About 15,000 people visit the temple every day and around 25,000 on fridays. Meenakshi amman temple history meenakshi amman temple history. Fire in madurais meenakshi temple sparks demand for shops. But,these evidences were not enough to come to a conclusion because meenakshi amman temple was almost completely destroyed following a islamic invasion by a muslim conqueror, malik. Thirunavukkarasar 2004, appar tirumurai 6 pdf, online. Why was madurai temple destroyed and what was the impact. A book on the history of the famous meenakshi amman temple here was released on the occasion of the new year today.
The temple structure with its concentric squares and high walled enclosures is a lesson for students of architecture. Interesting facts about meenakshi amman temple just fun. 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 goddess parvati, who descended. Meenakshi amman temple, or popularly called as madurai meenakshi temple, is a famous religious destination in tamil nadu. An ideal temple serves the purpose well to make one entertain the divine thoughts, at least during the time he is in the temple. Golden temple 4 ramtirth temple is visited by the hindu devotees as it is believed that it was the ashram of maharishi valmiki and is the place where goddess sita gave birth to lava and kush. Sep 12, 2017 famous temples in india list pdf covers the all the important and famous temples in india to be learnt for bank, ssc and other exams. Meenakshi jain author of the battle for rama case of the. Alauddin khilji was the delhi sultan in the 14th century. According to legend, the sacred suyambulingam discovered by the king of gods indira at kadambavanam, was later enshrined by him in madurai.
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. If tamil nadu is the seat of south indian temple architecture, the madurai meenakshi amman temple is its crowning glory. Meenakshi sundareswarar temple or meenakshi amman temple tamil. Legends say meenakshi amman temple was created by migrants from a lost continent. The great temple of madurai meenakshi exotic india. The book titled the great temple of madurai, released by the shrine, would contain rare details about the temple, considered. Meenakshis shrine is located to the southwest of sundareswarars shrine. The meenakshi amman temple is an active house of hindu worship. Meenakshi jain is an associate professor of history at gargi college, university of delhi. Minakshisundareshvara temple building, madurai, tamil. History of kumari amman temple kanyakumari bhagavathy. The meenakshi amman temple is the heart of the ancient city of madurai in tamil nadu, india. 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 temple, is a historic hindu temple located on the southern bank of the vaigai river. Meenakshi amman temple was built by the survivors of kumari kandam in 6th century bc. Madurai meenakshi amman temple golden lotus at meenakshi amman temple tank the world renowned meenakshi sundareswarar temple popularly known as the madurai meenakshi temple dedicated to goddess parvathi and her consort shiva called sundareswarar here stands on the banks of the vaigai river in the 2500 year old temple city of madurai. The temple is dedicated to parvati, known as meenakshi, and her consort, shiva, here named sundareswarar. Since the meenakshi amman temple is one of the greatest devi. The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2,500yearold city. At meenakshi amman temple, the celestial wedding of goddess meenakshi with lord sundareswarar takes place and is the highlight of the10day annual chithirai festival at.
Madurai zone have come out with a pocketsized book which gives. Madurai meenakshi amman temple simple english wikipedia. Meenakshi amman temple stock photos download 233 royalty. The lord has been described as alavai iraivan in his songs. There are paintings depicting the 64 miracles of lord shiva, all which were enacted in madurai. Explore meenakshi amman temple profile at times of india for photos, videos and latest news of meenakshi amman temple. Het wordt ook wel aangeduid als meenakshi amman of minakshisundareshwara temple. Meenakshi amman temple madurai history, architecture. Latest and breaking news on meenakshi amman temple. Meenakshi sundareswarar temple renovation committee 81. Lets get to know about some of the other interesting facts about meenakshi amman temple in madurai. The temple is square shaped and a series of concentric streets with names from tamil months surround the structure. It is dedicated to goddess meenakshi, and sundareswarar.
The temple is said to have been constructed somewhere around this time pandyan kings. The meenakshi temple is located in the heart of the city of madurai in tamil nadu, south india. Meenakshi amman temple sculpture religion and belief. The meenakshi temple is the place where you feel so much of your culture and. It is an agamic hindu building principles temple, built in the dravidian style an architectural idiom that consists primarily of temples with pyramid shaped towers and are constructed of sand travel photography india temples ideas for 2019. In madurai, meenakshi amman temple is at the center. Meenakshi sundareswarar temple or meenakshi amman temple or tirualavai is a historic hindu temple located in. Ancient sculptures and paintings at famous sri meenakshi. The history of madurai dates back thousands of years almost to 6th century b. Information about madurai meenakshi amman temple madurai. Interesting facts about meenakshi amman temple in madurai. Your contribution will go a long way in helping us. The king thirumalai naicker played an important role in the construction of the new form of the temple according to records. The temple is as vital to the aesthetic heritage of south india as the taj mahal is to north india.
Book on meenakshi amman temple released arts culture and. 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. Situated on the seashore of kanyakumari in tamil nadu, overlooking the sea, this kumari amman temple is dedicated to the virgin goddess devi kanyakumari. 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.
Being the largest temple complex in tamil nadu, there are a lot more other interesting facts about this temple. The temple has its rituals connected with the river and the mandapam. The history of meenakshi temple dates back to the 1st century c. He was extremely ambitious and called himself as the second alexander.
Invariably, everyone talks about her as a goddess with magical powers. Read more about book on meenakshi amman temple released on business standard. The temple is located in the village of seetha eliya also known as sita eliya. The goddess meenakshi and her temple at madurai by johanna stuckey 2015 0802. It is dedicated to parvati who is known as meenakshi and her consort, shiva named here as sundareswararbeautiful deity. A book on the history of the famous meenakshi amman temple here was released on the occasion of the new year. The sanctity of the place soothes and revitalizes his wornout nerves with a unique spiritual aura. It is said that the temple was originally built in the 6th century bc by survivors of the kumari kandam. Meenakshi temple also referred to as meenakshi amman or meenakshi sundareshwara temple, is a historic hindu temple located on the southern bank of the vaigai river in the temple city of madurai, tamil nadu, india. The temple is at the center of the ancient temple city of madurai mentioned in the. Madhura meenakshi temple history, lagendaries and sacred place. E with scholars claiming it to be as old as the city itself.
This list give the important temple locations and other details. There are some other thrilling facts about this beautiful temple too, which add to its attraction. Madurai meenakshi temple, a magnum opus of the dravidians. It is dedicated to parvati, known as meenakshi, and her consort, shiva, here named sundareswarar.
Vishnu situated 21 km from the city of madurai, the history of madurai meenakshi amman temple. A religious and mythological symbol dating back 2,500 years, the temples 14 towers are each covered. The madurai meenakshi amman temple is now under the administration of the hr and ce department of tamil nadu. Meenakshi amman temple historic hindu temple located in the south side of river vaigai in the temple city of madurai, tamil nadu, india. 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 book titled the great temple of madurai, released by the shrine, would. That same night i planned to be back in the temple attending the ritual. Many historical evidences of the temple have been found dating back from early a. After visiting this temple, we browsed through many books and websites about meenakshi amman. The temple has its traditional version of history that it calls shivalilas sports of shiva, and sixty. Sep 07, 2017 legends say meenakshi amman temple was created by migrants from a lost continent. Dec 27, 2015 meenakshi amman temple history the history of madurai dates back thousands of years almost to 6th century b. Other articles where minakshisundareshvara temple is discussed.
Placed on the southern banks of river vaigai in temple city of madurai, this temple is also known as meenakshi amman kovil and meenakshi sundareswarar temple. A threestoried gopuram stands at the entrance of the shrine and on the outer sanctum, the golden flagstaff, thirumalai nayakar mandapam, brass images of dwarapalakas, and shrines of vinayaka can be seen. Meenakshi amman temple madurai it is a hindu temple located in india. With an estimated 33,000 sculptures the meenakshi amman temple was on the list of the top 30 nominees for the new seven wonders of the world. The temple is surrounded by 10 tall gopurams towers, the tallest of which rises to nearly 52 meter above the ground. He illustrates his points with a profusion of photographs, building plans, and drawings of architectural details, making the book a useful guide for travelers to asia as well as.
Roads connecting meenakshi amman temple andvaigai river. The temple is in the center of 2,500yearold city of madurai and is a significant symbol for the tamil people. In the hindu temple, considered the standard introduction to the subject, george michell explains the cultural, religious, and architectural significance of the temple. Meenakshi amman temple is a historic tamil hindu temple located on the southern bank of the vaigai river. Meenakshi sundareswarar temple or meenakshi amman temple or tirualavai is a historic hindu temple located in the south side of river vaigai in the temple city of madurai. With an estimated 33,000 sculptures, the meenakshi amman. For the people of madurai, the temple is the centre of rich culture and religious harmony among all. It is dedicated to lord shiva in the form of sundareswarar or beautiful lord and his consort, goddess parvati in the form of.
Visiting hours golden temple is opened for the people from 4. Meenakshi amman temple madurai, india atlas obscura. Cookbooks, crime, ebooks, fantasy, fiction, graphic novels, historical fiction, history. Kalyana mandapam renovation project f r p e ayyappa mandala pooja. Dedicated to goddess meenakshi and lord sundareswarar, the largest and the oldest meenakshi amman temple is central to this lotusshaped city and a great attraction to those who love dravadian architecture. This temple is covered in thousands of colorful statues travel. South indian history is deeply tied with hinduism as religious traditions have. A few religious texts that belong to the 1st to 4th century c. Coordinates the kamakshi amman temple of mangadu is a hindu temple in mangadu, a suburb of chennai, the term mangadu means mango forests or mango grooves and as the term implies this must have been a thickly wooded mango groove in times of yore. A master piece of construction, it is believed that lord siva himself descended upon this holy place to seek the hand of goddess meenakshi, a place where the celestial wedding took place, a place where dravidian culture and hindu tradition. The raja gopuram was a recent addition to the temple. The meenakshi temple was designed in 1560 by vishwanatha nayak and built during the reign of tirumalai nayak, but its history goes back 2000 years to the time when madurai was a pandyan capital 7 th10 th centuries. Early indian architecture and art subhash kak abstract.
Located at the southern bank of vaigai river, the ancient city of madurai in southern india has earned the name of athens of the east. The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2500 year old city of madurai. Enclosed performance halls, schools academic, religious, cultural arts, book stores. It is dedicated to parvati who is known as meenakshi and her consort, shiva, named here as sundareswarar. The pocket guide titled rediscover meenakshi amman templemadurai and. Pdf the goddess meenakshi and her temple at madurai1. The temple is a symbol of dravidian architecture, known for its enormous size and lofty gopurams, or towers, which are enclosed by decorated pillars. Madurai meenakshi temple architecture meenakshi temple is situated in the heart of the city of madurai. His entire being is sanctified by the divine vibrations, springing forth. The roads connect the new developing city with the historic core area. He undertook several expeditions to expand his empire.
The karnak temple complex in egypt is the second largest ancient religious site in the world. The temple was restored to its pristine glory in the late 14th century when the hindu kings came back to power in madurai. Sri kanyakumari amman temple,kanyakumari,tamilnadu. Weve put together a brief life history of meenakshi as a human being from history s point of view. Also called as bhagavathy amman, bhagavathy amman temple is located in kanya kumari formerly cape comorin on the confluence of the bay of bengal, the arabian sea, and the indian ocean. Later on in 16th century, nayak ruler named vishwanatha nayakar rebuilt the temple. Documents on a forgotten chapter of indian history. Aug 02, 2017 the temple is a symbol of dravidian architecture, known for its enormous size and lofty gopurams, or towers, which are enclosed by decorated pillars.
All about meenakshi temple madurai madurai residency. This can also be termed as a new beginning of a new era in the history of the temple, when it was almost rebuilt. Even though the temple is situated in tamil nadu, the kanyakumari kumari amman temple is considered as a kerala temple since it was once part of the erstwhile travancore kingdom. Meenakshi amman temple temple in india thousand wonders. A large number of indian and foreign tourists visit this madura meenakshi temple daily. To most worshipers meenakshi is amman, mother, and some scholars have. The pujas in this kumari amman temple are carried out according to the tanthrasamuchayam like the temples in kerala. Meenakshi sundareswarar temple, tiruaalavaai12 and meenakshi amman kovil is a historic hindu temple located on the southern bank of the vaigai river3. Book on meenakshi amman temple released business standard news. Many historical evidence have been found dating back from early ad.
Fire in madurais meenakshi temple sparks demand for shops to. Meenakshi temple meenakshi amman temple, madurai images. This article deals with architecture, temple design, and art in ancient india and also with continuity between harappan and historical art and writing. 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. Weve put together a brief life history of meenakshi as a human being from historys point of view. Though most of the present structure was built between 1623 and 1655 ce. Download 233 meenakshi amman temple stock photos for free or amazingly low rates. Brief history of madurai fortune pandiyan hotel madurai. Apart from its numerous temples, madurai has a rich heritage of village ballads, folk dance, dramas and songs.
This historic temple of madurai is a must visit for tourists. The temple is grand in terms of architecture and ancient in terms of history, which makes it one of the most visited places in this part of the country. Madurai being situated on the banks of river vaigai, the city has its history connected with the river. But during 14th century, mughal commander named malik kafur, looted and plundered this temple and took away all the valuables that were kept in the temple. Photo by prabhu b doss major tourist attractions the meenakshi amman temple has four gates in four directions and its compound stretches over an area of 45 acres. What are some good books about temples of south india. Questions like where is venkateswara temple located and where is lotus temple are. These aesthetic drawings can be seen on the northern wall facing the pottamarai kulam of tank of the golden lotus. Brief history of madurai madurai, one of the oldest cities in southern india, is regarded as the cultural centre of. The temple has 14 towers, 4,500 pillars and 33,000 sculptures its massive.
The sri mariamman temple is singapores oldest hindu temple. He sent his favourite general, the eunuch malik kafur on a mili. According to popular belief, the temple was originally built 2500 years ago by survivors of kumari kandam, the indian equivalent of atlantis. Book on meenakshi amman temple released arts culture. Meenakshi amman temple madurai the crowning glory of temple architecture of south india, meenakshi amman temple is one of the most popular attractions of madurai in tamil nadu. Madurai meenakshi amman temple history in tamil pdf 21. The meenakshi temple is dedicated to goddess meenakshi, the consort of lord siva. Meenakshi amman temple, madurai photos, history, timing. Famous temples in india list pdf covers the all the important and famous temples in india to be learnt for bank, ssc and other exams. History of kumari amman temple devi kumari temple kanyakumari bhagavathy temple.
The temple is dedicated to parvati, also known as meenakshi, along with her companion shiva. Some temples are under unesco world heritage sites. In the historical records, however, the existence of this temple is first mentioned during the 7 th century ad. 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. At meenakshi amman temple, the celestial wedding of goddess meenakshi with lord sundareswarar takes place and is the highlight of the10day annual chithirai festival at the ancient temple. It was a key commercial center for the pandya dynasty that ruled the place. Seetha amman temple is located approximately 1 kilometre 0. 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 hall in the.
Kumari amman temple is said to be over 3000 years old. Meenakshi amman temple historic hindu temple located in th. Meenakshi temple in madurai decided to extend the temple complex with a. It fills in the gap in the postharappan, prebuddhist art of india by calling attention to the structures of. The drawings depicting incidents of the thiruvilayadal or miraculous dramas of lord shiva belong to the naicker period. Here is a list of 10 interesting facts about meenakshi temple. Perhaps that is just a story, but the unique and monumental towers with their brightlycolored sculptures of mythological figures could make you believe that this temple comes from a storybook. The temple, tirumala nayak palace, teppakulam tank an earthen embankment reservoir, and a 1,000pillared hall were rebuilt in the vijayanagar period 16th17th century after the total destruction of the city in 10. In the 14th century, the sultanate muslim commander malik kafur plundered the temple and. About the book nominated for one of the wonders of the world, this temple of meenakshi amman in madurai stands apart in terms of exuberance and excellence.
Dec, 2015 the temple is grand in terms of architecture and ancient in terms of history, which makes it one of the most visited places in this part of the country. This is most evident in the meenakshi amman temple. The temple sports the chola style of architecture and construction. The fact that the lord is seen on the vehicle of indira in this temple is said to be proof for this. It is dedicated to meenakshi, a form of parvati, and her consort, sundareshwar, a form of shiva. Meenakshi jain is an indian political scientist and historian a scholar on social base and relations between caste and politics, she is currently an associate professor of history at gargi college, delhi and is the author of the history textbook medieval india, published by the national council of educational research and training ncert during the nda government as a replacement for a. The raja gopuram or the main entrance faces south and is 7 tiered with great sculptures on it, but the east entrance is still used by many devotees as there is a market along the road leading to the east gate. Temple towns of tamil nadu, by george mitchell history of indian and eastern architecture, by james ferguson indian architecture, by percy brown history of fine arts in india and the west. Amritsar is also popular for handicrafts, carpets, light engineering and punjabi cuisine.