Meenakshi
(Tamil மீனாட்சி) is an avatar of
the Hindu goddess Parvati - the consort of Shiva. The famous temple is located
in Madurai.
The
Madurai and Tanjavur Nayaks made great contributions to the temple.
Meenakshi
temple is constructed by Pandyan Kingdom.
The
Madurai and Tanjavur Nayaks made great contributions to architectural style,
the main characteristics of the style during this period being the elaborate
mandapas of the "hundred-pillared" and "thousand-pillared"
types, the high gopurams with stucco statues on the surface and the long corridors.
Original
Designed by Vishwanatha Nayak in 1560 was substantially expanded to the current
structure during the reign of Thirumalai Nayak (1623–55). He took considerable
interest in erecting many complexes inside the temple. His major contributions
are the Vasantha Mandapam for celebrating vasanthorsavam (spring festival) and
Kilikoondu Mandapam (corridor of parrots). The corridors of the temple tank and
Meenatchi Nayakar Mandapam were built by Rani Mangammal.
History:
Before Thirumalai Nayaka came to power, the court of
Madurai was being held at Trichy for some ten to twelve years. Thirumalai
Nayaka would have continued to rule from Trichy but for a dream. Thirumalai was
suffering from Catarrah which the royal physicians were unable to cure. While
he was once marching towards Madurai, Thirumalai's sickness worsened and he
halted near Dindigul. When he slept in his tent, God Sundareshwara and Goddess
Meenakshi appeared to him in a dream, and mentioned that they would cure him if
he would make Madurai his capital.
As soon as he awoke
from his dream just before dawn, Thirumalai called for the Brahmans and others
in attendance, who advised him to obey the will of God. Thirumalai Nayaka then
not only vowed to make Madurai his capital but also to expend 5 lakh pons
(100,000 pounds) in sacred works.
Immediately
thereafter, he felt the disease leave him. An overjoyed Thirumalai Nayaka
thereafter determined to devote his life to the worship and service of the Gods
of Madura and supposedly adopted the Saiva faith.
