The history of the emergence of Madurai, like many other cities of India, is shrouded in romance ancient legend. She says that once a merchant found in the forest thunder god Indra bowed before Siva lingam and perform puja - worship. The news of this amazing vision immediately wafted up Kalashekara Pandya, the ruler of those places. His command forest in the district was immediately cleared, and near the Kadamba tree (stump from which, they say, can be seen today), where did find a stone lingam, workers erected a temple, and have built the city around it.
Historical information.
Excerpted from Kaumudi Marathi "Temples of India. Conversion stone." ... Once again, was born on earth goddess Parvati, this time as Meenakshi, "the goddess with the eyes of the fish", the daughter of the local governor Pandyan.Meenakshi was born with a particular defect. She had three breasts.Crowned her parents were really worried, but predictor assured them that as soon as she finds worthy of her husband, Shiva, the third breast will disappear. Indeed, when Shiva and Parvati were married on the day of the full moon of the month Panguna (February-March), the extra breast disappeared and the divine couple happily healed in his castle in Madura. This story is told to explain why the construction of a Hindu temple complex. Here are stored shrines associated with Meenakshi and Sundaresa-varoy, because until now this place is one of the most important pilgrimage in India.
Palace area of 6 hectares, known as the "Twelfth abode of peace" (Dwadasantham), surrounded by four high outer walls and stands in the center of the city. Above it rise into the sky twelve majestic towers (gopuram). Most of the fenced area was rebuilt in the XVII century AD after Malik Kafur razed the walls and fourteen towers, leaving intact only the inner altar.
New buildings were designed Visvanathoy Nayak in 1560, but built between 1623 and 1655 years BC during the reign of Tirumala Nayak. The temple in the style of "baroque" includes not only a whole group of churches and galleries, but also large rooms (mandapa), Kalyana mandapa - room, where every year a ritual wedding of Shiva and Parvati, and the hall from 1000 columns (currently only 985), built around the middle of the XVI century ...
The center of this kingdom are the temples of the patron saints - Sundaresvary and his wife. At the altar of the first pilgrims are not allowed, it is constantly draped and hidden from view. Nearby is the sacred pond, Maha Tirtha Pathak, whose waters are believed to have purified the most fallen sinners. In front of him - the ruins of an old temple of Lord Vishnu.
Altar Meenakshi, as well as her husband is in darkness; it is the golden door of the hall of eight goddesses and divine powers (Ashta Sakti Mandapam). Their sanctuary, as it is protected by the altars of her sons, Ganesha - the right and Subramanya - on the left. "
Spouses: Shiva and Meenakshi (Parvati)
Ganesha, son of Shiva and Parvati
In fact, there are several variants of the legend of the birth of Meenakshi. According to one version, she was a foster daughter of a merchant, and when the king of the Pandyan falsely accused of stealing a bracelet executed her lover Shiva, Meenakshi took the image of the goddess Durga and killed the offender.
According to another version of Madura ruler to adopt the girl, miraculously yavivshuyusya to him from the fire of the sacrificial fire, which he built in supplication for the offspring. Inheriting the throne, Princess Meenakshi became perform military campaigns and decided to conquer the whole world at once at Mount Kailash with an army of Shiva.However, when he saw him, he immediately turned into a quiet shameful Parvati and her third breast disappeared.
Chitra Gopuram or West tower is considered to be the most original, its walls decorated with 730 miniature sculptures.The highest tower of the temple is considered to be South, its height of 50 meters. This is the only gopuram, which you can climb and appreciate the full scope of the old building. East Tower or Rajagopuram, construction of which began at Timuralai Nyack, would have to be the most majestic (over 60 meters), but, unfortunately, remained unfinished.
At the East Tower is Ashta Shakti Mandapam (Hall) with stone columns and paintings depicting the miracle 64 (Thiruvilayadals), which makes Shiva being in Madurai. This hall was built by Thirumalai Nayak and wives in his passage is always giving away free food wandering pilgrims. Overall imprinted pattern of birth and life of princess Meenakshi. If you see a girl with three breasts and skin greenish, you know - it's the goddess herself.
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