Meenakshi Sundaraswarar Temple

Deities

Timings

Address & Contact

Historical Information

Temple Specialty

• Thirumana Sthalam

  The temple attracts over a million pilgrims and visitors during the annual 10-day Meenakshi Tirukalyanam festival, celebrated with much festivities, fervour and a ratha (chariot) procession during the Tamil month of Chittirai (overlaps with April-May in Georgian calendar, Chaitra in North India).

• Holly Tank

  It is believed that one who sprinkles the waters of the pond of Golden Lotus on Amavasya (new moon) day, the first day of the month, days of eclipse and other auspicious days and worship the Lord, they will be blessed with all their aspirations for success.

Services

• Donation

  Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundereswarar Temple is inolved in many valuable services likeArulmigu Swami & Meenakshi amman abhishekam,Ubaya ThiruKalyanam,Ubaya ThangaRatham,Arulmigu Sidthar pushpa koodaram,ArulmiguDurgai Abhishekam,Arulmigu Saraswathy Abhishekam,Arulmigu Mahalakshmi Abhishekam,Arulmigu Pathra Kali Abhishekam,Arulmigu Ahora Veerabhadhrar Abhishekam,Arulmigu Mukkurini Vinayakar Abhishekam,Arulmigu Dhakshina Moorthi Abhishekam,Arulmigu Mahalakshmi Sandal Paste Decoration,Arulmigu Dhakshinamoorthy Sandal Paste Decoration,Arulmigu Pathrakali Sandal Paste Decoration.

• Annadhanam

  An innovative initiative of the Honourable Chief Minister, Thirukoil Annadhanam Scheme, which feeds the devotees who throng this temple, during the mid-day has been in vogue in this temple since the year 2002. Initially, 200 devotees per day had benefited from the year 2002, subsequently the number had increased to 300 in the year 2017 and once again the number was increased to 500 in the year 2018 and now 700 devotees are being fed daily from the year 2020. It costs Rs.35/- to feed a person a day and a cumulative of Rs.24,500/- is fixed to feed 700 devotees a day at present. Anyone who wishes to donate food for 700 devotees in a particular day may pay Rs.24,500/- in the temple and 700 devotees would be supplied with meal as per his wish by the temple. The meal comprises traditional South Indian dishes such as boiled rice, sambar, kootu, poriyal, rasam, buttermilk, waffles and pickles. A sweet culinary called Paayasam would be added on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The food is prepared in the kitchen located inside the temple in a Hygienic manner and food is served in a hall where 140 devotees can eat at once. Now the scheme is expanded in a way to provide food to the devotees all along the day starting from 8 A.M. in the morning to 8 P.M. in the night as per the announcement made by the Honourable Minister on the floor of the Legislative Assembly. Honourable Chief Minister of Tamilnadu inaugurated the expanded scheme on 31.12.2022 A state of art kitchen with amenities such as modern boilers and freezer chamber are used to make this endeavour success. Anyone who wishes to take part in this scheme may donate Rs.28,00,000/-, which would be deposited as Fixed deposit and from the interest accrued out of this investment would be expended to feed 4000 devotees in a particular day earmarked by the donor every year. Anyone wishes to take part in the scheme in a single day may donate Rs.1,40,000/- to feed 4000 devotees a day. Donations may be sent to the administrator of the annadhanam scheme fund (Deputy Commissioner / Executive Officer) Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple by drawing Cheque or Demand Draft. Donations made by devotees to this annadhana scheme are subject to income under Section 80(g) of the Income Tax Act 1961 as per Order No.C.No.464/200/2010-11/CIT-I, dated 07.07.2011 of the Commissioner of Income Tax Office. There is tax exemption. Permanent Account No.AAAJA0359A for the same.

Facilities

• Vehicle Parking

  First and foremost point to borne in mind is, no vehicular traffic is allowed around 400 meters circumference of this temple and hence visitors have to park their vehicle outside that area and to reach the temple by walk only. It is inevitable for every one to know about the parking places. Vehicle parking amenity is provided to the Devotees who throng this temple at Ellis Nagar which is located 500meters away from periyar bus stand. Drinking water, separates toilets and bathrooms for men and women and kitchen facilities are available at this parking space. The fee structure as follows Type of Vehicle Parking Fee (in Rs.) Bus/Mini bus 200/- Van 70/- Car/Auto 50/- Besides there are two more vehicle parking spaces arranged for the devotees. They are 1. Parking space located in Anupanadi parking space near Thappakulam. 2. Ezhukadal street shopping complex. Fee structure maintained at Anupanadi Vehicle parking space Type of Vehicle Parking Fee (in Rs.) Bus/Mini bus 100/- Van 30/- Car/Auto 20/- Fee structure maintained at Ezhukadal street shopping complex parking space Type of Vehicle Parking Fee (in Rs.) Two wheeler 10/- Bi cycle 5/-

• Cloak Room

  Besides providing free amenity of safe keeping of luggage, services such as cloak room facility to keep the belongings of the devotees safely, safe keeping of mobile phones are available to the devotees on payment at all the entrance points located beneath the towers. Baggage scanners are also installed at all the entrance points to ensure the safety and security of the devotees. For luggage fee-Rs.2/-(per luggage) For Mobile safety keeping fee-Rs.5/-(per mobile)

• Wheel Chair

  24 wheelchairs are available in the temple for the use of differently abled and elderly people. These are placed at the junction of Thirukoil South and West Audi street.

• Library Facility

  Object of establishing temples is not only confined with worshipping but also to profess and disseminate the spiritualism, and hence it becomes inevitable for any temple to have a free of charge library in this sense. This temple too has a library which contains nearly 1750 chronicles in various heads. This library is located in the south aadi veedhi, inside the temple precinct.

• Free Footwear Stand

  To protect the footwear of the devotees visiting the temple, free footwear stands have been set up at all the entrances of the temple.

• Golden Chariot

  The pilgrims have to pay a service fee of Rs.1501 for the golden car urchavam.Only five persons are allowed per registration on payment of Rs.1501/-.The gold chariot will take place on days when there is no festival at the Aadiveethi complex after 7.00 pm. On the first day of every Tamil month, there will be a golden chariot on behalf of the temple devotees may participate in the without paying charges.

• Thulabharam Facility

  Offering of things at par with one&amprsquos mass which is known as &ampldquoThulabaram&amprdquo in Tamil is in vogue at this temple. Devotees can offer rice, sugar, fruits, coins or the things they wish in this scheme. The fee for this service is Rs.5/- only.The place for offering Thulabaram is there at the northern side bank of Potramarai Tank.

• Accommodation Facility

  To enable pilgrims from outside and the travellers to stay, Two bed rooms(5rooms) at Rs.200/-and Three bedded rooms(7rooms) at Rs.300/- and air conditioned rooms (4rooms)at Rs.500/-are available at Birla Vishram travellers lodge on behalf of the temple situated near the entrance of the West Gopuram and near by periyar bus stand In the Elis nagar pilgrims lodge Four bed rooms(4rooms) at Rs.900/- Two bed rooms(3rooms) at Rs.300/- and also dormitory hall for 50 members are also available. Devotees who throng this temple from faraway places are facilitated with boarding and lodging amenities by this temple management. There are two stay homes available, one at west chithirai veedhi near the temple and another one is at Ellis nagar which is 2 KM away from the temple. There are 5 two bedded rooms, 7 three bedded rooms and 4 air conditioned rooms available for the pilgrims service at the Birla Vishram lodge located in the west chithirai veedhi near the temple. Rs.200/- is charged to avail stay in the 2 bedded rooms, Rs.300/- is charged to avail stay in the 3 bedded rooms and Rs.500/- to avail stay in the air conditioned rooms in a single day. It is collected Rs.900/- for 4 bedded room in the Ellis Nagar lodge and Rs.300/- towards 2 bedded rooms. There are 4 four bedded rooms, 3 two bedded rooms and a dormitory hall to accommodate 50 persons available in the Ellis Nagar pilgrims lodge located near the Periyar Bus stand. Rs.900/- is collected as rent to avail four bedded rooms and Rs.300/- is collected as rent to avail 3 bedded rooms for a single day. Rs.3750/- is collected to accommodate 50 persons in the dormitory hall. Dormitory service may not be availed by an individual rather a group of 50 persons only may avail this facility.

• First Aid Medical Centre

  In order to offer first aid to the devotees who fell ill suddenly during their visit, a clinic is established which is equipped with a physician, nursing assistant and multipurpose worker. First aid is provided to the affected devotees to save them from the imminent danger and they will be sent to the government medical college hospital for further treatment. The clinic is located in the Birla Vishram lodge buildings in the west chithirai street, opposite to western tower of the temple.

• Karunai Illam

  As a contribution to the social defence, an orphanage namely Karunai illam for girl students, who lost their parents or in an indigent condition, has been run by this temple since the year 1997. As many as 34 girl children are accommodated there at present. Boarding, lodging,dress materials, Medical amenities, books and other allied educational materials are provided to the inmates at free of cost by this temple. The inmates or pursuing their school education at the Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Girls Higher Secondary School. A benevolent scheme to spare 50 of education fee of collegiate education to the inmates those who pursue their education further from the temple funds is in vogue. As a face lift measure, a new building had constructed with necessary amenities to accommodate the inmates. It will not be an exaggeration, to claim that this is a boon for the socially neglected Girl children.

• Drinking Water R.O.

  Drinking water purified using Reverse Osmosis technology is available to quench the thirst of the devotees, for which Reverse Osmosis water purification plants are installed at 9 different locations inside the precinct of the temple, 5 plants out of 10 are installed at the entrance points beneath the towers.

• Battery Car

  Free E-buggy (Battery car) services are available in this temple for the disabled and senior citizens to carry them along the Aadi Veedhis (Outer precincts). Mr. Arunachalam, Assistant security officer of this temple maybe contacted @ 91 99965 18993 to make use of this amenity.

Tank Information

• VANDIYUR ARULMIGU MARIYAMMAN THIRUKOIL THEPPAKULAM

  Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam is a temple tank located near to Vandiyur Mariamman Temple and situated at a distance of about 5 km from the Meenakshi Amman Temple. Literally, Teppakulam means temple pond mainly used for devotional festivals. The tank is connected to Vaigai River through an ingenious system of underground Channels. It has total of 12 long stairs (steps) made of granite on all four sides. The temple as well as the stairs was built by the King Thirumalai Nayak. In the centre of the tank there is a Madapam called Maiya Mandapam (Central Mandapam) with Vinayakar temple and garden. This is the location where the king Thirumalai Naicker excavated the soil to fabricate the bricks required for constructing his palace, Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal. The pit that was thus formed is seen as tank now. It is approximately 305 m long and 290 m wide, nearly equal area to that of Meenakshi Amman Temple. Built in 1645 A.D.,this is the biggest tank in Tamil Nadu. 7 foot tall Mukuruny Vinayakar idol in Meenakshi Amman Temple is believed to be found during excavation process of this pond. Mariamman Teppakulam is famous for the celebrations of the Float festival, which is celebrated in the Tamil month of Thai. The celebrations take place on a full moon night (Thaipusam) and the pristine water turns colourful as the temple is lit. The idols of Goddess Meenakshi and her consort Lord Sundareshwarar, the deities of the Meenakshi Amman Temple come down to the tank in colorful floats, presenting a mesmerizing sight. Pilgrims across India come to Madurai to participate in the festival.

• Golden lotus tank

  It was in this pond that the Golden Lotus for Indra to perform his pooja bloomed. This pond is also known as Adhi Theertham, Sivaganga and Uthama Theertham. This pond is situated within the temple complex. This theertham was by Lord Sivaperuman by thrusting his Soolam (three ptonged spear) into the earth in deference to the plea of Nandhi Devar and other deities. It was here, that the plank of Sangam appeared and established greatness of the moral text called Thirukkural. It was here that Chockalingam was found by the grace of the Lord, by the first Guru of Dharmapura Adheenam and Saint Srilasri Guru Gnanasambandar. In keeping with the boons granted by the Lord to a stork, upto this date no fish nor other life is found in this miraculous sacred pond. Since this theertam was before all other theerthams it is called Adhi Theertham and because it is much greater importance than all other theerthams, it is also called Parama Theertham as Gnana Theertham because it confers prosperity on all who bathe in it. As it grants heavenly abode it is also called Mukthi Theertham and as Sivaganga because the water from Ganga from the head of Lord Siva confluences with it and as Uthama Theertham because of its purity than any other theertham..

Sculpture Details

Hundred Pillar Mandapam (Natarajar), Iruttu Mandapam (Pitchatanar), PUDHUMANDAPAM (THADATHAGAI PRATIYAR), Kambathadi Mandabam sculpture- Jalandhara Vadha Murthi, KILIKOONDU MANDAPAM, Kambathadi Mandabam sculpture - Kaalasamhaara Murthi, Kambathadi Mandapam, Kambathadi Mandabam sculpture - Kalyana sundareswarar, Meenakshi Nayakar Mandapam, Nandhi Mandapam, Kambathadi Mandabam sculpture- Kiratarjuna Paasupadamurthi, Kambathadi Mandabam sculpture - Nandhi, UNJAL MADAPAM, Thousand Pillar Hall Sculpture - Dhakshan, Kambathadi Mandabam sculpture - Natarajar, Thousand Pillar Hall Sculpture- Hunter, Thousand Pillar Hall Sculptures- Bhikshaatanaar, Kambathadi Mandabam sculptures - Dakshina Murthy, Kambathadi Mandabam sculpture - Thripurantaka Murthi, Veda Mandapam (Veduvachi and Veduvar), Kambathadi Mandabam sculpture- Veerabadhrar Bhikshaatana, Kambathadi Mandabam sculpture - Kaamadahana Murthi, Kambathadi Mandabam sculpture-Ardhanaari, Kambathadi Mandabam sculpture-Sri Rishaba Hatikar, Thousand Pillar Hall Sculpture-Arjunan, Thousand Pillar Hall Sculpture- Baanan, Thousand Pillar Hall Sculpture - Bhikshaatanaar, Kambathadi Mandabam sculpture-Nandhi Mandabam, Thousand Pillar Hall Sculpture - Dancing Ganapathy, Kambathadi Mandabam sculpture- Ravana Anugrahamurthi, Kambathadi Mandabam sculpture - Somaskandar, Thousand Pillar Hall Sculpture - Gypsy Man, Kambathadi Mandabam sculpture - Sukhaasanar, Thousand Pillar Hall Sculpture-Gypsy Women, Kambathadi Mandabam sculpture - Uma Maheshwar, Thousand Pillar Hall Sculpture- Musical Pillars, Kambathadi Mandabam sculpture-Chakradhaara Murthy, Thousand Pillar Hall Sculpture - Pandya King, Thousand Pillar Hall Sculpture- Rathi, Thousand Pillar Hall Sculpture - Horse Attendant, Thousand Pillar Hall Sculpture - Thripurantakar, Kambathadi Mandabam sculpture - Chandrasekhara Murthi, Kambathadi Mandabam sculpture - Rishabaarudar, Kambathadi Mandabam sculptures-Chandesa Anugraha Murthi, Kambathadi Mandabam sculpture-Sri Rishaba Rutar, Kambathadi Mandabam sculpture- Gaja Samhaara Murthi

Sub-shrines

Meenakshi, Sangathaar Sannathi, Sevantheeswarar, Yekadhasi lingam, Kaasivishwanathar, Kalyanasundareshwarar

Sacred Verses