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Madurai TempleLike 33 3

Madurai, also known as the Temple City of South India, is the second largest city in Tamil Nadu. Situated on the banks of the

river Vaigi, this c ity is tantamount with the Meenakshi Sundareswarar twin Temple. This gigantic temple complex is dedicated

to Shiva, known here as Sundareshwara and his consort Parvati who is known here as Meenakshi. This temple is the focal

point around which the city of Madurai has developed over 2500 years.

The sprawling temple complex is one of the oldest and largest of its kind in our country and is almost like a city unto itself. It

covers an area of over 65,000 square meters. Even though the temple was originally built by the Pandya King, Kulasekaran,

the temple has grown due to the contribution of each dynasty and victorious monarchs. The Temple, as we see it today was

built by Tiurmalai Nayakar who ruled Madurai from the 16th to the 18th century.


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The Temple itself is set within a high-walled enclosure at the centre of which are the two shrines for Meenakshi and Sundareshwara. There are four massive

gateways enclosing there two shrines which are surrounded by a number of smaller shrines and majestic pillared halls. The complex also contains 14

impressive gopurams (gateway towers) which range from 45-50 m in height. The towers have solid granite bases and are covered with stucco figures of

deities, mythical animals and monsters painted in bright colors. There is not a single visitor who is not overwhelmed by the vast number of paintings and

sculptures. About 33,000 sculptures can be found in the temple complex.


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The most stunning feature of this temple is the magnificent Hall of Thousand Pillars or Ayiramkaal Mandapam. It is an architectural marvel wherein each

pillar features high, elaborate and bold sculptures that look life like. Whats more, these pillars appear to be in a straight line when viewed from any angle.

The beautiful musical pillars are located in the outermost corridors and are carved out of stone. When tapped, each pillar produces a different musical note.


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The temple is one of utmost importance for the Tamil people, which can be seen by the number of visitors it attracts. Around 15,000 people visit this temple

daily with it increasing to 25,000 on Fridays. It was even in the list of Top 30 nominees of the New Seven Wonders of the World and gets annual revenue of

sixty million INR.


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Opening Hours: 05:00-12:30pm and 4:00-9:30pm

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June 5th, 2012 | Category:Tamil Nadu

7 comments to Madurai Temple

BhalchandraJune 5th, 2012 at 11:27 am

Wonderful. Must visit and pray here at least once in a lifetime.

V RaghavanJune 5th, 2012 at 1:35 pm

It is just ironical that, born in the south of the country, I never got to see this great temple in younger days. I made up for it by visiting the temple for two

full days, after I retired. You cannot but have sense of awe about our ancestors who carried out such magnificent projects. Not to be missed at all!

shamladevi naiduJune 5th, 2012 at 3:11 pm

i want a picture of rishikas the siva statue in the ganges i have being there 2 time i didnt have a camera so please help with a picture please thank you

anilJune 5th, 2012 at 6:26 pm

really very very great TEMPLE

Awesom like vellore golden temple should visit once in our life timeJune 5th, 2012 at 7:04 pm

I shall visit this temple in my next trip to south side. I was long thinking of visiting this temple but no chance was there but we should make time for the

visit now it seems. Simply marvellous it seems.


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Awesom like vellore golden temple should visit once in our life timeJune 5th, 2012 at 7:06 pm

I shall visit this temple in my next trip to south side. I was long thinking of visiting this temple but no chance was there but we should make time for the

visit now it seems. Simply marvellous it seems.

No comments is there for me to say because it is superb to see from here itself.

LOGANATHANJune 5th, 2012 at 8:17 pm

Photos are clear and good. But could have been better and self explanatory.

above all appriciable. good

madurai temple _ pictures & information _ india travel

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