati, Ganesha, Lord Shiva, Karthikeya and many mythical statues of lions. There is a huge Temple Art Museum inside the hall where photographs, icons, drawings and other important exhibits of the long Twelve hundred year old significant history of the Meenakshi temple is put on display. On the outside of the hall there is a wonderful musical pillar. The amazing part of these pillars is that each of them produces different kinds of sound when struck.
Rituals
There are about 50 specialized priests in the historic Meenakshi temple, who carry out the rituals daily as well as during festivals. Many of these rituals are performed in the hall. The common practice of the ritual is to adore and worship goddess Meenakshi before Sundareswarar.
Getting There:
By Road: There are two National Highways NH45 and NH 7 that pass through the town linking it to all of South India. You could hire a car to reach the place from various well known car rentals company to get to MeenakshiTemple.
By Rail: Trains are available frequently from nearby cities like Coimbatore, Bangalore, Chennai, Rameshwaram, Tiruchirappalli, Tirupathi and Tuticorin.
By Air: There is a domestic airport located 10 km away from centre of the city.
Distance from Major Indian Cities (In KMs)
History
Meenakshi is known to be an Avatar of Parvati, a Hindu Goddess. She is one of the very few Hindu female goddesses to have a temple devoted in her name. Aayiram kaal Mandapam is one of the main attractions of the hall. It was constructed by Aritanatha Mudaliar in the year 1569. It is a vital construction, where the artistic vision and the excellent engineering skills are blended perfectly. Ariyanatha Mudaliar is the founder of the historical Pilgar System.
The Pilgar system is the quasi-feudal association of the country. It was divided into many small provinces. Each of these small provinces was led and ruled by a petty chief. The hall forms a significant part of the temple. Many of the rituals of the temple are performed at the hall. At the entrance of this hall there is a large life size statue of Ariyanantha Mudaliar seated on the back of a statue of a horse. This statue is regularly presented with garlands by the devotees.
Each and every pillar present inside the hall is basically a monument of the historical Dravidian sculpture. Some of these sculptures include Rati, Ganesha, Lord Shiva, Karthikeya and many mythical statues of lions. There is a huge Temple Art Museum inside the hall where photographs, icons, drawings and other important exhibits of the long Twelve hundred year old significant history of the Meenakshi temple is put on display. On the outside of the hall there is a wonderful musical pillar. The amazing part of these pillars is that each of them produces different kinds of sound when struck.
Rituals
There are about 50 specialized priests in the historic Meenakshi temple, who carry out the rituals daily as well as during festivals. Many of these rituals are performed in the hall. The common practice of the ritual is to adore and worship goddess Meenakshi before Sundareswarar.
Getting There:
By Road: There are two National Highways NH45 and NH 7 that pass through the town linking it to all of South India. You could hire a car to reach the place from various well known car rentals company to get to MeenakshiTemple.
By Rail: Trains are available frequently from nearby cities like Coimbatore, Bangalore, Chennai, Rameshwaram, Tiruchirappalli, Tirupathi and Tuticorin.
By Air: There is a domestic airport located 10 km away from centre of the city.
Distance from Major Indian Cities (In KMs)
- Chennai : 444
- Thiruvananthapuram : 264
- Coimbatore : 217
- Kochi : 270
- Kanyakumari : 235
- Rameshwaram : 172
- Pondicherry : 324
- Bangalore : 446
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