Talk:Madurai

Madurai (‘that [which is sweet like] honey’) One of the famous places of pilgrim¬age in South India, Madurai—also spelt as Madhurai or Madhurā—is 461 kms. (286 miles) to the south-west of Chennai (Madras) and is situated on the bank of the Vaigai river. It is famous for its majestic temples, especially those of Mīnākṣī (an aspect of the Divine Mother Pārvatī) and Sundareśvara (Śiva). The city itself is very ancient and the rulers of the Pāṇḍya dynasty who are mentioned even in the edicts of Aśoka (circa 272-232 B. C.), had business contacts with the Roman empire. It was also an ancient seat of Tamil learning with 48 poets adorning the Sañgam or college hall. However, the modern Madurai attained the present state of progress and civilisa¬tion under the Nāyak kings. According to the sthalapurāṇa (local lores) Indra, the king of the gods, after his defeat at the hands of Vṛtrāsura, was roaming about as a human being in a forest. At a particular spot he felt great peace and happiness. There, he found a Sivaliṅga and worshipped Lord Siva through it. He immediately had a vision of Siva and got back his royal throne through Siva’s grace. It is at this spot that the local king built his capital city and named it Madhurā as per the wonderful dream he had, in which he saw amṛta or nectar being poured over the place (madhu = sweet; honey; nectar). Regarding the goddess Mīnākṣī there is another interesting story. She was Pārvatī reborn as the daughter of the Pāṇḍyan king Malayadhvaja. Since her eyes resembled a mīna (fish) she was given the name ‘Mīnākṣī’ (one whose eyes resemble a fish). She succeeded him as the ruler of the kingdom, routed all the enemies and established her supremacy. She fell in love with Sundareśvara (Śiva, born as a human being) and was married to him. Viṣṇu himself acted as the brother of Mīnākṣī in this marriage. He is known as ‘Alahar’. His temple is at the foot of a hillock, at a distance of 21 kms. (13 miles) from Madurai. The most important of the several temples is the Mīnākṣī temple complex situated on a site 258 metres (850 ft.) by 241 metres (700 ft.). There are two main shrines, dedicated to Mīnākṣī and Sunda¬reśvara (Śiva), no less than twelve gopu- rams (towers), a tank and a large number of maṇdapas or halls. The actual dimen¬sions of the twin shrines along with the various halls and associated structures is 68.5 metres (225ft.) by 45.7 metres (150 ft.) The sanctum sanctorum of the god¬dess Mīnākṣī is a square of 10.4 metres (34 ft.). Elephants, lions and dwarfs are shown as supporting the structure. On the outer walls, there are prominent niches projecting to a length of 1.8 metres (3 1/4 ft.) and containing many images like the Liṅgodbhavamurti (Siva emerging out of the liṅga), Dakṣiṇāmurti (an aspect of Śiva) and Durgā. The vimāna (small tower) above the sanctum has three storeys. The lovely Golden Lily tank, the Citragopura with 740 sculptures, the Āyirakkāl or thousand-pillared maṇḍapa, murals and paintings including a museum, the musical pillars (of stone) and a six-pillared dhvaja-stambha or flagstaff are the other attractions. The Tirumala Nāyak palace (called the Mahal), temple of Alagar or Alahar, the Māriamman Teppakulam (tank)— these are the other attractions. The main festivals are: the marriage of the goddess with Sundareśvara during April/May, coronation of Lord Sunda¬reśvara during August/September, and the teppotsava or float-festival in January/ February. See also MĪNĀKṣī.