Madurai Meenakshi Temple Tamil Nadu Timings, History & Poojas

Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple is located on the Vaigai River banks in Tamil Nadu. The main god of the temple includes Meenakshi (Goddess Parvati) as well as her love-child Sundareswara (Lord Shiva). There are a variety of timings for the Madurai Meenakshi temple hours are between 5 AM and 9:45 PM.

 

Madurai Meenakshi Temple

The Temple's primary god was Lord Sundareswara but in the past, devotees worshipped Meenakshi as the primary god. Visitors to the city never consider leaving without receiving the blessings of the goddess.

It is believed that the Madurai Temple Complex in Madurai has an estimated 33,000 beautiful sculptures. Meenakshi Devi is special in that she always portrays a beautiful woman in a green sari with a parrot in her left hand.

King Thirumalai Nayakar constructed the stunning historical structure of Madurai Meenakshi Temple. The current construction of complex temple was constructed during the reign of Madurai Nayaks specifically during the time of King Thirumalai Nayak during the 15th century.



History

The first Madurai Meenakshi Temple believes to be built at the time of Pandya King Kulasekara from the end of the sixth century through the early 7th century.

It's apparent from the writings of Tamil saint Thirujnanasambandar who sang to praise the goddess of the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai in his work from the seventh century.

in the fourteenth century following the downfall of the Pandya Dynasty, There was a conflict within the Pandya family over the succession of the throne.

Profiting from the debate and the controversy, Alauddin Khilji from the Delhi Sultanate sent his general Malik Kafur to invade Madurai in the year 1310.

Once he arrived in Madurai He demolished the temple's towers and also destroyed several sculptures and historical documents. But the principal sacred site of Meenakshi Amman and Sundareswara was left intact.

This event resulted in the expansion of Islam across South India, especially in Tamil Nadu. The temple was expanded to its current size under the rule of Thirumala Nayak between 1623 and 1655.

He was the architect responsible for building various pavilions within the Madurai Meenakshi Temple complex, specifically the Vasantha Mandapam as well as Kilikondu Mandapam. Kilikondu Mandapam (Parrot Corridor).

The well-known and brave Rani Mangammal, one of the few female rulers of ancient India constructed the ancient Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple Tank and the corridors of Meenakshi Nayakar Mandapam.

 

Architecture

The Temple is among India's finest examples of  Dravidian-style architecture. Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple is an exact replica that is replica of the Dravidian style of architecture.

The Temple was considered to be the center of the city's 2500-year history. According to old documents that there was a Meenakshi Temple in Madurai was the city's center.

One interesting fact to be noted regarding the creation of the shrine is that its Temple dedicated to Lord Sundareswara encompasses exactly one-fourth of the area in the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. This Meenakshi Devi Temple is exactly one-fourth of the size of Sundareswarar Temple. 

This indicates that Shiva had more significance in rituals than Meenakshi Devi in earlier times. The Meenakshi Temple in Madurai has four main entrances, one of them in each of the four directions.

The four domes that form the main entryway are made of sculptures depicting gods and goddesses as well as sacred creatures and demons. South Tower South Tower (built in 1559) is the highest in height at 170 feet (52 m).

The oldest can be found in the Eastern Tower, built-in 1238. Meenakshi Temples, Sundareswarar, and Devi were covered by a golden plane or high point above.

The ceilings of the inner corridors are decorated with vivid colours to give visitors a breathtaking visual experience.

 

Madurai Meenakshi Temple Timings

Madurai Meenakshi Temple Timings are:

Darshan Timeline Madurai Meenakshi Temple Timings
 Morning Timings  5:00 AM to 12:30 pm
 evening Timings  4:00 PM to 9:30 P.M.
  • The devotees can choose between free darshan or paid darshan based on the amount of traffic.
  • Tickets for special darshan are available for fifty or one hundred rupees.
  • Devotees who have disabilities and their companions can go to the church via a designated entry.

 

Different kinds of Rituals

Everyday worship involves pujas eight times per day. Every puja has the abhishekam for the gods, alankaram(adornment with ornaments) as well as Naivedyam (annadanam) Deepa aradanai (aarti with lamps).

  • Thiruvanandal Pooja
  • Vizha Pooja along with the Kalasandhi Pooja
  • Thrikalasandhi Pooja and Uchikkala Pooja
  • Maalai Pooja (Evening Aarti)
  • Ardhajama Pooja
  • Palliarai Pooja
  • Annadanam

Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple Darshan Online booking

Tourists can go to the Temple for puja, darshan, and other services on this official website for the Government of Tamil Nadu.

  • Go to their official website on their official website, and you'll see names of worship, times, and the amount on the homepage.
  • Then click on then the Register & Book tab. You will be taken to the sign-up page.
  • If you already have an account, log in using the email address you gave then enter your password to sign in.
  • If you don't have an access to an account, click on the Register Now tab.
  • Complete the required information and then click Register.
  • You'll be registered.
  • Log in to the login page today and enter your mail ID and password, then sign in to your account.

Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple Calendar 2022

Visit this link to bring your calendar to the web.

Hotels in the vicinity of Madurai Temple Madurai Temple

The city offers a wide range of choices in accommodation, ranging from 5-star hotels to cheap hotels and lodges.

  • Tourists are enthralled to visit certain hotels, such as
  • Germanus Hotel,
  • Supreme Hotel and
  • Meenakshi Inn.

Festivals are celebrated

  1. Chitthirai Brahmotsavam as well Arulmigu Thirukalyanam
  2. Aavani festival
  3. Navarathri
  4. Teppotsavam

Close to Temples

  1. Thirupparakunram Murugan Temple
  2. Pazhamudircholai Murugan Temple
  3. Alagar Kovil
  4. Vandiyur Mariamman Temple
  5. Yoga Narasimha Perumal Temple
  6. Yoga Narasimha Perumal Temple
  7. Thirumohoor Chakrathalvar Temple

How do I reach

Air

The closest airport is Madurai International Airport. The city is good connections to cities such as Chennai, New Delhi, Mumbai, Tiruchirappalli, Coimbatore, and Bangalore. The airport is connected internationally with cities like Dubai, Singapore, and Colombo.

Train

Madurai Junction was well connected to the main cities in India such as Chennai, Trivandrum, Cochin, New Delhi, Mumbai, Patna, Kolkata, Bhopal, Bangalore, Goa, etc. Many more. Numerous trains run starting from Madurai towards Trichy, Kanyakumari, Nagercoil, Tuticorin, Karaikudi, Rameshwaram, Tirunelveli, Tanjore, and Coimbatore.

Road

The city was been well connected to all major cities of Tamil Nadu and the neighboring states. Numerous private bus operators provide regular bus services that go to The Holy City until midnight. The roads are well-maintained and well-constructed.