Meenakshi Amman Temple – History, Festivals, Timings, Address
The Arulmigu Meenakshi Amman Temple located at the center of the city Madurai also known as ‘Toonga Nagaram’. This temple act as the heart of the city of Madurai and people believe that God protects them from all suffers and difficulties. The history of this temple is special and unique. This divine temple is one of the 274 Shivalayas (274 Thevara Thirupathigangal). This temple had 64 carnivals (64 Thiruvilayadal) with the grace of absolute Lord Shiva is the pride of this temple. Reading the history of this temple will give you a delightful experience.
History
In early periods, the full Madurai city looked like a forest and filled with Burflower trees. In that period, King Kulasekara Pandiyan ruled the Pandiyan Kingdom from the city Manavoor. At that time Dhananjeyan, a trader who was then living in the city Manavoor go to many cities for trades and return to his hometown via Kadambavanam. One time, while returning after completing trades, he got stuck in the middle of the forest due to darkness. He had to stay somewhere in the forest. There was a pool nearby where he stayed on the day night. On its shores, the Shiva lingam appeared in a solitary self-portrait manner. Dhananjeyan then bathed in the pool, worshipped the Shiva lingam, and rested in one place. That night he saw a miracle happened there.
Many of the celestial gods came there. They did pooja to the shiva lingam properly in all four yamam’s and worshipped. That night went special with songs and dances. Seeing this scene, Dhananjeyan went to Manavoor the next morning and told what he had seen to King Kulasekara Pandiyan.
Lord Shiva on Pandiyan King’s Dream
Lord Shiva appeared in the form of Siddhar in the Pandiyan dream on that day night itself. He asked the King to rectify the kadambavanam forest where he self-portrait himself as a city and disappeared from his dream. Kulasekara Pandiyan accepted the offer and built a huge temple for the shiva lingam where the visualized. He also built a beautiful city with wide streets and mansions around it.
Madurai also Known as Kadambavanam
As a symbol of this history, a Kadambamaram still stands on the north side of the temple. This temple is also refer’s in the name of Kadambavanam in the literature.
Many Pandiyan kings ruled with glory in many eras. Korkai Pandiyan, Izhamperuvazhuthi, Arivudai Nambi, Neduncheliyan, Nanmaaran, Ukkirap Peruvazhuthi have all ruled the Kingdom in the Third Sangam. Also, Sundara Pandiyan, Paraakkirama Pandiyan, Kulasekara Pandiyan, Athiveeraraama Pamdiyan, Vaathungaraama Pandiyan ruled the Kingdom as specials.
Notable Histories
Without analyzing the truth, the Pandiyan Neduncheliyan killed Kovalan who was a businessman from Cauvery Poompattinam by considering as a thief. After realizing the truth, he felt bad and gave up his life.
The Nedavooran who was a Jainism before convert his religion to Saivism during this period.
Cholas Defeated Pandiyans
In the 14th century, Malik Kaabur invaded and destroyed the temple sculptures, paintings, etc. In 1559 AD, a Chola king invaded the Pandiyan country and captured Madurai. Then the King from the Vijayanagar kingdom sent Naagamanaayakkan to suppress the Cholas and help Pandiyas to get back their kingdom. Naagamanaayakkan began to rule after suppressing the Cholas. Then, his son Vishwanatha Naayakkan fought with his father; he imprisoned him and became the King of the kingdom. He was the first of the Naayakka Kings to rule from 1559 AD. His commander was Ariyanatha Mudhali who demolished all old forts and walls and new buildings were erected during the reign of Vishwanatha Naayakkan. The 1000 Pillar Hall also built by Ariyanatha Mudhali during this period.
Nayakkar Defeated Cholas with the Help of Pandiyans
After Vishwanatha Nayakkar, many Nayakka Kings ruled the kingdom. Some of them are, Kumara Krishnappa Nayakkar, Muthu Krishnappa Nayakkar, and Muthu Veerappa Nayakkar. Later Thirumalai Nayakkar, the son of Muthu Krishnappa Nayakkar and the younger brother of Muthu Veerappa Nayakkar ruled from 1623 AD to 1659 AD. He is one of the greatest of the Nayaka kings and also known as the Shahjahan of South India. He had done many works and donated tens of thousands of villages and jewels to the temple. Pudhu Mandapam, Raya Gopuram, Theppakulam, etc. built during his time.
Inscriptions
Many hidden inscriptions are present in the Meenakshi Amman temple. Sixty-four inscriptions from the time of the late Pandya king Sadayavarman Kulasekara Pandyan (AD 1190 – AD 1216) who ruled from Madurai to the British period have been copied by the Central Archaeological Survey so far. There are 64 of these in chronological order.
- Late Pandiyan Period – 44 Inscriptions
- Vijayanagara Madurai Nayakkar Period – 19 Inscriptions
- British Period – 1 Inscription
During the later Pandiyan king’s ruling period, inscriptions of Sadayavarman Kulasekara Pandyan (AD 1190 – AD 1216), Maaravarman Sundarapandian I (AD 1216 – AD 1238), Maaravarman Sundara Pandian II (AD 1223 – AD 1255), Maravarman Vickramapandian II (AD 1250 – AD 1276), Kulasekara Pandian I ( AD 1268 – AD 1318), Kadayavarman Veerapandian III (AD 1315 – AD1335), and Paraakiramapandian are available in this temple. Among the inscriptions of the Pandiya period, Maravarman II Sundarapandian inscriptions are the largest in number. This shows that the Madurai temple underwent many renovations and flourished during the reign of this King.
From Vijayanagara king’s ruling period, Inscriptions of Krishna Devarayar (AD 1509 – AD 1529), Achutha Devarayar (AD 1529 – AD 1542), and Sathasivarayar (AD 1542 – AD 1570) are available in this temple.
Among the Nayaka kings of Madurai, Inscriptions of Veerappa Naayakkar (AD 1572 – AD 1595), Kumarakrishnappa Naayakkar (AD 1595 – AD 1601), Muthuveerappa Nayakkar (AD 1609 – AD 1623), Thirumalai Naayakkar (AD 1623 – AD 1659), Vijayaranga Sokkanatha Nayakkar (AD 1706 – AD 1732) are available in this temple.
There is a British period inscription of Pachaiyappa Mudaliar engraved in 1842 AD that is also available in this temple.
Idols & Deities
Main Gods
Kalyana Sundarar Shrine – Kalyana Sundareswarar – Lord Shiva
Amman shrine – Meenakshi Amman – Goddess Parvathi
Other Gods
Natarajar – Lord Shiva
Mukkuruni Vinayagar or Aaanda Vinayagar – Lord Vinayagar
Nalvar Shrine – Appar, Sambandar, Maanikkavasakar, and Sundarar
Sithi Vinayagar – Lord Vinayagar
Anukkanyai Vinayagar – Lord Vinayagar
Koodal Kumarar Shrine – Murugan – Lord Murugan
Kasivishwanadhar Shrine – Kasivishwanadhar – Lord Shiva
Consecration
Consecration also was known as (Kumbhabhishekam in Tamil is one of the important festivals celebrated grandly in this Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple. After the consecrations held in 1974 AD and 1995 AD, the most elaborated consecration (Maha Kumbhabhishekam) held on 08.04.2009. That is, on the 26th day of the Sarvathaari year in the month of Panguni in April 2009.
Festivals
In this Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple, festivals celebrated throughout the year based on Tamil months.
Some of the popular festivals are Chithirai festival, Navarathri festival, Float festival, and Mandala festival.
Timings
Temple Opening and Closing Timings
Morning – 05.00 AM to Afternoon – 12.30 PM
Evening – 04.00 PM to Night – 10.00 PM
Pooja Timings
Thiruvanandal Pooja – Morning 05.00 AM to 06.00 AM
Kalasandhi Pooja – Morning 06.30 AM to 07.15 AM
Thirikalasandhi Pooja – Morning 10.30 AM to 11.15 AM
Uchikkala (Noon) Pooja) – Noon 12.00 PM to Afternoon 01.00 PM
Maalai Pooja – Evening 04.30 PM – 05.15 PM
Ardhajama (Night) Pooja – Night 07.30 PM – 08.15 PM
Palliarai Pooja – Night 09.30 PM – 10.00 PM
Address
Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple
Madurai – 625001
Tamil Nadu
India
Contact Details
Official Website: https://maduraimeenakshi.hrce.tn.gov.in/
Phone: 0452 2344360
Email: maduraimeenakshiamman[at]tnhrce[dot]com