Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple - Madurai
The Meenakshi Sundareshwara Temple (17the century) constitutes the hub of Madurai. At its head, there are two temples - one dedicated to Shiva (Sundareshwara) and the other dedicated to Devi (Meenakshi).
The bazaars around the temple sell everything from temple offerings to spices and garlands of jasmine - anything you wish to buy. The temple serves as the granary, kitchen and the store. Every facet of hindu ritual is practiced here and you can see the faithful sitting, chatting, praying meditating and performing puja rituals. The gopurams (gateways) are the tallest (48.8 metres) in Madurai temple dwarfing the vimana (central shrine). If you climb up the gopurams, you will have a splendid view of the city.
The most notable in the Meenakshi temple is 1000 pillared hall carrying some beautiful sculpture of the seventeenth century.
Thousand Pillared Hall
The most fascinating part of the temple is a 1000 Pillared Mandapam (Hall) linked with sculptures. Every pillar has its own carved beautiful sculpture. Within the Mandapam is a museum of temple art with photographs and paintings on display.
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