Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai - Part 1

This is the third temple in Pancha Sabhai Sthalam. This sabha is known as Rajat Sabha (Silver Sabha).

This is also Shiva temple is 245th of the Padal Petra Sthalam. The temple was revered by the shaiva saints Sambandhar, Manikvachagar, Thirunnavukkarasar. The temple is located at Madurai in Tamil Nadu. Madurai city itself is 2500 years old. This is a twin temple known as Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple. The temple covers an area of 45 acres. The origin of the temple dates back to 1600 BC. This temple was rebuilt a number of times from 1600 BC. The present shrine was rebuilt in 1600 AD. The temple attracts about 20000 visitors everyday. This temple is one of the most beautiful and recognized temples of South India. People have to enter from the east gate facing the deity. This temple is on the banks of river Vaigai (presumed to be about 3000 years old). 

Mulavar: Meenakshi Sundareshwarar, Chokkanathar, Somasundarar

Devi: Meenakshi, Angaiyarkannai

Kshetra Vruksha: Kadamba Tree and Bilva Tree

Puranik Name: Alavai Koodal, Nanmadakudal, Kadambavanam

Present Name: Madurai, Tamil Nadu

The temple complex has 14 gopurams whose height varies from 150 to 170 feet. The southern tower is 170 feet and is the tallest. There are two golden shikhars or kalashas over the sanctum sanctorum of main deities. The renovation of this temple was done by various pandya kings from time to time. This place is considered to be the most important for the worshipers of Lord Shiva. 

The temple is one of the 65 shaktipeeths and is known as RajaMatangi Shyamala Peeth. There are 4 main streets surrounding the temple which are named after the month Aadi, Chitrai, Masi and Avani.

The twin temples have a large number of carvings, paintings and sculptures. The tower has gold plated viman. 

Special features:

According to Puran, the vimanam for the shrine of Lord Sundaresha was gifted by Lord Indra. To atone sins committed by him, Lord Indra was on a pilgrimage to various Shiva temples. When he reached the kadambavanam he came across a swayambhu Shiva Linga. At that very instant his sins disappeared. As a token of gratitude he built this temple. 

Mother Meenakshi’s idol is made of pure Emerald. 

One of the 18 siddhas, Sundarnadar lived here. 

This place is revered as Bhulok Kailash. It is stated in scriptures that by chanting the very name of Madurai, one can get salvation.

Saint Kumarguruparan revered this place as a Shiva Rajdhani.

According to Puran, Lord Shiva created the golden lotus pond at the request of Nandi and other devas by hitting the earth with his trident. This is the first of the holy springs in the temple complex known as Shiva ganga. Lord Indra obtained a golden lotus flower from this pond to worship Lord Shiva. On the walls of the pond all 64 leelas related to Lord Shiva performed for his devotees are painted here. 

There is a sphatik lingam at this place.

There are six peethas of Lord Vinayaka in Tamil Nadu. And this is a fourth amongst them.

About the temple complex:

There are five entrances to this temple instead of the usual 1 or 4 entrances. The east entrance is for the mulavar Lord Shiva. The rajagopuram for the Devi and Lord Shiva are of gold. Other four entrances have 4 rajagopuram. Near the lotus pond on the northern side there is a seven tiered gopuram. There are about 3 crores of sculptures in the temple complex. Devi Meenakshi graces here in a graceful standing position with a parrot in her hand. Lord Shiva as Sundareswarar is a swayambhu linga. At this place, the shrine of Lord Shiva is to the left of Goddess Meenakshi indicating that she reins (rules) supreme at this place. A golden chariot was constructed in 1981 for the chariot festival. 

Salient features:

This is the place where Lord Shiva danced by changing his leg. He danced by raising the right leg instead of the usual left leg at the request of the King Rajasekara Pandiyan who was himself a great dancer. Lord Shiva himself manifested as a siddha. Lord Indra and Lord Varuna worshiped Lord Shiva. Shaiva saint Kumraguruparan who was born dumb got his speech back due to the grace of Lord Muruga. Lord Shriram and Lakshmana worshiped at this place. This is a silver sabha of the Pancha Sabhai. 

Various names of this place: 

1. Madurai - place where Lord Shiva sprinkled amrut (madhu) to remove the poison of serpent. 

2. Alavai - this is the place where the serpent on Lord Shiva’s neck showed the direction. 

3. Kadamba vana - as the place was abundant with kadamba trees. 

4. Naan maada koodal - Lord Shiva saved this place from the attack of Lord Varuna who sent seven clouds to destroy this place. Lord Shiva converted four (naan) of these clouds into madas (covers) and saved the place.