Madurai - Meenakshi Amman Temple
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Madurai - Meenakshi Amman Temple
According to legend, the sacred Suyambuingam discovered by the king of Gods `Indira' at Kadambavanam, was later enshrined by him in Madurai. The fact that the Lord is seen on the vehicle of `Indira' in this temple is said to be proof for this. Many historical evidences of the temple have been found dating back from early A.D The temple was almost completely destroyed in the year 1310 following the invasion of the Islamic conqueror Malikkapur. As kings who were followers of Islam were noted for their intolerance towards other religions, the invaders destroyed most of the ancient sculptures of the temple.
Thirugnanasambandar the Hindu Saint has mentioned the temple in his songs which go back to early 7th century. The Lord has been described as `Alavai Iraivan' in his songs. The temple was restored to its pristine glory in the late 14th century when the Hindu Kings came back to power in Madurai. This can also be termed as a new beginning of a new era in the history of the temple, when it was almost rebuilt. The King Thirumalai Naicker played an important role in the construction of the new form of the temple according to records. The Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple is now under the administration of the HR and CE department of Tamil Nadu.
The presiding Lord of this sacred shrine was in the times of yore known as Chockanathar, and Chockalinga Perumal. Now the deity is known as Sundareswarar, Meenakshi Sundarar, Somasundarar, Kalyana Sundarar, Shanbaga Sundarar, Attavai Shevagan, Chockalingam, Adiyarku Nallan, Adhiraveesi, Vilayaduvan, Abhideka Chockar, Azhagiya Chockar, Kadambavana Chockar, Puzhugu Neidhu Chockar, Kadambavaneswarar, Karpoora Chockar, Madureswarar, Irayanar, Peralavayar and other names.
In the stone inscriptions, the sacred names of the Lord are given as Azhagiya Chockanathan, Thiruvalavayudaya Nayanar, Adhiraveesi Vilayaduvar, Chockanathaswamy, Chockanayaka Easwara Udayar, Thiruvalavayudaya Thambiranar, Madhevarazhigiya Chockarana Sundara Pandiya and Chozhakonar. The Goddess of this Temple is Meenakshi. In euphonic Tamil, she is also called Angayarkanni. She is also known as Pachchai Devi, Maragathavalli, Thadagai Pirattti, Abhitekavalli, Abhiramavalli, Kayarkan Kumari, Karpooravalli, Kumarithurayaval, Komagal, Sundaravalli, Pandipiratti, Madhurapuri Thalaivi, Manickavalli, Mummulaithiru, and Vazhudhimagal. In the stone inscriptions, the Devi has been referred to as Thirukamakottathu Aludaya Nachiyar.
It was in this pond that the Golden Lotus for Indra to perform his pooja bloomed. This pond is also known as Adhi Theertham, Sivaganga and Uthama Theertham. This pond is situated within the temple complex. This theertham was created by Lord Sivaperuman by thrusting his `Soolam' (three ptonged spear) into the earth in deference to the plea of Nandhi Devar and other deities. It was here, that the `plank of Sangam' appeared and established greatness of the moral text called Thirukkural. It was here that Chockalingam was found by the grace of the Lord, by the first Guru of Dharmapura Adheenam and Saint Srilasri Guru Gnanasambandar.
In keeping with the boons granted by the Lord to a stork, upto this date no fish nor other life is found in this miraculous sacred pond. Since this theertam was created before all other theerthams it is called Adhi Theertham and because it is much greater importance than all other theerthams, it is also called `Parama Theertham' as `Gnana Theertham' because it confers prosperity on all who bathe in it. As it grants heavenly abode it is also called `Mukthi Theertham' and as Sivaganga because the water from Ganga from the head of Lord Siva confluences with it and as `Uthama Theertham' because of its purity than any other theertham.
If the devotees bathe in the waters of this pond of Golden Lotus on Amavasya (new moon) day, the first day of the month, days of eclipse and other auspicious days and worship the Lord, they will be blessed with all their aspirations for success.
Ezhu Kadal (Seven seas):
According to legend, in deference to the plea of Godess Thadathagai, the Lord summoned the seven seas for Kanchanamala.
Kondazhi:
This is also called `Valaiveesi theppakulam'. This is another holy theertham situated at Ellis Nagar.
River Vaigai
Legend has it that the Lord ordained River Ganga to flood in the area in order to slake the thirst of Gundodaran. This river is also known as Poompunal Aru, Vaiyai, Poyyakulakodi, Sivagangai, Sivagnana Theertham and Vegavathi.
Kiruthamalai
Kiruthumalai, another theertham is a tributary of Vaigai river.
Teppakulam (Lake)
The teppakulam was constructed by Thirumalai Nayakkar in 1645, about three kilometers east of the temple. Every year on the day of Thaipoosam Godess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar are taken in procession on a decorated float on this lake, when they bless the devotees. This is one of the famous festivals of Madurai.
Purathotti Nirmaliya Theertham
This is a theertham on the second corridor of the Swamy temple.
Arulmigu Meenakshi Amman Temple is situated in the heart of the city of Madurai covering an area of 17 acres, the entire city being built around it. The temple which has five entrances, covers an area 847 feet (254.1 meters) long and 792 feet (237.6 meters) wide in the North South direction, the circumference of the Adi Veedhi which is the path within the great walls is 830 feet (249 meters) on the east west and , measuring 730 feet (219 meters) from North South direction.
The temple has four Rajagopurams or majestic towers, there are five towers on top of the sanctum sanctorum of the Lord, three on top of the sanctum sanctorum of the Goddess and two golden towers or gopurams, all which have been exquisitely designed and sculptured. All fourteen towers have been segregated based on the stages they are.
Nine tier gopurams - four Seven tier, Chittirai gopuram - one Five tier gopurams - five Three tier gopurams - two Golden gopurams - two
There are abut 44 stone inscriptions on the walls of the corridors of the Sundareswarar shrine and that of Meenakshi Amma shrine. These inscriptions contain details of lands donated to the temple, the rituals for worship, the list of articles used for performing `neivethiyam', the religious status of the people in ancient days, government procedures and social habits. The inscriptions were copied by the government and have been numbered in the South Indian Stone Inscription compilation in 1890 as 46 to 40 and in the 1905 volume as 58 to 62. In the 1915 volume as No. 5 and in the 1941 volume from numbers 266 to 289 and in the 1943 compilation numbered as 187 to 195.
Madurai - Meenakshi Amman Temple
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