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Look Beyond Meenakshi
Temple |
Excursions
From Meenakshi Temple |
Travellers Factoid
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Tours
Undoubtedly
one of the finest masterpiece of Indian architecture, is Meenakshi temple in
Madurai also considered as the most
beautiful of all temples. The Meenakshi temple epitomizes the culture and
civilization of south India; is also the largest temple complex in India,
which greets about 10,000 visitors everyday. The Madurai city revolves
around the temple, the core is much older than the city itself. The splendor
captures the global eyeball for many centuries. The temple is perfectly
fitted with the city as the Madurai itself personifies the cultural ethos of
India. the temple is dedicated to lord Shiva and Meenakshi, an terrestrial
incarnation of his wife Parvati.
The temple is huge, spread over an area of 6 hectares. The tall gateways
known as gopuram is of height of 45 to 50 m welcomes devotees and visitors.
The southern gateway is gigantic, which is nine storied high and images of
god and goddess carved on the pillars. The gods and goddess are painted in
unique bright colors, it perhaps show the ancient Dravidian culture to use
bright and brilliant shades to decorated their homes and temples. This is
evident in Meenakshi temple. The carved images of god and goddess and
various mythological figures tells legendary tales .The most amazing part of
the temple is the southern gateway, which holds whooping 1500 sculptures!
The Meenakshi temple festival is also very famous among tourists and
devotees. The celebration is all about the marriage between Meenakshi and
lord Sundareshwar (Shiva). Spectacular marriage is 12 days long event,
celebrated every year in the month of April – May. The temple preaches
a huge deity of dancing Shiva,popularly known as Nataraja. Another jewel of
the temple is the thousand pillar mandapam. It is an incredible Dravidian
craft with 985 beautiful column with beautifully carved images on it. The
temple is unique as it has dual shrines for the god and goddess..
Mariamman Teppakulam Tank
This is a huge 1000 feet deep tank situated 5 km east of Meenakshi temple.
Every year float festival is being taken place when deities are rided on a
ornamented boat. This tank never dries up.
Thirumalai Nayak Mahal Palace
It is situated 2 km southeast of the Meenakshi temple famed for its
architecture and stucco work on its domes and arches. A museum that holds
beautiful sculptures of different god and goddess is in the palace.
Gandhi Museum
The blood stained dhoti of Mahatma Gandhi when he was assasinated is
preserved in this museum. Apart from there are different relics of Gandhi
display here.
Koodal Alagar Temple This is the temple where lord Vishnu poses in a
three different way. The temple has a special significant for Hindus.
Excursions From
Meenakshi Temple
Periyar
Wildlife Sanctuary(Thekkadi)(155kms)
This is one of the most beautiful sanctuaries in India slopping down to a
man made lake. From elephant, gaur, sambhar to tiger, every wild beast is
visible here.
Kodaikkanal (120 kms.)
Famous hill station topped at 2130 m above sea level in the western ghats.
You will see some magnificent waterfalls and picturesque lake in this
heavenly hill station.
Viraganur Dam
An ideal picnic spot with a picturesque garden lies 8 km from Madurai.
Invaluable Suggestions
Meenakshi temple is an ancient sacred Hindu temple. So it is advisable to
maintain the decorum. Dress properly and pay due respect to every god and
goddess.
For woman traveler who travel alone shouldn’t advertise yourself in
public.
You are not allowed to enter the temple premises while sporting shoes or
sleepers.
Take care of your belongings while traveling.
Photography inside the Sanctum sanctorum is strictly no no.
Keep your money and travel documents with your hotel manager or tour agent.
By Air : Madurai is well connected with Mumbai and
Chennai. Airport is 10 km away from the city.
By Train : Railway connection is from Bangalore,
Coimbatore, Kollkam, Chennai, Thanjavur, Tiruchirapalli, Tirunelveli and
Tirupathi.
By Road : From all part of south India, you can easily
reach Madurai. Roads are well connected. You will get buses, taxis to reach
madurai and from madurai, rickshaws and taxis are readily available.
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