Madurai Meenakshi Temple...A marvelous architectural spectacle!!

Madurai Meenakshi temple (in the district of Madurai, Tamilnadu, India) is well known through out the world for its marvelous architecture  and sanctity. I got the lucky opportunity to visit the temple last October along with my family. We reached Madurai in train and checked into the hotel we've already booked. On my way to hotel, several jasmine flower vendors caught my attention and I was astonished by the view of Madurai jasmines which are known for their mesmerizing smell and amazingly bigger size.

We got the opportunity to have the view of the deity, Meenakshi amman, twice. Once in the morning and another in the evening. All of us were really contented due to this. Madurai is also known for its Sungudi cotton sarees, which are amazingly soft and light in weight. I have purchased two after shopping for three hours !! Trust me ,I was spoilt by the choice !! I also bought a kilo of coffee powder and a kilo of tea powder. They smell and taste really wonderful. The hot idlis and coffee here in the local hotels is amazing. Also the food is served in authentic south Indian style on a banana leaf which tempts your taste buds.

Next time you plan to visit Madurai, make sure not to miss above, apart from enjoying the marvelous architecture of the temple. If you are not habituated to hotter climate, the best time to visit this place is during winter and rainy seasons of India because the temperatures here always higher than the normal. Here are some of the glimpses from my trip.

West temple tower. Four temple towers are constructed on four sides which are known for their sculptures of various deities, demons and other hindu religious figures.

View of North tower from inside the compound of temple

West tower at a close up

View of the temple on entering from one of the main entrances

Another gate tower

A view of Thousand pillar hall

Pillars and architectural view of Thousand pillar hall. Lord Shiva as Nataraja in the middle.

Elephant at the entrance of the main temple.Many children and devotees take its blessings.

Musical pillar in the Thousand pillar hall. It emits seven basic intonations of music, when striken.

Architecture on the ceiling of the hall depicting many religious and historical figures.

Idol of Lord Nataraja, the god of dance, in the middle of thousand pillar hall.

A view of temple tower at night.