Meenakshi Temple
Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple is a ancient historic Hindu temple on the southern bank of the Vaigai River[1] in the temple city[2] of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi, and Sundareswarar (Shiva).
History
The temple is in the center of 2,500-year-old city[3] of Madurai and is a significant symbol for the Tamil people. Though most of the present structure was built between 1623 and 1655 CE.[4][5][6] It is said that the temple was originally built in the 6th century BC by survivors of the Kumari Kandam. In the 14th century, the Sultanate Muslim Commander Malik Kafur plundered the temple and looted it of its valuables. It was rebuilt by the Nayak ruler Vishwanatha Nayakar around the 16th century. It houses 14 gopurams (gateway towers), ranging from 45–50m in height. The tallest is the southern tower, 51.9 metres (170 ft) high,[4] and two golden sculptured vimanas, the shrines over the garbhagrihas (sanctums) of the main deities.
Meenakshi temple as a tourist place
The temple attracts 15,000 visitors a day, around 25,000 on Fridays,[7] and receives an annual revenue of 
60 million. There are an estimated 33,000 sculptures in the temple.[7] It was on the list of top 30 nominees for the "New Seven Wonders of the World". The temple is the most prominent landmark and most visited tourist attraction in the city.[8] The annual of 10-days Meenakshi Tirukalyanam festival, is celebrated during April and May, attracts 1 million visitors.[9]
Meenakshi Temple Media
Yali in pillars at Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple
The temple and the city of Madurai (only major roads sketched).
Vishnu (left) gives away his sister and bride Meenakshi's hand into the waiting hand of groom Shiva. The temple commemorates this legend every year with a festive procession.
Temple wall painting depicting its founding legend
A view of the west gopuram
Plan of the temple per 1911 sketch (does not reflect changes).
Meenakshi temple has 14 colourful gopura. These are gateways to various shrines and mandapas.
View of the temple from the west-side tower
The north tower of the temple
Golden Lotus in the temple pool.
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Reference
- This article includes a list of references, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks full citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations.
- ↑ Editors of Time Out 2010, p. 194.
- ↑ Knott 2000.
- ↑ National Geographic 2008, p. 155.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Sajnani 2001, pp. 307–308.
- ↑ Brockman 2011, pp. 326–327.
- ↑ King 2005, p. 72.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Abram 2011, pp. 996–1002.
- ↑ Gopal 1990, p. 181.
- ↑ Madhavan, Chitra. "The artist who designed the State emblem". Madras Musings 21 (6). http://madrasmusings.com/Vol%2021%20No%206/the-artist-who-designed-the-state-emblem.html.