Located on the South Bank of ‘River Vaigai', Meenakshi Temple is dedicated to 'Meenakshi’ (Eswari) and ‘Sundareswarar’ (Siva). The temple complex is of 14 Acres.
The temple is one of the major temples for Sivaism. Unlike many Sivaite temples, in Madurai Meenakshi is the ‘main deity' as it is believed in some Southern parts 'penultimate (spiritual) powers rest with the women'. Vaishnavites also come in large numbers as it has many narratives of 'Vishnu'. According to them it is called ‘Southern Mathura'. It is Vishnu giving away his sister bride Meenakshi to bridegroom Shiva in Madurai.
This temple is mentioned in 6 Century CE Texts. It is also mentioned in ‘Saiva Hymns' (Padaal Petra stalam) of ‘Nayanars’ (hounds of Siva) of 6–9th Century CE Texts.
The temple has 14 ‘gateway towers' and the tallest one is of 170 feet height. The towers of Sanctums of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar are ‘gold gilded' ones.
The streets radiating from temple bear the names of Tamil months — Chitrak (1st month of Tamil year), Aadi (4th month), Aavani (5th month) and Masi (11th month). In each of these months the procession of dieties (bronze forms) happens through these streets.
Major portions of the today's temple was built by Pandya King ‘Sadayavarman Kulasekara Pandyan'. After him, many Pandya Kings undertook additional constructions, alterations and renovations in the temple. King Tirumala Nayaka also undertook restoration work in 17th Century CE.
The ‘golden lotus tank' inside the temple opposite to main deity's entrance has many significant relevance. The Rishis (Saints) used to take holy dip in the tank and pray the God by reciting hymns.
Normally a Siva Temple in Tamilnadu has many dieties, some temples have more than 100 deities. You can see deities of ‘Ganesha, various forms of Siva, Eswari, Shanmugha, Durga, Brahma, Saraswati, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Dakshinamoorthy, Bhairav, etc'.
‘Kadamba’ in Tamil (Bur-flower tree) is the tree of the temple.
The temple is considered for ‘Planet Mercury'. Those who have influence or dissuaded by Mercury offer prayers here. It is advisable to those who born in Gemini and Virgo to offer prayers here. The temple is considered one of the holy places for marriages. Dakshinamoorthy in this temple is the deity for Birthstar 'Moola’ (19th Star in order).
Madurai is one of the ‘5 dancing sabhas' of Shiva. This sabha is called 'Silver Sabha’. The dancing form of Shiva is called ‘Sandhya Dandavam'.
The temple houses a ‘1000 pillared hall'. (A very few temples in Tamilnadu has).
The statues of 63 Nayanars who recited 'Saiva Hymns’ are located at South corridor of the temple. The Nayanars who wrote hymns on this temple are:
🕉️ Manikka Vasagar
🕉️ Thirugnana Sambandhar
🕉️ Thirunavukkarasar
Their hymns narrate the holiness of the Deities, Holy Water and this Holy Place.
The temple is one of the treasures of sculptures. Numerous sculpted pillars can be seen.
A ‘10 day festival' of ‘Meenakshi Marriage' with Sundareswarar takes place during April — May every year.
During that time ‘Chariot Procession' takes place around the temple. The