The Chithirai Festival is a great opportunity to experience local life in Madurai and see a traditional Hindu wedding ritual. It attracts huge crowds of people, who flock to Madurai from surrounding areas. The festival is celebrated with a great deal of excitement and hype - with the enthusiasm of a real wedding. The Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple is now under the administration of the HR and CE department of Tamil Nadu. Latest Events. Invitation of Theppam Festival 2020. Invitation of Theppam Festival 2020 Mariamman Theppam fest 2020 Odhuvar Training classes.
Meenakshi Temple Madurai, Tamil Nadu, Deities, Worship timings, History, Gopurams, Paintings, Festivals, Significance, Temple Structure, Temple Towers, Free Marriage Scheme, Halls & Sculptures, Museum, Accommodation complete detail updated. About Meenakshi TempleLocation: Madurai, Tamil NaduBuilt By: Kulashekarar PandyanArchitectural Style: DravidianDedicated To: Meenakshi (Goddess Parvati) and Sundareswarar (Lord Shiva)Tradition: ShaivismMajor Festival: Tirukalyanam Festival / Chithirai ThiruvizhaAccording to legend, the sacred Suyambulingam discovered by the king of Gods indira at Kadambavanam, was later enshrined by him in Madurai. The fact that the Lord is seen on the vehicle of Indira in this temple is said to be proof for this. Many historical evidences of the temple have been found dating back from early A.D. The temple was almost completely destroyed in the year 1310 following the invasion of the Islamic conqueror Malikkapur.As kings who were followers of Islam were noted for their intolerance towards other religions, the invaders destroyed most of the ancient sculptures of the temple.Thirugnanasambandar the Hindu Saint has mentioned the temple in his songs which go back to early 7th century. The Lord has been described as Alavai Iraivan in his songs.The temple was restored to its pristine glory in the late 14th century when the Hindu Kings came back to power in Madurai.This can also be termed as a new beginning of a new era in the history of the temple, when it was almost rebuilt. The King Thirumalai Naicker played an important role in the construction of the new form of the temple according to records.
The Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple is now under the administration of the HR and CE department of Tamil Nadu.Temple DeitiesThe presiding Lord of this sacred shrine was in the times of yore known as Chockanathar, and Chockalinga Perumal.Now the deity is known as Sundareswarar, Meenakshi Sundarar, Somasundarar, Kalyana Sundarar, Shanbaga Sundarar, Attavai Shevagan, Chockalingam, Adiyarku Nallan, Adhiraveesi, Vilayaduvan, Abhideka Chockar, Azhagiya Chockar, Kadambavana Chockar, Puzhugu Neidhu Chockar, Kadambavaneswarar, Karpoora Chockar, Madureswarar, Irayanar, Peralavayar and other names. Procedure for WorshipWorshipping Arulmighu Meenakshi Amman at first had been the manner of prayer traditionally.Devotees should enter the temple through East Gopuram, pass along Ashtasakthi Mandapam, Meenakshi Nayakar Mandapam and Mudali Mandapam, take a bath in the Golden Lotus pond and wear clean clothes. Foremost, they must worship the Viboothi Vinayakar on the south of the sacred pond. From the southern bank, devotees could worship the golden pinnacles of Swamy and Amman temples. They can see the 64 miracles of Lord Shiva on the walls surrounding the pond.After worshipping Sithi Vinayakar, Kumaran and other deities in the parrot cage mandapam, must go round the altar at the Amman Sannidhi, and then enter the sanctum through the main entrance.
Men and women should stand in separate rows and worship the deity. Devotees should meditate the five holy alphabets, recite the sacred names of the Lord, sing divine songs and go round the shrine.Under the auspices of the Temple administration, a girls higher secondary school called Arulmighu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Girls Higher Secondary School is being run near Teppakulam, Madurai.While going round the first corridor, Airavatha Vinayakar on the south east, Valla Vinayakar on the south west, Nirutha Ganapathy and Muthukumaraswamy and Chandikeswarar on the northwest must be worshipped. While going round the second corridor, the devotees could see a statue of Thirumalai Naicker in the east, kolu mandapam and Koodalkumarar sannidhi in the west.After worshipping Kumarar, the devotees should proceed to the second corridor of Swamy shrine.
It is the normal practice toseek the permission of Nandiam Perumal to grant permission to enter the temple.After that the Anukgnai Vinayakar and the Nandi at the main entrance to the Swamy temple. After that the devotees should proceed along the six pillared pedestal and worship Chandrasekarar and other deities and the Natarajar who danced changing his legs at the Velliyambalam and then worship the Lord at the sanctum. While going round the first corridor of the Swamy temple, Vandhiyammai, Sivalingam, Sun, Kalaimagal, the Saints, Somaskander, various Lingams, Pitchadanar, Kasiviswanathar, Ellam Valla Siddhar, Durgai Amman, Kadamba tree, Kanagasabai Natarajar, Chandikeswarar, Atcharalingam, Mahalakshmi, Rathnasabai Natarajar, Vanniyum well, Lingam and Bhairavar should be worshipped in that order before coming out.On the north of the main entrance is the shrine of Arulmighu Palani Andavar. Having worshipped the deities including Sadayappar between the Nandhi Mandapam and coming round the hundred pillar hall, Agni Veeraputhirar, Ahora Veerapathirar, Ooothuva Thandava Moorthy and Badrakali, devotees should proceed to the Thirugnanasambandar mandapam and there offer worship to the four deities, Mangayarkarasiyar, Kulachirayar and Nedumaranayar and then after paying obeisance to the flag pole, they should sit down for a while. Later the idols of Hanumar, Krishnar and other deities on the pillars at the back and then enter the middle way and leave through Amman Sannidhi.Devotees proceeding the temple should bathe and wear Saiva symbols such as holy ash, Uthiraksham, and carry with them coconut, fruits, incense and other items of offering to the extent possible. It is the practice to meditate the holy scriptures, and recite the saced names of the deities while in the sacred premises.On the first day of every Tamil month, special prayers with abhishekarm are offered at the shrine of Sangam poets on the second corridor of the Swami Sannidhi.
Of the many attractions that make South India a cultural paradise on earth, Meenakshi Temple is the most iconic and popular one. Located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in Madurai, this Hindu temple is an epitome of classic architecture with murals so gorgeous that it will take your breath away.Dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Meenakshi, this temple has become a major tourist spot over the years and is often referred to as the ‘Mathura of South’.
But, if you’re still wondering what’s in it for you, believe us the reasons why you must visit & witness the eternal glory of this temple are endless, though are well reflected through its pictures. Best Time To Visit Meenakshi Temple In Madurai. The Meenakshi Amman temple is open throughout the year, but it is best to witness its beauty when both the weather and occasion are absolutely ideal for having an impeccable experience. While the summer months in Madurai are hot and humid, the monsoons are pleasant which make July and August a good time for planning your trip. Nevertheless, the months from April to May are great for visiting too, especially if you wish to attend the Chithirai Festival. But, it is from October to March, which marks the perfect time for visiting the glorious temple and taking a tour of the city as the weather stays pleasant throughout the days.And as far as the temple is concerned, the best time to visit is early in the morning and also in the evening for the night ceremony. Mythology About Meenakshi TempleAccording to a legend, Meenakshi emerged out of a ‘Yajna’ as a three-year-old girl.
A king named Malayadwaja Pandya along with his wife Kanchanamali. The couple was unable to conceive a child and thus offered prayers to Lord Shiva to request him for a son. Instead of Lord Shiva, a triple-breasted girl appeared in front of the couple. While the royal couple were concerned, a divine voice assured them the third breasts of the girl would disappear when she will meet her future husband.Meenakshi then ruled over Madurai and neighboring kingdoms were also captured by her.
The legend also tells us that she also captured Indralok. During her quest to capture Kailash, she was appeared by Lord Shiva and immediately her third breast disappeared; she knew that he was her future husband. Their wedding took place in Madurai and was attended by each and every god and goddess. The wedding ceremony is celebrated even today as ‘Chithirai Thiruvizha’.Must Read: Essential Meenakshi Temple Information. Meenakshi Temple Timings: The temple stays open every day from 5:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Meenakshi Temple Entrance Fee: There is no entry fee for visiting the temple.
However, there is an art museum and its entry ticket costs INR 5 for Indian tourists and INR 50 for foreign tourists if you wish to visit it. Darshan Duration: Meenakshi Amman Temple is undoubtedly the most famous tourist attraction in Madurai and there is a possibility that you may spend hours in the queue for visiting the inner sanctums to see the idols of the deities. But, if you wish to skip the line, the temple has special Darshan tickets, which cost INR 50 for seeing the idol of Goddess Meenakshi and INR 100 for seeing both the deities.
Dress Code For Visiting The Temple: Clothing that covers both your shoulders and legs, and is decent is only permitted. Make sure that you’re not wearing shorts, dresses, lungi,caps, or even socks. Valuables Not Allowed Inside the Temple: Umbrellas, sticks, or anything like wallet or belt, which is made of animal skin is strictly prohibited from carrying inside the temple. Also, ensure that you do not carry a camera or your mobile phone as they have been banned in the temple.Festivals In Meenakshi Amman Temple. There are many reasons that add to the beauty of the temple, one of which are the different types of festivals that are held throughout the 12 months of the Tamil calendar year.
Nevertheless, the temple has only one major festival – Chithirai Thiruvizha or Thirukalyanam Festival, which attracts million of tourists every year in April. If you want to catch a true glimpse of Madurai’s culture and festivity, then this is the best time to visit the temple.The long festival celebrates the divine union of Goddess Meenakshi with Lord Shiva with innumerable legends woven around it, and offers an incredible sneak peek into the Tamilian culture, cuisine, and history. Apart from this main festival, there are also a number of other festivals that are hosted and celebrated in the temple like the Vasantham festival, Unjal festival, Mulai-Kottu festival, Arudhra Dharsan Festival, Thai Utsavam, and more. Each festival has its own significance and is celebrated with much zeal and fervour. If you cannot visit during the summer, another great time to visit the temple is during the Navratri when you can be a part of the Navrathri Festival and witness the colorful dolls called ‘Gollu’ displayed in the temple.Suggested Read: Highlights About The Architecture Of Meenakshi Temple.
Being a popular pilgrimage spot and a major tourist attraction, the temple also offers accommodation in the form of three lodges, which can only be booked at the time of the visit. The three lodges have been named as Birla Vishram, Sundareswarar Illam, and Bakthargal Thangum Viduthi, and are situated on the West Chithirai Street.If you wish to stay in a hotel, some of the decent hotels nearby are Hotel Royal Court, Hotel Nambi, and Moskva Hotel.Suggested Read: How To Reach Meenakshi Temple In Madurai. From Airport: If you’re flying to Madurai from Chennai, it will take you around three hours to reach the temple. After reaching the Madurai Airport, you can easily find a taxi that will drive you to the temple in some 90 minutes.From Railway Station: A train journey to Madurai will surely be full of majestic sights.
Since Madurai is connected well to all the cities, you can board a train till the Madurai Junction Railway Station from where the temple is located only 10 minutes away.
Comments are closed.
|
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
March 2023
Categories |