Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple is a historic Hindu temple located on the south bank of the Vaigai River in the temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu. It is dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi, a form of Parvati, and his consort, Sundareshwara, a form of Lord Shiva. The temple is at the center of the ancient city of Madurai temple mentioned in Tamil Sangam literature, along with the temple of the goddess mentioned in texts from the 6th century CE. This temple is one of the Paadal Petra Sthalam. The Paadal Petra sthalam are 275 temples of Lord Shiva which are worshiped in the verses of Tamil Saiva Nayanars from the 6th-9th centuries AD.
The west tower of the temple is the model based on which the Tamil Nadu State Emblem is designed. The eight forms of Goddess Sakthi the consort of Lord Shiva, Kaumari, Rowthiri, Vaishnavi, Mahalakshmi, Yangnarubini, Shyamala, Maheswari and Manonmani have been sculptured into the pillars of the mandapam individually.
The temple which has five entrances covers an area 847 feet (254.1 meters) long and 792 feet (237.6 meters) wide in the North-South direction, the circumference of the Adi Veedhi which is the path within the great walls is 830 feet (249 meters) on the east-west and, measuring 730 feet (219 meters) from North-South direction.
There is no entry fee for visiting the temple. On special days the queue will be more, if you wish to skip the line, special Darshan tickets are available at a nominal cost. There is no strict dress code, any decent outfit is permitted. Make sure that you’re not wearing shorts, dresses, lungi, caps, or even socks.
Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple Timings:
Morning: 5.00 AM to 12.30 PM
Evening: 4.00 PM to 10.00 PM
Madurai Temple Daily Pooja Schedules:
| Pooja Name | Time |
|---|---|
| Thiruvanandal Pooja | 5:00 AM to 6:00 AM |
| Vizha Pooja | 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM |
| Kalasandhi Pooja | 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM |
| Thrikalasandhi Pooja | 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM |
| Uchikkala Pooja (Noon Pooja) | 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM |
| Maalai Pooja | 4:30 PM to 5:15 PM |
| Ardhajama Pooja (Night Pooja) | 7:30 PM to 8:15 PM |
| Palliarai Pooja | 9:30 PM to 10:00 PM |
Madurai Meenakshi Temple History:
Madurai Meenakshi Temple History:According to legend, the sacred Suyambulingam was discovered by the king of the gods Indira in Kadambavanam, was later consecrated by him in Madurai. It is said that the fact that the Lord was seen in Indira’s vehicle in this temple is proof of this.
Much historical evidence of the temple has been found dating back to the beginning of our era. The temple was almost completely destroyed in 1310 following the invasion of the Islamic conqueror Malikkapur. the invaders destroyed most of the temple’s ancient carvings.
Thirugnanasambandar, the Hindu saint, mentioned the temple in his songs dating back to the beginning of the 7th century. The Lord has been described as Alavai Iraivan in his songs. The temple regained its pristine splendor at the end of the 14th century when Hindu kings returned to power in Madurai. It can also be described as a new start of a new era in the history of the temple when it was almost rebuilt. King Thirumalai Naicker played an important role in building the new shape of the temple according to the records.
Deities Inside the Temple:
- Sundareshwarar (Main God)
- Meenakshi Amman (Main Goddess)
- Mukkuruni Vinayagar
- Irattai Vinayagar
- Dakshinamurthy
- Mahalakshmi
- Saraswathi
- 63 Nayanmars
- Saptarishi mothers
- Kasi Vishwanath
- Lingothpavar
- Sahasralingas
- Subramaniyar with Deivayanai and Valli
- Chandrasekhar
- Chandikeshwarar
- Kalyana Sundareshwarar with Meenakshi Amman
- Siddhar
- Durgai Amman
- Bhairavar
- Appar
- Sambandhar
- Sundarar
- Manickavasagar
- Suryanarayanan with Usha and Prathyusha
- Sangam poets
- Vivhooshi Vinayagar
- Navagrahas
Along with these Deities, there are statues of King Thirumalai Naicker with his wives within the temple complex.
Meenakshi Amman Temple Holy Tank::
- Adhi Theertham
- Sivaganga Theertham
- Uthama Theertham
- Valaiveesi Theppakulam Theertham
- Kiruthumalai Theertham
- Teppakulam Theertham
- Purathotti Nirmaliya Theertham
If the devotees bathe in the waters of this Golden Lotus pond on the day of Amavasya, the first day of the month, the days of the eclipse and other auspicious days and worship the Lord, they will be blessed with all their aspirations for success. . .
Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple Mandapam:
- Meenakshi Naicker Mandapam – next to the Ashta Sakthi Mandapam, constructed by Meenakshi Naicker in 1708.
- Muthupillai Mandapam or Iruttumandapam – was constructed by Kadanthai Mudaliar in 1613.
- Museum
- Swamy Sannidhi (sanctum) – Dhakshinamoorthy, Lingothpavar, Durga Mandapams – These mandapams were built by Kambavarayar.
- Wedding Hall – situated at the south of Veeravasantharayar mandapam, built by Vijayaranga Sokkanatha Nayakkar (1706 – 1732).
- Mangayarkarasi Mandapam – situated opposite the old wedding hall renovated between 1960-63.
- Servaikarar Mandapam – situated opposite the old wedding hall, built-in 1795 by Marudhappa Servaikarar.
- Muthuramayyar Mandapam – near Servaikarar mandapam, was built by Muthuramayyar.
- Nagara Mandapam – situated opposite Amman sanctum in East Chitra street, built-in 1635 by Achutharayan, minister of Rani Mangammal.
- New Mandapam – situated opposite the East Rajagopuram was constructed by King Thirumalai Naicker (1626 – 1645).
- Theradi Mandapams (the Mandapam at the foot of the chariot shed): situated along East Masi Street.
How to Reach Amman Temple:
By Air:
The Nearest Airport is Madurai International Airport which is 11 km from the temple.
Direct Flights to Madurai
By Rail:
The Nearest Train Station is Madurai Junction which is 11 km from the temple.
By Road:
The city is well connected to all major cities in Tamil Nadu as well as neighboring states. Many private bus operators also operate regular buses to the holy city until late at night.
Meenakshi Amman Temple Address:
Madurai Main,
Madurai,
Tamil Nadu – 625001
Phone: +91452 234 4360
Email: info@maduraimeenakshi.org