Meenakshi Amman Temple
மீனாட்சி அம்மன் கோவில்
Meenakshi (Parvati) · Madurai, Tamil Nadu
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About the temple
One of the 51 Shakti Peethas; Major pilgrimage hub Marital bliss, fertility, and liberation (Moksha)
Temple information
- Darshan timings
- 05:00 – 22:00
- Established
- 614
- Best time to visit
- Early morning (05:00 AM)
- Entry fee
- Free
Deity
Meenakshi (Parvati) · மீனாட்சிSundareshwarar (Shiva)MuruganLakshmiLord Ganesha
- Deity form
- Goddess with a parrot
- Religious tradition
- Tamil Shaiva Siddhanta
- Sanskrit name
- मीनाक्षी अम्मन मन्दिर
- Also known as
- Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple, Madurai Meenakshi
Darshan hours
- Daily
- 05:00 - 12:30, 16:00 - 22:00
- Break timings
- 12:30 PM to 04:00 PM
- Special days
- Extended during Chithirai Festival
- Festival timings
- Open 24 hours during peak festival nights
Aarti & rituals
- Morning aarti
- 05:00
- Midday aarti
- 11:30
- Evening aarti
- 18:00
- Night aarti
- 21:00
- Special aarti days
- Fridays, Full Moon days
- Ritual schedule
- Morning 8:00 AM daily
- Pooja timings
- Vizha Puja (Morning): 5:00 AM - 6:00 AM Kalasanthi Puja: 8:00 AM Uchikalam Puja: 10:30 AM Sayarakshai Puja (Evening): 5:00 PM Irandaam Kalam Puja: 7:00 PM Palliarai Puja (Night): 9:30 PM - 10:30 PM
- Abhishek timings
- 06:00 AM onwards
- Special poojas
- Sahasranamam, Thanga Ratham
- Online pooja booking
- Yes
History & heritage
- Historical period
- Ancient
- Built by
- Pandyan Dynasty / Vishwanatha Nayak
- Architect / builder
- Ariyanatha Mudaliar (Prime Minister of Nayakas)
- Construction materials
- Granite, Sandstone, Stucco
- Historical events
- Sacked by Malik Kafur (1310), Restored by Nayakas (16th Century)
- Renovations
- Major restoration in 1960s and 2000s
- Archaeological importance
- Protected Monument (State)
- Legends
- Marriage of Meenakshi and Lord Sundareshwarar
- Inscriptions
- Multiple Tamil and Sanskrit inscriptions on walls
Architecture
- Architectural style
- Dravidian
- Architectural period
- Nayaka style
- Structure
- Complex
- Gopuram
- 14 Gopurams; South Tower is the tallest (170ft)
- Mandapa
- Hall of 1000 Pillars (Aayiram Kaal Mandapam)
- Sculptural features
- Detailed carvings of deities, mythical animals (Yali)
- Artistic elements
- Frescoes on the ceiling of the Potramarai Kulam
- Construction technique
- Interlocking stone masonry
- Unique features
- Golden Lotus Tank (Potramarai Kulam)
Festivals & events
Meenakshi Tirukalyanam (Chithirai Festival)
- Festival calendar
- April-May (Chithirai)
- Special celebration days
- Navaratri, Maha Shivaratri
- Cultural events
- Carnatic music concerts during festivals
- Annual events
- Float Festival (Teppotsavam)
- Peak crowd season
- April to June, December to January
Visitor information
- ✓ Parking
- ✓ Restrooms
- ✓ Drinking water
- ✓ Shoe keeping
- ✓ Prasadam counter
- ✓ Annadanam
- Entry fee
- Free
- Dress code
- Traditional
- Best time to visit
- Early morning (05:00 AM)
- Parking capacity
- 200+
- Parking fees
- Minimal
- Donation counters
- Yes
- Donation methods
- Cash, Card, UPI, DD
- Prasadam
- Laddu, Puliyodarai, Pongal