Meenakshi Temple

Meenakshi Temple - The One which is new wonder...

       Located on the southern banks of river Vaigai, Meenakshi Temple is dedicated to Parvati and her consort, Lord Shiva. Also called Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, this architectural marvel is a throbbing centre of culture and art.

       The present structure, built between 1623 and 1655 CE, was on the list of top 30 nominees for the “New Seven Wonders of the World.” The halls, gopurams and the shrines of the temple are ornate and grand in their appearance. Two very distinct features in terms of iconography are the shrine of Meenakshi holding a parrot and the right raised leg of Nataraja.

Potramarai Kulam

    In the temple, Potramarai Kulam is a consecrated pond where devotees go around before entering the main shrine. The term "Potramarai Kulam" suggests "the pond with a golden lily". It is said that Lord Shiva blessed this pond and acclaimed 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 a new literature.

     Festival

    Meenakshi Thirukalyanam (The divine marriage of Meenakshi) is the most important festival that is observed with full fervor at the temple. Every year, the festival falls in the month of April. Besides this festival, occasions like Navratri and Shivratri are also celebrated with full enthusiasm. In the vein of other Shakti temples in Tamil Nadu, the Fridays of the Tamil months of Aadi (July 15 - Aug 17) and Thai (Jan 15 to Feb 15) are also commemorated here.