Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Madurai

Address

Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Madurai – 625001 PH:0452-2349868

Diety

Sundareswarar, Amman: Meenakshi

Introduction

The history of Meenakshi Temple dates back to the 1st century C.E with scholars claiming it to be as old as the city itself. It is said that Kulashekarar Pandyan, a king who ruled over the Pandyan dynasty, built the temple as per the instructions given in his dream by Lord Shiva. A few religious texts that belong to the 1st to 4th century C.E talk about the temple and describe it as the central structure of the city. Texts dating back to the early 6th century, describe the temple as a place where scholars met to discuss important topics. The temple as it stands today, however, was rebuilt throughout the 16th century as it was destroyed by the Muslim invaders. Meenakshi Temple, also referred to as Meenakshi Amman or Minakshi-Sundareshwara Temple, is a historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in the temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to Meenakshi, a form of Parvati, and her consort, Sundareshwar, a form of Shiva.The temple is at the center of the ancient temple city of Madurai mentioned in the Tamil Sangam literature, with the goddess temple mentioned in 6th century CE texts. Thala Virutcham : Kadamba tree Theertham : Pottramarai, Vaigai, Kruthamalai, Teppakulam, Purathotti Agamam / Pooja : Karana Agamam

Puranic Significance

Meenakshi temple: King Malayadwaja Pandya and his queen Kanchanamala performed Puthrakameshti Yaga seeking child boon. Mother Uma rose from the Yaga fire as a child with three breasts. While the king stood shocked at the appearance of the child with three breasts, a voice said that one will disappear when married. As advised, the child was named Thadathagai. She grew mastering all arts. After Malayadwaja Pandia, Thadathagi ascended the throne and gave good governance to Her people. She reached the marriageable age. Thadathaga set out with Her army to conquer regions including Mount Kailash where she fought with Shiva too when one of her breasts disappeared. She understood that the Lord was her husband. Marriage was arranged. Lord Vishnu, devas, Rishis attended the divine wedding. Brahmma the Creator conducted the marriage as per Vedic rules. Lord Shiva tied the wedding knot to Mother on Panguni Uthira star day – March-April. Indeed, those who had the rare opportunity of being the guests for the divine wedding were blessed lots. Lord Shiva assumed charge of the government. The Bull Flag was replaced by a flag with Fish symbol. He assumed the name of Soma Sundara – Soundara Pandya. His Shiva Ganas came to earth as humans. Lord Shiva was a kind king to ordinary humans, a lion to enemies and a Guru to ascetics. Madurai Meenakshi is globally famous. Religious and political history of Tamilnadu begins from here. Mother Meenakshi sets an example of fair administration. Lord Shiva is all to all. A temple worshipped by great saints. This is the sacred land where Lord Shiva danced changing his legs. Indira and Varuna worshipped here. As this the first of the 64 Shakti Peetas in the country, all pujas are first dedicated to Mother Meenakshi and then to Lord Shiva. This is the place where a heated argument took place in the court of King Shenbaga Pandiyan about the meaning of a poem, the Lord defending poet Tharumi and got him the golden purse. This is the place that respected the freedom of expression through poet Nakkeeranar telling the Lord face toface that a poetic mistake cannot be justified by showing His eye on the forehead thus threatening his right. Madurai is the place where Saivite Saint Tirugnanasambandar established the glory of Saivism by defeating the Jains through water and fire tests (Punal Vadam and Aunal Vadam). Lord came to the rescue of an old lady Vandhi as her coolie to patch the breach in Vaigai and received the cane blows from King Arimardhana Pandian. The temple is ever active with some festivals each day with fragrance of divinity filling the environment. A place of exquisite beauty of sculpture and painting making the temple a treasure of arts related to divinity. Praised as Shivarajadhani, capital of Shiva Kingdom, the city planning of Madurai is unmatched. The temple has five entrances and 14 towers with the South Tower being the tallest. The Thousand Pillared Mahamandap is near the north tower. There are five musical pillars. There are also many statues sounding music. This is the biggest part of the temple. There are 985 pillars. The idol of Lord Nataraja is in the centre of the Mandap. Lord Shiva is a swayambumurthy. Of the five Sabhas where Lord performed His cosmic dance, Madurai Sabha is known as Rajatha (silver) sabha where the Lord changed the legs. This dance is called Sandhya Thandavam. The 7 feet tall Mukkuruni Pillayar-Lord Vinayaka was found from the Mariamman Teppakulam-tank. There are no fish or water creatures in the Pottramarai tank, due a boon granted to a crane by Lord Shiva. Multi-purpose information centre: The Department of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) has established a Multi-Purpose Information Centre at the temple at a cost of Rs. 5 lakh with a view to disseminating information on all temples in the state in three languages for the convenience of north Indian devotees and foreign tourists. The centre is set up near the Amman Sannidhi entrance on the eastern side of the temple. There will also be a topographical map, which would provide the location of all important areas in the temple, near the South tower entrance. A person, fluent in Hindi and competent in handling computers is being recruited to manage the centre. Information on puja timings of all temples in the state besides logistical details and availability of accommodation will be made available to the devotees. A touch screen system providing all information on the Meenakshi emple such as its history, significance, festivals and important events would be installed. Silver doors for ‘Palli Arai: The ‘Nattukottai Nagarathar Sangam has come forward to install a door made out of puresilver for the ‘Palli Arai’ of Mother Meenakshi. They bear the entire cost of the door being made out of 70 kilograms. The Nattukottai Nagarathar samgam is making the door themselves

Beliefs

Mother Meenakshi grants everything the devotee wishes in life – happy wedding, children, prosperity, health, longevity and all their just needs. Devotees simply place their prayers at Her Lotus Feet. Lord Chokkanathar-Meenakshi Sundareswarar assures all peace of mind and total salvation to the souls. The corridor of the temple is a convenient and comfortable spot for meditation. All can hear the divine sound Ohm. One can see a flood of devotees in the temple at all times. Devotees perform abishek with milk, oil, green coconut, sandal etc. They undertake all types of fasting. Any righteous ritual including donations, poor feeding, penance, meditation etc. bring the devotee manifold benefits. Devotees offer silk saris to Mother and vastra to Lord.

Special Features

Madurai Meenakshi: The Vimana in the shrine of Sundareswarar is gifted by Indira the King of Devas. He was on a pilgrimage to various Shiva temples to cleanse himself of a killing sin. His sins disappeared when he found a beautiful Swayambulinga in this place praised as Kadamba Vanam – a forest dense with Kadamba trees. It is said that as a token of his gratitude to Lord Shiva, he built this temple with Indira Vimana. This temple enjoys a special importance among the 51 Shakti Peetas in the country, named Rajamadhangi Shyamala Peetam. The idol of Mother Meenakshi is made of pure emerald stone – Maragatham stone. This is also the land of Sundaranandar, among the 18 Siddhas. This is the first temple among the 366 Shiva temples in Tamilnadu in the name of Meenakshi Sundareswar. The land-Madurai- is revered as Kailash on earth –Bhooloka Kailasam. Chanting the very name of Madurai ensures salvation to the devotee. In his celebrated Meenakshi Amman Pillai Thamizh, Saint Kumaraguruparar, mentions this place as Dwadashantha Sthalam and Shiva Rajadhani, capital of Shiva Kingdom. Pottramarai Kulam – Tank of Golden Lotus: This was created by Lord Shiva by hitting the earth with His trident responding to the request of Nandhi and other Devas. This is first among the holy springs of the temple, also called Shiva Ganga. Indira got the golden lotus from here only for his Shiva puja. The devotee will achieve all his wishes if he/she has a dip in the tank especially on holy days as new moon day, first day of Tamil months and the eclipse day andworship the Lord. All the 64 incidents related to Lord Shiva’s grace to His devotees are painted on the walls around the tank. And this is the tank where the Sangam Seater (Sanga Palakai) appeared in recognition of the Tamil Veda the Tirukkural.

Festivals

Madurai Meenakshi: The famous Chithirai Tiruvizha in AprilMay has many programmes as Wedding of Mother Meenakshi with Lord Shiva, Her Coronation and car festivals. Navarathri in September-October, Aavani Moola festival in AugustSeptember, Thai float festival in January-February, Aadi Pooram in July-August, Pongal in January-February, Deepavali, Tamil and English New Year days, Vinayaka Chaturthi are other festivals. There are monthly special pujas also. Almost every day is a festival day in the temple.