Architecture of Meenakshi Temple
The Meenakshi temple is the most important ritual center of Madurai and the temple complexes is considered as one of the largest in Tamil Nadu,India. The feature of the temple is the four entrances which faces four directions.The Meenakshi temple was reconstructed by vishwantha Nayak by taking the principles from Shilpa Shastras. He has also brought changes to the city by redesigning Madurai according to urban planning. Tamilnadu Temple Tour is a great opportunity to explore some of the best temples of Tamilnadu.
He also laid out the city in shape of a square and these squares holds different names related o the Tamil month. The names are like Aadi, Chittirai etc. and it was a common believe that the city streets radiates beautifully like lotus. The streets are also decorated during the festival and it is usually decorated in accordance to the festival calender. Processions are also held in the street and they use massive vehicles during this time.
He also laid out the city in shape of a square and these squares holds different names related o the Tamil month. The names are like Aadi, Chittirai etc. and it was a common believe that the city streets radiates beautifully like lotus. The streets are also decorated during the festival and it is usually decorated in accordance to the festival calender. Processions are also held in the street and they use massive vehicles during this time.
Meenakshi Temple Hall
The kilikoondu Mandapam which is also known as the bird cage corridor surrounds the sanctum of the temple and it is believed that in those days they keep green parrots in this corridor.The parrots are usually trained to speak and they keep the parrots in two big cages.
Besides the corridor there is the Hall of temple tree known as the Kambatadi Mandapam is also an important feature in the temple.In the hall there is a seated bull which is sacred because it is related to the deity Shiva and even contains the Marriage of the Goddess Meenakshi sculpture. The puthu Mandapam known as the new hall has massive number of sculptures and it was built by Tirumala Nayak. The Hall of eight Goddess Is near the Meenakshi East Tower and it is known as Ashta (eight) Shakti (Goddess). The pillars are carved related to the eight forms of Shakti and hall has eight statues of the goddesses. Even the hall of the pandavas has the sculpture of the great heroes of Mahabharat.
The dark Hall of the temple has the sculptures of the story Shiva. The newly built Hall is the Mangayarkarasi Mandapam is built for the Queen Mangayarkarasi. The hall of thousand pillar also known as the Meenakshi Nayakkar Mandapam has a massive rows and the pillar is divided into two rows which is carved with the images of yali and the hall is known for its artistic excellence.
Besides the corridor there is the Hall of temple tree known as the Kambatadi Mandapam is also an important feature in the temple.In the hall there is a seated bull which is sacred because it is related to the deity Shiva and even contains the Marriage of the Goddess Meenakshi sculpture. The puthu Mandapam known as the new hall has massive number of sculptures and it was built by Tirumala Nayak. The Hall of eight Goddess Is near the Meenakshi East Tower and it is known as Ashta (eight) Shakti (Goddess). The pillars are carved related to the eight forms of Shakti and hall has eight statues of the goddesses. Even the hall of the pandavas has the sculpture of the great heroes of Mahabharat.
The dark Hall of the temple has the sculptures of the story Shiva. The newly built Hall is the Mangayarkarasi Mandapam is built for the Queen Mangayarkarasi. The hall of thousand pillar also known as the Meenakshi Nayakkar Mandapam has a massive rows and the pillar is divided into two rows which is carved with the images of yali and the hall is known for its artistic excellence.
Meenakshi Temple Towers
There are 14 massive towers in the temple and the southern tower is the tallest among the other towers.And the Eastern tower is the oldest tower and it was built by a pandyan king named as Maravarman Sundara. The unique features of the towers is that each of them is a double storyed structure and thousand stones covered each of the towers. Not only that but the towers are covered with images of an animals, gods and demons.
Meenakshi Temple Shrines
The Meenakshi temple shrines has one of the most attractive view. The centre shrine is enclosed in three sides and it is protected by four towers. The shrine has the image of Meenakshi and it is designed in black stone and in the centre lies the Sundareswarar. Gold plated Vimanam is common in both the shrines and the top can been seen from far away. The sculpture of Ganesh is tall and it is carved of single stone. The shrine is also known as the Mukuruny Vinayakar because rice is sacrificed in a large shape measuring 3 kurini to Ganesh.