Meenakshi Amman Temple (also called: Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Tiru-aalavaai[1][2] and Meenakshi Amman Kovil) is a historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River[3] in the temple city[4] of Madurai, Tamil Nadu,India. It is dedicated to Parvati, known as Meenakshi, and her consort, Shiva, here named Sundareswarar. The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2,500 year old city[5] of Madurai and is a significant symbol for the Tamil people, mentioned since antiquity in Tamil literature though the present structure was built between 1623 and 1655 CE.[6][7][8] It houses 14 gopurams(gateway towers), ranging from 45–50m in height. The tallest is the southern tower, 51.9 metres (170 ft) high,[6] and two golden sculptured vimanas, the shrines over the garbhagrihas (sanctums) of the main deities. The temple attracts 15,000 visitors a day, around 25,000 on Fridays,[9] and receives an annual revenue of sixty million
. There are an estimated 33,000 sculptures in the temple.[9] It was on the list of top 30 nominees for the "New Seven Wonders of the World". The annual 10-day Meenakshi Tirukalyanam festival, celebrated during April and May, attracts 1 million visitors.
Thousand Pillar Hall
Another view of Chariot
Golden Lotus Water Tank inside the Temple
Courtesy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meenakshi_Amman_Temple
. There are an estimated 33,000 sculptures in the temple.[9] It was on the list of top 30 nominees for the "New Seven Wonders of the World". The annual 10-day Meenakshi Tirukalyanam festival, celebrated during April and May, attracts 1 million visitors.
An Aerial View of Temple
Inside the Temple
Temple Chariot
Courtesy: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meenakshi_Amman_Temple
