Monday, October 12, 2009

Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai


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TamilNadu in India is well for temples. Madurai is a city in TamilNadu known as the "Athens of the East" and most widely "City of Temples". There are lots and lots of temples in and around Madurai. Of those the most important is the Meenakshi Amman Temple. The temple was built by the ruler Thirumalai Nayakar in 17th century. The area the temple covers is about 17acres. The entire Madurai city was beleived to be built around this temple. The temple has four "Rajagopurams". Of those the "South Gopuram" is the tallest one measuring a height of 160.9 feet and its base area is about 108 feet by 67 feet. There are 14 other towers each consisting of different tiers and different sculptures and stories inscribed on them. Don't miss to see it. There is a order in which those gods have to be visited. To know the procedure for worship visit procedure for worship

The Thousand Pillar Mandapam
The name came from the count of pillars in this mandapam. It consist of 1000 pillars and each pillar has sculptures on them. Here you can see photographs, icons, drawings showing 1200 years history.

Musical Pillars
The musical pillars are near the north tower. These pillars when tapped produce different sounds. These pillars were craved out of a single stone.

Pottramarai Kulam
Dont forget to spend some time near the Pottramarai Kulam. To know the history of The Golden Lotus Pond click Pottramarai Kulam

There are 18 guides authorised by the temple administration to guide devotees from other States and foreign countries.

Worshipping hours
Morning - 5.00 am to 12.20 pm
Evening - 4.00 pm to 10.00 pm

Festivals in Madurai
For the list of festivals click here

There are lots of shops around the temple premises. Enjoy shopping there
There are direct flights and trains to Madurai from Chennai. To know more information about the temple and hotels in Madurai click more information

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