Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple - Mathurai

The Adore - Meenakshi Amman

    We all read about Lord Shri Rama, a prince from North India, who went to the southern tip of India. But when was the last time you heard of a queen who traveled from Mathurai in the south to Kailasa in the North to find herself a groom. That princess was called Thadaatagai, more popularly known as Meenakshi, she whose eyes are as shapely as the contours of a fish.

    The temple is one the grandest in Tamil Nadu, spread over 14 acres with 12 large gateway towers and 33,000 icons. There are 4 nine-storey gopurams (outer, raja), 1 seven-storey gopuram (Chittirai), 5 five-storey gopurams, 2 three-storey, and 2 one-storey gold-gilded sanctum towers. The temple itself is an architectural wonder and if you climb on the South Tower, you can see the entire city of Mathurai. In this city you will not get permission to build a structure taller than the Gopuram.

The Aerial View of  Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple - Mathurai

LEGEND

    Lord Indra who is always in a mind that no one else should be powerful than him, Identifies a demon praying for Lord Bramha with the interest of acquiring some powers. With no other thought, he kills the praying demon in a fear that he will become powerful.

    With this cruel act Lord Shiva curses Indra to have a normal human life and to wander in the universe. This he did, without finding relief till he came to forest in South of India the Kadambavanam full of with Kadamba trees, where suddenly he found his burden removed. Being surprised at this he commanded search to made around and discovers a svayambhu linga in the midst of the vanam (forest) and gets vindication from the curse. He gets Golden Lotus flowers from the near by Pond (Pottramarai kulam or the Golden Lotus Pond now) pray to the Linga and returns to the Swargh Lok. King Kulasekara Pandya the then ruler, in his dreams gets the order to construct a temple over the place where Lord  Indira worshiped the svyamabhu Linga through Lord Shiva himself. Kulasekara Pandya cleared the forest and constructed a temple, with Airavath the vehicle of Lord Indira as its base. ( Devotees can see that this temple has Lord on the Indira’s vehicle, which in a way verifies this legend.). A city was soon planned with the temple as its centre. On the day the city was to be named, Lord Shiva is said to have appeared and drops of nectar from his hair fell on the town. So, Mathurai which has rich historical background was named Mathurai- Mathuram meaning sweetness in Tamil.

    After Kulasekara Pandya, Malayadwaja Pandya succeded the kingdom. Malayadhwaja and his consort Queen Kanchanamalai with ardent devotion and prayers were blessed with 3 year old girl child with 3 breasts who came out of the pious fire with the blessings of Lord Shiva. However, the girl had three breasts and it was prophesized that the third breast would disappear when she met her husband. She was named as Thadaathagai and was raised as a son, taught the arts of war and grew to be the next ruler of Mathurai. She was well trained in the 64 sastras and all disciplines required for her to rule the kingdom wisely.

    She waged war and conquered Brahma's Abode - Sathyaloka, Vishnu's Abode - Vaikunta, and Devas' abode - Amaravati. She proceeded to attack Shiva's Abode - Kailash where she defeated Shiva's army and Nandi, Shiva's celestial bull. As soon as she came face to face with the Lord, she bowed her head and her third breast vanished immediately. Thadaathagai realised she was Parvati reborn.

    This phenomenon was followed by the realization that Shiva was to be husband. She returned to Mathurai as a beautiful women with beautiful eyes likes fish and so named as Meenakshi (Fish eyed one). Azhagar (Who was present here in the form of Lord Vishnu as he was late for the marraige) , gave Meenakshi, his sister to Lord Shiva who came as Sundareswarar to Mathurai in the month of Chaithra. The pair proceeded to rule Mathurai for many years as Sudaresa Pandian and Meenakshi.

    The Couple had a boy named Ukkira Pandian (as a form of Subramanyan) and was the heir to the throne. After that, both assumed the forms of Goddess Meenakshi and God Sundareswarar, and became the reigning deity at Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple.   

Chaitrai Festival or Meenakshi Thiru Kalyanam

The wedding of Meenakshi with Sundareswarar (Lord Shiva) was to happen in Mathurai. Alagar, the brother of Meenakshi, was invited. He started on a 20 km journey from his abode at Alagar Hills towards Mathurai. Alagar decided to travel disguised as a robber, to protect himself and his belongings. At times, he had to hide, to avoid getting arrested by soldiers. This and the dense forest of Alagar Hills delayed his journey further. When he was crossing Vaigai river, he learned that his sister's wedding was over. This made him furious. To pacify, Meenakshi and Lord Shiva came to Vaigai river. He chose to give all the gifts that he carried, to Meenakshi and Sundaraswarar in a Mandapam in the middle of Vaigai river, and returned to Alagar Hill without entering Mathurai.

The following are the list of events in Chithirai festival-

Kodi Yetram

During this event the chief priest of Meenakshi temple will hoist the holy flag on the Dwajasthambam(Flag post) of the temple. This event declares the long event open. The flag will stay on the flag post until the end of the festival..

Pattabisekam

Pattabisekam is coronation ceremony. Meenakshi is crowned as the queen of Mathurai on this day and she will rule the Pandya Kingdom for the next four months and after that her husband Lord Sundereswarar will be crowned as the king of Mathurai for the next eight months.

Dikvijayam

After Goddess Meenakshi is crowned as the queen of Pandya kingdom she went into war with all the countries in the world and conquered the whole world and she went to Kailasham (The Place of Lord Shiva in Himalayas) to conquer it. But, on seeing lord shiva on the battlefield she fell in love with him and married him.

Meenakshi Kalyanam

Meenakshi kalyanam is the wedding celebration of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord shiva as Sundereswara in Mathurai. On the day of Meenakshi Thirukalyanam, devotees get up at sunrise and reach the Meenakshi Mathurai temple. After taking a holy dip in the Golden Lotus pond, they wear clean clothes. Goddess Meenakshi is first worshipped by the traditional methods, following which prayers are offered to ‘Viboothi Vinayakar’. On this day devotees sing devotional songs and bhajans. It is also considered auspicious to wear the holy ash, known as ‘Uthiraksham’ while entering the temple premises. Devotees also carry fruits, coconuts and incense sticks to offer to their lords. Inside the temple the idols of the Gods and Goddesses are decorated with beautiful silk clothes and floral garlands. Not only is this, on the day of Meenakshi Thirukalyanam the entire temple decorated as a bride. There are nearly 50 priests in the Meenakshi Mathurai temple who perform the puja rituals and special prayers. The main priests in the temple perform the ritualistic wedding ceremonies. At the completion of the event, magnificent idols of Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Meenakshi Amman are taken out in huge processions on the streets in the ‘Pushpa Pallakku’ and ‘Yaanai Vahanam’.

Significance of Meenakshi Thirukalyanam: Meenakshi Thirukalyanam is a part of the renowned ‘Chithirai Thiruvizha’ celebrations. This festival is observed during the month of ‘Chitirai’ in the Tamil calendar. Chithirai Thiruvizha is an annual event celebrated with great pomp and show in Mathurai in the month of April, as per the Gregorian calendar. It is known to be the world’s longest celebrations that last for a period of one month (30 days). Of this, the first 15 days are dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi (an incarnation of Goddess Parvati) and the remaining 15 days is celebrated for Azhgar, who is known to be a form of Mahavishnu. Azhagar is the elder brother of Meenakshi and he tried to visit Mathurai to attend the marriage ceremony of Lord Shiva and Meenakshi.

Chariot Festival

Chariot festival or Ther Tiruvizha or Rathotsavam is performed the day after Meenakshi kalyanam. The King and Queen of Pandya Kingdom Lord Sunderaswara and Meenakshi come to see their subjects in a well decorated chariot. It attracts many people in the Masi streets of Mathurai as viewers.

Ethir Seva

Part of the Chithirai Thiruvizha of Lord Kallazhagar temple at Azhagar Koyil, the ‘Ethir Seva' began on the fourth day of the festival. On this day, Azhagar change his appearance as Kallar (Kallar vedam) when he travels via Kallar Nadu and enters Mathurai city and the people of the city welcome him.

Alagar Vaigai Elenthuarulal

After the holy marriage of Meenakshi, her brother tries to come to the marriage. Lord Azhagar comes from Azhagarkoil to Mathurai slowly and by making couple of stops on the way. It is considered that when reaching the Vaigai river bank, he hears that marriage is over, so he gets angry and returns to Azhagarkoil after giving the gifts to Meenakshi and Sundereswarar and this event happens in a mandapam in the middle of river Vaigai.

The Chithirai Festival

VERITAS

# Why did Thadaathagai had Three Breasts?

      The condition of having three breast is known as Polymastia. Polymastia is a symbol of Veneration (Greek Goddesses Artemis can be seen with Ploymastia), and full of pride bordering manliness, as a majestic ruler.

Thadaathagai with 3 breasts

#  Why Meenakshi Amman's Body is Green Toned ?

     Meenakshi amman is said to have a dusky complexion, an indication of her Dravidian origin. And when dusky women apply turmeric on their faces (common practice for women), they get a greenish tint. And that's why Meenakshi amman is shown green. The current Idol of amman is made out of Emarald stone (Green in Color).

# What is the Significance of the Parrot in Meenakshi Amman's Hand?
      

     According to Hindu Mythology Parrot is a symbol of Love or Kama and Knowledge. Meenakshi amman is well known for her scholastic works and thus the parrot on her right shoulder denotes her wealth of knowledge. According to sages parrot is a bird containing a specific form of vedas as people who want good knowledge in vedas can worship here on wednesday, navami and karthigai star.

The Green Body of amman & The Parrot on her right Shoulder 

# The Golden Lotus  Pond or Potramarai Kulam - Why it is Free of fishes? 

       According to the legend, Once a Heron on its way to fly, Reached the Potramarai. Knowing this is a holy place, he continued for one patsham (or Fifteen days) to bath in the tank; at the end of which a fish of its own accord leaped out on to the bank, and  with strong instinct urged the Heron to devour its prey; but it recollected that the place was holy, and considered that severe punishment would follow it therefore abstained; and Siva now visibly  appeared, asking what gift it desired? The Heron said , "Let me lay aside this body, and be received into your paradise; In order that all my species may be kept away from sin, let there be no fishes, frogs or anything that lives in water, produced in this tank." This requests were granted; and hence to this day the Potramarai produces no living thing.
     
    Even now the temple tank has no fish and the festival commemorating giving mukthi to the stork still takes place at the temple during the Aavai Moola Thiruvizha every year.
       In 2016,  a rare incident took place in temple premises. A Strok came to the Pond; stood on one leg for five long days and finally attained moksha. The Body of the Strok was burried in the temples's Gosala.

(Source - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/Stork-at-Meenakshi-temple-tank-that-attracted-devotees-is-dead/articleshow/51448819.cms)

         The great Mathurai Sangam was born on the sangam plank which can be seen in this pond. It was believed in ancient times that the worthiness of any new literature can be judged by placing the book on the surface of the plank. The poor quality literature would sink while the scholastic ones would remain afloat. 

The Golden Lotus Pond

# The Unusual Marriage Scene

       In Hindu Marriages generally we see the Bride hand will be given to the Bridegroom. But  in Meenakshi Thiru kalyanam (The Marriage of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar) Azhagar takes the hand of Sundareswarar and give to Meenkashi. This can be seen in the sculptures in the temple. This event symbolizes the power of Meenakshi through which Feminism is highlighted here.

The hand of Sundareswarar being given to Meenakshi

                                     

# The Altered Leg of Natarajar at Velliyambalam
      

      Generally when we see the idol of Lord Natarajar, The god of dance, in his dancing posture of TANDAVA; He is surrounded by a ring of flames, standing on a lotus pedestal, lifting his left leg  and  balancing / trampling upon a demon. The special thing one can notice here, about the Natarajar idol in silver hall that unusually the lord stands on his left leg and raise the right one. 

        According to the ThiruviLaiyaadal puraaNam, there was a Pandya king who was grief-striken because of this. He felt that Nataraja has been standing on his right leg for eons of time. He prayed ardently to Nataraja to shift his stance and change his posture. He wanted to Nataraja to stand on His left leg and life up and throw across His right leg.

    Because of his prayers, Nataraja appeared and hearing the Pandya's plea, shifted his legs. He stood on his left leg and lifted his right leg and danced thus.

General Depiction of Lord Natarajar

Mathurai Natarajar

#  Painting of  Rotating 3 Dimensional Siva Linga

    

We can see a marvellous painting of the siva linga on the roof inside the temple which is a rotating 3d image, i.e in the direction of 360 degree you can feel the linga rotating along with you.

The 3 Dimensional paint of the Siva Linga

# The Temple Has 4 Gopurams in N-E-W-S Directions, But still u can see Sunrise and Sunset from the center of the Temple

      This is a big architectural marvel that, one can see the sunrise and sunset if we stand in the middle of the temple. Actually the four directional gopurams  which are at least 45 feet height should be a barricade for our vision to see the sunset. But we can see the Sunrise and Sunset with 23.5 Inclination to the East and West gopurams respectively. Guess why?

     It was just before 500 years that Galileo discovered that the Earth's rotational axis  is tilted at an angle of 23.5 degree to the ecliptic plane. Calculating this tilt, 1000 years before the architectures made the N-E-W-S directions exactly with 180 degree and constructed these gopurams. So, now one can see the sunrise and sunset without any barricades.

# The British Collector's Story

    Rous Peter, who took over as the third Collector in 1812, is held dear to the heart of Mathurai. Historians recall that Rous Peter acquitted himself as the administrator of the temple with sincerity and respected the religious sentiments of people.

    He is said to have begun his official work by going round the temple on horseback in the morning. His contributions to the Meenakshi temple and Sundararaja Perumal temple in Alagarkoil are celebrated in folk songs. According to a legend, Rous Peter was woken up from sleep by a three-year-old girl in his room and led by the hand outside, where it was raining heavily. When the Collector stopped and looked back, lightning struck his bungalow. The girl ran away in the direction of the temple. Goddess Meenakshi is believed to have appeared as a three-year-old child thrice. The first was in Ezhukadal, where Malayuthavaja Pandian and Kanchanamalai performed a ‘putrakameshti yagam,’ praying for a child. The next appearance was before poet Kumaraguruparar when his ‘Meenakshi Amman Pillai Tamizh’ was made public. The third instance involves Rous Peter.

    The Collector donated a pair of gold stirrups, studded with rubies, to Goddess Meenakshi, who had saved his life. The Chithirai festival of Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple has many things that seamlessly link Mathurai to the past. A pair of stirrups made of gold and studded with rubies links it to the British rule. On the fifth day of the festival, Goddess Meenakshi is taken on a golden horse around the Masi streets wearing the stirrups.Refusing to go back to England after superannuation, Rous Peter spent his last days in Mathurai. As per his wish, he was interred at the St. George’s Church.

The ruby-studded stirrups donated to Goddess Meenakshi by Rous Peter

# The 1000 Pillars Mandapam - Musical Pillars & The Mythical Character Yali

      This 1000-pillared hall now has 985 pillars. Each pillar is in a different style and has a different statue. One can see the engineering marvel or carving sculptures in the pillars. The pillars are arranged that from every angle they appear to be in a straight line. 

     In olden times, the temples were the centres for various cultural activities. Hence, musical pillars were made for the purpose of playing prayers to the God as well as for the cultural events. Meenakshi Amman Temple is a masterpiece architecture which has many attractions. Five musical pillars located just outside the thousand-pillared hall should not be missed.

     There is a statue of Rathi on a swan, and yes, this is a musical stone too. As we tap the statue in different spots we can hear the sounds. We will be mesmerised by the perfection and detailing of the sculptures, like the Yali Mugham, Purusha Mirugham, the five-headed snake and so on.

     The pillars in the hall can be seen with a mythical creature Yazhi sculptured on it. Yazhi  is a mythical creature seen in many South Indian temples, often sculpted onto the pillars. It may be portrayed as part lion, part elephant and part horse, and in similar shapes. Also, it has been sometimes described as a leogryph (part lion and part griffin), with some bird-like features. Yalis were believed to be more powerful than the lion, the tiger or the elephant and are the protectors of the temple.

1000 Pillars Mandapam with Yazhi on it's pillars

The Musical Pillars

# Elephant Sculpture Which eats Sugarcane - Malik Kufur's Attack

   Alauddin Khilji, who was the successful ruler in North India wanted to occupy Tamil Nadu. So he sent his Army Chief Malik Kafur to Mathurai. He attacked Mathurai in the year 1310. He easily won the battle as the then Pandiyan king Veerapandiyan lacked a powerful army. He also planned to destroy the Mathurai temple after capturing the fort. 

  

    One of Malik Kafur's soldiers by name "Thiruvegambarayan" came to see the temple. He noticed eight elephant statues around the main Garpagraha. He asked a saint who was sitting in the "Siththar Sannidhi" about those elephants.The saint told him about the "Thiruvilayadals" of  Lord Shiva.Once Lord Shiva came as "Siththar" and gave those elephants sugarcane. He asked the saint whether it will happen even today.  

     "Thiruvegambarayan" who felt surprised informed Malik Kafur about the elephant statues. Malik Kafur came to the temple to see those  statues. Malik Kafur was given sugarcane by the saint to feed the elephants. To everyone's surprise the stone elephant stretched its trunk and ate the sugarcane. Malik Kafur was astonished. He said," Truly, god is present here only". He also ordered his soldiers to stop destructing the temple.  

The temple was thus saved from demolition. When they attempted  to know about the saint, he was not there.It was Lord Shiva who incarnated as the saint to rescue the temple. 

The Elephant which eats the sugarcane can be seen on the outer sanatorium of Meenakshi amaan temple

# The Depiction of Ozone Layer in the Bhugol Chakra

Charles Fabry and Henri Buisson Discovered thi laye in the year 1913.

But, can you belve that the Ozone Layer and it's protective measures where already described in the Bhugol Chakra of the temple 700 years before? Yes, the Bhogol Chakra mentioned in this temple has the details of the Ozone layer which is a belt of naturally occurring ozone gas that sits 15 to 30 km above earth. 

The Paintings in the temple which depict about the Ozone layer and its protective measures

The Bhugol Chakra

(The National Green Tribunal today rapped the Ministry of Environment and Forests for suggesting that ozone depletion is an international issue and asked its officials to visit Meenakshi Temple in Mathurai to learn that India was aware of the ozone layer 700 years before)

Read more at: https://www.deccanherald.com/content/509930/visit-meenakshi-temple-study-ozone.html) 

# The Temple was in Race for " SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD "

        The New Seven Wonders project, was a private effort to identify important historical creations for the purpose of helping preserve them for future generations.

    A large number of places in India are on the list, including Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Arunachaleshwara Temple, Brihadeshwara Temple, Golden Temple in Amritsar, Saint Thiruvalluvar Statue, Mahabalipuram, Ajanta and more.

    

    While the worthy top 21 nominations out of 66, alone will be short-listed for the final selection, this temple had risen to the twenty-sixth position in the total voting, with 3.4% but couldn't make it into the list of 'Seven Wonders of the World'. However,the temple is definitely one of the 'Wonders of World'. Did you know that this great temple, was recognised as a world wonder in the year 1991? 

Down, down in the South,

Which the antiquity etched to the soul,

The city stretched with majesty,

On the banks of the fertile Vaigai;

The air coalesced with aromatic jasmine,

The mighty Meenkashi Ammn temple painting the sky with the regalia,

Super soft Idlies, reflecting the aura of their home;

The city was named rightly,

A divine nectar indeed,

The proud capital of Pandyas;

The solace of ancient Tamil literature,

MATHURAI 

The City That Never Sleeps

Thanks for reading, Let me know your comments !

                          

Compiled By- 

Vamsi Krishna Mutyala 

vamsim88@gmail.com