My Travel Dairies: Trip to Meenakshi Temple, Madurai:
Hello Friends,
Recently I with my family visited Madurai and there we got a chance to visit the very famous Meenakshi Temple.
Meenakshi Temple in Madurai is among the most famous and historic temples in India exisitng from last 3000 years approx. It is situated in the Tamil Nadu state of the southern India. Madurai is often called as the temple city, which is absolutely true since there are so many temples to explore in this city. The most visited and famous temple being the Meenakshi temple.
Meenakshi temple is a historic Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Parvati known as Meenakshi and her consort Lord Siva. So, inside the temple compound two main temples are there- One of Goddess Meenakshi and another one for Lord Siva. It is said the marriage of Lord Siva and Goddess Meenakshi was performed here.
Meenakshi temple is one of the famous tourist attraction of the southern India. People specially from the Southern India has a great belief in this temple and come to pray here from time to time. No wonder this is definitely one of the most exotic and huge temples, I have visited so far.
We stayed in the temple for about 3-4 hours and it was a total bliss. The positive vibes present there is something to really feel and cannot be expressed in words. The charge coming from the main statue of Goddess is total hypnotizing. Even though the main statue inside the sanctum is not really very big and not very brightly lit either, you can still feel the energy. In the main sanctum, around the goddess statue, it is occupied with the Pundits or Priests and not open for normal public. So, you need to have a darshan from little distance.
The temple compound is huge occupying acres of land. Every corner of the temple is intricately designed.The upper half of the temple building is beautifully carved and filled with multiple colors. Inside the temple, there are thousands of pillars including some of the musical pillars and a water pond in the middle with beautiful lotus flowers. There are thousands of statue of other Gods as well around the temple like Nataraj, Nandi Bull. You can also find a statue of Bull Nandi in the Rectangle water tub and people seeking its blessing by sprinkling water on the statue.
Inside, there are many shops to buy flowers and other things which you can use while prayer. You can also buy sovereigns from these shops to gift to your family and friends.
Although, we went in summers and it was a very hot outside, once you enter inside the temple, the temperature was very normal and bearable. There are even table fans inside.
You really need to plan your timing to visit this temple. In the evening the gates are opened at 4 pm and immediately there will be a long queue. The sooner you stand in the queue the better since the waiting time can be really long. We took the special darshan ticket of Rs 100 each. This helped us to avoid at least 50% of the normal queue distance. Then also waiting time for 2-3 hours is normal. Having said that, still waiting doesn't seem that tough. We waited for about 2 hours but still there was no restlessness. The positive energy in the temple makes it all work seamlessly.
Once we had our Darshan, whole trip from walking in the hot sun till waiting in the long queue seems worth it!!
One very important point to be noted is photography is prohibited inside the temple.
Madurai city is well connected through all modes of transport including Train, Bus, Taxi Or By Air. Madurai has an airport, which makes a big plus point for the tourist. Ola Cabs are also available in the city. Meenakshi temple is opened two times a day..Once in morning around 5 am and then in evening at 4 pm. In the afternoon from 12.30 till 4.00 pm , temple will be closed for the public.
Just near the entrance from where the queue starts, separate place is there to keep your shoes.
Proper organised parking area is nearby, to park your vehicles with the nominal parking charges.
So , friends that was my personal experience about the visit to the very sacred and beautiful Meenakshi Temple of Madurai.
Do share your experiences about the place you recently visited and loved!!
Happy Travelling!! :) :)
Hello Friends,
Recently I with my family visited Madurai and there we got a chance to visit the very famous Meenakshi Temple.
Meenakshi Temple in Madurai is among the most famous and historic temples in India exisitng from last 3000 years approx. It is situated in the Tamil Nadu state of the southern India. Madurai is often called as the temple city, which is absolutely true since there are so many temples to explore in this city. The most visited and famous temple being the Meenakshi temple.
Meenakshi temple is a historic Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Parvati known as Meenakshi and her consort Lord Siva. So, inside the temple compound two main temples are there- One of Goddess Meenakshi and another one for Lord Siva. It is said the marriage of Lord Siva and Goddess Meenakshi was performed here.
Meenakshi temple is one of the famous tourist attraction of the southern India. People specially from the Southern India has a great belief in this temple and come to pray here from time to time. No wonder this is definitely one of the most exotic and huge temples, I have visited so far.
We stayed in the temple for about 3-4 hours and it was a total bliss. The positive vibes present there is something to really feel and cannot be expressed in words. The charge coming from the main statue of Goddess is total hypnotizing. Even though the main statue inside the sanctum is not really very big and not very brightly lit either, you can still feel the energy. In the main sanctum, around the goddess statue, it is occupied with the Pundits or Priests and not open for normal public. So, you need to have a darshan from little distance.
The temple compound is huge occupying acres of land. Every corner of the temple is intricately designed.The upper half of the temple building is beautifully carved and filled with multiple colors. Inside the temple, there are thousands of pillars including some of the musical pillars and a water pond in the middle with beautiful lotus flowers. There are thousands of statue of other Gods as well around the temple like Nataraj, Nandi Bull. You can also find a statue of Bull Nandi in the Rectangle water tub and people seeking its blessing by sprinkling water on the statue.
Inside, there are many shops to buy flowers and other things which you can use while prayer. You can also buy sovereigns from these shops to gift to your family and friends.
Although, we went in summers and it was a very hot outside, once you enter inside the temple, the temperature was very normal and bearable. There are even table fans inside.
You really need to plan your timing to visit this temple. In the evening the gates are opened at 4 pm and immediately there will be a long queue. The sooner you stand in the queue the better since the waiting time can be really long. We took the special darshan ticket of Rs 100 each. This helped us to avoid at least 50% of the normal queue distance. Then also waiting time for 2-3 hours is normal. Having said that, still waiting doesn't seem that tough. We waited for about 2 hours but still there was no restlessness. The positive energy in the temple makes it all work seamlessly.
Once we had our Darshan, whole trip from walking in the hot sun till waiting in the long queue seems worth it!!
One very important point to be noted is photography is prohibited inside the temple.
Madurai city is well connected through all modes of transport including Train, Bus, Taxi Or By Air. Madurai has an airport, which makes a big plus point for the tourist. Ola Cabs are also available in the city. Meenakshi temple is opened two times a day..Once in morning around 5 am and then in evening at 4 pm. In the afternoon from 12.30 till 4.00 pm , temple will be closed for the public.
Just near the entrance from where the queue starts, separate place is there to keep your shoes.
Proper organised parking area is nearby, to park your vehicles with the nominal parking charges.
So , friends that was my personal experience about the visit to the very sacred and beautiful Meenakshi Temple of Madurai.
Do share your experiences about the place you recently visited and loved!!
Happy Travelling!! :) :)
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