Understanding Model Structures

UNDERSTANDING MODEL STRUCTURES

1. Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple

Madurai Meenakshi Sundreshwar Temple is a Shiva temple located in the middle of the temple located in the middle of the temple city of Madurai. The prominent god and goddess are Sundareshwarar and Ambigai Meenakshiamman. This temple is also known as Madurai Meenakshiamman Temple. This place is not only an important Shiva temple but also one of the 51 Sakthi Peedas of Ambigai.

Structure of the Temple

Madurai Meenakshi Amman temple is spread over an area of 45 acres. The temple has 8 towers and 2 vimanas. These eight towers have been set up at four point square shape. There are two towers here. One has been built for goddess Meenakshi and the other for Andareshwarar. The Karuvarai Vimanas here are called Indra Vimanas. These are supported by 32 stone lions. 64 Sivaganams and 8 white elephants.

The temple measures 847 feet from east to west and 792 feet from South to North. There are 4 towers of 9 levels on the four sides of the temple's main roads.

Builders of the Towers

Lord Shiva appeared in the dream of the Pandya King Kulasekhara Pandyan and he destroyed the forest called Kadambavanam and built the city of Madurai and this Shiva Shakti site.

i) East Tower (Rajagopuram)

It was built between 1216 AD and 1238 AD by the later Pandyas. The height of it is 161 feet.

ii) West Tower

It was built in 1323 AD by Maravarman Kulasekara Pandiyan. The height of it is 163 feet.

iii) South Tower

The South Tower was built by the King Viswanatha Nayak in 1559 AD. Of all the towers, south tower is the highest (170 feet).

iv) North Tower

History says that the construction was started by the King Muthuveerappa Nayak from 1564 AD to 1572 AD and completed by the Vainagaram family in 1878 AD. The height of it is 160 feet.

In this temple, Potramarai Pond, the Thalavirushtam, Kadambamaram have been set up in an area of one acre.

Sannithis

1. Moolavar Sannithi

The prominent god of this temple is Sundareshwar. He is Swayambu Murthy. He is also called Somasundarar, Sokkar and Sokkanathar. By worshipping him, Indiran got rid of his sins. That was why he built a temple for the Swayambu Lingam. The Porminent God's Vimanam is called 'Indira Vimanam'.

2. Ambal Sannithi

In this site, Ambal (mother) is Meenakshiamman. Her idol is made of emerald. Amman is called 'Maragatha Valli' because the goddess appears in emerald green colour. This Sanctum Sanctorum has 32 lion images, 64 Shiva statues and 8 stone elephants. This Sanctum Sanctorum Vimanam was set up by Devendran. She got the name Meenakshi because she had eyes like fish.

Parrot

In the appearance of Meenakshi Amman, there is also a parrot. The parrot is believed to be saying, repeatedly to remind Ambigai of the devotees' request. When Indiran came to visit this place to get rid of the curse, the parrots helped him in the worship of Shiva.

Other names of Meenakshiamman

For Meenakshiamman, there are innumerable names like Maragatha Valli, Pachaidevi, Tadathagai, Abirama Valli, Karpoora Valli, Komagal, Sundaravalli, Pandipratti, Manikka Valli and Mathurapuri Thalaivi.

Pathivirathai

As Meenakshi is the queen of Madurai, devotees are not allowed to see her abisekams. Devotees can see Meenakshiamman after the decoration is fully over. The first Pooja of this temple is performed to Ambigai Meenakshi. After that, prayers are offered to Lord Shiva. The reasons for this is that Meenakshi Amman has always intended to do her faithful duties to her husband. So before waking up her husband, Ambigai, the wife completes her Abishekam and gets ready. So the first pooja in the morning is performed to goddess Meenakshi.

Halls (or) Mandapas

The beautiful sculptures of the temple are different from each mandapam, with beautiful details and individual features.

1. Attasathi Mandapam

Attasathi Mandapam is located in front of Meenakshi Amman Sannithi. Meenakshi Tirukalyanam is depicted in the form of story between Vinayagar and Murugan idols on the gate. On the pillars located inside, eight forms of Sakthi are beautifully painted.

2. Kambathadi Mandapam

It was built by Krishnappa Nayak-I in AD 1564 - 1572. The sculptures in this hall have various forms of Lord Shiva. Meenakshi Thirukkalyana sculpture is world famous. The Nandhi Mandapam in front of Swami Sannithi is of a single stone.

3. Mandapam with 1000 Pillars

It was built in 1494 AD by Veerappa Nayakkar, the ruler of Madurai. It is larger in size than the other halls in the temple. A. wheel representing 60 Tamil years is carved on the canopy above the gate of this hall.

4. Veeravasantharayar Mandapam

It is found in front of the 1000 pillar hall. It is 400 years old and has 7000 sq.ft. area. In the middle of this Mandapam, there is a Nandhi idol facing the God.

Musical Pillars

Meenakshi Amman temple has 5 music pillars on the North road of the temple, 2 music pillars in the 1000 pillar Mandapam and 7 music pillars in the Meenakshi Amman Temple itself.

2. Thirumalai Naiyakar Mahal

Thirumalai Naiyakar Mahal or Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace was built in 17th Century by Thirumalai Nayakkar one of the Nayakka Kings who ruled Madurai. It was designed by an architect in the Italian Sarocenic style. After the construction of the new mandapam, the construction of Rajagopuram was started. But, it remains unfinished.

Structure

This palace is 58 feet high and 12 feet wide. It is supported by 248 colossal pillars. The ceiling is painted with mythological scenes of Vishnu and Shiva.

Parts of the Palace

The palace consisted of two main parts. They are

1. Heavenly Address

2. Venue Address

1. Heavenly Address

This area was the residence of the king.

2. Venue Address

This area was the residence of Muthiyalu Nayak, the king's younger brother.

The palace consisted of music hall, theatre, palanquin road, weapon road, place of worship, residences of other royal families and servants, private place (Anthappuram), parks, lakes, etc., These are located in both the places.

Limestone Building

Thirumalai Nayakkar building is made of lime called chunnam and egg white mixed with a mixture of jaggery, gall-nut, gooseberry is coated all over the palace to get a smooth and shiny look.

Inner Courtyard

It must be said that the big white pillars that fill the inner hall of this palace are the favourite of all. This palace was four times larger than it is today and was completed by Thirumalai Nayak. The palace was surrounded by a very grand nandavanam, tank, anthappuram and durbar.

Damage and Restoration

None of those who came to power after Thirumalai Nayaker's death knew the fame of the palace. Thirumalai Nayakkar's grandson, Chokkanathan took away all the art objects from the palace to shift his headquarters back to Trichy.

Wooden pillars with intricate carvings and jewels were taken to Trichy. The fame of the palace started to decline as he broke the palace in many places and took away the things. The palace also started to lose its beauty due to the overflowing flood of the Vaigai river.

The palace was restored and survives today by Robert the architect of the British government.

Manimandapam

Thirumalai Nayakkar was an ardent devotee of Thiruvilliputhur Andal. It was customary to have lunch after the mid day pooja at Andal Temple every day. When he was in Madurai, he built many bell halls to guide him to hear the sound of the Andal Temple prayer bells.

Light and Sound Display

Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal was declared a National Monument in 1971. Since 1981, considering the development of tourism, the Light and Sound show has been going on till date.