.%20.%20.%20Hindu%20Deities%20Pavarti%2C%20Shiva%20and%20consort%20-%20here%20named%20Meenakshi%20and%20Sundareswarar%0A_________________________________________%0A%0AMeenakshi%20Amman%20Temple%20is%20a%20historic%20Hindu%20temple%20located%20on%20the%20southern%20bank%20of%20the%20Vaigai%20River%20in%20the%20temple%20city%20of%20Madurai%2C%20Tamil%20Nadu%2C%20India.%20It%20is%20dedicated%20to%20Parvati%2C%20known%20as%20Meenakshi%2C%20and%20her%20consort%2C%20Shiva%2C%20here%20named%20Sundareswarar.%20The%20temple%20forms%20the%20heart%20and%20lifeline%20of%20the%202%2C500-year-old%20city%20of%20Madurai%20and%20is%20a%20significant%20symbol%20for%20the%20Tamil%20people%2C%20mentioned%20since%20antiquity%20in%20Tamil%20literature%20though%20the%20present%20structure%20was%20built%20between%201623%20and%201655%20CE.%20It%20houses%2014%20gopurams%20%28gateway%20towers%29%2C%20ranging%20from%2045%u201350m%20in%20height.%20The%20tallest%20is%20the%20southern%20tower%2C%2051.9%20metres%20high%2C%20and%20two%20golden%20sculptured%20vimanas%2C%20the%20shrines%20over%20the%20garbhagrihas%20%28sanctums%29%20of%20the%20main%20deities.%20The%20temple%20attracts%2015%2C000%20visitors%20a%20day%2C%20around%2025%2C000%20on%20Fridays%2C%20and%20receives%20an%20annual%20revenue%20of%20%u20B9%2060%20million.%20There%20are%20an%20estimated%2033%2C000%20sculptures%20in%20the%20temple.%20It%20was%20on%20the%20list%20of%20top%2030%20nominees%20for%20the%20%26quot%3BNew%20Seven%20Wonders%20of%20the%20World%26quot%3B.%20The%20temple%20is%20the%20most%20prominent%20landmark%20and%20most%20visited%20tourist%20attraction%20in%20the%20city.%20The%20annual%2010-day%20Meenakshi%20Tirukalyanam%20festival%2C%20celebrated%20during%20April%20and%20May%2C%20attracts%201%20million%20visitors.%0A%0ALEGEND%0AMeenakshi%20%28IAST%20M%u012Bn%u0101k%u1E63%u012B%20Tamil%20%u0BAE%u0BC0%u0BA9%u0BBE%u0B9F%u0BCD%u0B9A%u0BBF%29%20is%20an%20avatar%20of%20the%20Hindu%20goddess%20Parvati%20-%20the%20consort%20of%20Shiva%2C%20one%20of%20the%20few%20Hindu%20female%20deities%20to%20have%20a%20major%20temple%20devoted%20to%20her.%20The%20name%20%26quot%3BM%u012Bnachchi%26quot%3B%20means%20fish-eyed%20and%20is%20derived%20from%20the%20words%20%26quot%3Bm%u012Bna%26quot%3B%20meaning%20fish%20and%20%26quot%3Bak%u1E63i%26quot%3B%20meaning%20eyes.%20The%20lady%20goddess%20Meenakshi%20is%20the%20principal%20deity%20of%20the%20temple%2C%20not%20Sundareswarar%2C%20unlike%20most%20Shiva%20temples%20in%20South%20India%20where%20Shiva%20is%20the%20principal%20deity.%20According%20to%20Hindu%20legend%2C%20in%20order%20to%20answer%20the%20prayers%20of%20the%20second%20Pandya%20king%20Malayadwaja%20Pandya%20and%20his%20wife%20Kanchanamalai%2C%20Parvati%20appeared%20out%20of%20the%20holy%20fire%20of%20the%20Putra%20Kameshti%20Yagna%20%28sacrifice%20for%20childhood%29%20performed%20by%20the%20king.%20According%20to%20another%20legend%2C%20the%20goddess%20herself%20gave%20notice%20to%20Kanchanamalai%20in%20one%20of%20her%20previous%20births%20that%20Kanchanamalai%20would%20have%20the%20privilege%20of%20mothering%20the%20goddess.%20The%20girl%20who%20came%20out%20of%20the%20holy%20fire%20had%20three%20breasts.%20A%20voice%20from%20the%20heavens%20told%20the%20king%20not%20to%20worry%20about%20the%20abnormality%20and%20added%20that%20the%20third%20breast%20would%20vanish%20as%20soon%20as%20the%20girl%20met%20her%20future%20husband.%20The%20happy%20king%20named%20the%20girl%20%26quot%3BTadaatagai%26quot%3B%20and%20as%20the%20heir%20to%20the%20throne%2C%20Tadaatagai%20was%20trained%20carefully%20in%20all%20the%2064%20sastras%2C%20the%20fields%20of%20science%20.%0A%0AAs%20the%20time%20came%20for%20Tadaatagai%27s%20coronation%2C%20she%20had%20to%20wage%20war%20in%20three%20worlds%20encompassing%20eight%20directions.%20After%20conquering%20Brahma%27s%20Abode%2C%20Sathyaloka%2C%20Vishnu%27s%20Abode%2C%20Vaikunta%2C%20and%20Devas%27%20abode%20Amaravati%2C%20she%20advanced%20to%20Shiva%27s%20Abode%20Kailasha.%20She%20very%20easily%20defeated%20the%20bhoota%20ganas%20%28IAST%3A%20Bh%u016Btagana%2C%20meaning%20Shiva%27s%20army%29%20and%20Nandi%2C%20the%20celestial%20bull%20of%20Shiva%2C%20and%20headed%20to%20attack%20and%20conquer%20Shiva.%20The%20moment%20she%20looked%20at%20Shiva%2C%20she%20was%20unable%20to%20fight%20and%20bowed%20her%20head%20down%20due%20to%20shyness%2C%20and%20the%20third%20breast%20vanished%20immediately.%20Tadaatagai%20realized%20that%20Shiva%20was%20her%20destined%20husband.%20She%20also%20realized%20that%20she%20was%20the%20incarnation%20of%20Parvati.%20Both%20Shiva%20and%20Tadaatagai%20returned%20to%20Madurai%20and%20the%20king%20arranged%20the%20coronation%20ceremony%20of%20his%20daughter%2C%20followed%20by%20her%20marriage%20with%20Shiva.%0A%0AThe%20marriage%20was%20to%20be%20the%20biggest%20event%20on%20earth%2C%20with%20the%20whole%20earth%20gathering%20near%20Madurai.%20Vishnu%2C%20the%20brother%20of%20Meenakshi%2C%20prepared%20to%20travel%20from%20his%20holy%20abode%20at%20Vaikuntam%20to%20preside%20over%20the%20marriage.%20Due%20to%20a%20divine%20play%2C%20he%20was%20tricked%20by%20the%20Deva%2C%20Indra%20and%20was%20delayed%20on%20the%20way.%20After%20the%20marriage%2C%20the%20pair%20ruled%20over%20Madurai%20for%20a%20long%20time%20and%20then%20assumed%20divine%20forms%20as%20Sundareswarar%20and%20Meenakshi%2C%20the%20presiding%20deities%20of%20the%20temple.%20Following%20the%20tradition%2C%20every%20evening%2C%20before%20closing%20the%20temple%2C%20a%20ritual%20procession%20led%20by%20drummers%20and%20a%20brass%20ensemble%20carries%20the%20image%20of%20Sundareswarar%20to%20Meenakshi%27s%20bedroom%20to%20consummate%20the%20union%2C%20to%20be%20taken%20back%20the%20next%20morning%20in%20dawn.%20The%20marriage%20is%20celebrated%20annually%20as%20Chithirai%20Thiruvizha%20in%20Madurai.%20During%20the%20period%20of%20Nayakar%20rule%20in%20Madurai%2C%20the%20ruler%20Thirumalai%20Nayakar%20linked%20the%20festival%20Azhakar%20Thiruvizha%20and%20the%20Meenakshi%20wedding%20ceremony.%0A%0AHISTORY%0AThe%20Meenakshi%20temple%20is%20believed%20to%20have%20been%20founded%20by%20Indra%20%28king%20of%20Deva%20celestial%20deities%29.%20While%20he%20was%20on%20a%20pilgrimage%20to%20atone%20for%20his%20misdeeds.%20He%20felt%20his%20burden%20lifting%20as%20he%20neared%20the%20swayambu%20lingam%20%28self%20formed%20lingam%2C%20a%20representation%20of%20Shiva%20used%20for%20worship%20in%20temples%29%20of%20Madurai.%20He%20ascribed%20this%20miracle%20to%20the%20lingam%20and%20constructed%20the%20temple%20to%20enshrine%20it.%20Indra%20worshipped%20Shiva%2C%20who%20caused%20golden%20lotuses%20to%20appear%20in%20the%20nearby%20pool.%20Tamil%20literature%20speaks%20of%20the%20temple%20over%20the%20last%20two%20millennia.%20Thirugnanasambandar%2C%20the%20famous%20Hindu%20saint%20of%20Saiva%20philosophy%2C%20mentioned%20this%20temple%20as%20early%20as%20the%207th%20century%2C%20and%20described%20the%20deity%20as%20Aalavai%20Iraivan.%20The%20temple%20is%20believed%20to%20have%20been%20sacked%20by%20the%20infamous%20Muslim%20invader%20Malik%20Kafur%20in%201310%20and%20all%20the%20ancient%20elements%20were%20destroyed.%20The%20initiative%20to%20rebuild%20the%20structure%20was%20taken%20by%20first%20Nayak%20king%20of%20Madurai%2C%20Viswanatha%20Nayak%20%281559%u20131600%29%20under%20the%20supervision%20of%20Ariyanatha%20Mudaliar%2C%20the%20prime%20minister%20of%20the%20Nayak%20Dynasty%20and%20the%20founder%20of%20the%20Poligar%20System.%20The%20original%20design%20by%20Vishwanatha%20Nayak%20in%201560%20was%20substantially%20expanded%20to%20the%20current%20structure%20during%20the%20reign%20of%20Thirumalai%20Nayak%20%281623%u201355%29.%20He%20took%20considerable%20interest%20in%20erecting%20many%20complexes%20inside%20the%20temple.%20His%20major%20contributions%20are%20the%20Vasantha%20Mandapam%20for%20celebrating%20vasanthorsavam%20%28spring%20festival%29%20and%20Kilikoondu%20Mandapam%20%28corridor%20of%20parrots%29.%20The%20corridors%20of%20the%20temple%20tank%20and%20Meenatchi%20Nayakar%20Mandapam%20were%20built%20by%20Rani%20Mangammal.%0A%0ARous%20Peter%20%281786%u20131828%29%2C%20the%20Collector%20of%20Madurai%20in%201812%2C%20was%20nicknamed%20%27Peter%20Pandian%u2019%20as%20he%20respected%20and%20treated%20people%20of%20all%20faiths%20equally.%20He%20donated%20a%20set%20of%20golden%20stirrups%20studded%20with%20diamonds%20and%20red%20stones%20to%20the%20temple.%20Goddess%20Meenatchi%20is%20believed%20to%20have%20saved%20Rous%20Peter%20from%20a%20fatal%20incident.%20He%20also%20wished%20that%20after%20his%20death%2C%20his%20body%20be%20buried%20in%20a%20position%20that%20would%20enable%20his%20eyes%20to%20face%20the%20temple.%0A%0ADuring%20the%20period%20of%20early%20pandian%20kings%2C%20the%20king%20taxed%20the%20people%20for%20constructing%20this%20temple.%20People%20paid%20taxes%20and%20donations%20in%20the%20form%20of%20gold%20and%20silver.%20But%20the%20king%20wanted%20contribution%20as%20low%20as%20a%20bag%20of%20rice%20which%20would%20help%20in%20feeding%20the%20masans%20who%20constructed%20the%20temple.%20so%20the%20kings%20collected%20one%20handful%20of%20rice%20daily%20from%20every%20house.%20This%20would%20make%20few%20bags%20of%20rice%20in%20the%20month%20end.%20Thus%20people%20from%20all%20sectors%20of%20life%20contributed%20in%20building%20the%20temple.%20Thus%2C%20every%20family%20has%20an%20emotional%20attachment%20towards%20the%20temple.%0A%0ATHE%20TEMPLE%0AARCHITECTURE%0AThe%20temple%20is%20the%20geographic%20and%20ritual%20center%20of%20the%20ancient%20city%20of%20Madurai%20and%20one%20of%20the%20largest%20temple%20complexes%20in%20Tamil%20Nadu.%20The%20temple%20complex%20is%20divided%20into%20a%20number%20of%20concentric%20quadrangular%20enclosures%20contained%20by%20high%20masonry%20walls.%20It%20is%20one%20of%20the%20few%20temples%20in%20Tamil%20Nadu%20to%20have%20four%20entrances%20facing%20four%20directions.%20Vishwantha%20Nayaka%20allegedly%20redesigned%20the%20city%20of%20Madurai%20in%20accordance%20with%20the%20principles%20laid%20down%20by%20Shilpa%20Shastras%20%28Sanskrit%3A%20%u015Bilpa%20%u015B%u0101stra%2C%20also%20anglicized%20as%20silpa%20sastra%20meaning%20rules%20of%20architecture%29%20relevant%20to%20urban%20planning.%20The%20city%20was%20laid%20out%20in%20the%20shape%20of%20square%20with%20a%20series%20of%20concentric%20streets%20culminating%20from%20the%20temple.%20These%20squares%20continue%20to%20retain%20their%20traditional%20names%2C%20Aadi%2C%20Chittirai%2C%20Avani-moola%20and%20Masi%20streets%2C%20corresponding%20to%20Tamil%20month%20names.%20Ancient%20Tamil%20classics%20mention%20that%20the%20temple%20was%20the%20center%20of%20the%20city%20and%20the%20streets%20happened%20to%20be%20radiating%20out%20like%20lotus%20and%20its%20petals.%20The%20temple%20prakarams%20%28outer%20precincts%20of%20a%20temple%29%20and%20streets%20accommodate%20an%20elobrate%20festival%20calendar%20in%20which%20dramatic%20processions%20circumabulate%20the%20shrines%20at%20varying%20distances%20from%20the%20centre.%20The%20vehicles%20used%20in%20processions%20are%20progressively%20more%20massive%20the%20further%20they%20travel%20from%20the%20centre.%20The%20complex%20is%20in%20around%20180%2C000%20m2.%0A%0AGOPURAMS%0AThe%20temple%20is%20surrounded%20by%20gopurams%20%28gateway%20tower%29%2C%20-%20There%20are%2014%20gopuram%20the%20tallest%20of%20which%2C%20the%20famous%20southern%20tower%2C%20rises%20to%20over%2052%20m%20and%20was%20built%20in%201559.%20The%20oldest%20gopuram%20is%20the%20eastern%20one%2C%20built%20by%20Maravarman%20Sundara%20Pandyan%20during%201216-1238%20Each%20gopuram%20is%20a%20multi-storeyed%20structure%2C%20covered%20with%20thousands%20of%20stone%20figures%20of%20animals%2C%20gods%20and%20demons%20painted%20in%20bright%20hues.%20The%20outer%20gopuram%20presents%20steeply%20pyramidal%20tower%20encrusted%20with%20plaster%20figures%2C%20while%20the%20inner%20gopuram%20serves%20as%20the%20entrance%20to%20the%20inner%20enclosure%20of%20Sundareswarar%20shrine.%0A%0ASHRINES%0AThe%20central%20shrine%20of%20Meenakshi%20Amman%20temple%20and%20her%20consort%20Sundareswarar%20are%20surrounded%20by%20three%20enclosures%20and%20each%20of%20these%20are%20protected%20by%20four%20minor%20towers%20at%20the%20four%20points%20of%20the%20compass%2C%20the%20outer%20tower%20growing%20larger%20and%20reaching%20higher%20to%20the%20corresponding%20inner%20one.%20The%20Meenakshi%20shrine%20has%20the%20emerald-hued%20black%20stone%20image%20of%20Meenakshi.%20The%20Sundareswarar%20shrine%20lies%20at%20the%20centre%20of%20the%20complex%2C%20suggesting%20that%20the%20ritual%20dominance%20of%20the%20goddess%20developed%20later.%20Both%20the%20Meenakshi%20and%20Sundareswarar%20shrines%20have%20gold%20plated%20Vimanam%20%28tower%20over%20sanctum%29.%20The%20golden%20top%20can%20be%20seen%20from%20a%20great%20distance%20in%20the%20west%20through%20the%20apertures%20of%20two%20successive%20towers.%20The%20area%20covered%20by%20the%20shrine%20of%20Sundareswarar%20is%20exactly%20one%20fourth%20of%20the%20area%20of%20the%20temple%20and%20that%20of%20Meenakshi%20is%20one%20fourth%20that%20of%20Sundareswarar.%0A%0AThe%20tall%20sculpture%20of%20Ganesh%20carved%20of%20single%20stone%20located%20outside%20the%20Sundareswarar%20shrine%20in%20the%20path%20from%20Meenashi%20shrine%20is%20called%20the%20Mukuruny%20Vinayakar.%20A%20large%20measure%20of%20rice%20measuring%203%20kurini%20%28a%20measure%29%20is%20shaped%20into%20a%20big%20ball%20of%20sacrifice%20and%20hence%20the%20Ganesh%20is%20called%20Mukkurni%20Vinayagar%20%28three%20kurinis%29.%20This%20deity%20is%20believed%20to%20be%20found%20during%20a%2017th-century%20excavation%20process%20to%20dig%20the%20Mariamman%20temple%20tank.%0A%0ATEMPLE%20TANK%20AND%20SURROUNDING%20PORTICO%0AThe%20sacred%20temple%20tank%20Porthamarai%20Kulam%20%28%26quot%3BPond%20with%20the%20golden%20lotus%26quot%3B%29%2C%20is%2050%20m%20by%2037%20m%20in%20size.%20%20In%20the%20Tamil%20legends%2C%20the%20lake%20is%20supposed%20to%20judge%20the%20worth%20of%20a%20new%20piece%20of%20literature.%20Authors%20place%20their%20works%20here%20and%20the%20poorly%20written%20works%20are%20supposed%20to%20sink%20and%20the%20scholastic%20ones%20are%20supposed%20to%20float%2C%20Tirukkural%20by%20Tiruvalluvar%20was%20one%20such%20work.%0A%0AOnly%20a%20fraction%20of%2017th%20and%2018th%20century%20paintings%20of%20Nayak%20period%20survives%20and%20one%20such%20portion%20is%20found%20in%20the%20small%20portico%20on%20the%20western%20side%20of%20the%20tank.%20It%20depicts%20the%20marriage%20of%20Sundareswarar%20and%20Meenkashi%20attended%20by%20Vijayaranga%20Chokkanatha%20and%20Rani%20Mangammal.%20The%20painting%20is%20executed%20on%20a%20vivid%20red%20background%2C%20with%20delicate%20black%20linework%20and%20large%20areas%20of%20white%2C%20green%20and%20ochre.%20The%20celestial%20couple%20is%20seated%20inside%20an%20architectural%20frame%20with%20a%20flowering%20tree%20in%20the%20background.%0A%0AHALLS%0AThe%20corridor%20surrounding%20the%20sanctum%20the%20Meenakshi%20is%20called%20kilikoondu%20Mandapam%20%28%26quot%3Bbird%20cage%20corridor%26quot%3B%29.%20The%20space%20was%20once%20used%20to%20keep%20green%20parrots%20that%20were%20trained%20to%20utter%20the%20name%20of%20Meenakshi.%20There%20are%20two%20large%20cages%20full%20of%20squawking%20green%20parrots.%0A%0AThe%20Kambatadi%20Mandapam%20%28%26quot%3BHall%20of%20temple%20tree%26quot%3B%29%20with%20its%20seated%20Nandi%20%28sacred%20bull%29%20has%20various%20manifestations%20of%20Shiva%20carved%20and%20also%20contains%20the%20famous%20%26quot%3BMarriage%20of%20Meenakshi%26quot%3B%20sculpture.%20Sculptures%20of%20Shiva%20and%20Kali%20trying%20to%20out-dance%20one%20another%20are%20pelted%20with%20balls%20of%20ghee%20by%20devotees.%20A%20golden%20flagstaff%20with%2032%20sections%20symbolizes%20the%20human%20backbone%20and%20is%20surrounded%20by%20various%20gods%2C%20including%20Durga%20and%20Siddar.%0A%0AThe%20Puthu%20Mandapam%20%28%26quot%3Bnew%20hall%26quot%3B%29%20constructed%20by%20Tirumala%20Nayak%20contains%20large%20number%20of%20sculptures.%20It%20is%20situated%20opposite%20to%20the%20east%20gopuram.%0A%0AThe%20Ashta%20Shakthi%20Mandapam%20%28%26quot%3BHall%20of%20eight%20goddess%26quot%3B%29%20is%20the%20first%20hall%20in%20the%20entrance%20of%20Meenakshi%20shrine%20tower%20near%20to%20East%20Tower.%20Ashta%20indicates%20eight%20and%20Shakthi%20refers%20to%20goddess%20-%20the%20hall%20has%20statues%20of%20eight%20goddesses.%20The%20gopurams%20%28towers%29%20can%20be%20viewed%20from%20this%20hall.%20The%20passage%20was%20named%20for%20eight%20forms%20of%20goddess%20Shakti%20carved%20on%20its%20pillars.%20Other%20sculptures%20and%20paintings%20depict%20the%20Tiruvilayadal%20%28holy%20games%20of%20Shiva%29.%20The%20sculptures%20of%20heroes%20of%20Mahabharata%2C%20the%20Pancha%20pandavas%20can%20be%20seen%20in%20the%20Pancha%20Pandava%20Mandapam%20%28Hall%20of%20Pandavas%29.%0A%0AThe%20Viravasantharaya%20Mandapam%20is%20a%20large%20hall%20with%20huge%20corridors.%20To%20the%20south%20of%20this%20hall%20is%20the%20kalyana%20mandapam%2C%20to%20the%20south%20of%20the%20pillared%20hall%2C%20is%20where%20the%20marriage%20of%20Shiva%20and%20Parvati%20is%20celebrated%20every%20year%20during%20the%20Chithirai%20Festival%20in%20mid-April.%20The%20golden%20images%20of%20Meenakshi%20and%20Sundareswarar%20are%20carried%20into%20the%2016th%20century%20oonjal%20mandapam%20%28swing%20corridor%29%20and%20placed%20on%20the%20swing%20every%20Friday%20at%205%3A30%20p.m.%20The%20shrine%20has%20a%203-storied%20gopuram%20guarded%20by%20two%20stern%20dwarapalakas%20%28guardians%29%20and%20supported%20by%20golden%2C%20rectangular%20columns%20that%20bear%20lotus%20markings.%20Along%20the%20perimeter%20of%20the%20chamber%2C%20granite%20panels%20of%20the%20divine%20couple%20are%20present.%20The%20hall%20is%20situated%20in%20the%20western%20bank%20of%20the%20temple%20tank.%0A%0AThe%20Mudali%20Pillai%20Mandapam%20or%20Iruttu%20Mandapam%20%28Dark%20hall%29%20is%20a%20wide%20and%20long%20hall%20built%20by%20Muthu%20Pillai%20during%201613.%20On%20the%20pillars%20of%20the%20halls%2C%20there%20are%20fine%20sculptures%20depicting%20the%20story%20of%20Shiva%20taking%20the%20form%20of%20Bikshadanar%20to%20teach%20the%20sages%20a%20lesson.%0A%0AThe%20Mangayarkarasi%20mandapam%20is%20a%20newly%20built%20hall%20situated%20opposite%20to%20the%20marriage%20halls%20and%20bears%20the%20name%20of%20saindy%20queen%2C%20Mangayarkarasi%20who%20contributed%20to%20Saivism%20and%20Tamil%20language.%20To%20the%20south%20of%20Mangayarkarasi%20mandapam%20lies%20the%20Servaikarar%20Mandapam%2C%20a%20hall%20built%20by%20Marudu%20brothers%20in%201795.%20The%20Nagara%20mandapam%20%28Hall%20of%20beating%20drums%29%20lies%20opposite%20to%20Sundareswarar%20shrine%20was%20built%20by%20Achaya%20Rayar%2C%20the%20minister%20of%20Rani%20Mangammal%20in%201635.%20The%20Kolu%20Mandapam%20is%20a%20hall%20for%20displaying%20dolls%20during%20the%20Navarathri%20festival%20celebrated%20during%20September%u2013October.%20This%20hall%20is%20situated%20in%20the%20second%20corridor%20of%20the%20Meenakshi%20shrine%20at%20the%20western%20side.%0A%0AHALL%20OF%20THOUSAND%20PILLARS%0AThe%20Meenakshi%20Nayakkar%20Mandapam%20%28%26quot%3BHall%20of%201000%20pillars%26quot%3B%29%20has%20two%20rows%20of%20pillars%20carved%20with%20images%20of%20yali%20%28mythological%20beast%20with%20body%20of%20lion%20and%20head%20of%20an%20elephant%29%2C%20commonly%20used%20as%20the%20symbol%20of%20Nayak%20power.%20It%20is%20situated%20to%20the%20north%20of%20Sundareswarar%20flag%20staff%20hall.%20The%20Thousand%20Pillar%20Hall%20contains%20985%20%28instead%20of%201000%29%20carved%20pillars.%20The%20hall%20was%20built%20by%20Ariyanatha%20Mudaliar%20in%201569%20and%20blends%20engineering%20skill%20and%20artistic%20vision.%20Ariyanatha%20Mudaliar%20was%20prime%20minister%20and%20general%20of%20Viswanatha%20Nayak%2C%20the%20first%20Nayaka%20of%20Madurai%20%281559%u20131600%29.%20He%20was%20also%20the%20founder%20of%20Poligar%20System%2C%20the%20quasi-feudal%20organization%20of%20the%20country%20dividing%20it%20into%20multiple%20palayams%20or%20small%20provinces%20in%20which%20each%20palayam%20was%20ruled%20by%20a%20palayakkarar%20or%20a%20petty%20chief.%20At%20the%20entrance%20of%20the%20hall%20is%20the%20statue%20of%20Ariyanatha%20Mudaliar%20seated%20on%20a%20horse-back%2C%20flanking%20one%20side%20of%20the%20entrance%20to%20the%20temple.%20The%20statue%20is%20periodically%20garlanded%20by%20worshippers.%20Each%20pillar%20in%20the%20hall%20is%20a%20carved%20monument%20of%20the%20Dravidian%20sculpture.%20The%20more%20prominent%20among%20the%20carved%20figures%20are%20those%20of%20Rati%20%28wife%20of%20Kama%29%2C%20Karthikeya%2C%20Ganesha%2C%20Shiva%20as%20a%20wandering%20mendicant%20and%20endless%20number%20of%20yalis%20%28mythical%20figures%20of%20lions%29.%20There%20is%20a%20Temple%20Art%20Museum%20in%20the%20hall%20where%20icons%2C%20photographs%2C%20drawings%2C%20and%20other%20exhibits%20of%20the%201200%20years%20old%20history%20of%20the%20temple%20are%20displayed.%20Just%20outside%20this%20hall%2C%20towards%20the%20west%2C%20are%20the%20Musical%20Pillars.%20Each%20pillar%2C%20when%20struck%2C%20produces%20a%20different%20musical%20note.%0A%0ARELIGIOUS%20SIGNIFICANCE%20OF%20THE%20TEMPLE%0AA%20distinct%20feature%20of%20Meenakshi%20in%20terms%20of%20iconography%20is%20the%20presence%20of%20parrot%20in%20her%20right%20hand.%20The%20parrot%20is%20generally%20associated%20with%20the%20Vaishnava%20azhwar%20saint%20Andal.%20%26quot%3BPancha%20Sabhai%26quot%3B%20refers%20to%20the%20five%20royal%20courts%20of%20Nataraja%20%28dancing%20form%20of%20Shiva%29%20where%20he%20performed%20cosmic%20dance.%20The%20Tamil%20word%20velli%20means%20silver%20and%20ambalam%20means%20stage%20or%20altar.%20This%20massive%20Nataraja%20sculpture%20is%20enclosed%20in%20a%20huge%20silver%20altar%20and%20hence%20called%20%26quot%3BVelli%20Ambalam%26quot%3B%20%28silver%20abode%29.%20This%20is%20a%20special%20figure%20of%20Natarja%20which%20usually%20differs%20from%20Chola%20bronzes%3B%20in%20the%20Chola%20images%2C%20Nataraja%20is%20shown%20dancing%20with%20his%20left%20leg%20raised%2C%20but%20this%20sculpture%20has%20the%20right%20leg%20raised.%20According%20to%20the%20Tiruvilayaadal%20Puranam%20%28Shiva%27s%20sacred%20games%29%2C%20this%20is%20on%20the%20request%20of%20Rajasekara%20Pandya%2C%20who%20was%20a%20sincere%20devotee%20of%20Shiva.%20He%20requested%20the%20deity%20to%20change%20his%20position%2C%20as%20he%20felt%20that%20keeping%20the%20same%20foot%20raised%20would%20put%20enormous%20strain%20and%20got%20a%20graceful%20acquiescence%20from%20the%20divine%20master.%0A%0ARITUALS%0AWORSHIP%0AThere%20are%20close%20to%2050%20priests%20in%20the%20temple%20who%20perform%20the%20puja%20%28rituals%29%20during%20festivals%20and%20on%20a%20daily%20basis.%20Like%20other%20Shiva%20temples%20of%20Tamil%20Nadu%2C%20the%20priests%20belong%20to%20Shivaite%20to%20the%20Adishaivas%2C%20a%20Brahmin%20sub-caste.%20The%20priests%20live%20in%20a%20closed%20area%20north%20of%20the%20temple.%20The%20temple%20has%20a%20six%20time%20pooja%20calendar%20everyday%2C%20each%20comprising%20four%20rituals%20namely%20abhisheka%20%28sacred%20bath%29%2C%20alangaram%20%28decoration%29%2C%20neivethanam%20%28food%20offerings%29%20and%20deepa%20aradanai%20%28waving%20of%20lamps%29%20for%20both%20Meenakshi%20and%20Sundareswarar.%20The%20puja%20%28worship%29%20ceremonies%20are%20held%20amidst%20music%20with%20nadhaswaram%20%28pipe%20instrument%29%20and%20tavil%20%28percussion%20instrument%29%2C%20religious%20instructions%20in%20the%20Vedas%20by%20priests%20and%20prostration%20by%20worshippers%20in%20front%20of%20the%20temple%20mast.%20The%20common%20practise%20is%20to%20worship%20Meenakshi%20before%20Sundareswarar.%20Margazhi%20%28December%u2013January%29%20ritual%20is%20prominent%20one%20for%20winning%20a%20perfect%2C%20god-like%20husband%20-%20it%20is%20Meenakshi%27s%20ennai%20kappu%20festival.%20Aligned%20with%20the%20cardinal%20points%2C%20the%20street%20plans%20forms%20a%20giant%20mandala%20%28group%29%20whose%20sacred%20properties%20are%20believed%20to%20be%20activated%20during%20the%20mass%20clockwise%20circumambulation%20of%20the%20central%20temple.%0A%0AFESTIVALS%0AThe%20most%20important%20festival%20associated%20with%20the%20temple%20is%20the%20%26quot%3BMeenakshi%20Thirukalyanam%26quot%3B%20%28the%20divine%20marriage%20of%20Meenakshi%29%20that%20is%20celebrated%20in%20April%20every%20year.%20The%20wedding%20of%20the%20divine%20couple%20is%20regarded%20as%20a%20classic%20instance%20of%20south%20Indian%20female-dominated%20marriage%2C%20an%20arrangement%20referred%20as%20%26quot%3BMadurai%20marriage%26quot%3B.%20The%20male%20dominated%20marriage%20is%20called%20%26quot%3BChidambaram%20marriage%26quot%3B%2C%20referring%20to%20Shiva%27s%20uncontested%20dominance%2C%20ritual%20and%20mythic%2C%20at%20the%20famous%20Shiva%20temple%20of%20Chidhambaram.%20The%20marriage%20brings%20together%20rural%20and%20urban%20people%2C%20deities%20and%20mortals%2C%20Saivas%20%28those%20who%20worship%20Shiva%29%20and%20Vaishnavas%20%28those%20who%20worship%20Vishnu%29%20in%20order%20to%20celebrate%20Meenakshi%20as%20the%20royal%20monarch.%20During%20the%20one-month%20period%2C%20there%20are%20a%20number%20of%20events%20including%20the%20%26quot%3BTher%20Thiruvizhah%26quot%3B%20%28chariot%20festival%29%20and%20%26quot%3BTheppa%20Thiruvizhah%26quot%3B%20%28float%20festival%29.%20Major%20Hindu%20festivals%20like%20Navrathri%20and%20Shivrathri%20are%20celebrated%20in%20the%20temple.%20Like%20most%20Shakti%20temples%20in%20Tamil%20Nadu%2C%20the%20Fridays%20during%20the%20Tamil%20months%20of%20Aadi%20%28July%u2013August%29%20and%20Thai%20%28January%u2013February%29%20are%20celebrated%20in%20the%20temple%20by%20thousands%20of%20devotees.%20%26quot%3BAvani%20Moola%20Utsavam%26quot%3B%20is%20a%2010-day%20festival%20mainly%20devoted%20to%20Sundareswarar%20describes%20his%20various%20Thiruvilayadal%20meaning%20Shiva%27s%20sacred%20games.%0A%0ALITERARY%20MENTION%0ADown%20the%20centuries%2C%20the%20temple%20has%20been%20a%20centre%20of%20education%20of%20Tamil%20culture%2C%20literature%2C%20art%2C%20music%20and%20dance.%20All%20three%20assemblies%20of%20Tamil%20language%2C%20the%20Tamil%20Sangam%20%28about%20the%203rd%20century%20BCE%20to%20the%203rd%20century%20CE%29%2C%20were%20held%20at%20Madurai.%20Tamil%20poets%20of%20different%20epochs%20participated%20in%20these%20assemblies%20and%20their%20composition%20is%20called%20Sangam%20literature.%20During%20the%20third%20Tamil%20sangam%2C%20the%20comparative%20merit%20of%20the%20poets%20was%20decided%20by%20letting%20the%20works%20float%20in%20the%20lotus%20tank%20of%20the%20temple.%20It%20was%20believed%20that%20a%20divine%20force%20would%20cause%20the%20work%20of%20superior%20merit%20to%20float%20on%20the%20surface%20while%20the%20inferior%20literary%20work%20would%20sink.%20Tevaram%2C%20the%207th-8th%20century%20Tamil%20canonoical%20work%20on%20Shiva%2C%20are%20works%20by%20the%20three%20prominent%20Nayanars%20%28Saivites%29%20namely%20Appar%2C%20Sundarar%20and%20Thirugnanasambandar.%20The%20temple%20has%20been%20glorified%20by%20the%20hymns%20of%20Tevaram%20by%20all%20the%20three%20poets.%20Different%20hymns%20of%20Sambandar%20on%20the%20temple%20mention%20the%20queen%20of%20Pandya%20Nadu%2C%20his%20desire%20to%20defeat%20Jains%20in%20debate%2C%20the%20miracles%20performed%20by%20him%20curing%20the%20king%27s%20fever%2C%20the%20Jains%27%20provocation%20of%20Sambandar%20by%20burning%20his%20house%20and%20challenging%20him%20to%20debate%2C%20and%20Sambandar%27s%20eventual%20victory%20over%20them.%20A%20poem%20from%20the%20Third%20Tirumurai%20by%20Sambandar%20is%20as%20under%20%u2013%0A%0A%20%20%20%20%26quot%3BLady%20who%20has%20eyes%20that%20are%20comparable%20to%20the%20startled%20eyes%20of%20the%20deer%21%0A%0Athe%20great%20chief%20queen%20of%20the%20Va%u1E3Buti%21%20listen%20to%20what%20I%20say.%20Do%20not%20feel%20distressed%20that%20I%20am%20such%20a%20young%20boy%20from%20whose%20mouth%20milk%20is%20flowing.%20when%20the%20god%20in%20Tiruv%u0101lav%u0101y%20stands%20by%20my%20side%20as%20help%2C%20I%20can%20not%20be%20easily%20defeated%20by%20the%20low%20people%20who%20inflict%20many%20sufferings%20on%20others%20and%20who%20live%20in%20hills%20beginning%20with%20great%20%u0100%u1E49aimalai.%26quot%3B%0A%0AThere%20are%20few%20poets%20in%20Tamil%20history%20who%20sang%20about%20goddess%20Parvati.%20The%20notable%20among%20them%20is%20Kumaraguruparar%2C%20a%2017th-century%20Tamil%20poet%2C%20who%20composed%20Meenakshi%20Pillaitamil%20on%20Meenakshi%20of%20this%20temple.%20King%20Tirumalai%20Nayak%27s%20patronage%20of%20Kumaraguruparar%20has%20an%20important%20place%20in%20the%20history%20of%20pillaitamil%20%28a%20genre%20of%20Tamil%20literature%29.%20Kumaraguruparar%20visited%20a%20lot%20of%20temples%20and%20when%20he%20visited%20this%20temple%2C%20he%20composed%20Meenakshi%20pillaitamil%20on%20Meenakshi.%20Legend%20has%20it%20that%20goddess%20appeared%20in%20the%20dreams%20of%20Nayak%20directing%20him%20to%20arrange%20the%20recital%20of%20Kumaraguruparar%20before%20a%20learned%20assembly.%20The%20king%20made%20elobrate%20arrangements%20for%20the%20event.%20Meenakshi%20impersonated%20herself%20in%20the%20form%20of%20a%20small%20girl%20and%20enjoyed%20the%20recital.%20As%20Kumaraguruparar%20was%20explaining%20the%2061st%20verse%2C%20the%20goddess%20appreciated%20by%20garlanding%20the%20poet%20with%20a%20string%20of%20pearls%20and%20disappeared.%0A%0AWIKIPEDIA
source https://www.flickr.com/photo.gne?id=49906664196
0 nhận xét:
Đăng nhận xét