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Madurai 3 - Meenakshi Amman temple

 Meenakshi Amman

அம்மா மதுரை மீனாக்ஷி

அருள்வாய் காஞ்சி காமாட்சி

அன்பாய் எனையே ஆதரித்து

அல்லல் களைந்தே காப்பாற்று

The main purpose of our Madurai trip was to get a glimpse of Madurai Meenakshi. We were excited all the way to the temple. As advised by our auto driver we left mobiles in the hotel room; its not allowed inside the temple. Since the auto had to be parked near the Southern entrance, we walked all the way to the Eastern entrance. Due to covid, only the East side entrance is open for devotees - for both entry and exit. The other three sides are closed for public usage. We must undergo security check (full body scan, baggage scan) before entering the temple. 

We come across the pottramarai kulam (Golden lotus pond) first after getting through the eastern gopuram. The free darshan entrance was quiet long and temple was slated to close by 12:30 PM, so we decided to go for special darshan which was Rs.50 per head. This queue length was one third the length of the free darshan one. We found Meenakshi Amman Pillaitamizh by Kumarakurubarar engraved in the walls, this is written considered the Goddess as a child and singing for her.

In sometime we had the Goddess's darshan. There she was with her nose ring shining, blessing you with abundance. Like Tirupathi we are forced to a quick darshan. Just after coming out of the inner sanctum, we are given laddo prasadam. Next we get the blessing from Lord Sokkanathar, who has been large hearted and given his wife the leeway to have her name for the temple and accompany her along.

We walked further in this corridor looking into the temple architecture. The pillars were intricately done. The mandap around nandi was so craftly done. The marriage snap again in the pillar was very realistic. The kodimaram is gold plated. We sat down there for some time. 

After that we went to the next praharam, and then to the mandapam near by where we see the marriage snap - Narayana giving away Meenakshi Amman's hand in marriage to Sokkanathar. Walked further from here to reach the aayiram kaal mandapam. This was partially affected due to a fire incident few years ago in the shops that occupied the mandapam. Now all those are cleared and moved to the near by pudu mandapam. 

On entering the museum in aayiram kaal mandapam, we were told the closing time is 1 PM; so had quick 15 mins to go around. All Archaeological Survey related findings in Tamil were displayed here. A huge Natarajar statue stands in the centre stage while all these evidence are exhibited around the mandapam; Kasi Viswanathar sanctum in the mandapam itself.

After coming out of the aayiram kaal mandapam we headed towards the exit where we can to walk through a corridor with wooden roofing - carved excellently. In the outer most praharam we see numerous logs of wood and the aroma of prasadam wading through. Just outside the eastern gopuram there are few shops selling pooja items. We got kungumam, Meenakshi cut glass bangles and Meenakshi Amman pictures before coming out of the temple.

We went to the pudu mandapam next, here they sell iron vessels, wooden items, stainless steel utensils,  cloths for Gods, toys and books too. This is shopping paradise for tourists. Bought a seasoned iron pan here and walked all the way to southern gopuram, its been a long walk around the temple today :)

Had lunch before we retired to the hotel.

10 pillars -


  
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Location: Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

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