MEENAKSHI TEMPLE

                 Meenakshi Temple which is also known as Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple or Tiru- Alavai is situated in the temple city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati, also known as Meenakshi Amman and her consort Sundareswarar, also called Shiva. It is believed that Meenakshi Temple was founded by Lord Indra. When Indra found that the burden of his misdeeds was taken off by the Swayambu Lingam, he built a temple here and enshrined the Lingam. This temple is visited by almost 15000 visitors a day and on Fridays the number is increased to 25000. Meenakshi Temple was also a nominee among 30 "New Seven Wonders of the World".

                 Meenakshi temple is also the biggest temple complex in Tamil Nadu and is at the center of Madurai both geographically as well as spiritually. The Madurai Meenakshi Temple has four entrances and it is enclosed by high masonry walls. The city was designed in the shape of Lotus and somehow it has got square shape today and the temple is located in the center of it. The temple complex is spread over an area of 45 acres and the 12 Gopurams of the temple range from 45 m to 51 m in height. The tallest one is 51.9 meters. The Meenakshi Temple Shrine has gold Vimanam and it has an Emerald colored black stone image of Meenakshi temple. The Sundareswarar shrine is at the center of the complex and spread over one fourth of the area of the temple. Porthamarai Kulam is the sacred temple tank and the temple has many interesting and amazingly beautiful halls as well. Every year in the month of April "Meenakshi Thirukalyanam" festival is celebrated with much ado. This is the festival of divine marriage of Meenakshi Amman and Lord Sundareswarar.