Thursday, May 10, 2012

Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Madurai

Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple at Madurai is the most important place in the city and forms the lifeline of the city. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati who is known here as Meenakshi and her consort, Shiva, better known as Sundareswarar.



This beautiful temple complex spread over 45 acres is the largest and is built between the years 1623 to 1655 CE. There are totally 14 gateway towers to the complex and 4 of them are in each direction. The average height of towers is 50 meters, and the the tallest in the Southern side of the complex is 51.9 meters in height. The tower of the main sanctum is covered with gold.


The temple has large number of beautiful sculptures and each one of them are better than the other.



There are several halls in the temple with 100 and 1000 pillars which are carved beautifully. The sacred temple tank measuring 165 ft by 120 ft has a beautiful golden lotus in it.

45 comments:

  1. Stunning - that first one looks like a skyscraper.

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  2. A lovely temple with beautiful sculptures and an exquisite golden lily pond !

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  3. Inspiring of awe!


    Warm Aloha from Honolulu
    Comfort Spiral

    > < } } (°>

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  4. We lived in Madhurai for some time..I love the temple..Thanks for the nice post..:-)

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  5. Super post and amazing picutes!
    Thanks..

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  6. Great sculptures !!
    Nice photos and descriptions.

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  7. Anonymous21:02

    Wow - amazing sculptures!

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  8. What a fabulous adventure to visit this site with so many interesting features to appreciate

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  9. Magnificent temple, Rajesh! Perfect against the pale skies! Hope you and your family have a wonderful weekend!

    Sylvia

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  10. Another great post!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  11. Great post, - nice pictures!

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  12. Beautiful shots of the temple.

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  13. It should come under UNESCO World Heritage site.

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  14. Fabulous temple, Rajesh, the decorations and the sculptures are astonishing.

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  15. beautifully captured!

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  16. Anonymous12:41

    Wow!That's a very old temple.

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  17. Mormor Norvay here.
    Thank you for beautiful pictures.
    I think I'd like a walk around on the last one.
    Have a nice day.

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  18. Beautiful coverage on the temple complex and details on the towers! I was there once at night while passing Madurai.

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  19. Lovely shots of the temple, Rajesh! Have a great day!

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  20. Beautiful temple!

    I'm visiting from SkyWatch Friday. Here's My Sky.
    Regards from Barcelona.

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  21. Anonymous15:00

    A beautiful and very impressive building.

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  22. Lovely pictures of a really lovely temple ...

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  23. I like those pictures, my favorite is the first colossal. Greetings.

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  24. You find so many wonderful things to gladden our eyes with. This certainly is a very, very beautiful temple.

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  25. Beautiful details as usual,. I love the first one.

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  26. Oh, this is truly majestic!
    I hope you have been well, looking forward to catch up with you and everyone else and to start blogging on regular bases again.;)
    xoxo

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  27. It is amazing to see such elaborate structures that are so ancient. There were some very talented engineers in India centuries ago, as there are today, too!

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  28. Beautiful reflections in the pool!

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  29. Beautiful reflections in the pool!

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  30. An incredible design. Like a fantasy.

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  31. I never fail to be amazed when visiting you. All those beautiful pillars -- incredible. What a beautiful Holy place.

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  32. Beautiful temple and the carvings are really impressive.

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  33. Anonymous17:30

    beautiful :)

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  34. Definitely it is a wonderful temple. There is a sculpture of Meenakshi with three breasts and there is a story which goes with it.

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  35. very nice .. this reminded me of my visit to the temple!

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  36. Very beautiful pics. Have been there...so enjoyed more :)

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  37. Beautiful capture Rajesh!

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  38. Nice pictures. The temple is a must visit for pilgrims and art lovers.

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  39. One of the best and most beautiful temples I have ever seen

    Travel India

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  40. Glad you were able to visit the Meenakshi Sundareswara at Madurai!

    Padmapriya T S
    http://aalayamkanden.blogspot.com

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  41. Thank you all for appreciating the temple.

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