| The ancient
city of Madurai is second to none in truly representing the cultural
traditions of India. Madurai is centered around the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple. |
The Meenakshi
Sundareswarar temple is literally a splendid art gallery with each stone,
each image breathing the tradition of this ancient - and vibrant culture. |
Legends: Explore legends
tracing the origin of the Sundareswarar shrine
at the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple. |
| Legends: Explore legends
tracing the origin of the ancient city of
Madurai. |
|
Legends: Explore legends
surrounding Meenakshi (Parvati) and the celestial marriage
- Meenakshi Kalyanam with Sundareswarar. |
| Legends: The Tiruvilayaadal Puraanam describes in poetry
several of the legends related to Sundareswarar and Meenakshi in the Madurai region. |
History:
Although razed to the ground, the Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple was rebuilt with
amazing resilience by the Nayak rulers of Madurai. |
Architecture:
The vast temple complex is surrounded by fortified walls pierced with towering gopurams
seen from a great distance. |
| Sculpture:
The sculptural wealth of the Madurai Meenakshi temple is breathtaking. Mention must be
made of the columns lining the 1000 pillared hall. |
Festivals: The Chittirai Tiruvizha at the Madurai temple
attracts hundreds of thousands. It features spectacular processions and an enactment of Meenakshi
Kalyanam. |
Festivals: Several
festivals are celebrated throughout the year at Madurai, and many of them involve the
enactment of legends surrounding the Madurai temple. |
| The Nataraja shrine at
Madurai is referred to as Rajata Sabha, where
Shiva is depicted dancing with a raised right foot. |
Tiruvaadavoor
near Madurai represents the birthplace of Maanikkavaacakar the Saivite
Saint Poet of the 1st millennium CE. |
Explore legends surrounding Maanikkavaacakar's life and the
Tiruvilaiyaadal Puraanam associated with Madurai. |
| The Kallazhagar
temple in the outskirts of Madurai is one of the 108
Divya Desams of the Sree Vaishnava tradition. An image of Azhagar is brought
to the vicinity of Madurai during the Chittirai Tiruvizha with great fanfare. |
|
The ancient Tirupparamkunram
temple enshrining Subramanya is one of the 6 Aarupadai
Veedu shrines of Skanda.
Festival traditions involve interaction between this temple and the Meenakshi
Sundareswarar temple. |
| Also located in Madurai is the lesser
known Shivastalam of Tiru Aappanoor
enshrining Aappudaiyaar. |
Located in the vicinity of Madurai
and Kallazhagar Koyil is Pazhamudirsolai, one
of the 6 Aarupadai Veedu shrines of Skanda. |
Also located in Madurai
is the Koodal Azhagar temple regarded as one
of the 108 Divya Desam shrines venerated by the Sree Vaishnava tradition. |
