Meenakshi Amman Temple or Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple is a historic and popular temple situated in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. The Meenakshi temple spreads its spiritual ambiance over devotees' thoughts visiting this place. If you're in Madurai, you shouldn't miss this holy place. As it is India's biggest and most famous temple, every year, this temple draws millions of tourists. The Hindu temple is dedicated to Meenakshi and Sundareswarar. The temple has a perfect amalgamation of the Dravidian and Vijayanagara styles of architecture. The temple has five main entrances and also has two shrines.
History
Madurai’s Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple was built by Pandayan Emperor Sadayavarman Kulasekaran I. At the entrance of the temple, he constructed three-story Gopuras (huge towers). However, Thirumalai Nayakkar rebuilt and modified the majority of the temple's existing construction after it was destroyed in the 14th century CE. The Meenakshi temple and the city layout were redesigned by the Nayaka kings as per the Hindu books on architecture known as the Shilpa Shastras. Thirumalai Nayak, the leader of the Hindu Nayaka dynasty, renovated the temple in the 17th century.
Architecture
A beautiful piece of architecture known as the Hall of Thousand Pillars, or Aayiram Kaal Mandapam, is known to have been carved out of a single rock. The museum (located within the temple complex) of this shrine has several historical artworks. There are 12 tall gopurams in the temple, four of which are located facing each of the four directions. It is one of the most spectacular temple constructions inSouth India. Goddess Meenakshi is honoured at the main temple. The goddess' idol is believed to have been carved from a single emerald stone.
Main Festivals of Meenakshi Amman Temple
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Navaratri, Chithirai Thiruvizha, Cradle festival, Meenakshi Thirukalyanam festival and Avani Moolam are the popular festivals celebrated with lots of joy and enthusiasm. All of these festivals attract a lot of devotees to this temple.
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Places To Explore Near Meenakshi Amman Temple
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Popular tourist attractions that you must explore near this temple are Vaigai Dam, Gandhi Memorial Museum, Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace, ISKCON Madurai and Samanar Hills.
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How To Reach Meenakshi Amman Temple
You can easily reach here by air, rail, and road. The Madurai Airport is 11 km away from the temple. The nearest railway station is Madurai junction. If you're planning to come by road then Madurai district is connected with the National Highways 45B, 208, 7, and 49 passing through Madurai.
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