Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai
Meenakshi Devi Peetha Madurai Located on the right bank of the Vaigai River in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Madurai is a holy city. Meenakshi Devi is the mother Parvati and Sundareswarar is the form of Lord Shiva. This temple is considered very sacred.This temple is considered to be the most sacred of the temples of Maa Parvati. This temple has been the capital of Pandian kings. The name of this city, more than two and a half thousand years old, is found in the Sanskrit texts written in Madhura.
It is also called Dakshin Mathura. Madurai has been the center of Tamil literature and culture for centuries. It has the same location in the south as Kashi or Benaras in the field of learning of North India. That's why Madurai is also called Kashi of the south. This temple is the main attraction of Tamil Nadu. The religious background of Meenakshi Devi Peeth is as follows.
Meenakshi Amman Temple, History and story
The Malay flag had no children. He did intense penance with wife Kanchan Mala, then Shiva God gave him the boon of being a girl child. Parvati appeared in the female form from her part.Due to his eyes being very beautiful, he was named Meenakshi. Sundareshwar vows to marry Meenakshi. Then both of them were married.
There is also a belief that people from all over the earth were present in this marriage. According to beliefs, Lord Vishnu himself was coming from his place Vaikunth to conduct this marriage but he was delayed due to Lord Indra.
Then the marriage was conducted by the local god Koodal Azhaghar. Finally Lord Vishnu came and became enraged upon seeing this and decided that he would never come to Madurai and started living in Alagara Koil, a mountain bordering the city. Later they were celebrated by the deities and later they married Meenakshi and Sundareswarar.
Marriage of Meenakshi Devi and Sundareswarar Lord and pacify the wrath of Lord Vishnu, both these events are celebrated as a festival called - Chitirai Tiruvizha. According to traditions, there was only step forest in Madurai. There was a self-proclaimed Linga of Sundareswara. The gods themselves worshiped him.
When King Malay Flag heard this, it was decided to build a temple there. Lord Shiva himself tested this resolve in his dream and one day he took the form of a snake and also determined the boundary of the city. Thus the beautiful, magnificent Meenakshi Temple was built by the King Malay Flag.
Meenakshi Tirukalyan
It is celebrated in the month of April. Where a number of people come to darshan. People of South India celebrate this marriage of Meenakshi Devi and Sundareswarar with great pomp and show. It is also called "Madurai Vivah". To celebrate this festival, human beings and deities are all present.There are many festivals in this one month festival.
Some other festivals like Shivaratri and Navratri are celebrated with great joy and gaiety in this temple. There is a crowd of devotees throughout the year.It is estimated that around 20,000 devotees visit the temple every day and around 30,000 devotees throng on Friday. There are 33,000 idols in this temple. Among the temples of Maa Parvati ji, this temple is considered more sacred place than ever.
Who built the Meenakshi Temple
The daughter of King Mallaya Dwaja and Queen Kanchana Mala is considered to be the goddess Meenakshi who was born after many yagyas. This three-year-old girl was revealed by the fire of the last yagna.Goddess Meenakshi is considered to be the form of mother Parvati who was born on earth to honor the promise given to Kanchan Mala in her previous life. Lord Shiva, born Meenakshi as Sundareswarar, married Goddess Parvati and both came to Madurai. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati ruled here for many years.
20,000 people come in a day
Every day, around 20,000 people visit the Meenakshi Temple. On Friday, this number increases to 30 thousand. The temple earns around 60 million rupees annually due to the arrival of tourists and devotees.It is said that a total of 33 thousand idols are installed in the temple. Every year in the months of April and May, a 10-day long Meenakshi Tirukalyanam festival is celebrated here, which is attended by more than 1 million people.
The temple was rebuilt in the 16th century by the ruler Vishwanath Nayakar. He had rebuilt it according to Shilp Shastri. It has 14 entrances ranging from 45 to 50 meters in height, of which the tallest was the southern tower which was 51.9 meters high and two carved ancient planes were also built in this temple. Statues of major deities were also restored in the temple.
Indra was founded
There are many folk tales about the setting up of this temple. Legend has it that Indra Dev established this temple. To commemorate his sins, Indra Dev went on a pilgrimage and during this journey he built this temple.As soon as he approached Madurai's Swayambhu Linga, he felt that someone had started to bear his burden. Seeing this miracle, he himself distinguished the linga in the temple.
