Meenakshiamman temple

 Meenakshi – Sundareswarar temple is the landmark of the city of Madurai. The temple in itself is mini city. As per the Hindu Myths, Goddess Parvati appeared out of vedic fire in response to the prayers of King Malaydwaja Pandya and Kanchanamalai who had no children. Later she conquered all the seven worlds and married Lord Shiva and ruled Madurai for many years. The origin of this temple dates back to 7^th century when Thirugnanasambandar mentioned this temple in his songs and described the Lord as Aalavai Iraivan. The Muslim invader Malik Kafur invaded in 1310 he destroyed all the ancient monuments in this temple. The initiative to rebuild this temple was taken by the Nayak King  Viswanatha Nayak under the supervision of his Prime

Minister Ariyanantha Mudaliyar. The most valuable contributions were later made by King Thirumalai Nayakar around 1623 to1659. He took interest in erecting many complexes like Veeravasantharayar Mandapam, Vasantha Mandapam, Kilikottu Mandapam.  Corridors of Theppakulam was built by Rani Mangammal. Meenakshi Nayakar Mandapam Was built by Rani Meenakshi.

 This temple is a complex of many deities. The shrine of Lord Shiva lies in the centre. Outside this lies the huge sculpture of Lord Ganesha carved from a single stone. It was excavated while digging the temple lake. Porthamarai Kulam means the Pond of Golden Lotus, accordingly the lotus that grows in this pond has a golden glow.

Thousand Pillar Hall

 Thousand Pillar Hall in Meenakshi temple is built in accordance with the oldest Nellaiyappar Temple in Tirunelveli. This Aaiyiramkal Mandapam as in tamil consists of 985 pillars and not 1000. This is maintained by Archaeological Survey of India. It was built by Ariyanantha Mudaliyar in 1569. He was also the founder of Poligar system, the quasi-feudal organization of country which are known as small palayam or province which in turn is ruled by Palayyakkarar. On entering this mandapam we can still see the statue of Ariyanantha Mudaliyar sitting majestically on his horse back. This statue is garlanded by the modern worshippers. Each pillar is carved and represents the Dravadian Culture. There is also a Temple Art Museum in this manadapam which displays 1200 years old photographs, icons, drawings etc. Just outside this mandapam is musical pillars. Each pillar when struck is said to produce  different music. The kalyana mandapam in the south of Pillared hall is said to be the place of marriage of Lord Shiva and Parvati. 

 

Thirumalai Nayak Mahal

Thirumalai Nayakar (1623 -1659) was one of the greatest kings of Madurai who is noted for various buildings in and around Madurai. Thirumalai Nayak Mahal was built in 1636 as a focal point of his capital in Madurai. The design and architecture is a blend of Dravidian, Islamic and European styles. It is the interior of the Palace that surpasses many of its Indian contemporaries in style and details while the exterior is minimalistic by comparison. During 18^th century many structures that were part of the palace were pulled down or incorporated into buildings in the adjacent streets. Only the enclosed court known as the Svarga Vilasam and the adjoining buildings remain. The audience chamber of the Svarga Vilasam is a vast hall with arcades about 12m high. The architecture is a blend of indigenous and Islamic forms.

The palace was divided into two major parts, namely Swarga Vilasam (Celestial Pavilion) and Ranga Vilasam. The royal residence, theatre, shrine, apartments, armory, royal bandstand, quarters, pond and garden were situated in these two portions. The courtyard and the dancing hall are the main centers of attractions of the palace. The Celestial Pavilion was used as the throne room and has an octagon covered by dome 60 – 70 feet high. The pointed ceiling or dome in the centre is supported by the stone ribs is held up by massive circular columns topped by piers and linked by pointed scalloped arches, with an arcaded gallery opening into the nave above the side aisles.

The palace was constructed with brick work and finished in chunnam which is a combination of shell lime and eggs to obtain a smooth and glossy structure.

Sri Koodal Alagar Temple

This temple hails from the ancient Sangam period. There are references to this temple in Paripadal and Silappathikaram. The presiding deity was praised and worshipped by the Sangam Tamil poets as the president and guardian deity of Sangam and called him by the name “Thuvarikooman” (the King who ruled from Dhuvaraka) and Koodalur Alagar. Koodal refers to the assembly of poets and scholars. The Ancient Pandya rulers celebrated Avani Onam festival in praise of Koodal Alagar for seven days. This festival is described in Madurai Kanchi on ten lengthy poems in the name of Patthupattu during Sangam period. Illangovadigal praises the Lords “Needu Neer Vaigai Needumal” meaning the Lord who spanned the universe in three strides who is seated on the banks of Vaigai.

Alwars are mystical saints who glorified the presence of Narayana in the temples in the form of hymns. Among them Vishnu Chitta was unique. He was invited to Pandya court to settle the dispute that had aroused between various religious sects. Vishnu Chitta established the supremacy of Lord Narayana Murthi through various Vedic texts to support his verdict. At that time a miracle happened. The purse containing gold coins suspended in a pole landed in the hands of Vishnu Chitta. The King celebrated this victory by seating Vishnu Chitta in a throne on the back of an elephant and led him in a procession. At that time Lord Koodal Alagar appeared before him on Garuda and blessed him.

Vandiyur Mari Amman Temple

Mari Amman temple is situated at a distance of 5km from Meenakshiamman temple in the region of Vandiyur. It has a huge 16 acre water tank with Vinayaka temple in the centre which can be accessed only through water. Actually the tank was dug out to make out bricks and other construction materials for Thirumalai Nayak Mahal by King Thirumalai Nayakar. While digging the workmen unearthed a beautiful Vinayaka idol from the tank area. The sanctity of the place and the auspiciousness of the idol prompted King Thirumalai to transform the dug-out place into a huge water tank with a Vinayaka or Ganesha temple in the center. He made arrangements for the tank to be supplied by water from river Vaigai and organized the Float festival during the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb).