History of Meenakshi Temple
There are so many stories behind the establishment of Meenakshi temple. The first well know story is that Indra found the Meenakshi temple on his way to repent his sins and many other tales but it is strongly believed that the Meenakshi Temple was built in the 6th century B.C. A popular Hindu Saint also mentioned Meenakshi Temple in the early 7th century and he also mentioned that the diety is Aalavai Iraivan. It was only during the reign of viswanatha Nayak, king of Madurai, a possible change occurred in the structure of the temple and the king was also assisted by his prime minister.
The king was the original designer of the temple but eventually another successor took interest and expand the structure of the temple. Tirumalai Nayaka was the one who built complexes in the temple and not only that but he also contributed majorly in the spring festival and corridor of parrots.And another contributor was Rani Mangammal who built the corridors of the temple tank. In those days the monarchy heavily took taxed for constructing temples and it was paid in terms of gold and silver. Rous Peter was once such collector but he treated all the people equally and respect their faith.
He has donated diamonds and red stones to pay respect to Goddess Meenakshi. Later Malik kafur succeeded in overthrowing the pandyas and he took over Madurai. He made the whole town a chaos and pulled down the Meenakshi temple. Malik kafur had tortured the town people, destroyed the streets and even curb the freedom of worshipping. During his reign people suffered and the Meenakshi temple see no progress but it was only in the 1600, King viswanatha Nayak started to rebuilt the great Meenakshi temple.
The king was the original designer of the temple but eventually another successor took interest and expand the structure of the temple. Tirumalai Nayaka was the one who built complexes in the temple and not only that but he also contributed majorly in the spring festival and corridor of parrots.And another contributor was Rani Mangammal who built the corridors of the temple tank. In those days the monarchy heavily took taxed for constructing temples and it was paid in terms of gold and silver. Rous Peter was once such collector but he treated all the people equally and respect their faith.
He has donated diamonds and red stones to pay respect to Goddess Meenakshi. Later Malik kafur succeeded in overthrowing the pandyas and he took over Madurai. He made the whole town a chaos and pulled down the Meenakshi temple. Malik kafur had tortured the town people, destroyed the streets and even curb the freedom of worshipping. During his reign people suffered and the Meenakshi temple see no progress but it was only in the 1600, King viswanatha Nayak started to rebuilt the great Meenakshi temple.