Collaborative project from India

1. MADURAI
MEENAKSHI
TEMPLE
The ISA project by Vedant Mani

2. LOCATION
◦ Meenakshi Temple is located in the centre of the Madurai
City which is located in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is
approximately at a distance of 2 Kms from the City Bus
Stand (Periyar Bus Stand) and approximately 5 Kms from
Mofussil Bus Stand (Mattuthavani Bus Stand)
◦ The coordinates of the Meenakshi temple :-
◦ 9*55’10’N 78*7’10’E

3. HISTORY
The history of Meenakshi Temple dates back to the 1st century C.E with
scholars claiming it to be as old as the city itself. It is said that
Kulashekarar Pandyan, a king who ruled over the Pandyan dynasty, built
the temple as per the instructions given in his dream by Lord Shiva. A
few religious texts that belong to the 1st to 4th century C.E talk about
the temple and describe it as the central structure of the city. Texts
dating back to the early 6th century, describe the temple as a place
where scholars met to discuss important topics. The temple as it stands
today, however, was rebuilt throughout the 16th century as it was
destroyed by the Muslim invaders.
During the 14th century C.E, Malik Kafur, a commander of Delhi Sultanate, led his army
into most parts of southern India and looted many temples including the famed
Meenakshi Temple. Valuables, such as gold, silver and precious gems were taken to
Delhi. Since temples in those days had abundance of valuables, most of the temples
were destroyed and were left in ruins. When the Vijayanagar Empire took over Madurai
after defeating the Muslim Sultanate, the temple was rebuilt and reopened. The
temple was further expanded during the late 16th century and early 17th century by
Vishwanatha Nayakar, a king of the Nayaka dynasty. According to researchers, while
rebuilding the temple, the rulers of Nayaka dynasty followed the architectural style of
‘Silpa Shastras.’ ‘Silpa Shastras’ are a set of architectural laws found in the ancient texts.

4. ARCHITECHTURE
◦ The Meenakshi temple was built in the Dravidian style of architecture. The temple occupies a huge
area in the heart of Madurai as it spreads over 14 acres. The temple is enclosed with huge walls, which
were built in response to the invasions. The entire structure, when viewed from above, represents a
mandala. A mandala is a structure built according to the laws of symmetry and loci. There are various
shrines built within the temple complex. Apart from the two main shrines, which are dedicated to
Sundareswarar and Meenakshi, the temple has shrines dedicated to various other deities like Ganesha
and Murugan. The temple also houses goddesses Lakshmi, Rukmini, and Saraswati.
◦ The temple also has a consecrated pond named ‘Porthamarai Kulam.’ The term ‘Potramarai Kulam’ is
a literal translation of ‘pond with a golden lotus.’ The structure of a golden lotus is placed at the
center of the pond. It is said that Lord Shiva blessed this pond and declared that no marine life would
grow in it. In the Tamil folklore, the pond is believed to be an evaluator for reviewing the worth of any
new literature.

5. INTRESTING
FACTS
◦ There are over 33,000 sculptures in the temple complex of Meenakshi
Amman Temple in Madurai.
Recently, the temple has been tagged as one of the seven wonders of
India along with other stunning monuments like Taj Mahal.
The temple has 12 lofty gopurams, out of which 4 major ones are placed
facing the four directions. There are 4 inner gopurams that act as the
entrances to the shrine. These gopurams are heavily carved, and is
reconstructed and cleaned every 12 years.
The Hall of Thousand Pillars, or Aayiram Kaal Mandapam is a wonderful
piece of architecture and is believed to be built out of a single rock
There is a temple dedicated to Lord Sundareswarar, which has 5
gopurams. Unlike other temples, here the offerings are first given to
Goddess Meenakshi, whereas in other temples the respects are given to
the male deities first.

6. TEMPLE
TRUST/ORGANIZATION
◦ In terms of Tamil Nadu government order No.1198 of 29.3.1937, the
temple was brought under the direct supervision of the Board of Hindu
Trust and in terms of the order No,. 10 of 8.1.1953, of the Commissioner
of Hindu Religious Trust, Chennai, the powers of the Administrative
Officer and the Board of Trustees were defined and the temple was
brought under the administration of the Department of Hindu Religious
Trust.
◦ From being administered by first grade executive officer, the
administration was upgraded in phases and today it is being
administered by a Joint Commissioner/ Executive Officer.

7. INITIATIVES TAKEN
◦ Twelve years ago, 12 workers and two supervisors in charge of the
upkeep of the world-famous Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple in
Madurai came together with the aim of figuring out ways to ensure that
the sprawling premises is kept spick and span at all times. It could well
be said that their efforts have paid off, with the temple winning the
‘Swachh Iconic Place’ award, pipping nine other spots identified by the
Central government last year
◦ The Madras High Court on Friday banned mobile phones and the use of
plastic in the Meenakshi Amman temple in Tamil Nadu’s Madurai, where
a fire had broken out on February 3rd 2018
Initially, there was a proposal to install dustbins at select locations around
the temple for devotees to discard items like plastic bags and other
containers in which they bring flowers, camphor, oil, coconut and the like
for the purposes of abhishekam and archanai. The maintenance staff of the
temple were sent to the Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) to study
the procedure used for the collection and disposal of waste there.

8. SUGGESTIONS TO A VISITOR
1. Mobile phone, camera, any type of electronic gadgets, bags, water bottles etc will not be allowed inside the
temple. All these can be kept in a locker provided by the temple administration and available in all the gates for a
price of Rs 30 each
2. Hindus who are visiting for darshan entering the sanctum sanctorum either can go via free darshan or paid
darshan queue. Both these queues are different
3. Non Hindus or foreigners needs to pay an entry ticket of Rs 50 per head for entry. They are allowed to a certain
place inside the temple, but not allowed to enter sanctum sanctorum
4. Entry from South Gate is by far easiest way than other entrance. Non Hindus or Foreigners who are visiting the
temple experience, entry from East Gate is highly recommended
5. In case of old people, recommend to have darshan before 7am as its less crowded
6. Dress Code. There is no particular dress code is available for the visitors. But should wear decent dress while you
visit. Dresses with open shoulders and legs are not permitted by the Temple Management Committee. You would not
be even allowed to enter the premises

9. WAY OF WORSHIP
◦ Worshipping Arulmighu Meenakshi Amman at first had been the manner of
prayer traditionally.Devotees should enter the temple through East Gopuram,
pass along Ashtasakthi Mandapam, Meenakshi Nayakar Mandapam and
Mudali Mandapam, take a bath in the Golden Lotus pond and wear clean
clothes. Foremost, they must worship the Viboothi Vinayakar on the south of
the sacred pond. From the southern bank, devotees could worship the golden
pinnacles of Swamy and Amman temples. They can see the 64 miracles of Lord
Shiva on the walls surrounding the pond.After worshipping Sithi Vinayakar,
Kumaran and other deities in the parrot cage mandapam, must go round the
altar at the Amman Sannidhi, and then enter the sanctum through the main
entrance. Men and women should stand in separate rows and worship the
deity. Devotees should meditate the five holy alphabets, recite the sacred
names of the Lord, sing divine songs and go round the shrine.Under the
auspices of the Temple administration, a girls higher secondary school called
Arulmighu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Girls Higher Secondary School is being
run near Teppakulam, Madurai.While going round the first corridor, Airavatha
Vinayakar on the south east, Valla Vinayakar on the south west, Nirutha
Ganapathy and Muthukumaraswamy and Chandikeswarar on the northwest
must be worshipped. While going round the second corridor, the devotees
could see a statue of Thirumalai Naicker

10. ROLE OF HERITAGE SITES IN SOCIETY
◦ Helps build social capital
◦ Promotes preservation of local traditions, customs and culture. UNESCO now
recognises intangible cultural heritage as being as important as buildings.
◦ Promotes positive behaviour
◦ Helps improve the community’s image and pride
◦ Promotes community beautification
◦ Builds opportunities for healthy and useful community relationships and
partnerships
◦ Provides research, education and work-placement opportunities for students
◦ Creates enjoyable opportunities for both local residents and visitors attracted
to the cultural arts, history and preservation
◦ Boosts local investment in heritage resources and amenities that support
tourism services