{"id":996,"date":"2023-02-27T19:04:19","date_gmt":"2023-02-27T19:04:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/?p=996"},"modified":"2023-02-27T19:04:19","modified_gmt":"2023-02-27T19:04:19","slug":"meenakshi-temple","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/meenakshi-temple\/","title":{"rendered":"Meenakshi Temple : History, Timings, Pooja"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Madurai Meenakshi amman temple represents the face of TamilNadu tourism. It is one of the frequently visited tourist places in south India by Indians as well as foreigners due to its spectacular towers and rich cultural heritage. The temple is famous for its magnificent architecture of Pandiyan dynasty and any person who has once visited this huge temple are bound to come again owing to its captivating structural design.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Goddess Parvathy is worshipped in the name of Meenakshi along with her partner Lord Shiva. Due to its enormous size and structural design it attracts thousands of tourists each day. Importance of thus mammoth temple radiates outward from the shrines and spread across the entire Taminadu and even beyond.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/arulmigu-arunachaleswarar-temple\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Thiruvannamalai temple<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/ttd-darshan-tickets\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">TTD Darshan Tickets<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_63 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/meenakshi-temple\/#History\" title=\"History\">History<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/meenakshi-temple\/#Meenakshi_Amman_Temple_Structure\" title=\"Meenakshi Amman Temple Structure\">Meenakshi Amman Temple Structure<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/meenakshi-temple\/#Festivals\" title=\"Festivals\">Festivals<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/meenakshi-temple\/#Meenakshi_Amman_Temple_Timings\" title=\"Meenakshi Amman Temple Timings\">Meenakshi Amman Temple Timings<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/meenakshi-temple\/#Meenakshi_Amman_Temple_Pooja_Details\" title=\"Meenakshi Amman Temple Pooja Details\">Meenakshi Amman Temple Pooja Details<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/meenakshi-temple\/#Darshan\" title=\"Darshan\">Darshan<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/meenakshi-temple\/#Darshan_Timings\" title=\"Darshan Timings\">Darshan Timings<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/meenakshi-temple\/#Annadhanam\" title=\"Annadhanam\">Annadhanam<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/meenakshi-temple\/#How_To_Reach_Meenakshi_Amman_Temple\" title=\"How To Reach Meenakshi Amman Temple?\">How To Reach Meenakshi Amman Temple?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/meenakshi-temple\/#By_Air\" title=\"By Air\">By Air<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/meenakshi-temple\/#By_Train\" title=\"By Train\">By Train<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/meenakshi-temple\/#By_Road\" title=\"By Road\">By Road<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/meenakshi-temple\/#Accommodation\" title=\"Accommodation\">Accommodation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/meenakshi-temple\/#Booking_Online\" title=\"Booking Online\">Booking Online<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/meenakshi-temple\/#Dress_Code\" title=\"Dress Code\">Dress Code<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/meenakshi-temple\/#What_Is_Not_Allowed\" title=\"What Is Not Allowed?\">What Is Not Allowed?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/meenakshi-temple\/#Address_and_Contact_Number\" title=\"Address and Contact Number\">Address and Contact Number<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"History\"><\/span>History<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Madurai Meenakshi Temple is believed to be built during 12<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">th<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> century by Sadayavarma Kulasekara Pandayan. After several renovations the existing structure of the temple is built during 1623-1655 AD. The massive construction of Pandiyan King was largely destroyed by the invasion of Malikapur in 1310.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Meenakshi_Amman_Temple_Structure\"><\/span>Meenakshi Amman Temple Structure<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unlike other temples in India, where Lord Shiva is the major deity, this temple hosts Goddess Meenakshi as the principal deity. The temple consists of 14 Gopurams or temple towers each of them with approximate height of 50m. Among the 14 Gopurams, 4 are considered as Rajagopurams (nine-storey) measuring 152 feet, 1 Chittiraigopuram (7 storey) measuring 180 feet, 5 five storey gopurams, 2 (three storey) above Amman sannidhi and 2 Gold plated gopurams.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The main Gopuram in which Goddess Meenakshi resides contains golden Shikaram (upper portion). The wonders of Madurai Meenakshi temple is characterized by Ayiramkalmandapam (1000 pillared hall) and the world famous musical pillar on its West that creates sound of various musical track when struck.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Festivals\"><\/span>Festivals<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of the major festivals of this temple are Chitthirai festival, Avanimoola festival, float festival and Nvarathiri festival.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chittirai festival (also known as Meenakshi Thirukalyanam) is held for 12 days in grand manner (middle of April).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aadi Mulaikottu is held in the month of July for 10 days.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vasantha urchavam, kodai urchavam and float festivals are some of the other festivals celebrated here.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thousands of devotees throng the temple during festival season, hence it is advised to book urchavam tickets online and have Darshan.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Meenakshi_Amman_Temple_Timings\"><\/span>Meenakshi Amman Temple Timings<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Morning &#8211; 5 AM to 12.30 PM<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Evening &#8211; 4 PM to 10 PM<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Meenakshi_Amman_Temple_Pooja_Details\"><\/span>Meenakshi Amman Temple Pooja Details<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n<table id=\"tablepress-13\" class=\"tablepress tablepress-id-13\">\n<thead>\n<tr class=\"row-1\">\n\t<th class=\"column-1\">Thirvanandal Pooja<\/th><th class=\"column-2\">5.30 \u2013 5.45 AM<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr class=\"row-2\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Vilaa Pooja<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">6.30 \u2013 7.15 AM<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-3\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Kalasandhi Pooja<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">10.30 \u2013 11.20 AM<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-4\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Maalai Pooja<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">4.30 \u2013 5.15 PM<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-5\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Ardhajama Pooja<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">7.30 \u2013 8.15 PM<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr class=\"row-6\">\n\t<td class=\"column-1\">Palliyarai Pooja<\/td><td class=\"column-2\">9.30 \u2013 10 PM<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You cannot have Darshan during Pooja hours unless you have taken paid tickets for concerned pooja.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Darshan\"><\/span>Darshan<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Free Darshan is available in this temple. But if you wish you can take special darshan tickets for Rs.50 or Rs.100.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Darshan_Timings\"><\/span>Darshan Timings<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It may take 2-3 hours for having free darshan at Meenakshi Temple. Time can get extended during festival days or special occasions depending on the crowd.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Annadhanam\"><\/span>Annadhanam<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From 8 AM to 8 PM devotees can have lunch all through the day free of cost at Madurai Meenakshi Temple.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_To_Reach_Meenakshi_Amman_Temple\"><\/span>How To Reach <b>Meenakshi Amman Temple<\/b>?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"By_Air\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By Air<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can get ticket to Madurai airport which is just 10.7 KM from the temple. Plenty of flights operate directly or as connecting flight from many parts of India to Madurai.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"By_Train\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By Train<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Madurai railway junction is just 1.7 KM from temple and lots of trains run through this junction from various parts of India.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"By_Road\"><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By Road<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Madurai Bus stand commonly called as Mattuthavani bus stand is about 1.2 KM from Meenakshi temple. You can easily walk to the temple. Government and private buses operate from many cities of Tamilnadu connecting Madurai.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Accommodation\"><\/span>Accommodation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No free accommodation is available in this temple. You can book hotels of Tamilnadu government at <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.ttdconline.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">www.ttdconline.com<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or book budget hotel of your choice, plenty of which are there near to temple.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Booking_Online\"><\/span>Booking Online<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Devotees planning to visit Madurai temple can visit <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.maduraimeenakshi.hrce.tn.gov.in\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">www.maduraimeenakshi.hrce.tn.gov.in<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and click on e-services which will take you to paid\/donation services and on clicking this icon you will be directed to several Pooja and Abhisekham service (with cost).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Dress_Code\"><\/span>Dress Code<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Any traditional dress covering the body is allowed here. Officially there is no dress code in Madurai temple. Men may choose to wear full trousers\/shirt and women can wear saree or Salwar\/kurti with duppatta.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_Not_Allowed\"><\/span>What Is Not Allowed?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You are not allowed to take photos or videos.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mobile phones are not allowed. You can safely keep your mobiles near the ticket counter and collect the tokens. Before entering the temple, you will be checked for mobiles and video cameras.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/tirumala-tirupati\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Tirumala &amp; Tirupati Guide<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Address_and_Contact_Number\"><\/span>Address and Contact Number<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Madurai Meenakshiamman Temple,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TS No.1, Chithrai Street, Madurai Main,<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Madurai, Tamil Nadu &#8211; 625 001<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Phone: 0452 2344 360, 2349 868<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Madurai Meenakshi amman temple represents the face of TamilNadu tourism. It is one of the frequently visited tourist places in south India by Indians as well as foreigners due to its spectacular towers and rich cultural heritage. The temple is famous for its magnificent architecture of Pandiyan dynasty and any person who has once visited &hellip;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/meenakshi-temple\/\"> <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Meenakshi Temple : History, Timings, Pooja<\/span> Read More \u00bb<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/996"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=996"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/996\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1001,"href":"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/996\/revisions\/1001"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=996"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=996"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exploremantra.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=996"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}