Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Meenakshi Amman Temple (Other names : Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple or Tiru-aalavaai or Meenakshi Amman Kovil) is a historic Hindu temple located in the southern bank of river Vaigai in the temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to Parvati who is known as Meenakshi and her consort, Shiva, named here as Sundareswarar. The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2500 year old city of Madurai. The complex houses 14 gateway towers called gopurams, ranging from 45-50m in height, the tallest being the southern tower, 51.9 metres (170 ft) high, and two golden sculptured vimana, the shrine over sanctum of the main deities. The temple is a significant symbol for the Tamil people, and has been mentioned since antiquity in Tamil literature, though the present structure is built during 1623 to 1655 CE The temple attracts 15,000 visitors a day, around 25,000 during Fridays and gets an annual revenue of sixty millionINR. There is an estimated 33,000 sculptures in the temple and it was in the list of top 30 nominees of the "New Seven Wonders of the World". The annual 10 day Meenakshi Tirukalyanam festival celebrated during April–May attracts 1 million visitors.

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Meenakashi is an avatar of the Hindu goddess Parvati - the consort of Shiva. She is also one of the Hindu female deities to have a major temple devoted to her. The lady goddess Meenakshi is the principal deity of the temple and not Sundareswarar - this is unlike most Shiva temples in South India where Shiva is the principal deity.



History

The Meenakshi temple is believed to be founded by Indra (king of Devas, celestial deities) while he was on a pilgrimage to cure his misdeeds. He felt his burden taken off nearing the swayambu lingam(self formed lingam, a representation of Shiva used for worship in temples) of Madurai. He ascribed this miracle to the lingam and constructed the temple and enshrined the lingam there. Indra worshipped Shiva, who caused golden lotuses to appear in the near-by pool. Tamil literature speaks about the temple for the last couple of millennia. Thirugnanasambandar, the famous Hindu saint of Saiva philosophy, mentioned this temple as early as the 7th century, and described the deity as Aalavai Iraivan. The temple was believed to be sacked by the infamous Muslim invader Malik Kafur in 1310 and all the ancient elements were destroyed. The initiative to rebuild the structure was taken by first Nayak king of Madurai, Viswanatha Nayak (1559–1600) under the supervision of Ariyanatha Mudaliar, the prime minister of the Nayak Dynasty and the founder of the Poligar System. The original design by Vishwanatha Nayak in 1560 was substantially expanded to the current structure during the reign of Thirumalai Nayak(1623–55). He took considerable interest in erecting many complexes inside the temple. His major contributions are the Vasantha Mandapam for celebrating vasanthorsavam (spring festival) and Kilikoondu Mandapam (corridor of parrots). The corridors of the temple tank and Meenakshi Nayakar Mandapam were built by Rani Mangammal.

RARE OLD PHOTOS OF MEENAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE, MADURAI, TAMIL NADU, INDIA - YEAR 1858

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India


Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Rare Old Photos Of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

The Temple

Architecture

The temple is the geographic and ritual center of the ancient city of Madurai and one of the largest temple complexes in Tamil Nadu. The temple complex is divided into a number of concentric quadrangular enclosures contained by high masonary walls. It is one of the few temples in Tamil Nadu to have four entrances facing four directions. Vishwantha Nayaka allegedly redesigned the city of Madurai in accordance with the principles laid down by Shilpa Shastras (Sanskrit: śilpa śāstra, also anglicized as silpa sastra meaning rules of architecture) relevant to urban planning. The city was laid out in the shape of square with a series of concentric streets culminating from the temple. These squares continue to retain their traditional names, Aadi, Chittirai, Avani-moola and Masi streets, corresponding to Tamil month names. Ancient Tamil classics mention that the temple was the center of the city and the streets happened to be radiating out like lotus and its petals. The temple prakarams (outer precincts of a temple) and streets accommodate an elobrate festival calendar in which dramatic processions circumabulate the shrines at varying distances from the centre. The vehicles used in processions are progressively more massive the further they travel from the centre. The complex is in around 45 acres (180,000 m2) and the temple is a massive structure measuring 254 by.

Gopurams

The temple is surrounded by gopurams (gateway tower), - There are ten gopuram the tallest of which, the famous southern tower, rises to over 170 ft (52 m) and was built in 1559. The oldest gopuram is the eastern one, built by Maravarman Sundara Pandyan during 1216-1238 Each gopuram is a multi-storeyed structure, covered with thousands of stone figures of animals, gods and demons painted in bright hues. The outer gopuram presents steeply pyramidal tower encrusted with plastic figures, while the inner gopuram serves as the entrance to the inner enclosure of Sundareswarar shrine.

Shrines

The central shrine of Meenakshi Amman temple and her consort Sundareswarar are surrounded by three enclosures and each of these are protected by four minor towers at the four points of the compass, the outer tower growing larger and reaching higher to the corresponding inner one. The Meenakshi shrine has the emerald-hued black stone image of Meenakshi. The Sundareswarar shrine lies at the centre of the complex, suggesting that the ritual dominance of the goddess developed later. Both the Meenakshi and Sundareswarar shrines have gold plated Vimanam (tower over sanctum). The golden top can be seen from a great distance in the west through the apertures of two successive towers. The area covered by the shrine of Sundareswarar is exactly one fourth of the area of the temple and that of Meenakshi is one fourth that of Sundareswarar.

The tall sculpture of Ganesh carved of single stone located outside the Sundareswarar shrine in the path from Meenashi shrine is called the Mukuruny Vinayakar. A large measure of rice measuring 3 kurini (a measure) is shaped into a big ball of sacrifice and hence the Ganesh is called Mukkurni Vinayagar (three kurinis). This deity is believed to be found during a 17th century excavation process to dig the Mariamman temple tank.

Temple tank and surrounding portico

The sacred temple tank Porthamarai Kulam ("Pond with the golden lotus"), is 165 ft (50 m) by 120 ft (37 m) in size. According to legend, Shiva promised a stork that no fish or other marine life would grow here and thus no marine animals are found in the lake. In the Tamil legends, the lake is supposed to judge the worth of a new piece of literature. Authors place their works here and the poorly written works are supposed to sink and the scholastic ones are supposed to float, Tirukkural by Tiruvalluvar was one such work.

Only a fraction of 17th and 18th century paintings of Nayak period survives and one such portion is found in the small portico on the western side of the tank. It depicts the marriage of Sundareswarar and Meenkashi attended by Vijayaranga Chokkanatha and Rani Mangammal. The painting is executed on a vivid red background, with delicate black linework and large areas of white, green and ochre. The celestial couple is seated inside an architectural frame with a flowering tree in the background.

Halls

The corridor surrounding the sanctum of Meenakshi is called kilikoondu Mandapam ("bird cage corridor"). The space was once used to keep green parrots that were trained to utter the name of Meenakshi. There are two large cages full of squawking green parrots.

The Kambatadi Mandapam ("Hall of temple tree") with its seated Nandi (sacred bull) has various manifestations of Shiva carved and also contains the famous "Marriage of Meenakshi" sculpture. Sculptures of Shiva and Kali trying to out-dance one another are pelted with balls of ghee by devotees. A golden flagstaff with 32 sections symbolizes the human backbone and is surrounded by various gods, including Durga and Siddar.

The Meenakshi Nayakkar Mandapam ("Hall of 100 pillars") has two rows of pillars carved with images of yali (mythological beast with body of lion and head of an elephant), commonly used as the symbol of Nayak power. It is situated to the north of Sundareswarar flag staff hall.

The Puthu Mandapam ("new hall") constructed by Tirumala Nayak contains large number of sculptures. It is situated opposite to the east gopuram.

The Ashta Shakthi Mandapam ("Hall of eight goddess") is the first hall in the entrance of Meenakshi shrine tower near to East Tower. Ashta indicates eight and Shakthi refers to goddess - the hall has statues of eight goddesses. The gopurams (towers) can be viewed from this hall. The passage was named for eight forms of goddess Sakthi carved on its pillars. Other sculptures and paintings depict the Tiruvilayadal (holy games of Shiva). The sculptures of heroes of Mahabharata, the Pancha pandavas can be seen in the Pancha Pandava Mandapam (Hall of Pandavas).

The Viravasantharaya Mandapam is a large hall with huge corridors. To the south of this hall is the kalyana mandapam, to the south of the pillared hall, is where the marriage of Shiva and Parvati is celebrated every year during the Chithirai Festival in mid-April. The golden images of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar are carried into the 16th century oonjal mandapam (swing corridor) and placed on the swing every Friday at 5:30 p.m. The shrine has a 3-storied gopuram guarded by two stern dwarapalakas (guardians) and supported by golden, rectangular columns that bear lotus markings. Along the perimeter of the chamber, granite panels of the divine couple are present. The hall is situated in the western bank of the temple tank.

The Mudali Pillai Mandapam or Iruttu Mandapam (Dark hall) is a wide and long hall built by Muthu Pillai during 1613. On the pillars of the halls, there are fine sculptures depicting the story of Shiva taking the form of Bikshadanar to teach the sages a lesson.

The Mangayarkarasi mandapam is a newly built hall situated opposite to the marriage halls and bears the name of saindy queen, Mangayarkarasi who contributed to Saivism and Tamil language. To the south of Mangayarkarasi mandapam lies the Servaikarar Mandapam, a hall built by Marudu brothers in 1795. The Nagara mandapam (Hall of beating drums) lies opposite to Sundareswarar shrine was built by Achaya Rayar, the minister of Rani Mangammal in 1635. The Kolu Mandapam is a hall for displaying dolls during the Navarathri festival celebrated during September–October. This hall is situated in the second corridor of the Meenakshi shrine at the western side.

Hall of Thousand Pillars

The "Aayiram Kaal Mandapam" or Thousand Pillar Hall contains 985 (instead of 1000) carved pillars. The hall was built by Ariyanatha Mudaliar in 1569 and it is a structure where the engineering skill and artistic vision are blended. Ariyanatha Mudaliar was the prime minister and general of Viswanatha Nayak, the first Nayaka of Madurai (1559–1600). He was also the founder of Poligar System, the quasi-feudal organization of the country, which was divided into multiple palayams or small provinces and each palayam was ruled by a palayakkarar or a petty chief. At the entrance of the hall the statue of Ariyanatha Mudaliar seated on a horse-back is present, which flanks one side of the entrance to the temple. The statue is periodically garlanded by worshippers. Each pillar in the hall is a carved monument of the Dravidian sculpture. The more prominent among the carved figures are those of Rati (wife of Kama), Karthikeya, Ganesha, Shiva as a wandering mendicant and endless number of yalis (mythical figures of lions). There is a Temple Art Museum in the hall where icons, photographs, drawings, and other exhibits of the 1200 years old history of the temple is displayed. Just outside this hall, towards the west, are the Musical Pillars. Each pillar, when struck, produces a different musical note.

Rituals

There are close to 50 priests in the temple who perform the pooja (rituals) during festivals and on a daily basis. Like other Shiva temples of Tamil Nadu, the priests belong to Shivaite to the Adishaivas, a Brahmin sub-caste.

Festivals

The most important festival associated with the temple is the "Meenakshi Thirukalyanam" (The divine marriage of Meenakshi) that is celebrated in April every year. During the one month period, there are a number of events including the "Ther Thiruvizhah" (chariot festival) and "Theppa Thiruvizhah" (float festival). Major Hindu festivals like Navrathri and Shivrathri are celebrated in the temple. Like most Shakti temples in Tamil Nadu, the Fridays during the Tamil months of Aadi (July–August) and Thai (January - February) are celebrated in the temple by thousands of devotees. "Avani Moola Utsavam" is a 10-day festival mainly devoted to Sundareswarar describes his various Thiruvilayadal meaning Shiva's sacred games).

Down the centuries, the temple has been a centre of education of Tamil culture, literature, art, music and dance. All three assemblies of Tamil language, the Tamil Sangam (about the 3rd century BCE to the 3rd century CE), were held at Madurai.

Post a Comment

2 Comments

  1. Nice information. Thank you. I would like to share a website called www.templedetails.com which has some more information about the famous temples which has to be shared.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Please inform where the photographs come from-- who took them, the album name, are they in your possession or in an archive/ library/ repository?
    Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
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