Meenakshi Amman Temple
"Meenakshi Amman Temple" is the most prominent landmark in Madurai and is visited by many Hindu devotees
Important Info
- Best Time: October - March
- Timing : 5am - 12.30pm & 4pm - 10pm
- Entry Fee : NIL
- Special Darshan Fee : Rs.100
- Mobile Phone : Not Allowed
Madurai Meenakshi Temple is the most iconic and popular attractions that make South India a cultural paradise on earth. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Meenakshi. It is believed that the place was the abode of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva visited this sacred land to marry her. Later, the temple was built to pay respect to them.
The 600-year-old temple still stood tall, with 14 gopurams and the tallest tower reaching more than 50 m. Temple has 4 Raja gopurams, 2 gold gopurams, 1 Chithirai gopuram, 5 five-floored gopurams and 2 three-floored ones, which are all majestic in appearance. Also has a hall that has a thousand pillars, a sacred pool with a golden lotus, a wedding hall, innumerable small shrines, gardens, and elephant sheds.
Built in the 14th century, the temple was plundered and looted by invaders but was resurrected like the proverbial Phoenix by the efforts of the Nayak king, Vishwanatha Nayakar sometime in the 16th century. The magnificent architecture of the temple attracts domestic as well as international tourists here.
Travel Tips
- The temple has special Darshan tickets, which cost Rs.50 for seeing the idol of Goddess Meenakshi and Rs.100 for seeing both the deities.
- Chithirai Thiruvizha or Thirukalyanam Festival is very famous
- Should not wear shorts, lungi, caps, or even socks.
- Camera or Mobile are banned in the temple.
- Avoid summer season as it will be really hot
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Detailed Information
Meenakshi Amman Temple is undoubtedly the most famous tourist attraction in Madurai and sometimes we may spend hours in the queue for visiting the inner sanctums to see the idols of the deities.
The major festival – Chithirai Thiruvizha or Thirukalyanam Festival, which attracts million of tourists every year in April. The long festival celebrates the divine union of Goddess Meenakshi with Lord Shiva with innumerable legends woven around it, and offers an incredible sneak peek into the Tamilian culture, cuisine, and history. Apart from this main festival, there are also a number of other festivals that are hosted and celebrated in the temple like the Vasantham festival, Unjal festival, Mulai-Kottu festival, Arudhra Dharsan Festival, Thai Utsavam, and more.
The beautiful ambiance of the temple and the dynamic architecture makes it a must-visit destination for travelers staying in Madurai.
