Meenakshi Amman Temple is one of the most iconic temples in India located in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. It is famous for its rich architectural beauty, intricate carvings, and religious significance
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The temple is dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi, a form of the Devi Parvati, and her consort, Sundareswarar, a form of Shiva unlike most Shiva temples where Shiva is the principal deity
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The temple’s history can be traced back to the 6th century and most of the present structure was rebuilt after the 14th century AC, further repaired, renovated, and expanded in the 17th century
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The temple has 14 gopurams, with the tallest, the southern tower, standing at a height of 170 ft. These gopurams have been intricately designed, and are cleaned and reconstructed after every 12 years
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The temple is spread across an area of 15 acres with each side having an entrance of its own. This gateway contains the twin temples of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarer
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These temples are again separately surrounded by 4 smaller gopurams. Both the Meenakshi and Sundareswarar shrines have gold plated Vimanam (tower over sanctum)
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The walls of the temple are adorned with numerous sculptures depicting various mythological stories and characters from Hindu epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata
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There are an estimated 33,000 sculptures in the temple. The massive Nataraja sculpture is enclosed in a huge silver altar and hence called Velli Ambalam
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The Hall of Thousand Pillars, or Aayiram Kaal Mandapam is an architectural marvel. The Aayiram Kaal Mandapam literally means ‘hall with a thousand pillars’
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The Aayiram Kaal Mandapam is built on a single piece of rock. The rock is given the shape of a mandapam, where a marriage takes place
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There is a sacred tank known as Potramarai Kulam or Golden Lotus Tank. It is believed that the steps of this tank bloom into golden lotuses, a divine sight during the annual Float Festival
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The annual Meenakshi Thirukalyanam festival, celebrating the divine marriage of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar. It attracts thousands of devotees and tourists every year
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