MEENAKSHI TEMPLE

 

Meenakshi Amman 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 Parvati, known as Meenakshi, and her consort,Shiva, here named Sundareswarar. The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2,500 year old city The Meenatchi temple is believed to have been founded by Indra king of Deva celestial deitieswhile he was on a pilgrimage to atone for his misdeeds. He felt his burden lifting as he neared the swayambu lingam self formed lingam, a representation of Shiva used for worship in templesof Madurai. He ascribed this miracle to the lingam and constructed the temple to enshrine it. Indra worshipped Shiva, who caused golden lotuses to appear in the nearby pool. Tamil literature speaks of the temple over the last two 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 is believed to have been sacked by the infamous Muslim invader Malik Kafur in 1310 and all the ancient elements were destroyed

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 masonry 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 also anglicized as silpa sastra meaning rules of architecturerelevant to urban planning.