A peep into A peep into Sri Meenakshi Kovil Sri Meenakshi Kovil

in Maduraiin Madurai

Accompanied byAccompanied by

Prof. V. SrinivasanProf. V. SrinivasanInstruments Maintenance DepartmentInstruments Maintenance Department

Aravind Eye Care System, MaduraiAravind Eye Care System, Madurai

Let us begin seeking the blessing of Let us begin seeking the blessing of Lord VigneswarLord Vigneswar

Pillaiyar – Ganesh – Pillaiyar – Ganesh – Ganapathi – Vinayagar Ganapathi – Vinayagar Historically this figure was Historically this figure was brought to South India as brought to South India as war trophy from Vathapi war trophy from Vathapi in Maharashtra/AP in Maharashtra/AP The replica in Madurai is The replica in Madurai is the biggest. People from the biggest. People from Chidambaram may claim Chidambaram may claim that the one in their that the one in their temple is bigger whereas temple is bigger whereas it is of about the same it is of about the same sizesize

The legendThe legend

Painting (Naik Period) on the ceilingPainting (Naik Period) on the ceiling mineral paint dates back to 16mineral paint dates back to 16thth century century

The legend confirmed in sculptureThe legend confirmed in sculpture

The celestial wedding Character in Ramayana

The growthThe growth

Golden vimanam & Inside wall Middle wall and a gopuram

The towersThe towers

South tower - tallestNorth tower – known as bald tower (from website)

The anatomy & use of temple towersThe anatomy & use of temple towersCut granite baseCut granite baseTapered super structure Tapered super structure of several storeys getting of several storeys getting smaller and shorter as smaller and shorter as one goes upone goes upSuper structure hollow Super structure hollow inside built with wood, inside built with wood, brick and mortarbrick and mortarIcons molded and fixedIcons molded and fixedStairs provided to go to Stairs provided to go to the topthe topUsesUses

1.1. As observation postsAs observation posts2.2. Kalasams at the top Kalasams at the top

used for storage of used for storage of seedsseeds

(from website)

The ground planThe ground plan

(from website)

Messages for peopleMessages for people

Ardhanareeswar Ardhanareeswar Message: there Message: there need be no gender need be no gender discrimination there discrimination there is women in man & is women in man & vice versa.vice versa.Shankarnarayanan Shankarnarayanan Message: there Message: there need be no need be no denominational denominational differences Saivite differences Saivite or Vaishnavite - or Vaishnavite - Siva and Vishnu are Siva and Vishnu are oneone

Historical recordHistorical record

Statue of the Fa Statue of the Fa Hien, the Chinese Hien, the Chinese traveler, who had traveler, who had visited Madurai.visited Madurai.There are a few There are a few other statues – other statues – 1.Thirumalai Naik, 1.Thirumalai Naik, his wives his wives 2. Some of the 2. Some of the viceroys of rulers viceroys of rulers of certain periods of certain periods in history in history

Historical record: Jurassic periodHistorical record: Jurassic period

Yali, a prehistoric beast, a dragon, similar to Chinese dragon and unlike the Chinese dragon does not emit fire. No reference in scriptures but they exist in all our temples. Show of strength

Art & cultureArt & culture

The music pillar The concert hall – Kalyana mahal – roof of carved wood

2020thth Century addition Century addition

Jains (Samanas) of MaduraiJains (Samanas) of MaduraiThe story of conversion to HinduismThe story of conversion to HinduismPersecution – the hide outs (Jain caves around Persecution – the hide outs (Jain caves around Madurai)Madurai)

The unfinished job – Raya GopuramThe unfinished job – Raya Gopuram

To summarizeTo summarizeThe temple isThe temple isA place of worship with A place of worship with

plenty of messages for the plenty of messages for the believersbelievers

It is a library in stone of It is a library in stone of mythology, culture, history mythology, culture, history art and architectureart and architecture

It has been a fortress at the It has been a fortress at the time of enemy invasiontime of enemy invasion

Nowadays it is:Nowadays it is:A schoolA schoolA commercial center A commercial center A place for rest, meetings, A place for rest, meetings,

negotiations and negotiations and recreation recreation

Sri Meenakshi (from website)

Thank you Thank you with blessings of Sokki & Sokkanwith blessings of Sokki & Sokkan

Teppakulam – a part of the temple nearer to Aravind Teppakulam – a part of the temple nearer to Aravind Hospital in Madurai, as seen on the night of the full Hospital in Madurai, as seen on the night of the full moon in mid Jan – mid Feb (Tamil month Thai)moon in mid Jan – mid Feb (Tamil month Thai)

Jai HindJai Hind

(from website)