Meenakshi Amman Temple (Meenachi Amman Kovil)
The age of this large ancient temple is not properly known but estimation is at-least 2000 years old but the current gopuram structures are less than 1000 years old (gopurams are the towers). The temple complex covers a huge area of 17 acres with four gopurams, with tallest gopuram "Rajagopuram" measuring 160.9 ft. You will find Thousands of statues of sculptures within the temple with countless engravings. The story goes four hundred years ago before the colonization of the British, India was the richest country in the world so the people were immersed in spirituality,at a culmination of spirituality. At that time the population of India was only 3 million, so it had all the resources it needed and more to share,people also had the intelligence and time to meditate. It is said the entire temple complex was filled with people twenty four hours a day,everyone meditating and also praying in utter devotion in the temple, but that was 400 years ago. The current situation at the temple and India is not worth talking at all. Do you know why they built these gopurams?. Check out the purpose of the gopurams below on the purpose of the below. A detailed explanation of the temple is given here on the meenakshi amman temple website.
Note: Gopurams are the towers with sculptures.
Note: Gopurams are the towers with sculptures.
Gallery
Purpose of the Temple
- This is all my observation,here goes: The purpose of the gopuram is to channel the higher energies from the skies to the people inside the temple.This helps the human body filled with energy much faster and enhances the meditation process. People who regularly visit the temple are highly immune to diseases. It serves as the same function of a pyramid. skeptical?, then check out the modern pyramids of Russia here.
- The deities in the temples in India were originally used as a means to connect with gods through the deity. It was said in those days that no one would ever ask wishes from the gods, but that they all only prayed ecstatically by devoting themselves completely to god: using the deities as a platform to connect with gods almost like an interface. All these experiences are said to lead to the liberation of the soul through the cycle of life and death known as enlightenment.
- A few enlightened beings are said to have left their bodies (died) at the temple, ( i could not find the number of beings). The reason they do that is to create a field of higher consciousness,just like Varanasi where the number of enlightened souls presiding are said to be at-least 400. (check out osho's book "Hidden Mysteries" for more information.)
Getting there
Route/TimingThree ways to go to the meenakshi amman temple from the Railway Junction at Periyar, Madurai.
1.First way: The best way to get there is to take an auto-rickshaw(a yellow three-tyre vehicle). They will charge you Rs.40-50 Duration:5 minutes 2.Second way: If you prefer to walk it,its just a straight road but a busy sidewalk. Duration:10 minutes 3.Third way: Take a taxi but they will charge you Rs.200 (not such a smart way unless you already rented a taxi for the trip ) Duration:5 minutes Note:you can't get by bus to the temple. Temple Timing : 5:00 am to 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm (open through out the week) |
A. Madurai Railway Station B. Meenakshi Amman temple.