About Meenakshi Temple
The Temple Structure
The inner sanctum sanctorum is more than 3500 years, and the outer walls and external construction are about 1500-2000 years old. The complex is in around 45 acres and the temple is a massive structure measuring 254 by 237 meters. The temple is surrounded by 12 towers, the tallest of which, the famous Southern tower, rises to over 170 ft high.
Name: Meenakshi Amman Temple
Creator: Pandya Kings
Date built: Recent construction around 17th century AD
Primary deity: Sundareswarar (Shiva) and Meenakshi (Parvati)
Architecture: South Indian Architecture
Location: Madurai
Temple Towers
There are 12 temple towers(Gopurams). The outer towers are the landmarks of Madurai. They are:
- East Tower (Nine Storeys). Height 161'3". This Gopura has 1011 sudhai figures.
- South Tower (Nine Storeys). Height 170'6". This Tower has 1511 sudhai figures.
- West Tower (Nine Storeys). Height 163'3". This Tower has 1124 sudhai figures.
- North Tower (Nine Storeys). Height 160'6". This Tower has lesser figures of sudhai than other outer towers.
Pyramidal gates(gopuras) rise to a height of more than 50m. These towering gateways indicate the entrance to the temple complex at the four cardinal points, while lesser gopuras lead to the sanctums of the main dieties.
The Thousand Pillar Mandapam
It is the 'wonder of the palace'. Actually the number of pillars count to 985 beautifully decorated columns. Each pillar is sculptured and is a monument of the Dravidan sculpture. There is a Temple Art Museum in this 1000 pillars hall where you can see icons, photographs, drawings, etc., exhibiting the 1200 years old history. There are so many other smaller and bigger mandapams in the temple.
Just outside this mandapam, towards the west, are the Musical Pillars. Each pillar when stuck produces a different musical note. The kalyana mandapa, to the south of the pillared hall, is where the marriage of Shiva and Parvati is celebrated every year during the Chitirai Festival in mid- April...
