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href="#Etymology"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> 3 Etymology </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Etymology-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Legend" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Legend"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> 4 Legend </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Legend-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-History" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#History"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> 5 History </div> </a> <button aria-controls="toc-History-sublist" class="cdx-button cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only vector-toc-toggle"> Toggle History subsection </button> <ul id="toc-History-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Invasions_and_Destruction" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Invasions_and_Destruction"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> 5.1 Invasions and Destruction </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Invasions_and_Destruction-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Rebuilding" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Rebuilding"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> 5.2 Rebuilding </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Rebuilding-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Temple_entry_agitations_of_Nadars" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Temple_entry_agitations_of_Nadars"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> 5.3 Temple entry agitations of Nadars </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Temple_entry_agitations_of_Nadars-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Post-1923" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Post-1923"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> 5.4 Post-1923 </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Post-1923-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Description" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Description"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> 6 Description </div> </a> <button aria-controls="toc-Description-sublist" class="cdx-button cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only vector-toc-toggle"> Toggle Description subsection </button> <ul id="toc-Description-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Walls" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Walls"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> 6.1 Walls </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Walls-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Gopurams" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Gopurams"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> 6.2 Gopurams </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Gopurams-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Shrines" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Shrines"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> 6.3 Shrines </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Shrines-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Temple_tank_and_surrounding_portico" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Temple_tank_and_surrounding_portico"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> 6.4 Temple tank and surrounding portico </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Temple_tank_and_surrounding_portico-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Halls" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Halls"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> 6.5 Halls </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Halls-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Main_mandapams" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Main_mandapams"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> 6.5.1 Main mandapams </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Main_mandapams-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Other_mandapams" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Other_mandapams"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> 6.5.2 Other mandapams </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Other_mandapams-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Deities_inside_the_Temple" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Deities_inside_the_Temple"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> 7 Deities inside the Temple </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Deities_inside_the_Temple-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Significance" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Significance"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> 8 Significance </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Significance-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Worship" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Worship"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> 9 Worship </div> </a> <button aria-controls="toc-Worship-sublist" class="cdx-button cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only vector-toc-toggle"> Toggle Worship subsection </button> <ul id="toc-Worship-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Festivals" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Festivals"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> 9.1 Festivals </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Festivals-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Literary_mention" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Literary_mention"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> 10 Literary mention </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Literary_mention-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-108_Veena_concert" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#108_Veena_concert"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> 11 108 Veena concert </div> </a> <ul id="toc-108_Veena_concert-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Notes" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Notes"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> 12 Notes </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Notes-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-References" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#References"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> 13 References </div> </a> <button aria-controls="toc-References-sublist" class="cdx-button cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only vector-toc-toggle"> Toggle References subsection </button> <ul id="toc-References-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Bibliography" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Bibliography"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> 13.1 Bibliography </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Bibliography-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-External_links" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#External_links"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> 14 External links </div> </a> <ul id="toc-External_links-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="mw-content-container"> <main id="content" class="mw-body"> <header class="mw-body-header vector-page-titlebar"> <nav aria-label="Contents" class="vector-toc-landmark"> <div id="vector-page-titlebar-toc" class="vector-dropdown vector-page-titlebar-toc vector-button-flush-left" > <input type="checkbox" id="vector-page-titlebar-toc-checkbox" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" data-event-name="ui.dropdown-vector-page-titlebar-toc" class="vector-dropdown-checkbox " aria-label="Toggle the table of contents" > <label id="vector-page-titlebar-toc-label" for="vector-page-titlebar-toc-checkbox" class="vector-dropdown-label cdx-button cdx-button--fake-button cdx-button--fake-button--enabled cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only " aria-hidden="true" > Toggle the table of contents </label> <div class="vector-dropdown-content"> <div id="vector-page-titlebar-toc-unpinned-container" class="vector-unpinned-container"> </div> </div> </div> </nav> <h1 id="firstHeading" class="firstHeading mw-first-heading">Meenakshi Temple</h1> <div id="p-lang-btn" class="vector-dropdown mw-portlet mw-portlet-lang" > <input type="checkbox" id="p-lang-btn-checkbox" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" data-event-name="ui.dropdown-p-lang-btn" class="vector-dropdown-checkbox mw-interlanguage-selector" aria-label="Go to an article in another language. Available in 40 languages" > <label id="p-lang-btn-label" for="p-lang-btn-checkbox" class="vector-dropdown-label cdx-button cdx-button--fake-button cdx-button--fake-button--enabled cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--action-progressive mw-portlet-lang-heading-40" aria-hidden="true" > 40 languages </label> <div class="vector-dropdown-content"> <div class="vector-menu-content"> <ul class="vector-menu-content-list"> <li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ar mw-list-item"><a href="https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%AF_%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%B4%D9%8A" title="معبد ميناكشي – Arabic" lang="ar" hreflang="ar" data-title="معبد ميناكشي" data-language-autonym="العربية" data-language-local-name="Arabic" class="interlanguage-link-target">العربية</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-hyw mw-list-item"><a href="https://hyw.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D5%84%D5%AB%D5%B6%D5%A1%D6%84%D5%B7%D5%AB%D5%AB_%D5%BF%D5%A1%D5%B3%D5%A1%D6%80%D5%A8" title="Մինաքշիի տաճարը – Western Armenian" lang="hyw" hreflang="hyw" data-title="Մինաքշիի տաճարը" data-language-autonym="Արեւմտահայերէն" data-language-local-name="Western Armenian" class="interlanguage-link-target">Արեւմտահայերէն</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-awa mw-list-item"><a href="https://awa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%80_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0_%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0" title="मीनाक्षी सुन्दरेश्वर मन्दिर – Awadhi" lang="awa" hreflang="awa" data-title="मीनाक्षी सुन्दरेश्वर मन्दिर" data-language-autonym="अवधी" data-language-local-name="Awadhi" class="interlanguage-link-target">अवधी</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-az mw-list-item"><a href="https://az.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minak%C5%9Fi_m%C9%99b%C9%99di" title="Minakşi məbədi – Azerbaijani" lang="az" hreflang="az" data-title="Minakşi məbədi" data-language-autonym="Azərbaycanca" data-language-local-name="Azerbaijani" class="interlanguage-link-target">Azərbaycanca</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-bn mw-list-item"><a href="https://bn.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A6%AE%E0%A7%80%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%B7%E0%A7%80_%E0%A6%AE%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B0" title="মীনাক্ষী মন্দির – Bangla" lang="bn" hreflang="bn" data-title="মীনাক্ষী মন্দির" data-language-autonym="বাংলা" data-language-local-name="Bangla" class="interlanguage-link-target">বাংলা</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-be mw-list-item"><a href="https://be.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A5%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BC_%D0%9C%D1%96%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BA%D1%88%D1%8B" title="Храм Мінакшы – Belarusian" lang="be" hreflang="be" data-title="Храм Мінакшы" data-language-autonym="Беларуская" data-language-local-name="Belarusian" class="interlanguage-link-target">Беларуская</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-bg mw-list-item"><a href="https://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9C%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BA%D1%88%D0%B8_%D0%90%D0%BC%D0%B0%D0%BD" title="Минакши Аман – Bulgarian" lang="bg" hreflang="bg" data-title="Минакши Аман" data-language-autonym="Български" data-language-local-name="Bulgarian" class="interlanguage-link-target">Български</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-de badge-Q17437796 badge-featuredarticle mw-list-item" title="featured article badge"><a href="https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minakshi-Tempel" title="Minakshi-Tempel – German" lang="de" hreflang="de" data-title="Minakshi-Tempel" data-language-autonym="Deutsch" data-language-local-name="German" class="interlanguage-link-target">Deutsch</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-es mw-list-item"><a href="https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Templo_de_Meenakshi_Amman" title="Templo de Meenakshi Amman – Spanish" lang="es" hreflang="es" data-title="Templo de Meenakshi Amman" data-language-autonym="Español" data-language-local-name="Spanish" class="interlanguage-link-target">Español</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-eu mw-list-item"><a href="https://eu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meenakshi_Amman_tenplua" title="Meenakshi Amman tenplua – Basque" lang="eu" hreflang="eu" data-title="Meenakshi Amman tenplua" data-language-autonym="Euskara" data-language-local-name="Basque" class="interlanguage-link-target">Euskara</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-fr mw-list-item"><a href="https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_de_M%C3%AEn%C3%A2ksh%C3%AE" title="Temple de Mînâkshî – French" lang="fr" hreflang="fr" data-title="Temple de Mînâkshî" data-language-autonym="Français" data-language-local-name="French" class="interlanguage-link-target">Français</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-hi mw-list-item"><a href="https://hi.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%80_%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B0_%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0" title="मीनाक्षी सुन्दरेश्वर मन्दिर – Hindi" lang="hi" hreflang="hi" data-title="मीनाक्षी सुन्दरेश्वर मन्दिर" data-language-autonym="हिन्दी" data-language-local-name="Hindi" class="interlanguage-link-target">हिन्दी</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-id mw-list-item"><a href="https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuil_Meenakshi" title="Kuil Meenakshi – Indonesian" lang="id" hreflang="id" data-title="Kuil Meenakshi" data-language-autonym="Bahasa Indonesia" data-language-local-name="Indonesian" class="interlanguage-link-target">Bahasa Indonesia</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-it mw-list-item"><a href="https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempio_di_Meenakshi" title="Tempio di Meenakshi – Italian" lang="it" hreflang="it" data-title="Tempio di Meenakshi" data-language-autonym="Italiano" data-language-local-name="Italian" class="interlanguage-link-target">Italiano</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-kn mw-list-item"><a href="https://kn.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B2%AE%E0%B3%80%E0%B2%A8%E0%B2%BE%E0%B2%95%E0%B3%8D%E0%B2%B7%E0%B2%BF_%E0%B2%A6%E0%B3%87%E0%B2%B5%E0%B2%B8%E0%B3%8D%E0%B2%A5%E0%B2%BE%E0%B2%A8" title="ಮೀನಾಕ್ಷಿ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ – Kannada" lang="kn" hreflang="kn" data-title="ಮೀನಾಕ್ಷಿ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ" data-language-autonym="ಕನ್ನಡ" data-language-local-name="Kannada" class="interlanguage-link-target">ಕನ್ನಡ</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ka mw-list-item"><a href="https://ka.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%83%9B%E1%83%98%E1%83%9C%E1%83%90%E1%83%99%E1%83%A8%E1%83%98%E1%83%A1_%E1%83%A2%E1%83%90%E1%83%AB%E1%83%90%E1%83%A0%E1%83%98" title="მინაკშის ტაძარი – Georgian" lang="ka" hreflang="ka" data-title="მინაკშის ტაძარი" data-language-autonym="ქართული" data-language-local-name="Georgian" class="interlanguage-link-target">ქართული</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-mai mw-list-item"><a href="https://mai.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%80_%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8_%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0" title="मिनाक्षी अम्मन मन्दिर – Maithili" lang="mai" hreflang="mai" data-title="मिनाक्षी अम्मन मन्दिर" data-language-autonym="मैथिली" data-language-local-name="Maithili" class="interlanguage-link-target">मैथिली</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ml mw-list-item"><a href="https://ml.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B4%AE%E0%B4%A7%E0%B5%81%E0%B4%B0_%E0%B4%AE%E0%B5%80%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B7%E0%B4%BF_%E0%B4%95%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B7%E0%B5%87%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%B0%E0%B4%82" title="മധുര മീനാക്ഷി ക്ഷേത്രം – Malayalam" lang="ml" hreflang="ml" data-title="മധുര മീനാക്ഷി ക്ഷേത്രം" data-language-autonym="മലയാളം" data-language-local-name="Malayalam" class="interlanguage-link-target">മലയാളം</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-mr mw-list-item"><a href="https://mr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%80_%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0" title="मीनाक्षी मंदिर – Marathi" lang="mr" hreflang="mr" data-title="मीनाक्षी मंदिर" data-language-autonym="मराठी" data-language-local-name="Marathi" class="interlanguage-link-target">मराठी</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-arz mw-list-item"><a href="https://arz.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A8%D8%AF_%D9%85%D9%8A%D9%86%D8%A7%D9%83%D8%B4%D9%89_%D8%B9%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%86" title="معبد ميناكشى عمان – Egyptian Arabic" lang="arz" hreflang="arz" data-title="معبد ميناكشى عمان" data-language-autonym="مصرى" data-language-local-name="Egyptian Arabic" class="interlanguage-link-target">مصرى</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-mni mw-list-item"><a href="https://mni.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EA%AF%83%EA%AF%A4%EA%AF%85%EA%AF%A5%EA%AF%9B%EA%AF%81%EA%AF%A4_%EA%AF%82%EA%AF%A5%EA%AF%A2%EA%AF%81%EA%AF%AA" title="ꯃꯤꯅꯥꯛꯁꯤ ꯂꯥꯢꯁꯪ – Manipuri" lang="mni" hreflang="mni" data-title="ꯃꯤꯅꯥꯛꯁꯤ ꯂꯥꯢꯁꯪ" data-language-autonym="ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ" data-language-local-name="Manipuri" class="interlanguage-link-target">ꯃꯤꯇꯩ ꯂꯣꯟ</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-nl mw-list-item"><a href="https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minakshitempel" title="Minakshitempel – Dutch" lang="nl" hreflang="nl" data-title="Minakshitempel" data-language-autonym="Nederlands" data-language-local-name="Dutch" class="interlanguage-link-target">Nederlands</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ne mw-list-item"><a href="https://ne.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%80_%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8_%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%B0" title="मिनाक्षी अम्मन मन्दिर – Nepali" lang="ne" hreflang="ne" data-title="मिनाक्षी अम्मन मन्दिर" data-language-autonym="नेपाली" data-language-local-name="Nepali" class="interlanguage-link-target">नेपाली</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-new mw-list-item"><a href="https://new.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%80%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B7%E0%A5%80_%E0%A4%A6%E0%A5%87%E0%A4%97%E0%A4%83" title="मीनाक्षी देगः – Newari" lang="new" hreflang="new" data-title="मीनाक्षी देगः" data-language-autonym="नेपाल भाषा" data-language-local-name="Newari" class="interlanguage-link-target">नेपाल भाषा</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-or mw-list-item"><a href="https://or.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%AC%AE%E0%AC%BF%E0%AC%A8%E0%AC%BE%E0%AC%95%E0%AD%8D%E0%AC%B7%E0%AD%80_%E0%AC%AE%E0%AC%A8%E0%AD%8D%E0%AC%A6%E0%AC%BF%E0%AC%B0" title="ମିନାକ୍ଷୀ ମନ୍ଦିର – Odia" lang="or" hreflang="or" data-title="ମିନାକ୍ଷୀ ମନ୍ଦିର" data-language-autonym="ଓଡ଼ିଆ" data-language-local-name="Odia" class="interlanguage-link-target">ଓଡ଼ିଆ</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-km mw-list-item"><a href="https://km.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E1%9E%98%E1%9E%B8%E1%9E%93%E1%9E%B6%E1%9E%88%E1%9E%B8_%E1%9E%9F%E1%9E%BB%E1%9E%93%E1%9E%91%E1%9E%9A%E1%9F%81%E1%9E%9F%E1%9E%BC%E1%9E%9A_%E1%9E%98%E1%9E%93%E1%9E%8C%E1%9F%80%E1%9E%9A" title="មីនាឈី សុនទរេសូរ មនឌៀរ – Khmer" lang="km" hreflang="km" data-title="មីនាឈី សុនទរេសូរ មនឌៀរ" data-language-autonym="ភាសាខ្មែរ" data-language-local-name="Khmer" class="interlanguage-link-target">ភាសាខ្មែរ</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-pl mw-list-item"><a href="https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C5%9Awi%C4%85tynia_Minakszi_w_Maduraju" title="Świątynia Minakszi w Maduraju – Polish" lang="pl" hreflang="pl" data-title="Świątynia Minakszi w Maduraju" data-language-autonym="Polski" data-language-local-name="Polish" class="interlanguage-link-target">Polski</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-pt mw-list-item"><a href="https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Templo_de_Meenakshi_Amman" title="Templo de Meenakshi Amman – Portuguese" lang="pt" hreflang="pt" data-title="Templo de Meenakshi Amman" data-language-autonym="Português" data-language-local-name="Portuguese" class="interlanguage-link-target">Português</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ro mw-list-item"><a href="https://ro.wikipedia.org/wiki/Templul_Meenakshi_Amman" title="Templul Meenakshi Amman – Romanian" lang="ro" hreflang="ro" data-title="Templul Meenakshi Amman" data-language-autonym="Română" data-language-local-name="Romanian" class="interlanguage-link-target">Română</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ru mw-list-item"><a href="https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A5%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BC_%D0%9C%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BA%D1%88%D0%B8" title="Храм Минакши – Russian" lang="ru" hreflang="ru" data-title="Храм Минакши" data-language-autonym="Русский" data-language-local-name="Russian" class="interlanguage-link-target">Русский</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-simple mw-list-item"><a href="https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meenakshi_Temple" title="Meenakshi Temple – Simple English" lang="en-simple" hreflang="en-simple" data-title="Meenakshi Temple" data-language-autonym="Simple English" data-language-local-name="Simple English" class="interlanguage-link-target">Simple English</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-sl mw-list-item"><a href="https://sl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tempelj_Menak%C5%A1i,_Madurai" title="Tempelj Menakši, Madurai – Slovenian" lang="sl" hreflang="sl" data-title="Tempelj Menakši, Madurai" data-language-autonym="Slovenščina" data-language-local-name="Slovenian" class="interlanguage-link-target">Slovenščina</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-sr mw-list-item"><a href="https://sr.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A5%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BC_%D0%9C%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BA%D1%88%D0%B8" title="Храм Менакши – Serbian" lang="sr" hreflang="sr" data-title="Храм Менакши" data-language-autonym="Српски / srpski" data-language-local-name="Serbian" class="interlanguage-link-target">Српски / srpski</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-fi mw-list-item"><a href="https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meenakshin_temppeli" title="Meenakshin temppeli – Finnish" lang="fi" hreflang="fi" data-title="Meenakshin temppeli" data-language-autonym="Suomi" data-language-local-name="Finnish" class="interlanguage-link-target">Suomi</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ta mw-list-item"><a href="https://ta.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%88_%E0%AE%AE%E0%AF%80%E0%AE%A9%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9A%E0%AE%BF_%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%A8%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%87%E0%AE%9A%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B5%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%B0%E0%AF%8D_%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8B%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%8D" title="மதுரை மீனாட்சி சுந்தரேசுவரர் கோயில் – Tamil" lang="ta" hreflang="ta" data-title="மதுரை மீனாட்சி சுந்தரேசுவரர் கோயில்" data-language-autonym="தமிழ்" data-language-local-name="Tamil" class="interlanguage-link-target">தமிழ்</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-te mw-list-item"><a href="https://te.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B0%AE%E0%B1%80%E0%B0%A8%E0%B0%BE%E0%B0%95%E0%B1%8D%E0%B0%B7%E0%B0%BF_%E0%B0%85%E0%B0%AE%E0%B1%8D%E0%B0%AE%E0%B0%B5%E0%B0%BE%E0%B0%B0%E0%B0%BF_%E0%B0%86%E0%B0%B2%E0%B0%AF%E0%B0%82" title="మీనాక్షి అమ్మవారి ఆలయం – Telugu" lang="te" hreflang="te" data-title="మీనాక్షి అమ్మవారి ఆలయం" data-language-autonym="తెలుగు" data-language-local-name="Telugu" class="interlanguage-link-target">తెలుగు</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-th mw-list-item"><a href="https://th.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E0%B8%A1%E0%B8%B5%E0%B8%99%E0%B8%B2%E0%B8%8F%E0%B8%88%E0%B8%B4%E0%B9%82%E0%B8%81%E0%B8%A2%E0%B8%B4%E0%B8%A5" title="มีนาฏจิโกยิล – Thai" lang="th" hreflang="th" data-title="มีนาฏจิโกยิล" data-language-autonym="ไทย" data-language-local-name="Thai" class="interlanguage-link-target">ไทย</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-uk mw-list-item"><a href="https://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A5%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BC_%D0%9C%D1%96%D0%BD%D0%B0%D0%BA%D1%88%D1%96" title="Храм Мінакші – Ukrainian" lang="uk" hreflang="uk" data-title="Храм Мінакші" data-language-autonym="Українська" data-language-local-name="Ukrainian" class="interlanguage-link-target">Українська</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ur mw-list-item"><a href="https://ur.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86%D8%A7%DA%A9%D8%B4%DB%8C_%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%B1" title="میناکشی مندر – Urdu" lang="ur" hreflang="ur" data-title="میناکشی مندر" data-language-autonym="اردو" data-language-local-name="Urdu" class="interlanguage-link-target">اردو</a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-vi mw-list-item"><a href="https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C4%90%E1%BB%81n_Meenakshi" title="Đền Meenakshi – Vietnamese" lang="vi" hreflang="vi" data-title="Đền Meenakshi" data-language-autonym="Tiếng Việt" data-language-local-name="Vietnamese" class="interlanguage-link-target">Tiếng Việt</a></li> 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.geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct,.mw-parser-output .geo-inline-hidden{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}</style><a class="external text" href="https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Meenakshi_Temple&params=9_55_10.23_N_78_07_09.63_E_type:landmark_region:IN_source:dewiki">9°55′10.23″N 78°07′09.63″E / 9.9195083°N 78.1193417°E / 9.9195083; 78.1193417</a></div></div> </div> <div id="siteSub" class="noprint">From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</div> </div> <div id="contentSub"><div id="mw-content-subtitle"></div></div> <div id="mw-content-text" class="mw-body-content"><div class="mw-content-ltr mw-parser-output" lang="en" dir="ltr"><div class="shortdescription nomobile noexcerpt noprint searchaux" style="display:none">Historic Hindu temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India</div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1257001546">.mw-parser-output .infobox-subbox{padding:0;border:none;margin:-3px;width:auto;min-width:100%;font-size:100%;clear:none;float:none;background-color:transparent}.mw-parser-output .infobox-3cols-child{margin:auto}.mw-parser-output .infobox .navbar{font-size:100%}@media screen{html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .infobox-full-data:not(.notheme)>div:not(.notheme)[style]{background:#1f1f23!important;color:#f8f9fa}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .infobox-full-data:not(.notheme) div:not(.notheme){background:#1f1f23!important;color:#f8f9fa}}@media(min-width:640px){body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table{display:table!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table>caption{display:table-caption!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table>tbody{display:table-row-group}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table tr{display:table-row!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table th,body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table td{padding-left:inherit;padding-right:inherit}}</style><table class="infobox vcard" style="border-spacing:2px;"><tbody><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-above" style="background-color: #FFC569">Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-image"><a href="/wiki/File:An_aerial_view_of_Madurai_city_from_atop_of_Meenakshi_Amman_temple.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="An aerial view of the compound from the top of the southern gopuram, looking north." src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e9/An_aerial_view_of_Madurai_city_from_atop_of_Meenakshi_Amman_temple.jpg/220px-An_aerial_view_of_Madurai_city_from_atop_of_Meenakshi_Amman_temple.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="72" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e9/An_aerial_view_of_Madurai_city_from_atop_of_Meenakshi_Amman_temple.jpg/330px-An_aerial_view_of_Madurai_city_from_atop_of_Meenakshi_Amman_temple.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e9/An_aerial_view_of_Madurai_city_from_atop_of_Meenakshi_Amman_temple.jpg/440px-An_aerial_view_of_Madurai_city_from_atop_of_Meenakshi_Amman_temple.jpg 2x" data-file-width="4365" data-file-height="1430" /></a></td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="background-color: #FFC569">Religion</th></tr><tr class="note"><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><a href="/wiki/List_of_religions_and_spiritual_traditions" title="List of religions and spiritual traditions">Affiliation</a></th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Hinduism" title="Hinduism">Hinduism</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">District</th><td class="infobox-data label"><a href="/wiki/Madurai" title="Madurai">Madurai</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><a href="/wiki/Deity" title="Deity">Deity</a></th><td class="infobox-data"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1126788409">.mw-parser-output .plainlist ol,.mw-parser-output .plainlist ul{line-height:inherit;list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .plainlist ol li,.mw-parser-output .plainlist ul li{margin-bottom:0}</style><div class="plainlist"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Meenakshi" title="Meenakshi">Meenakshi</a> (<a href="/wiki/Parvati" title="Parvati">Parvati</a>)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Shiva" title="Shiva">Sundareswarar</a> (<a href="/wiki/Shiva" title="Shiva">Shiva</a>)</li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Festivals</th><td class="infobox-data">Chithirai Thiruvizha, Navaratri, Cradle festival, Aavanimoolam, <a href="/wiki/Meenakshi_Tirukalyanam" title="Meenakshi Tirukalyanam">Meenakshi Tirukalyanam</a>, Alagar's river plunge</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Governing body</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Hindu_Religious_and_Charitable_Endowments_Department" title="Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department">Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Features</th><td class="infobox-data"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1126788409"><div class="plainlist"><ul><li>Temple tank: Potramarai Kulam (Golden-Lotus Pond)</li></ul></div></td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="background-color: #FFC569">Location</th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">State</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Tamil_Nadu" title="Tamil Nadu">Tamil Nadu</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Country</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/India" title="India">India</a></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-full-data"><div class="switcher-container"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1238443738">.mw-parser-output .locmap .od{position:absolute}.mw-parser-output .locmap .id{position:absolute;line-height:0}.mw-parser-output .locmap .l0{font-size:0;position:absolute}.mw-parser-output .locmap .pv{line-height:110%;position:absolute;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .locmap .pl{line-height:110%;position:absolute;top:-0.75em;text-align:right}.mw-parser-output .locmap .pr{line-height:110%;position:absolute;top:-0.75em;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .locmap .pv>div{display:inline;padding:1px}.mw-parser-output .locmap .pl>div{display:inline;padding:1px;float:right}.mw-parser-output .locmap .pr>div{display:inline;padding:1px;float:left}@media screen{html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .od,html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .od .pv>div,html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .od .pl>div,html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .od .pr>div{background:#fff!important;color:#000!important}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .locmap{filter:grayscale(0.6)}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .infobox-full-data .locmap div{background:transparent!important}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .locmap{filter:grayscale(0.6)}html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .od,html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .od .pv>div,html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .od .pl>div,html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .od .pr>div{background:white!important;color:#000!important}html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .infobox-full-data .locmap div{background:transparent!important}}</style><div class="center"><div class="locmap" style="width:240px;float:none;clear:both;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto"><div style="width:240px;padding:0"><div style="position:relative;width:240px"><a href="/wiki/File:India_Tamil_Nadu_location_map.svg" class="mw-file-description" title="Location of Meenakshi Temple"><img alt="Location of Meenakshi Temple" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f6/India_Tamil_Nadu_location_map.svg/240px-India_Tamil_Nadu_location_map.svg.png" decoding="async" width="240" height="298" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f6/India_Tamil_Nadu_location_map.svg/360px-India_Tamil_Nadu_location_map.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f6/India_Tamil_Nadu_location_map.svg/480px-India_Tamil_Nadu_location_map.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1591" data-file-height="1975" /></a><div class="od notheme" style="top:64.984%;left:41.992%;font-size:91%"><div class="id" style="left:-4px;top:-4px"><img alt="Location of Meenakshi Temple" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b7/Om_symbol.svg/8px-Om_symbol.svg.png" decoding="async" width="8" height="8" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b7/Om_symbol.svg/12px-Om_symbol.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b7/Om_symbol.svg/16px-Om_symbol.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="356" data-file-height="367" /></div></div></div><div style="padding-top:0.2em">Shown within Tamil Nadu</div>Show map of Tamil Nadu</div></div></div><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238443738"><div class="center"><div class="locmap" style="width:240px;float:none;clear:both;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto"><div style="width:240px;padding:0"><div style="position:relative;width:240px"><a href="/wiki/File:India_location_map.svg" class="mw-file-description" title="Location of Meenakshi Temple"><img alt="Location of Meenakshi Temple" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/India_location_map.svg/240px-India_location_map.svg.png" decoding="async" width="240" height="258" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/India_location_map.svg/360px-India_location_map.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/India_location_map.svg/480px-India_location_map.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1500" data-file-height="1615" /></a><div class="od notheme" style="top:84.863%;left:34.748%;font-size:91%"><div class="id" style="left:-4px;top:-4px"><img alt="Location of Meenakshi Temple" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b7/Om_symbol.svg/8px-Om_symbol.svg.png" decoding="async" width="8" height="8" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b7/Om_symbol.svg/12px-Om_symbol.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b7/Om_symbol.svg/16px-Om_symbol.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="356" data-file-height="367" /></div></div></div><div style="padding-top:0.2em">Meenakshi Temple (India)</div>Show map of India</div></div></div></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label"><a href="/wiki/Geographic_coordinate_system" title="Geographic coordinate system">Geographic coordinates</a></th><td class="infobox-data"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1156832818">.mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct,.mw-parser-output .geo-inline-hidden{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}</style><a class="external text" href="https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Meenakshi_Temple&params=9_55_10.23_N_78_07_09.63_E_type:landmark_region:IN_source:dewiki">9°55′10.23″N 78°07′09.63″E / 9.9195083°N 78.1193417°E / 9.9195083; 78.1193417</a><a href="#cite_note-1">[1]</a></td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="background-color: #FFC569">Architecture</th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Type</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Dravidian_architecture" title="Dravidian architecture">Dravidian architecture</a><a href="#cite_note-2">[2]</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Inscriptions</th><td class="infobox-data">over 40</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label">Elevation</th><td class="infobox-data">144 m (472 ft)</td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="background-color: #FFC569">Website</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-full-data"><a rel="nofollow" class="external free" href="https://maduraimeenakshi.hrce.tn.gov.in/">https://maduraimeenakshi.hrce.tn.gov.in/</a></td></tr></tbody></table> Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, also known as Arulmigu Meenakshi Amman Thirukkovil, is a historic <a href="/wiki/Hindu_temple" title="Hindu temple">Hindu temple</a> located on the southern bank of the <a href="/wiki/Vaigai_River" title="Vaigai River">Vaigai River</a><a href="#cite_note-Ramaswamy2017p9-3">[3]</a> in the temple city<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKnott2000section_10-4">[4]</a> of <a href="/wiki/Madurai" title="Madurai">Madurai</a>, <a href="/wiki/Tamil_Nadu" title="Tamil Nadu">Tamil Nadu</a>, <a href="/wiki/India" title="India">India</a>. It is dedicated to the goddess <a href="/wiki/Meenakshi" title="Meenakshi">Meenakshi</a> Amman, a form of <a href="/wiki/Parvati" title="Parvati">Parvati</a>, and her consort, Sundareshwarar, a form of <a href="/wiki/Shiva" title="Shiva">Shiva</a>.<a href="#cite_note-5">[5]</a> The temple is at the centre of the ancient temple city of <a href="/wiki/Madurai" title="Madurai">Madurai</a> mentioned in the Tamil <a href="/wiki/Sangam_literature" title="Sangam literature">Sangam</a> literature, with the goddess temple mentioned in 6th-century CE texts.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTENational_Geographic2008155-6">[6]</a> This temple is one of the <a href="/wiki/Paadal_Petra_Sthalam" title="Paadal Petra Sthalam">Paadal Petra Sthalams</a>, which are 275 temples of <a href="/wiki/Shiva" title="Shiva">Shiva</a> that are revered in the verses of Tamil Saiva <a href="/wiki/Nayanars" title="Nayanars">Nayanars</a> of the 6th-9th century CE. The west tower (gopuram) of the temple is the model based on which the <a href="/wiki/Tamil_Nadu" title="Tamil Nadu">Tamil Nadu</a> State Emblem is designed.<a href="#cite_note-7">[7]</a><a href="#cite_note-8">[8]</a> <meta property="mw:PageProp/toc" /> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Overview">Overview</h2>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: Overview">edit</a>]</div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:01MaduraiMeenakshiAmmanTemple%26IndoorCorridorView.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3a/01MaduraiMeenakshiAmmanTemple%26IndoorCorridorView.jpg/220px-01MaduraiMeenakshiAmmanTemple%26IndoorCorridorView.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="165" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3a/01MaduraiMeenakshiAmmanTemple%26IndoorCorridorView.jpg/330px-01MaduraiMeenakshiAmmanTemple%26IndoorCorridorView.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3a/01MaduraiMeenakshiAmmanTemple%26IndoorCorridorView.jpg/440px-01MaduraiMeenakshiAmmanTemple%26IndoorCorridorView.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1792" data-file-height="1344" /></a><figcaption>Yali in pillars at Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple</figcaption></figure> Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple was built by <a href="/wiki/Pandya_dynasty" title="Pandya dynasty">Pandyan</a> Emperor <a href="/wiki/Sadayavarman_Kulasekaran_I" title="Sadayavarman Kulasekaran I">Sadayavarman Kulasekaran I</a> (1190 CE–1205 CE). He built the main portions of the three-storeyed <a href="/wiki/Gopuram" title="Gopuram">Gopuram</a> at the entrance of Sundareswarar Shrine and the central portion of the Goddess Meenakshi Shrine are some of the earliest surviving parts of the temple. The traditional texts call him a poet-saint king, additionally credit him with a poem called Ambikai Malai, as well as shrines (koil) each for <a href="/wiki/Nataraja" title="Nataraja">Natarajar</a> and Surya near the main temple, <a href="/wiki/Ayyanar" class="mw-redirect" title="Ayyanar">Ayyanar</a> in the east, Vinayagar in the south, Kariamalperumal in the west and <a href="/wiki/Kali" title="Kali">Kali</a> in the north. He also built a Mahamandapam. Kulasekara Pandya was also a poet and he composed a poem on Meenakshi named Ambikai Malai.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–23-9">[9]</a> Maravarman Sundara Pandyan I built a <a href="/wiki/Gopuram" title="Gopuram">gopuram</a> in 1231, then called Avanivendaraman, later rebuilt, expanded and named as Sundara Pandya Thirukkopuram.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–23-9">[9]</a> Chitra gopuram (W), also known as Muttalakkum Vayil, was built by Maravarman Sundara Pandyan II (1238-1251). This gopuram is named after the frescoes and reliefs that depict secular and religious themes of Hindu culture. Maravarman Sundara Pandyan II also added a pillared corridor to the Sundareswara shrine and the Sundara Pandyan Mandapam.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–23-9">[9]</a> It was rebuilt after the 14th-century damage, its granite structure was renovated by Kumara Krishnappar after 1595.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201536–37-10">[10]</a> Though the temple has historic roots, most of the present campus structure was rebuilt after the 14th century CE, further repaired, renovated and expanded in the 17th century by <a href="/wiki/Tirumala_Nayaka" title="Tirumala Nayaka">Tirumala Nayaka</a>.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKing200572–74-11">[11]</a><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201539–40-12">[12]</a> In the early 14th century, the armies of <a href="/wiki/Delhi_Sultanate" title="Delhi Sultanate">Delhi Sultanate</a> led by <a href="/wiki/Malik_Kafur" title="Malik Kafur">Malik Kafur</a> plundered the temple, looted it of its valuables and destroyed the Madurai temple town along with many other temple towns of South India.<a href="#cite_note-britmadurai-13">[13]</a><a href="#cite_note-14">[14]</a><a href="#cite_note-15">[15]</a> The contemporary temple is the result of rebuilding efforts started by the <a href="/wiki/Vijayanagara_Empire" title="Vijayanagara Empire">Vijayanagara Empire</a> rulers who rebuilt the core and reopened the temple.<a href="#cite_note-britmadurai-13">[13]</a><a href="#cite_note-fuller94-16">[16]</a> In the 16th century, the temple complex was further expanded and fortified by the Nayak ruler <a href="/wiki/Vishwanatha_Nayak" class="mw-redirect" title="Vishwanatha Nayak">Vishwanatha Nayakar</a> and later others. The restored complex now houses 14 <a href="/wiki/Gopurams" class="mw-redirect" title="Gopurams">gopurams</a> (gateway towers), ranging from 45–50 m in height, with the southern gopura tallest at 51.9 metres (170 ft). The complex has numerous sculpted pillared halls such as Aayirankaal (1000-pillared hall), Kilikoondu-mandapam, Golu-mandapam and Pudu-mandapam. Its shrines are dedicated to Hindu deities and Shaivism scholars, with the <a href="/wiki/Vimana_(architectural_feature)" title="Vimana (architectural feature)">vimanas</a> above the <a href="/wiki/Garbhagriha" title="Garbhagriha">garbhagrihas</a> (sanctums) of Meenakshi and Sundaresvara gilded with gold.<a href="#cite_note-fuller94-16">[16]</a><a href="#cite_note-17">[17]</a><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201534–47-18">[18]</a> The temple is a major pilgrimage destination within the <a href="/wiki/Shaivism" title="Shaivism">Shaivism</a> tradition, dedicated to Meenakshi Devi and Shiva. However, the temple includes <a href="/wiki/Vishnu" title="Vishnu">Vishnu</a> in many narratives, sculptures and rituals as he is considered to be Meenakshi's brother.<a href="#cite_note-19">[19]</a> This has made this temple and Madurai as the "southern Mathura", one included in Vaishnava texts.<a href="#cite_note-20">[20]</a><a href="#cite_note-21">[21]</a> The Meenakshi Amman temple also includes Lakshmi, flute playing Krishna, Rukmini, Brahma, Saraswati, and other Vedic and Puranic deities, as well as artwork showing narratives from major Hindu texts. The large temple complex is the most prominent landmark in Madurai and attracts tens of thousands of visitors a day.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEGopal1990181-22">[22]</a> The temple attracts over a million pilgrims and visitors during the annual 10-day Meenakshi Tirukalyanam festival, celebrated with much festivities and a ratha (chariot) procession during the Tamil month of Chittirai (overlaps with April–May in the Georgian calendar, Chaitra in North India).<a href="#cite_note-Eck2013p277-23">[23]</a> The Temple has been adjudged the best 'Swachh Iconic Place' in India on 1 October 2017 under <a href="/wiki/Swachh_Bharat_Abhiyan" class="mw-redirect" title="Swachh Bharat Abhiyan">Swachh Bharat Abhiyan</a>.<a href="#cite_note-24">[24]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Location">Location</h2>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: Location">edit</a>]</div> <figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-left" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Madurai_Map_OSM002.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Madurai_Map_OSM002.jpg/190px-Madurai_Map_OSM002.jpg" decoding="async" width="190" height="190" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Madurai_Map_OSM002.jpg/285px-Madurai_Map_OSM002.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Madurai_Map_OSM002.jpg/380px-Madurai_Map_OSM002.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1513" data-file-height="1513" /></a><figcaption>The temple and the city of Madurai (only major roads sketched).</figcaption></figure> The Meenakshi Amman temple is located in the heart of historic Madurai city, about a kilometre south of the Vaigai River. It is about 460 kilometres (290 mi) southwest of <a href="/wiki/Chennai" title="Chennai">Chennai</a>, the state capital.<a href="#cite_note-25">[25]</a> The temple complex is well connected with a road network (four lane National Highway 38), near a major railway junction and an airport (<a href="/wiki/IATA" class="mw-redirect" title="IATA">IATA</a>: IXM) with daily services. The city roads radiate from the temple complex and major ring roads form a concentric pattern for the city, a structure that follows the <a href="/wiki/Shilpa_Shastras" title="Shilpa Shastras">Silpa Sastra</a> guidelines for a city design.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKing200572–74-11">[11]</a><a href="#cite_note-Geographic2008p155-26">[26]</a> Madurai is one of the many temple towns in the state which is named after the groves, clusters or forests dominated by a particular variety of a tree or shrub and the same variety of tree or shrub sheltering the presiding deity. The region is believed to have been covered with Kadamba forest and hence called Kadambavanam.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEReddy201310-27">[27]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Etymology">Etymology</h2>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: Etymology">edit</a>]</div> <a href="/wiki/Meenakshi" title="Meenakshi">Meenakshi</a> (<a href="/wiki/Sanskrit_language" class="mw-redirect" title="Sanskrit language">Sanskrit</a>: मीनाक्षी, <a href="/wiki/Literal_translation" title="Literal translation">lit.</a> 'Mīnākṣī', <a href="/wiki/Tamil_language" title="Tamil language">Tamil</a>: மீனாட்சி, <a href="/wiki/Literal_translation" title="Literal translation">lit.</a> 'Mīṉāṭci') is a term meaning "fish-eyed",<a href="#cite_note-William_P._Harman_1992_24-28">[28]</a> derived from the words mina ("fish") and akshi ("eyes").<a href="#cite_note-29">[29]</a> She was earlier known by the <a href="/wiki/Tamil_language" title="Tamil language">Tamil</a> name Thadadakai ("fish-eyed one"), which was called later as Meenakshi.<a href="#cite_note-30">[30]</a> According to another theory, the name of the goddess means "rule of the fish", derived from the <a href="/wiki/Tamil_language" title="Tamil language">Tamil</a> words meen (fish) and aatchi (rule).<a href="#cite_note-31">[31]</a><a href="#cite_note-32">[32]</a> She is also known by the Tamil name "Angayarkanni" or "Ankayarkannammai" (literally, "the mother with the beautiful fish eyes").<a href="#cite_note-William_P._Harman_1992_24-28">[28]</a><a href="#cite_note-33">[33]</a> <figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Mariage_of_Shiva_and_Parvati_(Meenakshi)_witnessed_by_Vishnu,_Meenakshi_Temple,_Madurai_(2)_(36857653813).jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="Vishnu gives away his sister, the bride Parvati during her wedding to Shiva" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/Mariage_of_Shiva_and_Parvati_%28Meenakshi%29_witnessed_by_Vishnu%2C_Meenakshi_Temple%2C_Madurai_%282%29_%2836857653813%29.jpg/260px-Mariage_of_Shiva_and_Parvati_%28Meenakshi%29_witnessed_by_Vishnu%2C_Meenakshi_Temple%2C_Madurai_%282%29_%2836857653813%29.jpg" decoding="async" width="260" height="195" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/Mariage_of_Shiva_and_Parvati_%28Meenakshi%29_witnessed_by_Vishnu%2C_Meenakshi_Temple%2C_Madurai_%282%29_%2836857653813%29.jpg/390px-Mariage_of_Shiva_and_Parvati_%28Meenakshi%29_witnessed_by_Vishnu%2C_Meenakshi_Temple%2C_Madurai_%282%29_%2836857653813%29.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/Mariage_of_Shiva_and_Parvati_%28Meenakshi%29_witnessed_by_Vishnu%2C_Meenakshi_Temple%2C_Madurai_%282%29_%2836857653813%29.jpg/520px-Mariage_of_Shiva_and_Parvati_%28Meenakshi%29_witnessed_by_Vishnu%2C_Meenakshi_Temple%2C_Madurai_%282%29_%2836857653813%29.jpg 2x" data-file-width="4024" data-file-height="3012" /></a><figcaption>Vishnu (left) gives away his sister and bride Meenakshi's hand into the waiting hand of groom Shiva. The temple commemorates this legend every year with a festive procession.</figcaption></figure> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Legend">Legend</h2>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section: Legend">edit</a>]</div> The goddess Meenakshi is the principal deity of the temple, unlike most Shiva temples in <a href="/wiki/South_India" title="South India">South India</a> where <a href="/wiki/Shiva" title="Shiva">Shiva</a> is the principal deity.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKnott2000section_10-4">[4]</a> According to the Tamil text Tiruvilaiyatarpuranam, King Malayadwaja Pandya and his wife Kanchanamalai performed a <a href="/wiki/Yajna" title="Yajna">Yajna</a> seeking a son for succession.<a href="#cite_note-34">[34]</a> Instead, a daughter was born out of the fire who was already 3 years old and had three breasts. Shiva intervened and said that the parents should treat her like a son, and when she meets her husband, she will lose the third breast. They followed the advice. The girl grew up, the king crowned her as the successor and when she met Shiva, his words came true, she took her true form of Meenakshi.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEHarman199244–47-35">[35]</a><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBrockman2011326–327-36">[36]</a> According to Harman, this may reflect the matrilineal traditions in South India and the regional belief that "penultimate [spiritual] powers rest with the women", gods listen to their spouse, and that the fates of kingdoms rest with the women.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEHarman199244–47-35">[35]</a> According to Susan Bayly, the reverence for Meenakshi is a part of the Hindu goddess tradition that integrates with the Hindu society where the "woman is the lynchpin of the system" of social relationships.<a href="#cite_note-Bayly1989p29-37">[37]</a> The marriage of Meenakshi and Shiva was a grand event, with all gods, goddesses and living beings gathered. <a href="/wiki/Vishnu" title="Vishnu">Vishnu</a> is believed to be the brother of Meenakshi, giving her away to Shiva at the wedding. <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="History">History</h2>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=5" title="Edit section: History">edit</a>]</div> <figure class="mw-halign-left" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Madurai_Meenakshi_Temple_painting.JPG" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Madurai_Meenakshi_Temple_painting.JPG/250px-Madurai_Meenakshi_Temple_painting.JPG" decoding="async" width="250" height="188" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Madurai_Meenakshi_Temple_painting.JPG/375px-Madurai_Meenakshi_Temple_painting.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Madurai_Meenakshi_Temple_painting.JPG/500px-Madurai_Meenakshi_Temple_painting.JPG 2x" data-file-width="1024" data-file-height="768" /></a><figcaption>Temple wall painting depicting its founding legend</figcaption></figure> The town of <a href="/wiki/Madurai" title="Madurai">Madurai</a> is ancient and one mentioned in <a href="/wiki/Sangam_period" class="mw-redirect" title="Sangam period">Sangam era</a> texts.<a href="#cite_note-Ramaswamy2017p9-3">[3]</a> These are dated to be from the 1st to 4th century CE.<a href="#cite_note-38">[38]</a> Some early Tamil texts call Madurai as Koodal, and these portray it as a capital and a temple town where every street radiated from the temple. Goddess Meenakshi is described as the divine ruler, who along with Shiva were the primary deities that the southern Tamil kingdoms such as the <a href="/wiki/Pandya_dynasty" title="Pandya dynasty">Pandya dynasty</a> revered.<a href="#cite_note-Ramaswamy2017p9-3">[3]</a> The early texts imply that a temple existed in Madurai by the mid-6th century.<a href="#cite_note-Geographic2008p155-26">[26]</a> In medieval literature and inscriptions, it is sometimes referred to as Kadambavanam (lit. "forest of Kadamba") or Velliambalam (lit. "silver hall" where Shiva danced). It was described to be the Sangam of scholars, or a place where scholars meet. It is mentioned in the Tamil text Tiruvilayadalpuranam and the Sanskrit text Halasya Mahatmya.<a href="#cite_note-ayyar477-39">[39]</a> It is one of the shrines of the 275 <a href="/wiki/Paadal_Petra_Sthalams" class="mw-redirect" title="Paadal Petra Sthalams">Paadal Petra Sthalams</a>. Early Tamil texts mention the temple and its primary deity by various epithets and names. <a href="/wiki/Campantar" class="mw-redirect" title="Campantar">Thirugnanasambandar</a>, the Saiva saint of <a href="/wiki/Saivism" class="mw-redirect" title="Saivism">Saiva philosophy</a> for example, mentioned this temple in the 7th century, and described the deity as Aalavaai Iraivan.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTECotterell2011190-40">[40]</a> The origin of the temple is mentioned in these early Tamil texts, some in the regional Puranam genre of literature. All of these place the temple in ancient times and include a warrior goddess, but the details vary significantly and are inconsistent with each other. Some link to it deities they call Aalavaai Iraivan and Aalavaai Annal, or alternatively Angayar Kanni Ammai. Some link its legend to other deities such as Indra who proclaim the primacy of the goddess, while some describe Hindu gods appearing before ancient kings or saints urging wealthy merchants to build this temple in the honour of a goddess. One legend describes a childless king and queen performing yajna for a son, they get a daughter who inherits the kingdom, conquers the earth, meets Shiva ultimately, marries him, continues to rule from Madurai, and the temple memorializes those times. Scholars have attempted to determine the history of the temple from inscriptions found in and outside Madurai, as well as comparing the records relating to South Indian dynasties. These largely post-date the 12th century.<a href="#cite_note-fuller94-16">[16]</a><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–32-41">[41]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Invasions_and_Destruction">Invasions and Destruction</h3>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=6" title="Edit section: Invasions and Destruction">edit</a>]</div> In the north of India, the Indian subcontinent was conquered by the <a href="/wiki/Delhi_Sultanate" title="Delhi Sultanate">Delhi Sultanate</a>. Muslim armies began raiding central India for plunder by the late 13th century. After subduing and extracting huge wealth along with promised annual tributes from the Marathas <a href="/wiki/Yadavas_of_Devagiri" class="mw-redirect" title="Yadavas of Devagiri">Yadavas of Devagiri</a> in 1308, the Telugu <a href="/wiki/Kakatiya_Dynasty" class="mw-redirect" title="Kakatiya Dynasty">Kakatiyas of Warangal</a> in 1310 and the Kannada <a href="/wiki/Hoysala_Empire" class="mw-redirect" title="Hoysala Empire">Hoysalas of Dwarasamudra</a> in 1311, Sultan Ala ud Din Khalji's infamous eunuch Muslim general, <a href="/wiki/Malik_Kafur" title="Malik Kafur">Malik Kafur</a>, and his <a href="/wiki/Delhi_Sultanate" title="Delhi Sultanate">Delhi Sultanate</a> forces in 1311 went deeper into the Deccan peninsula for loot and to establish annual tributes to be paid by the <a href="/wiki/Hindu_king" class="mw-redirect" title="Hindu king">Hindu kings</a>.<a href="#cite_note-42">[42]</a><a href="#cite_note-Melton2014p884-43">[43]</a><a href="#cite_note-Bayly1989p109-44">[44]</a> The records left by the court historians of the Delhi Sultanate state that Malik Kafur raided <a href="/wiki/Madurai" title="Madurai">Madurai</a>, <a href="/wiki/Chidambaram" title="Chidambaram">Chidambaram</a>, <a href="/wiki/Srirangam" title="Srirangam">Srirangam</a>, <a href="/wiki/Vriddhachalam" class="mw-redirect" title="Vriddhachalam">Vriddhachalam</a>, <a href="/wiki/Rameswaram" title="Rameswaram">Rameswaram</a> and other sacred temple towns, destroyed the temples which were sources of gold and jewels. He brought back enormous loot from Dwarasamudra and the Pandya kingdom to <a href="/wiki/Delhi" title="Delhi">Delhi</a> in 1311.<a href="#cite_note-Ernst2004p109-45">[45]</a><a href="#cite_note-46">[46]</a><a href="#cite_note-Eraly2015chid-47">[47]</a> The Islamic invasion in the 14th century brought an abrupt end to the patronage of Tamil Hindu temple towns.<a href="#cite_note-michellttownchid-48">[48]</a> The Tamil Hindus revived these towns but in some places such as Madurai, it took a long while.<a href="#cite_note-Melton2014p884-43">[43]</a> After the conquest and destruction, the Delhi Sultan <a href="/wiki/Muhammad_bin_Tughluq" title="Muhammad bin Tughluq">Muhammad bin Tughluq</a> appointed a Muslim governor in Madurai named <a href="/wiki/Jalaluddin_Ahsan_Khan" title="Jalaluddin Ahsan Khan">Jalaluddin Ahsan Khan</a>, who seceded in 1335 from the Delhi Sultanate and began the <a href="/wiki/Madurai_Sultanate" title="Madurai Sultanate">Madurai Sultanate</a>. The Sultanate sought tributes from the temple towns, instead of supporting them, and on some occasions damaged them heavily and imposed tyranny upon the local populace. The Muslim Madurai Sultanate was relatively short-lived, with the Hindu Vijayanagara Empire under <a href="/wiki/Bukka_Raya" class="mw-redirect" title="Bukka Raya">Bukka Raya</a> removing it in 1378 CE.<a href="#cite_note-michellttownchid-48">[48]</a> According to one poetic legend called Madhura Vijayam attributed to <a href="/wiki/Gangadevi" title="Gangadevi">Gangadevi</a>, the wife of the commander <a href="/wiki/Kumara_Kampana" title="Kumara Kampana">Kumara Kampana</a>, she gave him a sword, urged him to liberate Madurai, right the wrongs, and reopen the Meenakshi temple out of its ruins. The Vijayanagara rulers succeeded, cleared the ruins and reopened the temple for active worship.<a href="#cite_note-Jackson2016p65-49">[49]</a> They restored, repaired and expanded the temple through the 16th century, along with many other regional temples.<a href="#cite_note-50">[50]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Rebuilding">Rebuilding</h3>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=7" title="Edit section: Rebuilding">edit</a>]</div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1237032888/mw-parser-output/.tmulti">.mw-parser-output .tmulti .multiimageinner{display:flex;flex-direction:column}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .trow{display:flex;flex-direction:row;clear:left;flex-wrap:wrap;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .tsingle{margin:1px;float:left}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .theader{clear:both;font-weight:bold;text-align:center;align-self:center;background-color:transparent;width:100%}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .thumbcaption{background-color:transparent}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .text-align-left{text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .text-align-right{text-align:right}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .text-align-center{text-align:center}@media all and (max-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .tmulti .thumbinner{width:100%!important;box-sizing:border-box;max-width:none!important;align-items:center}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .trow{justify-content:center}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .tsingle{float:none!important;max-width:100%!important;box-sizing:border-box;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .tsingle .thumbcaption{text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .tmulti .trow>.thumbcaption{text-align:center}}@media screen{html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .tmulti .multiimageinner img{background-color:white}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .tmulti .multiimageinner img{background-color:white}}</style><div class="thumb tmulti tright"><div class="thumbinner multiimageinner" style="width:348px;max-width:348px"><div class="trow"><div class="tsingle" style="width:102px;max-width:102px"><div class="thumbimage"><a href="/wiki/File:1801_sketch_of_goddess_Meenakshi_and_her_shrine_in_the_Madurai_temple.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/1801_sketch_of_goddess_Meenakshi_and_her_shrine_in_the_Madurai_temple.jpg/100px-1801_sketch_of_goddess_Meenakshi_and_her_shrine_in_the_Madurai_temple.jpg" decoding="async" width="100" height="190" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/1801_sketch_of_goddess_Meenakshi_and_her_shrine_in_the_Madurai_temple.jpg/150px-1801_sketch_of_goddess_Meenakshi_and_her_shrine_in_the_Madurai_temple.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/1801_sketch_of_goddess_Meenakshi_and_her_shrine_in_the_Madurai_temple.jpg/200px-1801_sketch_of_goddess_Meenakshi_and_her_shrine_in_the_Madurai_temple.jpg 2x" data-file-width="288" data-file-height="547" /></a></div><div class="thumbcaption">Meenakshi in the sanctum (1801 sketch).</div></div><div class="tsingle" style="width:242px;max-width:242px"><div class="thumbimage"><a href="/wiki/File:1895_print_of_Meenakshi_temple_1000_pillar_Airakkal_mandapa_choultry.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e8/1895_print_of_Meenakshi_temple_1000_pillar_Airakkal_mandapa_choultry.jpg/240px-1895_print_of_Meenakshi_temple_1000_pillar_Airakkal_mandapa_choultry.jpg" decoding="async" width="240" height="190" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e8/1895_print_of_Meenakshi_temple_1000_pillar_Airakkal_mandapa_choultry.jpg/360px-1895_print_of_Meenakshi_temple_1000_pillar_Airakkal_mandapa_choultry.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e8/1895_print_of_Meenakshi_temple_1000_pillar_Airakkal_mandapa_choultry.jpg/480px-1895_print_of_Meenakshi_temple_1000_pillar_Airakkal_mandapa_choultry.jpg 2x" data-file-width="898" data-file-height="712" /></a></div><div class="thumbcaption">Sculptures in the 1000-pillar mandapa (<a href="/wiki/Choultry" title="Choultry">choultry</a>), around 1895.</div></div></div></div></div> The temple was rebuilt by the Hindu <a href="/wiki/Madurai_Nayak_dynasty" title="Madurai Nayak dynasty">Nayak dynasty</a> ruler <a href="/wiki/Vishwanatha_Nayak" class="mw-redirect" title="Vishwanatha Nayak">Vishwanatha Nayak</a> in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Nayaka rulers followed the Hindu texts on architecture called the <a href="/wiki/Shilpa_Shastras" title="Shilpa Shastras">Shilpa Shastras</a> in redesigning the temple city plan and the Meenakshi temple. The city was laid out in the shape of concentric squares and ring roads around them, with radiating streets culminating in the Meenakshi-Sundaresvara temple.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKing200572–73-51">[51]</a> These streets use traditional Tamil Hindu month names, such as Adhi, Chitrai, Avani-moola, Masi and others. In each of these months, the Hindus started their tradition of taking the temple bronzes festively through the street of the same name.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKing200572–73-51">[51]</a> The temple and the city were once again east facing to greet the rising <a href="/wiki/Surya" title="Surya">Surya</a> (sun god).<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKing200572–73-51">[51]</a><a href="#cite_note-53">[note 1]</a> The temple city grew again around the new temple, with human settlements structured as per their castes, with the royalty, Kshatriyas and Vaishya merchants living on the southeast side of the temple, the Brahmins in a special quarter close to the temple, while others in other areas and fringes of the city.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKing200572–75-52">[52]</a> The king started a procession tradition linked to the temple to link his authority with the divine and maintain the social system.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKing200572–75-52">[52]</a> In contrast, the procession reflects the traditional matrilineal social values, the brother-sister-groom kinship values that better explain its popularity. The warrior goddess worship tradition is ancient in the Tamil Hindu tradition, and it dramatically expanded after the 14th-century wars.<a href="#cite_note-Bayly1989p29-37">[37]</a> The work completed by Vishwanatha Nayaka in 1560 was substantially expanded to the current structure during the reign of <a href="/wiki/Tirumala_Nayaka" title="Tirumala Nayaka">Tirumala Nayaka</a> (1623–55). Tirumala Nayaka, a <a href="/wiki/Hindu_king" class="mw-redirect" title="Hindu king">Hindu king</a>, took considerable interest in erecting many complexes inside the temple. His major contributions are the Vasantha Mandapam for celebrating Vasanthotsavam (spring festival) and Kilikoondu Mandapam (corridor of parrots). The corridors of the temple tank and Meenatchi Nayakar Mandapam were built by <a href="/wiki/Rani_Mangammal" class="mw-redirect" title="Rani Mangammal">Rani Mangammal</a>. The initiative for some changes to the structure was under the supervision of <a href="/wiki/Ariyanatha_Mudaliar" title="Ariyanatha Mudaliar">Ariyanatha Mudaliar</a>, the prime minister of the <a href="/wiki/Nayak_Dynasty" class="mw-redirect" title="Nayak Dynasty">Nayaka Dynasty</a>.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEV.1995115-54">[53]</a> During the colonial era, the population around the Meenakshi temple attracted a hub of Christian missionary activity headed by competing missions from Portugal and other parts of Europe.<a href="#cite_note-55">[54]</a> The British rulers first gave endowments to the temple and the British troops participated in temple festivities to gain socio-political acceptance. Lord Clive, for example, donated jewels looted by the East India Company from Sringapatam, but in 1820 they withdrew from their roles as temple patrons and participated in temple festivities.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKing200572–75-52">[52]</a><a href="#cite_note-56">[55]</a> The missionaries ridiculed the temple artwork and criticized the temple practices while introducing themselves as "Roman Brahmins" and "Northern Sanniasis" [sic]. The missionary efforts were largely unsuccessful with people continuing to patronize the temple after baptizing. The missionaries wrote back that the Tamils were "baptizing, but not converting", for they baptize if "someone wants a wife who is Christian" or medical aid when they have a disease, and material aid if they are poor.<a href="#cite_note-57">[56]</a><a href="#cite_note-58">[57]</a> After the end of the Nayakas, the start of the Madras presidency and the withdrawal of the colonial British from support, the temple condition degraded. In 1959, Tamil Hindus began collecting donations and initiated restoration work in consultation with engineers, Hindu monasteries, historians and other scholars. The completed restoration was celebrated with a Kumbhabhishekam in 1995.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201548–53-59">[58]</a> The temple is sometimes spelt as Minaksi and the city as Madura in 17th to early 20th-century texts.<a href="#cite_note-ayyar477-39">[39]</a> The temple has its traditional version of history that it calls Shiva-lilas (sports of Shiva), and sixty four of these episodes are painted as murals around the temple walls. These depict the many destructions of Madurai and the temple, then its rise from the ashes and ruins of the destruction every time.<a href="#cite_note-60">[59]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Temple_entry_agitations_of_Nadars">Temple entry agitations of Nadars</h3>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=8" title="Edit section: Temple entry agitations of Nadars">edit</a>]</div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1236090951">.mw-parser-output .hatnote{font-style:italic}.mw-parser-output div.hatnote{padding-left:1.6em;margin-bottom:0.5em}.mw-parser-output .hatnote i{font-style:normal}.mw-parser-output .hatnote+link+.hatnote{margin-top:-0.5em}@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .hatnote{display:none!important}}</style><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">See also: <a href="/wiki/1897_Kamudi_Temple_entry_agitation" title="1897 Kamudi Temple entry agitation">1897 Kamudi Temple entry agitation</a></div> In November 1895, the <a href="/wiki/Nadar_(caste)" title="Nadar (caste)">Nadars</a> of <a href="/wiki/Kamuthi" title="Kamuthi">kamuthi</a> petitioned to the Meenakshi Sundaraswara temple, which was under Ramnad M. Baskara Sethupathi's trusteeship of the Raj, for permission to hold a ritual feast. Their petition was accepted, but it should be performed without the entry of Nadars into the temple. An anti-Nadar coalition was created by Vellasami Thevar, the inherited ruler of a vast land under the Raja of Ramnad and the grandfather of the late <a href="/wiki/Muthuramalinga_Thevar" class="mw-redirect" title="Muthuramalinga Thevar">Muthuramalinga Thevar</a>. He prohibited the Nadars from asserting their freedom. He ordered the allegiance of the society of Maravar and insisted on a distinction between all classes.<a href="#cite_note-61">[60]</a><a href="#cite_note-Hardgrave1969-62">[61]</a><a href="#cite_note-thehindute-63">[62]</a> A group of 15 Nadars belonging to the family of Erulappa Nadar entered the temple in Kamudi in May 1897, performing puja to the chief deity themselves. The Maravars and the Ramnad Zamindar M. Baskara Sethupathi objected to it and lodged a complaint against fifteen members of the family of Erulappa Nadar arguing that they had polluted the temple and requested the payment of ₹ 2500 for purification rituals. The court decided on 20 July 1899 that neither the accused nor any member of their community had the right to enter any part of the temple. For the required <a href="/wiki/Ritual_purification" title="Ritual purification">ritual purification</a> ceremonies at the temple, the defendants were ordered to pay the amount of five hundred rupees.<a href="#cite_note-Hardgrave1969-62">[61]</a><a href="#cite_note-thehindute-63">[62]</a> The Nadars appealed to the High Court of Judicature in Madras, unhappy with the judgment of the subordinate judge of Madurai, with funds of ₹ 42,000 raised from members of the community. The judgment went against the Nadars, then they took their appeal to the London Privy Council. The Privy Council approved the decision of the Subordinate Judge of Madurai, citing the High Court's decision of 1908. The District Magistrate of Madurai suggested that the stay of the public force be extended to another term on the ground that the Privy Council 's decision on the Kamudi Temple Entry case could again cause trouble.<a href="#cite_note-Hardgrave1969-62">[61]</a><a href="#cite_note-thehindute-63">[62]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Post-1923">Post-1923</h3>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=9" title="Edit section: Post-1923">edit</a>]</div> The temple is maintained and administered by the <a href="/wiki/Hindu_Religious_and_Charitable_Endowments_Department" title="Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department">Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department</a> of the <a href="/wiki/Government_of_Tamil_Nadu" title="Government of Tamil Nadu">Government of Tamil Nadu</a>.<a href="#cite_note-64">[63]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Description">Description</h2>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=10" title="Edit section: Description">edit</a>]</div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Meenakshi_Amman_West_Tower.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f4/Meenakshi_Amman_West_Tower.jpg/220px-Meenakshi_Amman_West_Tower.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="108" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f4/Meenakshi_Amman_West_Tower.jpg/330px-Meenakshi_Amman_West_Tower.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f4/Meenakshi_Amman_West_Tower.jpg/440px-Meenakshi_Amman_West_Tower.jpg 2x" data-file-width="8375" data-file-height="4112" /></a><figcaption>A view of the west gopuram</figcaption></figure> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Plan_of_Meenakshi_Amman_Temple_Madurai_India.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Plan_of_Meenakshi_Amman_Temple_Madurai_India.jpg/220px-Plan_of_Meenakshi_Amman_Temple_Madurai_India.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="338" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Plan_of_Meenakshi_Amman_Temple_Madurai_India.jpg/330px-Plan_of_Meenakshi_Amman_Temple_Madurai_India.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Plan_of_Meenakshi_Amman_Temple_Madurai_India.jpg/440px-Plan_of_Meenakshi_Amman_Temple_Madurai_India.jpg 2x" data-file-width="920" data-file-height="1412" /></a><figcaption>Plan of the temple per 1911 sketch (does not reflect changes).</figcaption></figure> The temple complex is the centre of the old city of <a href="/wiki/Madurai" title="Madurai">Madurai</a>. It consists of monuments inside several concentric enclosures, each layer fortified with high masonry walls. The outer walls have four towering gateways, allowing devotees and pilgrims to enter the complex from all four directions. After the city's destruction in the 14th century, the Tamil tradition states that the king Vishwantha Nayaka rebuilt the temple and the Madurai city around it under the principles laid down in the <a href="/wiki/Shilpa_Shastras" title="Shilpa Shastras">Shilpa Shastras</a> (Sanskrit: śilpa śāstra). The city plan is based on concentric squares with streets radiating out from the temple.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKing200572–74-11">[11]</a> Early Tamil texts mention that the temple was the centre of the city and the streets happened to be radiating out like a lotus and its petals. The temple <a href="/wiki/Prakaram" title="Prakaram">prakarams</a> (outer precincts of a temple) and streets accommodate an elaborate festival calendar in which processions circumambulate the temple complex. The vehicles used in the processions are progressively more massive the further they travel from the centre.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTESelbyPeterson2008149-65">[64]</a> The temple complex is spread over about 5.7 hectares (14 acres).<a href="#cite_note-Geographic2008p155-26">[26]</a><a href="#cite_note-Hatcher2015p20-66">[65]</a> The courtyard is close to a square with each side of about 240 metres (800 ft), but more accurately a rectangle with one side about 15 metres (50 ft) longer. The complex has numerous shrines and mandapas, of which the most important and largest are the two parallel shrines in the innermost courtyard, one for Meenakshi (B on the plan) and the other for Sundareshvara (A). Additionally, the complex has a golden lotus sacred pool (L) for pilgrims to bathe in, a thousand-pillar hall <a href="/wiki/Choultry" title="Choultry">choultry</a> with extensive sculpture (Q), the kalyana mandapa or wedding hall, many small shrines for Hindu deities and for scholars from the Sangam (academy) history, buildings which are religious schools and administrative offices, elephant sheds, equipment sheds such as those for holding the chariots used for periodic processions and some gardens.<a href="#cite_note-Hatcher2015p20-66">[65]</a> The temple is embedded inside a commercial hub and traditional markets.<a href="#cite_note-Geographic2008p155-26">[26]</a><a href="#cite_note-Hatcher2015p20-66">[65]</a> According to Holly Reynolds, a closer examination of the temple plan, as well as the old city, suggests that it is a mandala, a cosmic diagram laid out based on principles of symmetry and loci.<a href="#cite_note-67">[66]</a> The temple complex has had a living history, has been in use for almost all of its history except for about 60 years when it was closed and in ruins after its destruction in the 14th century. The temple has continued to evolve in the modern era. For example, before the colonial era, the temple complex itself was inside another layer of the old city's fortified walls. The British demolished this layer of fortification in the early 19th century. The surviving plan of the temple complex places it within the old city, one defined by a set of concentric squares around the temple.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201516–17,_24–26-68">[67]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Walls">Walls</h3>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=11" title="Edit section: Walls">edit</a>]</div> The ancient temple complex was open. The courtyard walls were added over time in response to the invasion and the plunder of the temple complex. According to the text Thirupanimalai, the Vijayanagara commander Kumara Kampana after completing his conquest of Madurai, rebuilt the pre-existing structure and built defensive walls around the temple in the 14th century. Lakana Nayakar added the defensive walls around the first prakara (courtyard), as well as expanded and renovated the Mahamandapa and Meenakshi shrine in the middle of the 15th century.<a href="#cite_note-fuller94-16">[16]</a><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–32-41">[41]</a> After the destruction of the Hindu Vijayanagara Empire in the late 16th century by a coalition of Islamic Deccan sultanates north of Karnataka, the Madurai region declared its sovereignty. Visvanatha Nayak then poured resources to heavily fortify the temple complex, and set a new plan for the temple complex. The Nayaka ruler also gilded the vimana of the primary shrines with gold. Chettiappa Nayakkar rebuilt the Dvarapala mandapam in front of the Sannadhi gopuram, as well as the north colonnade of the Golden Lotus Tank, the second protective wall around the Meenakshi Devi's shrine.<a href="#cite_note-fuller94-16">[16]</a><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–32-41">[41]</a> <figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-left" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Temple_de_M%C3%AEn%C3%A2ksh%C3%AE01.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/Temple_de_M%C3%AEn%C3%A2ksh%C3%AE01.jpg/220px-Temple_de_M%C3%AEn%C3%A2ksh%C3%AE01.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="165" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/Temple_de_M%C3%AEn%C3%A2ksh%C3%AE01.jpg/330px-Temple_de_M%C3%AEn%C3%A2ksh%C3%AE01.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/Temple_de_M%C3%AEn%C3%A2ksh%C3%AE01.jpg/440px-Temple_de_M%C3%AEn%C3%A2ksh%C3%AE01.jpg 2x" data-file-width="2502" data-file-height="1872" /></a><figcaption>Meenakshi temple has 14 colourful gopura. These are gateways to various shrines and mandapas.</figcaption></figure> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:MEENAKSHI_TEMPLE-VIEW_FROM_WEST_SIDE_TOWER.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/MEENAKSHI_TEMPLE-VIEW_FROM_WEST_SIDE_TOWER.jpg/220px-MEENAKSHI_TEMPLE-VIEW_FROM_WEST_SIDE_TOWER.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="147" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/MEENAKSHI_TEMPLE-VIEW_FROM_WEST_SIDE_TOWER.jpg/330px-MEENAKSHI_TEMPLE-VIEW_FROM_WEST_SIDE_TOWER.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/MEENAKSHI_TEMPLE-VIEW_FROM_WEST_SIDE_TOWER.jpg/440px-MEENAKSHI_TEMPLE-VIEW_FROM_WEST_SIDE_TOWER.jpg 2x" data-file-width="4900" data-file-height="3267" /></a><figcaption>View of the temple from the west-side tower</figcaption></figure> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:MEENAKSHI_TEMPLE-_WEST_TOWER.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/MEENAKSHI_TEMPLE-_WEST_TOWER.jpg/220px-MEENAKSHI_TEMPLE-_WEST_TOWER.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="330" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/MEENAKSHI_TEMPLE-_WEST_TOWER.jpg/330px-MEENAKSHI_TEMPLE-_WEST_TOWER.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/MEENAKSHI_TEMPLE-_WEST_TOWER.jpg/440px-MEENAKSHI_TEMPLE-_WEST_TOWER.jpg 2x" data-file-width="3267" data-file-height="4900" /></a><figcaption>The north tower of the temple</figcaption></figure> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Gopurams">Gopurams</h3>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=12" title="Edit section: Gopurams">edit</a>]</div> The shrines of Meenakshi temple are embedded inside three walled enclosures and each of these have four gateways, the outer tower growing larger and reaching higher to the corresponding inner one. The temple has 14 <a href="/wiki/Gopuram" title="Gopuram">gopurams</a>, the tallest of which is the southern tower, which rises to over 170 ft (52 m) and was rebuilt in the late 16th century. The oldest gopuram is the eastern one (I on plan), built by <a href="/wiki/Maravarman_Sundara_Pandyan" title="Maravarman Sundara Pandyan">Maravarman Sundara Pandyan</a> during 1216–1238.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEV.K.200396–98-69">[68]</a> Each gopuram is a multi-storeyed structure, covered with sculpture painted in bright hues. The outer gopurams are high pyramidal tower serving as a landmark sign for arriving pilgrims, while the inner gopuram are smaller and serve as the entrance gateways to various shrines.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBrockman2011326–327-36">[36]</a><a href="#cite_note-70">[69]</a> The temple complex has 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.<a href="#cite_note-tnhrceinfo-71">[70]</a> Of these, five are gateways to the Sundareshvara shrine and three to the Meenakshi shrine. The towers are covered with stucco images, some of whom are deity figures and others are figures from Hindu mythology, saints or scholars. Each group or sets of panels in each storey present an episode from regional or pan-Hindu legend. The four tallest gopurams on the outer walls alone depict nearly 4,000 mythological stories.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–32-41">[41]</a><a href="#cite_note-tnhrceinfo-71">[70]</a> Some of the major gopurams of the Meenakshi temple complex are:<a href="#cite_note-fuller94-16">[16]</a><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–32-41">[41]</a> <ul><li>Portions of the three-storeyed gopura at the entrance of Sundareswarar Shrine and the central portion of the Goddess Meenakshi Shrine are some of the earliest surviving parts of the temple. These were constructed by King Kulasekara Pandya (1190–1216 CE). The traditional texts call him a poet-saint king, additionally credit him with a poem called Ambikai Malai, as well as shrines (koil) each for Natarajar and Surya near the main temple, Ayyanar in the east, Vinayagar in the south, Kariamalperumal in the west and Kali in the north. He also built a Mahamandapam. Kulasekara Pandya was also a poet and he composed a poem on Meenakshi named Ambikai Malai.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–23-9">[9]</a></li> <li>Maravarman Sundara Pandyan I built a gopura in 1231, then called Avanivendaraman, later rebuilt, expanded and named as Sundara Pandya Thirukkopuram.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–23-9">[9]</a></li> <li>Chitra gopuram (W), also known as Muttalakkum Vayil, was built by Maravarman Sundara Pandyan II (1238–1251). This gopuram is named after the frescoes and reliefs that depict secular and religious themes of Hindu culture. Maravarman Sundara Pandyan II also added a pillared corridor to the Sundareswara shrine, and the Sundara Pandyan Mandapam.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–23-9">[9]</a> It was rebuilt after the 14th-century damage, its granite structure was renovated by Kumara Krishnappar after 1595.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201536–37-10">[10]</a></li> <li>Vembaturara Ananda Nambi built the early version of the three-tiered gopuram in 1227. Like other gopurams, it too was destroyed in the 14th century and later rebuilt. This gopuram is found between Meenakshi shrine and the Kilikuttu (parrot) mandapam. Some inscriptions refer to it as Vembathurar gopuram.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–23-9">[9]</a></li></ul> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1237032888/mw-parser-output/.tmulti"><div class="thumb tmulti tright"><div class="thumbinner multiimageinner" style="width:378px;max-width:378px"><div class="trow"><div class="tsingle" style="width:162px;max-width:162px"><div class="thumbimage"><a href="/wiki/File:India_Meenakshi_Temple.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/India_Meenakshi_Temple.jpg/160px-India_Meenakshi_Temple.jpg" decoding="async" width="160" height="139" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/India_Meenakshi_Temple.jpg/240px-India_Meenakshi_Temple.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/India_Meenakshi_Temple.jpg/320px-India_Meenakshi_Temple.jpg 2x" data-file-width="2304" data-file-height="1996" /></a></div></div><div class="tsingle" style="width:212px;max-width:212px"><div class="thumbimage"><a href="/wiki/File:S-TN-34_Meenakshi_Amman_Temple_South_Gopuram_enriched_with_delicate_Stucco_works.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/S-TN-34_Meenakshi_Amman_Temple_South_Gopuram_enriched_with_delicate_Stucco_works.jpg/210px-S-TN-34_Meenakshi_Amman_Temple_South_Gopuram_enriched_with_delicate_Stucco_works.jpg" decoding="async" width="210" height="138" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/S-TN-34_Meenakshi_Amman_Temple_South_Gopuram_enriched_with_delicate_Stucco_works.jpg/315px-S-TN-34_Meenakshi_Amman_Temple_South_Gopuram_enriched_with_delicate_Stucco_works.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/S-TN-34_Meenakshi_Amman_Temple_South_Gopuram_enriched_with_delicate_Stucco_works.jpg/420px-S-TN-34_Meenakshi_Amman_Temple_South_Gopuram_enriched_with_delicate_Stucco_works.jpg 2x" data-file-width="4673" data-file-height="3062" /></a></div></div></div><div class="trow" style="display:flex"><div class="thumbcaption">The south <a href="/wiki/Gopuram" title="Gopuram">gopuram</a> is the tallest and curvilinear (above: inner and outerviews). The colorful sculptures narrate legendary scenes from Hindu texts.</div></div></div></div> <ul><li>The gopuram east to the Sundareshwara shrine is 5 storeyed. It was completed about 1372 by Vasuvappan after the Vijayanagara rulers reopened the temple complex after remaining in ruins and dormant for about five decades. The gopuram west to the Sundareshwara shrine is also 5 storeyed, and was completed around 1374 by Mallapan.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201524–32-72">[71]</a></li> <li>According to the inscriptions found on the foundation of the gateways, Visvappa Nayakkar built the Nayaka gopuram in the second prakara around 1530, while Palahai gopuram was built about the same time by Mallappan. Both the gopuram have similar style and architecture, likely built by a collaborating group of same artists.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201524–32-72">[71]</a></li> <li>Kadaka Gopuram in Meenakshi's shrine was built by Tumpichi Nayakkar around the mid 16th century, but different texts give different dates. It is five-storeyed, was walled up and closed through 1963 for unclear reasons. This gopura was reopened after the renovations were completed in 1963.</li> <li>The gopuram near the Ganesha shrine (Mukkuruni Vinayakar), also called the Nadukkattu gopuram or Idaikattu gopuram, was built by the Siramalai Sevvanthimurti Chetti family. It is called Nadukkattu because it is between the shrines of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar. They also rebuilt and renovated the Idabhakkuri Gopuram, a five-storey tower on the northern segment of the Adi Street.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201524–32-72">[71]</a></li> <li>The nine-storey southern gopura, the highest tower, was also built by the Siramalai Sevvanthimurti Chetti family, a wealthy Hindu who lived near Thiruchirapalli. It was completed in the second half of the 16th century. The gopuram is notable for its extensive artwork with over 1,500 mythological characters in panels that narrate legends from the Hindu texts, particularly the <a href="/wiki/Puranas" title="Puranas">Puranas</a>.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201524–32-72">[71]</a></li> <li>Mottai gopuram (lit. "bald" gateway) was started by Krishnappa Nayakkar, also called the North Raya gopuram (this is not on the plan, below the bottom edge). It was completed by the Amaravati Purur Vayinagaram Chettiyar family in 1878 CE. The Mottai gopuram for nearly three centuries did not have a roof structure, is simpler and has fewer stucco images than the other major entrances, giving it a relatively bald appearance and the local name. Before its completion in the 19th century, the gopuram made of stone and brick had even fewer stucco images.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201532–33-73">[72]</a></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Shrines">Shrines</h3>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=13" title="Edit section: Shrines">edit</a>]</div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1237032888/mw-parser-output/.tmulti"><div class="thumb tmulti tright"><div class="thumbinner multiimageinner" style="width:204px;max-width:204px"><div class="trow"><div class="tsingle" style="width:202px;max-width:202px"><div class="thumbimage"><a href="/wiki/File:Madurai_Meenakshi_temple_shikhara.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="golden roof of a shrine" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Madurai_Meenakshi_temple_shikhara.jpg/200px-Madurai_Meenakshi_temple_shikhara.jpg" decoding="async" width="200" height="113" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Madurai_Meenakshi_temple_shikhara.jpg/300px-Madurai_Meenakshi_temple_shikhara.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Madurai_Meenakshi_temple_shikhara.jpg/400px-Madurai_Meenakshi_temple_shikhara.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1920" data-file-height="1080" /></a></div><div class="thumbcaption">The golden vimana over the sanctum</div></div></div><div class="trow"><div class="tsingle" style="width:202px;max-width:202px"><div class="thumbimage"><a href="/wiki/File:Madurai_si0687.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="A sculpture in the pilgrim pillared hall" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/Madurai_si0687.jpg/200px-Madurai_si0687.jpg" decoding="async" width="200" height="267" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/Madurai_si0687.jpg/300px-Madurai_si0687.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/Madurai_si0687.jpg/400px-Madurai_si0687.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1200" data-file-height="1600" /></a></div><div class="thumbcaption">A sculpture of a woman playing an <a href="/wiki/Alapini_vina" class="mw-redirect" title="Alapini vina">alapini</a> or <a href="/wiki/Kinnari_vina" class="mw-redirect" title="Kinnari vina">Kinnari vina</a> in the thousand-pillared hall</div></div></div></div></div> The Meenakshi temple has two separate shrines for the goddess Meenakshi (Parvati, Devi, Amman) and god Sundaresvara (Shiva, Deva, Cuvami), just like most Shaiva temples.<a href="#cite_note-fuller321-74">[73]</a> Both are open to the east. The Devi shrine is on the south side (B), while the Deva shrine is more centrally placed, to the north (A), thus placing the goddess as the pradhana murti or the "more important" right side within the complex, states Fuller.<a href="#cite_note-fuller321-74">[73]</a> The goddess shrine has the green stone image of Meenakshi, standing in bent-leg posture. Her raised hand holds a lotus, on which sits a green parrot. Her left hand hangs by her side. This image is set in a square garbha griya (central sanctum). A copy of this image has been made from metal and is kept in the temple complex. The metal version is used for a festive procession.<a href="#cite_note-fuller321-74">[73]</a> A distinct feature of Meenakshi in terms of iconography is the presence of parrot in her right hand. The parrot is generally associated with the <a href="/wiki/Sri_Vaishnavism" title="Sri Vaishnavism">Sri Vaishnava</a> <a href="/wiki/Azhwar" class="mw-redirect" title="Azhwar">Alvar</a> <a href="/wiki/Andal" title="Andal">Andal</a>.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEPal1988291-75">[74]</a> The Sundareswarar shrine has a stone linga in its square plan sanctum, and this anicon is shaded under a stone cobra hood. In the northeast corner is another stone image of his consort. None of these travel during a festive procession. Rather, Sundareswarar is represented in the form of anthropomorphic Somaskanda image.<a href="#cite_note-fuller321-74">[73]</a> There is another metal symbolic image of Shiva called the Cokkar, which is merely a pair of embossed feet on a metal stool. This symbol is kept near Sundareswarar sanctum all day, then carried in a palaki daily to Meenakshi's chamber every evening so that the two can symbolically spend the night together. In the morning, the temple volunteers wake the divine couple and the symbolic Cokkar image is carried back to the Sundareswarar sanctum.<a href="#cite_note-fuller321-74">[73]</a> The shrine for Sundareswarar<a href="#cite_note-77">[note 2]</a> is the largest within the complex and its entrance is aligned with the eastern gopuram. The shrine for Meenakshi is smaller, though theologically more important. Both the Meenakshi and Sundareswarar shrines have gold plated Vimanam (tower over sanctum). The golden top can be seen from a great distance in the west through the apertures of two successive towers. The tall sculpture of <a href="/wiki/Ganesh" class="mw-redirect" title="Ganesh">Ganesh</a> carved of single stone located outside the Sundareswarar shrine in the path from Meenakshi shrine is called the Mukuruny Vinayakar. A large measure of rice measuring three kurini (a measure) is shaped into a big ball of sacrifice<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTECompiled2008174-78">[76]</a> and hence the Ganesh is called Mukkurni Vinayagar (three kurinis).<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEV.K.200396–98-69">[68]</a> Kumara Kampana, states the Thirupanimalai text, donated jewels and made grants to cover the expenses for daily operations of the two shrines in the 14th century.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–32-41">[41]</a> The Tamil Hindus who had hidden the temple idols in Nanjil Nadu, brought them back and reconsecrated them ending the nearly five decades era when the temple had been closed under the Madurai Sultanate rule. The temple inscriptions suggest that the Vijayanagara rulers participated worship ceremonies in the temple and donated gold, through the 16th century. Lakana Nayakar built the Paliarai (bed chamber) in the mid 15th century for the icon goddess and god to symbolically spend their night together. The Nataraja shrine was also added in the 15th century by Arulalan Sevahadevan Vanathirayan, who also renovated the Thiruvalavaudaiyar shrine.<a href="#cite_note-fuller94-16">[16]</a><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–32-41">[41]</a> The temple has other shrines, such as for <a href="/wiki/Kartikeya" title="Kartikeya">Murugan</a> in the northwest corner of the second courtyard. It was built by Krishnappa Nayakar II.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201536–37-10">[10]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Temple_tank_and_surrounding_portico">Temple tank and surrounding portico</h3>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=14" title="Edit section: Temple tank and surrounding portico">edit</a>]</div> The Nayakas, who were the local governors for the Vijayanagara rulers, expanded the temple complex. In 1516, Saluvanarasana Nayaka added the sacred pool for pilgrims to take a dip, naming it Ezhukadal (seven seas, Saptasaharam).<a href="#cite_note-fuller94-16">[16]</a><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–32-41">[41]</a> Chettiappa Nayakkar rebuilt the north colonnade of the Golden Lotus Tank, as well as Dvarapala mandapam in front of the Sannadhi gopuram.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201524–31-79">[77]</a> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Golden_Lotus_in_Meenakshi_Amman_Temple.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/Golden_Lotus_in_Meenakshi_Amman_Temple.jpg/220px-Golden_Lotus_in_Meenakshi_Amman_Temple.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="165" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/Golden_Lotus_in_Meenakshi_Amman_Temple.jpg/330px-Golden_Lotus_in_Meenakshi_Amman_Temple.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/63/Golden_Lotus_in_Meenakshi_Amman_Temple.jpg/440px-Golden_Lotus_in_Meenakshi_Amman_Temple.jpg 2x" data-file-width="4032" data-file-height="3024" /></a><figcaption>Golden Lotus in the temple pool.</figcaption></figure> The sacred temple tank is called Porthamarai Kulam ("Pond with the golden lotus"). It is also referred to as Adhi Theertham, Sivaganga and Uthama Theertham. The pool is 165 ft (50 m) by 120 ft (37 m) in size.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTETemple_theertham2012-80">[78]</a> The pool walls were painted with frescoes. Only a fraction of 17th- and 18th-century paintings of Nayak period survives and one such portion is found in the small portico on the western side of the tank. It depicts the marriage of Sundareswarar and Meenkashi attended by Vijayaranga Chokkanatha and Rani Mangammal. The painting is executed on a vivid red background, with delicate black linework and large areas of white, green and ochre. The celestial couple is seated inside an architectural frame with a flowering tree in the background.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEMichell1995241-81">[79]</a> The small six-pillared swing mandapam (Unjal) was built by Cheventhi Murthi Chetti during this period, and this remains in use currently for a Friday ritual and it also houses the model of the entire temple complex created in 1985.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201524–31-79">[77]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Halls">Halls</h3>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=15" title="Edit section: Halls">edit</a>]</div> The temple complex has many mandapas (pillared-halls) built by kings and wealthy patrons over the centuries. They are <a href="/wiki/Choultry" title="Choultry">choultry</a>, or a place for the pilgrims to rest. Some of these mandapas include:<a href="#cite_note-fuller94-16">[16]</a><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201522–39-82">[80]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Main_mandapams">Main mandapams</h4>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=16" title="Edit section: Main mandapams">edit</a>]</div> <ul><li>Chinnappa Nayakkar constructed the 100-pillared Mandapa Nayaka Mandapam in the northeastern part of second courtyard in 1526. This mandapa houses the famed Nataraja statue with his "right" leg up in dance mudra, instead of the left leg typically found in Nataraja bronzes.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEV.K.200396–98-69">[68]</a><a href="#cite_note-83">[81]</a></li></ul> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:1801_sketch_of_Krishna_sculpture_at_Meenakshi_temple_Madurai_Tamil_Nadu,_cropped_image.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/1801_sketch_of_Krishna_sculpture_at_Meenakshi_temple_Madurai_Tamil_Nadu%2C_cropped_image.jpg/220px-1801_sketch_of_Krishna_sculpture_at_Meenakshi_temple_Madurai_Tamil_Nadu%2C_cropped_image.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="252" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/1801_sketch_of_Krishna_sculpture_at_Meenakshi_temple_Madurai_Tamil_Nadu%2C_cropped_image.jpg/330px-1801_sketch_of_Krishna_sculpture_at_Meenakshi_temple_Madurai_Tamil_Nadu%2C_cropped_image.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/1801_sketch_of_Krishna_sculpture_at_Meenakshi_temple_Madurai_Tamil_Nadu%2C_cropped_image.jpg 2x" data-file-width="346" data-file-height="397" /></a><figcaption>This is a Shaivism tradition temple that includes deities and narrative friezes of Vaishnavism and Shaktism. Above: Krishna sculpture at the Meenakshi temple (sketched in 1801).</figcaption></figure> <ul><li>The small six-pillared swing mandapam (Unjal, oonjal) was built by Cheventhi Murthi Chetti during this period, and this remains in use currently for a Friday ritual. The images of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar are placed on the swing every Friday evening and swung. The shrine has a 3-storied gopuram flanked by two <a href="/wiki/Dvarapala" title="Dvarapala">Dvarapala</a> (guardians) and supported by golden, rectangular columns that bear lotus markings. Along the perimeter of the chamber, granite panels of the divine couple are present. The hall is situated in the western bank of the temple tank. This mandapam also houses the model of the entire temple complex created in 1985.</li> <li>Kambathadi mandapam (H) was built by Krishna Virappa Nayakkar (1572–1595). This choultry hall is known for intricately carved sculptures and eight Shiva forms: Ardanarishwara (half Parvati, half Shiva), Rudra (angry Shiva), Bhikshadanamurti (Shiva as a monk), Dakshinamurti (Shiva as yoga teacher, guru), Lingobhava (Shiva emerging out of a linga), Ekapathamurti, Rishaba, Somaskanda (Shiva, Parvati and Skanda), Chandrasekara, Nataraja (dancing Shiva) and Somasundara.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201532–33-73">[72]</a></li> <li>Ashta Shakthi Mandapam ("Hall of eight goddesses", O on plan) was built by two queens.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201541–43-84">[82]</a> It is the hall near the East gopuram, between the main entrance for visitors and the smaller gopuram leading to the Meenakshi shrine tower.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTENicholson1997279–280-85">[83]</a> The passage was named for eight forms of goddess <a href="/wiki/Shakti" title="Shakti">Shakti</a> carved on its pillars: Koumari, Roudri, Vaishnavi, Maha-lakshmi, Yagnarupini, Shyamala, Maheswari and Manonmani.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201541–43-84">[82]</a> These reflect the feminine and power aspects of all major traditions of Hinduism. Other sculptures and paintings depict the Tiruvilayadal (holy games of Shiva). The sculptures of heroes of <a href="/wiki/Mahabharata" title="Mahabharata">Mahabharata</a>, the <a href="/wiki/Pandava" title="Pandava">Pancha pandavas</a> can be seen in the Pancha Pandava Mandapam (Hall of Pandavas). The hall also has four sculptures of Shiva scholars, as well as a statue of <a href="/wiki/Mahatma_Gandhi" title="Mahatma Gandhi">Mahatma Gandhi</a> added in 1923 while the Indians were midst their independence struggle from the colonial British rule.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201541–43-84">[82]</a></li></ul> <figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Pillared_halls_or_mandapams_in_Meenakshi_temple,_choultry_pilgrim_resting_place.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2e/Pillared_halls_or_mandapams_in_Meenakshi_temple%2C_choultry_pilgrim_resting_place.jpg/220px-Pillared_halls_or_mandapams_in_Meenakshi_temple%2C_choultry_pilgrim_resting_place.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="147" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2e/Pillared_halls_or_mandapams_in_Meenakshi_temple%2C_choultry_pilgrim_resting_place.jpg/330px-Pillared_halls_or_mandapams_in_Meenakshi_temple%2C_choultry_pilgrim_resting_place.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2e/Pillared_halls_or_mandapams_in_Meenakshi_temple%2C_choultry_pilgrim_resting_place.jpg/440px-Pillared_halls_or_mandapams_in_Meenakshi_temple%2C_choultry_pilgrim_resting_place.jpg 2x" data-file-width="4683" data-file-height="3122" /></a><figcaption>One of the pillared halls in Meenakshi temple.</figcaption></figure> <ul><li>Kilikoondu Mandapam, also called Sangili mandapam (E), is near the Meenakshi shrine. The word Kilikondu means "parrot cage", and in past the parrots kept here were trained to say "Meenakshi". This pillared hall was completed in 1623 by Muthu Veerappa Nayakar. The cages were later removed.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201538–39-86">[84]</a> In contemporary times, girls perform the kolattam dance, a type of stick dance that involves acrobatics and forming chains with long ropes hanging from the ceiling, which is why it is called sangili. These dances celebrate Hindu festival days.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201538–39-86">[84]</a> The Kilikoondu Mandapam is notable for its sculpture of characters from the <a href="/wiki/Mahabharata" title="Mahabharata">Mahabharata</a>, a Hindu epic. It also has a yali sculpture on a pillar, inside whose mouth is carved a stone ball that freely rotates.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201538–39-86">[84]</a></li> <li>The Kambatadi Mandapam ("Hall of temple tree") with its seated Nandi (sacred bull) has various manifestations of Shiva carved and also contains the famous "Marriage of Meenakshi" sculpture.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEV.K.200396–98-69">[68]</a> Other sculptures here include those Shiva and <a href="/wiki/Kali" title="Kali">Kali</a> in a dance competition, a golden flagstaff, <a href="/wiki/Durga" title="Durga">Durga</a> as <a href="/wiki/Siddhidatri" class="mw-redirect" title="Siddhidatri">Siddar</a>.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEV.K.200396–98-69">[68]</a></li> <li>The Vira vasantha raya mandapam (R) is to the south of the 1000-pillar mandapam, and was completed in 1611 by Muthu Veerappa Nayakar I.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201536–37-10">[10]</a> It contains a Nandi facing the main Sundaresvara sanctum. To the south of this hall is the kalyana mandapam, or wedding hall. It is here that the marriage of Shiva and Parvati is celebrated every year during the Chithirai festival which falls sometime in or abouts April.</li></ul> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Tremal_Naig%27s_Choultry,_Madura_-_British_Library_P953.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/Tremal_Naig%27s_Choultry%2C_Madura_-_British_Library_P953.jpg/220px-Tremal_Naig%27s_Choultry%2C_Madura_-_British_Library_P953.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="165" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/Tremal_Naig%27s_Choultry%2C_Madura_-_British_Library_P953.jpg/330px-Tremal_Naig%27s_Choultry%2C_Madura_-_British_Library_P953.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c6/Tremal_Naig%27s_Choultry%2C_Madura_-_British_Library_P953.jpg/440px-Tremal_Naig%27s_Choultry%2C_Madura_-_British_Library_P953.jpg 2x" data-file-width="948" data-file-height="712" /></a><figcaption>The Pudu Mandapa is outside the east gate of the Minakshi temple at Madurai, by <a href="/wiki/Thomas_Daniell" title="Thomas Daniell">Thomas Daniell</a></figcaption></figure> <ul><li>Pudumandapam, also called Vasantha mandapam (bottom of plan) was completed by Thirumalai Nayak in the 17th century. It is in front of the eastern tower, outside the current walled complex. It leads to the unfinished Eastern gopuram. It has 124 pillars, each with intricately carved sculptures of Meenakshi's wedding to Shiva, Kali, Nataraja, Surya, Chandra as well as common life scenes such as elephants eating sugarcane stalks are found in this mandapam.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201539–41-87">[85]</a> Its popularity led to shopkeepers occupying the pillared hall, some of which hide or make a complete view of the sculpture difficult.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201539–41-87">[85]</a></li> <li>Golu mandapam was built by Thittiyappa Chetti, a common man, in 1565 during the rule of Krishnappa Nayakkar. This mandapam is used during the Navaratri festival every year when goddess Meenakshi is decorated like a golu doll, in nine different forms on each of the nine days of the autumn festival.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201534–35-88">[86]</a></li></ul> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1237032888/mw-parser-output/.tmulti"><div class="thumb tmulti tleft"><div class="thumbinner multiimageinner" style="width:204px;max-width:204px"><div class="trow"><div class="tsingle" style="width:202px;max-width:202px"><div class="thumbimage"><a href="/wiki/File:Thousand-Pillared_Hall,_16th_century,_Meenakshi_Temple_at_Madurai_(3)_(36817476384).jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="1,000 pillar hall lit up" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/Thousand-Pillared_Hall%2C_16th_century%2C_Meenakshi_Temple_at_Madurai_%283%29_%2836817476384%29.jpg/200px-Thousand-Pillared_Hall%2C_16th_century%2C_Meenakshi_Temple_at_Madurai_%283%29_%2836817476384%29.jpg" decoding="async" width="200" height="149" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/Thousand-Pillared_Hall%2C_16th_century%2C_Meenakshi_Temple_at_Madurai_%283%29_%2836817476384%29.jpg/300px-Thousand-Pillared_Hall%2C_16th_century%2C_Meenakshi_Temple_at_Madurai_%283%29_%2836817476384%29.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/62/Thousand-Pillared_Hall%2C_16th_century%2C_Meenakshi_Temple_at_Madurai_%283%29_%2836817476384%29.jpg/400px-Thousand-Pillared_Hall%2C_16th_century%2C_Meenakshi_Temple_at_Madurai_%283%29_%2836817476384%29.jpg 2x" data-file-width="4006" data-file-height="2988" /></a></div><div class="thumbcaption">The thousand-pillared hall</div></div></div><div class="trow"><div class="tsingle" style="width:202px;max-width:202px"><div class="thumbimage"><a href="/wiki/File:Carved_pillar,_Thousand-Pillared_Hall,_Meenakshi_Temple,_Madurai_(3)_(37469458076).jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="A sculpture in the pilgrim pillared hall" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7f/Carved_pillar%2C_Thousand-Pillared_Hall%2C_Meenakshi_Temple%2C_Madurai_%283%29_%2837469458076%29.jpg/200px-Carved_pillar%2C_Thousand-Pillared_Hall%2C_Meenakshi_Temple%2C_Madurai_%283%29_%2837469458076%29.jpg" decoding="async" width="200" height="267" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7f/Carved_pillar%2C_Thousand-Pillared_Hall%2C_Meenakshi_Temple%2C_Madurai_%283%29_%2837469458076%29.jpg/300px-Carved_pillar%2C_Thousand-Pillared_Hall%2C_Meenakshi_Temple%2C_Madurai_%283%29_%2837469458076%29.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7f/Carved_pillar%2C_Thousand-Pillared_Hall%2C_Meenakshi_Temple%2C_Madurai_%283%29_%2837469458076%29.jpg/400px-Carved_pillar%2C_Thousand-Pillared_Hall%2C_Meenakshi_Temple%2C_Madurai_%283%29_%2837469458076%29.jpg 2x" data-file-width="3014" data-file-height="4024" /></a></div><div class="thumbcaption">Every pillar is carved with religious or secular sculpture</div></div></div></div></div> <ul><li>The Thousand-Pillared Hall (Q) contains 985 (instead of 1000) carved pillars, with two shrines occupying the space of the remaining 15.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBrockman2011326–327-36">[36]</a> The hall was built by <a href="/wiki/Ariyanatha_Mudaliar" title="Ariyanatha Mudaliar">Ariyanatha Mudaliar</a> in 1569 and blends engineering skill and artistic vision.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEV.K.200396–98-69">[68]</a> Ariyanatha Mudaliar was prime minister and general of <a href="/wiki/Viswanatha_Nayak" title="Viswanatha Nayak">Viswanatha Nayak</a>a, the first Nayaka of Madurai (1559–1600). At the entrance of the hall is the statue of Ariyanatha Mudaliar seated on a horse-back, flanking one side of the entrance to the temple. Each pillar in the hall is a carved sculpture. The more prominent among the carved figures are those of Rati (wife of Kama), <a href="/wiki/Karthikeya" class="mw-redirect" title="Karthikeya">Karthikeya</a>, <a href="/wiki/Ganesha" title="Ganesha">Ganesha</a>, Shiva as a wandering mendicant. The Meenakshi Nayakkar Mandapam ("Hall of 1000 pillars") has two rows of pillars carved with images of <a href="/wiki/Yali_(Hindu_mythology)" class="mw-redirect" title="Yali (Hindu mythology)">yali</a> (mythological beast with body of lion and head of an elephant). It is situated to the north of Sundareswarar flag staff hall.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEV.K.200396–98-69">[68]</a> There is a Temple Art Museum in the hall where icons, photographs, drawings, and other exhibits of the temple are displayed.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEV.K.200396–98-69">[68]</a> Just outside this hall, towards the west, are the Musical Pillars. Each pillar, when struck, produces a different musical note.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEV.K.200396–98-69">[68]</a><a href="#cite_note-89">[87]</a></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Other_mandapams">Other mandapams</h4>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=17" title="Edit section: Other mandapams">edit</a>]</div> <ul><li>Lakana Nayakar expanded and renovated the Mahamandapa in late 15th century CE.</li> <li>The Urchava Nayanar Mandapa and the small six-pillared mandapa in front of the Mahamandapa was rebuilt by Sundaratolydaiya Mavali Vanathirayar in the 15th century.</li> <li>Chettiappa Nayakkar rebuilt the Dvarapala mandapam in front of the Sannadhi gopuram, as well as the north colonnade of the Golden Lotus Tank in the late 16th century.</li> <li>Vanniyadi Natarajar Mandapam and Annakkuli Mandapam were built by a woman named Chellappen Mannikkam in the late 16th century.</li> <li>Murthiyamman mandapam and Nandi mandapam were built by Krishnappa Nayakar (1564–1572). The Nandi mandapam was renovated again in 1877.</li> <li>The Mudali Pillai Mandapam or Iruttu Mandapam (dark hall) is a wide and long hall built by Muthu Pillai during 1613. On the pillars of the halls, there are fine sculptures of Shiva narrating the legend of <a href="/wiki/Bhikshatana" title="Bhikshatana">Bikshadanar</a>.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKi196393-90">[88]</a></li></ul> <figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:India_-_Madurai_-_021-2_-_Rajasthani_pilgrims_(1825820390).jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/India_-_Madurai_-_021-2_-_Rajasthani_pilgrims_%281825820390%29.jpg/220px-India_-_Madurai_-_021-2_-_Rajasthani_pilgrims_%281825820390%29.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="165" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/India_-_Madurai_-_021-2_-_Rajasthani_pilgrims_%281825820390%29.jpg/330px-India_-_Madurai_-_021-2_-_Rajasthani_pilgrims_%281825820390%29.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/India_-_Madurai_-_021-2_-_Rajasthani_pilgrims_%281825820390%29.jpg/440px-India_-_Madurai_-_021-2_-_Rajasthani_pilgrims_%281825820390%29.jpg 2x" data-file-width="2592" data-file-height="1944" /></a><figcaption>The temple is major South Indian pilgrimage center, as well as elsewhere. Above: Pilgrims from <a href="/wiki/Rajasthan" title="Rajasthan">Rajasthan</a> at the temple.</figcaption></figure> <ul><li>The Mangayarkarasi mandapam is a newly built hall situated opposite to the wedding halls and bears the name of queen Mangayarkarasi who contributed to Saivism and Tamil language.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAwakened_India200749-91">[89]</a> To the south of Mangayarkarasi mandapam lies the Servaikarar Mandapam, a hall built by <a href="/wiki/Marudu_brothers" class="mw-redirect" title="Marudu brothers">Marudu brothers</a> in 1795.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEIyerT._R.198743-92">[90]</a> The Nagara mandapam (Hall of beating drums) lies opposite to Sundareswarar shrine was built by Achaya Rayar, the minister of Rani Mangammal in 1635.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKi196376-93">[91]</a> The Kolu Mandapam is a hall for displaying dolls during the <a href="/wiki/Navratri" class="mw-redirect" title="Navratri">Navarathri</a> festival celebrated during September–October.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEAwakened_India200747-94">[92]</a> This hall is situated in the second corridor of the Meenakshi shrine at the western side.</li></ul> The mandapas also feature community gathering halls. The Kanaka Sabha and Ratna Sabha are in the first prahara, Rajata Sabha in Velliambalam, Deva Sabha in the 100-pillared mandapam and Chitra Sabha in the 1000-pillared mandapam.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201533–34-95">[93]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Deities_inside_the_Temple">Deities inside the Temple</h2>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=18" title="Edit section: Deities inside the Temple">edit</a>]</div> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Meenakshi" title="Meenakshi">Meenakshi</a> Amman (Main Goddess)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Shiva" title="Shiva">Sundareshwarar</a> (Main God)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ganesha" title="Ganesha">Mukkuruni Vinayagar</a></li> <li>Irattai Vinayagar</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Dakshinamurthy" class="mw-redirect" title="Dakshinamurthy">Dakshinamurthy</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Mahalakshmi" class="mw-redirect" title="Mahalakshmi">Mahalakshmi</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Saraswathi" class="mw-redirect" title="Saraswathi">Saraswathi</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nayanars" title="Nayanars">63 Nayanmars</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Matrikas" title="Matrikas">Sapthamatrikas</a></li> <li>Kasi Vishwanathar</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Lingodbhava" title="Lingodbhava">Lingodbhava</a></li> <li>Sahasralingas</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Murugan" class="mw-redirect" title="Murugan">Subramaniyar</a> with <a href="/wiki/Deivayanai" class="mw-redirect" title="Deivayanai">Deivayanai</a> and <a href="/wiki/Valli" title="Valli">Valli</a></li> <li>Chandrasekhar</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Chandeshvara_Nayanar" title="Chandeshvara Nayanar">Chandikeshwarar</a></li> <li>Kalyana Sundareshwarar with Meenakshi Amman</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Siddhar" title="Siddhar">Siddhar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Durga" title="Durga">Durgai Amman</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Bhairavar" class="mw-redirect" title="Bhairavar">Bhairavar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Appar" title="Appar">Appar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sambandhar" class="mw-redirect" title="Sambandhar">Sambandhar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sundarar" title="Sundarar">Sundarar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Manickavasagar" class="mw-redirect" title="Manickavasagar">Manickavasagar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Surya" title="Surya">Suryanarayanan</a> with <a href="/wiki/Sanjna" title="Sanjna">Usha</a> and <a href="/wiki/Chhaya" title="Chhaya">Prathyusha</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_Sangam_poets" title="List of Sangam poets">Sangam poets</a></li> <li>Vibhoothi <a href="/wiki/Vinayagar" class="mw-redirect" title="Vinayagar">Vinayagar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Navagrahas" class="mw-redirect" title="Navagrahas">Navagrahas</a></li></ul> Along with these, there are statues of King Thirumalai Naicker with his wives within the temple complex. <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Significance">Significance</h2>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=19" title="Edit section: Significance">edit</a>]</div> The Meenakshi Temple is a theologically and culturally significant temple for Hindus. Professor <a href="/wiki/Chris_Fuller_(academic)" title="Chris Fuller (academic)">Christopher Fuller</a> signifies that through the wedding of <a href="/wiki/Meenakshi" title="Meenakshi">Meenakshi</a> and Sundaresvara the "supremely important rite of passage" for women, the cultural concept of "sumangali" or "auspicious married woman" who lives with her husband but is also independent, organizer of the social connections and who is central to Tamilian life. The marriage of the goddess and god is a symbolic paradigm for human marriage.<a href="#cite_note-cfuller205-96">[94]</a> This event is commemorated with an annual festive procession that falls sometime around April. The temple is also significant because it implies an affinal, protective relationship between <a href="/wiki/Shaivism" title="Shaivism">Shaivism</a> and <a href="/wiki/Vaishnavism" title="Vaishnavism">Vaishnavism</a> traditions of Hinduism, by making Shiva the husband of Meenakshi, and Vishnu her brother, a significant relationship in Dravidian kinship system.<a href="#cite_note-cfuller205-96">[94]</a><a href="#cite_note-Shulman2014-97">[95]</a> Meenakshi herself is a central part of the <a href="/wiki/Shaktism" title="Shaktism">Shaktism</a> tradition of Hinduism, and represented as the dominant figure of the pair in this temple. The temple thus symbolically celebrates all three of its major traditions.<a href="#cite_note-98">[96]</a><a href="#cite_note-99">[97]</a> According to the Tiruvilaiyatal Puranam, of the list of 68 pilgrimage places in Shaivism, four are most important: Kashi (Varanasi), Chidambaram, Tirukkalatti and Madurai. The sacrality of Madurai is from this temple.<a href="#cite_note-SmithReynolds1987p34-100">[98]</a> The shrine of Sundareswarar is considered one of the <a href="/wiki/Pancha_Sabhai" title="Pancha Sabhai">Pancha Sabhai</a> (five courts),<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKumar2001184-101">[99]</a> where the Tamil Hindu tradition believes Shiva performed <a href="/wiki/Tandava" title="Tandava">cosmic dance</a>.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTESmith199610–48-102">[100]</a> The Tamil word velli means silver and ambalam means stage or altar.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTESoundara_Rajan200151-103">[101]</a> This massive Nataraja sculpture is enclosed in a huge silver altar and hence called "Velli Ambalam" (silver abode).<a href="#cite_note-104">[102]</a> The temple is a popular site for Hindu weddings, though it is not the exclusive site. The short main ceremony is completed in the temple, followed by receptions and other rituals elsewhere.<a href="#cite_note-105">[103]</a> The Meenakshi temple is not only a religious center, but is also an economic center. The goods and services for temple-related pilgrims and visitors is a significant part of the Madurai economy.<a href="#cite_note-106">[104]</a> Tamil Nadu state emblem is based on the West Gopuram. Though, sometimes it is wrongly mentioned that the State emblem is based on Srivilliputhur temple Gopuram, the artist R Krishna Rao the one who designed the Emblem has stated that he designed it based on the Madurai Meenakshiamman West Gopuram.<a href="#cite_note-107">[105]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Worship">Worship</h2>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=20" title="Edit section: Worship">edit</a>]</div> The Meenakshi Amman temple is an active house of Hindu worship. Priests perform the <a href="/wiki/Puja_(Hinduism)" title="Puja (Hinduism)">puja</a> ceremonies on a daily basis and during festivals.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEFuller200463–74-108">[106]</a> Volunteers and temple staff also participate in daily rituals, such as symbolically moving an icon of Sundaresvara in a palanquin to Meenakshi's chamber every night so that they can be together, then waking the two and returning Sundaresvara to his shrine every morning.<a href="#cite_note-fuller94-16">[16]</a> There are periodic ratha (chariot) processions where one of the metal copy icon of the goddess is taken out of the temple in an elaborate car shrine decorated with colorful clothes and flowers, with volunteers pulling the car through the streets of Madurai and circumambulating the temple complex on one of the concentric roads in the old city. This symbolizes her mythical conquests and her presence in the secular life of the people.<a href="#cite_note-fuller94-16">[16]</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1237032888/mw-parser-output/.tmulti"><div class="thumb tmulti tright"><div class="thumbinner multiimageinner" style="width:310px;max-width:310px"><div class="trow"><div class="tsingle" style="width:162px;max-width:162px"><div class="thumbimage"><a href="/wiki/File:Madurai_Car_Festival_1.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Madurai_Car_Festival_1.jpg/160px-Madurai_Car_Festival_1.jpg" decoding="async" width="160" height="213" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Madurai_Car_Festival_1.jpg/240px-Madurai_Car_Festival_1.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Madurai_Car_Festival_1.jpg/320px-Madurai_Car_Festival_1.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1080" data-file-height="1440" /></a></div><div class="thumbcaption">Madurai temple ratha yatra festival (spring).</div></div><div class="tsingle" style="width:144px;max-width:144px"><div class="thumbimage"><a href="/wiki/File:Parvati_and_Shiva_as_Navaratri_Golu_Dolls_Tamil_Nadu.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Parvati_and_Shiva_as_Navaratri_Golu_Dolls_Tamil_Nadu.jpg/142px-Parvati_and_Shiva_as_Navaratri_Golu_Dolls_Tamil_Nadu.jpg" decoding="async" width="142" height="213" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Parvati_and_Shiva_as_Navaratri_Golu_Dolls_Tamil_Nadu.jpg/213px-Parvati_and_Shiva_as_Navaratri_Golu_Dolls_Tamil_Nadu.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Parvati_and_Shiva_as_Navaratri_Golu_Dolls_Tamil_Nadu.jpg/284px-Parvati_and_Shiva_as_Navaratri_Golu_Dolls_Tamil_Nadu.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1333" data-file-height="2000" /></a></div><div class="thumbcaption">Golu dolls festival (autumn).</div></div></div></div></div> The temple has a six time pooja calendar everyday, each comprising four rituals namely abhisheka (sacred bath), alangaram (decoration), neivethanam (food offerings<a href="#cite_note-110">[note 3]</a>) and deepa aradanai (lamp ceremony) for both Meenakshi and Sundareswarar.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEFuller200467-111">[108]</a> The rituals and festivals are accompanied with music with <a href="/wiki/Nadhaswaram" class="mw-redirect" title="Nadhaswaram">nadhaswaram</a> (pipe instrument) and <a href="/wiki/Tavil" class="mw-redirect" title="Tavil">tavil</a> (percussion instrument), recitation of the <a href="/wiki/Vedas" title="Vedas">Vedas</a>.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEFuller200463–74-108">[106]</a> The Hindus generally circumambulate the shrines clockwise first before entering the shrine for a <a href="/wiki/Darshana" class="mw-redirect" title="Darshana">darshana</a>. Meenakshi is typically visited before Sundareswarar by the pilgrims, she considered the primary deity of the complex. Like most Shakti temples in Tamil Nadu, the Fridays during the Tamil months of Aadi (July–August) and Thai (January–February) are celebrated in the temple by thousands of devotees. "Avani Moola Utsavam" is a 10-day festival mainly devoted to Sundareswarar describes his various Thiruvilayadal meaning Shiva's sacred games. <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Festivals">Festivals</h3>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=21" title="Edit section: Festivals">edit</a>]</div> The Meenakshi temple hosts a festival in each month of the Tamil calendar. Some festivals attract significant participation, with the Meenakshi wedding-related festival attracting over a million people over 12 days. It is called the "<a href="/wiki/Chithirai_Thiruvizha#Meenakshi_Tirukalyanam" class="mw-redirect" title="Chithirai Thiruvizha">Meenakshi Thirukalyanam</a>". The festival is celebrated in the Chithirai month, which typically falls about April. It marks the divine marriage of Meenakshi, and is the most attended festival.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEBansal2008123-112">[109]</a> The <a href="/wiki/Hindu_wedding" title="Hindu wedding">wedding</a> of the divine couple is regarded as a classic instance of south Indian marriage with matrilineal emphasis, an arrangement referred as "Madurai marriage". This contrasts with the "Chidambaram marriage", with patrilineal emphasis, reflected by Shiva's dominance, ritual and mythology at the <a href="/wiki/Nataraja_Temple,_Chidambaram" title="Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram">Shiva temple of Chidhambaram</a>.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEHarman199265-113">[110]</a> The festival includes a procession, where Meenakshi and Sundareshwara travel in a chariot pulled by volunteer devotees, and Vishnu gives away his sister in marriage to Shiva. Meenakshi, the bride, is the royal monarch.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEHarman199266-114">[111]</a> During the one-month period, there are a number of events including the "Ther Thiruvizhah" (chariot festival) and "Theppa Thiruvizhah" (float festival). <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:View_of_Golden_lotus_well_(pottramarai_kulam)_on_Festival_of_Lights_-_Navarathri_01.JPG" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/View_of_Golden_lotus_well_%28pottramarai_kulam%29_on_Festival_of_Lights_-_Navarathri_01.JPG/220px-View_of_Golden_lotus_well_%28pottramarai_kulam%29_on_Festival_of_Lights_-_Navarathri_01.JPG" decoding="async" width="220" height="146" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/View_of_Golden_lotus_well_%28pottramarai_kulam%29_on_Festival_of_Lights_-_Navarathri_01.JPG/330px-View_of_Golden_lotus_well_%28pottramarai_kulam%29_on_Festival_of_Lights_-_Navarathri_01.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/View_of_Golden_lotus_well_%28pottramarai_kulam%29_on_Festival_of_Lights_-_Navarathri_01.JPG/440px-View_of_Golden_lotus_well_%28pottramarai_kulam%29_on_Festival_of_Lights_-_Navarathri_01.JPG 2x" data-file-width="4928" data-file-height="3264" /></a><figcaption>Meenakshi temple decorated for the Navarathri festival.</figcaption></figure> Other festivals include the Vasantham festival is celebrated in Vaikasi month. The Unjal Festival in Aani, the Mulai-Kottu festival in Aadi, the Aavani Moolam Aavani, the Kolattam festivals of Ayppasi and Karthikai months, the Arudhra Dharsan festival of Margali month, the Thai month utsavam that co-celebrated with the Mariyamman temple in Madurai, the Masi utsavam and Vasamtham utsavam in Panguni.<a href="#cite_note-tnhrceinfo-71">[70]</a><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEFuller200463–74-108">[106]</a> In the Tamil month of Purattasi, the temple celebrates the <a href="/wiki/Navaratri" title="Navaratri">Navarathri</a> festival, also known as Dasara or Dussehra elsewhere. During this autumn festival, the temple complex is lit up at night with garlands of lights and with colourful displays during the day. The mandapam halls display mythological scenes from Hindu texts using <a href="/wiki/Golu_(festive)" class="mw-redirect" title="Golu (festive)">golu</a> dolls. These displays are particularly popular with children, and families visit the displays in large numbers.<a href="#cite_note-115">[112]</a><a href="#cite_note-116">[113]</a><a href="#cite_note-117">[114]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Literary_mention">Literary mention</h2>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=22" title="Edit section: Literary mention">edit</a>]</div> <figure typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Figures_with_Pigeons_-_Ivory_Sculpture_-_Sri_Meenakshi-Sundareshwarar_Temple_-_Madurai_-_India.JPG" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="image of three saints in temple tower" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Figures_with_Pigeons_-_Ivory_Sculpture_-_Sri_Meenakshi-Sundareshwarar_Temple_-_Madurai_-_India.JPG/200px-Figures_with_Pigeons_-_Ivory_Sculpture_-_Sri_Meenakshi-Sundareshwarar_Temple_-_Madurai_-_India.JPG" decoding="async" width="200" height="150" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Figures_with_Pigeons_-_Ivory_Sculpture_-_Sri_Meenakshi-Sundareshwarar_Temple_-_Madurai_-_India.JPG/300px-Figures_with_Pigeons_-_Ivory_Sculpture_-_Sri_Meenakshi-Sundareshwarar_Temple_-_Madurai_-_India.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Figures_with_Pigeons_-_Ivory_Sculpture_-_Sri_Meenakshi-Sundareshwarar_Temple_-_Madurai_-_India.JPG/400px-Figures_with_Pigeons_-_Ivory_Sculpture_-_Sri_Meenakshi-Sundareshwarar_Temple_-_Madurai_-_India.JPG 2x" data-file-width="3072" data-file-height="2304" /></a><figcaption>Image of <a href="/wiki/Sundarar" title="Sundarar">Sundarar</a>, <a href="/wiki/Appar" title="Appar">Appar</a> and <a href="/wiki/Sambandar" title="Sambandar">Thirugnanasambandar</a> in the temple tower</figcaption></figure> Over the centuries, the temple has been a centre of education of culture, literature, art, music and dance.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTENational_Geographic2008155-6">[6]</a> The temple is famed location where Tamil tradition believes <a href="/wiki/Sambandar" title="Sambandar">Sambandar</a> helped establish Tamil Shiva bhakti.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKaren_Pechilis_Prentiss199978–79-118">[115]</a> <a href="/wiki/Kumaragurupara_Desikar" title="Kumaragurupara Desikar">Kumaraguruparar</a>, a 17th-century Tamil poet, composed Meenakshi Pillaitamil in praise of presiding deity of this temple.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEDatta20051626-119">[116]</a> King Tirumalai Nayak's patronage of the poet Kumaraguruparar has an important place in the history of pillaitamil (a genre of Tamil literature). Kumaraguruparar visited a lot of temples and when he visited this temple, he composed Meenakshi pillaitamil dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKinsley1998227-120">[117]</a> <a href="/wiki/Shyama_Shastri" class="mw-redirect" title="Shyama Shastri">Shyama Shastri</a>, one of the <a href="/wiki/Trinity_of_Carnatic_music" title="Trinity of Carnatic music">Trinity of Carnatic music</a>, had composed a set of nine <a href="/wiki/Telugu_Language" class="mw-redirect" title="Telugu Language">Telugu</a> songs in praise of Meenakshi of Madurai, which are referred to as Navaratnamalika(Garland of nine gems).<a href="#cite_note-syama-121">[118]</a> According to legend, when Sastri sang these songs in front of presiding deity, the goddess had responded visibly.<a href="#cite_note-syama-121">[118]</a> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="108_Veena_concert">108 Veena concert</h2>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=23" title="Edit section: 108 Veena concert">edit</a>]</div> On 5 October 2022, the final day of the year's <a href="/wiki/Navratri" class="mw-redirect" title="Navratri">Navratri</a> celebrations, the 108 Veena concert by 108 female artists was performed in this temple.[<a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed">citation needed</a>] <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Notes">Notes</h2>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=24" title="Edit section: Notes">edit</a>]</div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239543626">.mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman}</style><div class="reflist"> <div class="mw-references-wrap"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-53"><a href="#cite_ref-53">^</a> Some of the shrines and the gopuram are not exactly aligned east-west and north-south axis, however.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEKing200572–75-52">[52]</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-77"><a href="#cite_ref-77">^</a> His alternate names in texts and Madurai Meenakshi temple-related inscriptions include Chockalingam, Chockanathar, Meenakshi Sundarar, Somasundarar, Kalyana Sundarar, Shanbaga Sundarar, Attavai Shevagan, Adiyarku Nallan, Adhiraveesi, Vilayaduvan, Abhideka Chockar, Azhagiya Chockar, Kadambavana Chockar, Puzhugu Neidhu Chockar, Kadambavaneswarar, Karpoora Chockar, Madureswarar, Irayanar, Peralavayar.<a href="#cite_note-tnhrceinfo-71">[70]</a><a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–38-76">[75]</a> </li> <li id="cite_note-110"><a href="#cite_ref-110">^</a> These offerings are always vegetarian, and animal sacrifices are never performed, states Christopher Fuller.<a href="#cite_note-FOOTNOTEFuller200497-109">[107]</a> </li> </ol></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="References">References</h2>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=25" title="Edit section: References">edit</a>]</div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239543626"><div class="reflist reflist-columns references-column-width" style="column-width: 25em;"> <ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-1"><a href="#cite_ref-1">^</a> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1238218222">.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free.id-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited.id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration.id-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription.id-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-size:contain;padding:0 1em 0 0}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#085;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}</style><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://earth.google.com/Search">"9°55'10.23"N 78°07'09.63"E"</a>. Retrieved 22 October 2020.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=9%C2%B055%2710.23%22N+78%C2%B007%2709.63%22E&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fearth.google.com%2FSearch&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988">[<a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot" title="Wikipedia:Link rot">permanent dead link</a>‍] </li> <li id="cite_note-2"><a href="#cite_ref-2">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20190226173219/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/asia/india/meenakshi-amman-hindu-temple/">"This Temple Is Covered in Thousands of Colorful Statues"</a>. <a href="/wiki/National_Geographic" title="National Geographic">National Geographic</a>. 2 August 2017. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/asia/india/meenakshi-amman-hindu-temple/">the original</a> on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2019.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=This+Temple+Is+Covered+in+Thousands+of+Colorful+Statues&rft.pub=National+Geographic&rft.date=2017-08-02&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationalgeographic.com%2Ftravel%2Fdestinations%2Fasia%2Findia%2Fmeenakshi-amman-hindu-temple%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-Ramaswamy2017p9-3">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Ramaswamy2017p9_3-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-Ramaswamy2017p9_3-1">b</a> <a href="#cite_ref-Ramaswamy2017p9_3-2">c</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFVijaya_Ramaswamy2017" class="citation book cs1">Vijaya Ramaswamy (2017). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=ALUvDwAAQBAJ">Historical Dictionary of the Tamils</a>. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. pp. 9–10, 103, 210, 363–364. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-5381-0686-0" title="Special:BookSources/978-1-5381-0686-0"><bdi>978-1-5381-0686-0</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Historical+Dictionary+of+the+Tamils&rft.pages=9-10%2C+103%2C+210%2C+363-364&rft.pub=Rowman+%26+Littlefield+Publishers&rft.date=2017&rft.isbn=978-1-5381-0686-0&rft.au=Vijaya+Ramaswamy&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DALUvDwAAQBAJ&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEKnott2000section_10-4">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKnott2000section_10_4-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKnott2000section_10_4-1">b</a> <a href="#CITEREFKnott2000">Knott 2000</a>, section 10. </li> <li id="cite_note-5"><a href="#cite_ref-5">^</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.academia.edu/33832897/Minaksi_or_Sundaresvara_Who_is_the_first_principle">Rajarajan</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20190330233050/https://www.academia.edu/33832897/Minaksi_or_Sundaresvara_Who_is_the_first_principle">Archived</a> 30 March 2019 at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a>, R.K.K. 2005. Minaksi or Sundaresvara: Who is the first principle? South Indian History Congress Annual Proceedings XXV, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai, pp. 551-553. </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTENational_Geographic2008155-6">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTENational_Geographic2008155_6-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTENational_Geographic2008155_6-1">b</a> <a href="#CITEREFNational_Geographic2008">National Geographic 2008</a>, p. 155. </li> <li id="cite_note-7"><a href="#cite_ref-7">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFSwaroop2016" class="citation news cs1">Swaroop, Vishnu (7 November 2016). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/Which-Tamil-Nadu-temple-is-the-state-emblem/articleshow/55285143.cms">"Which Tamil Nadu temple is the state emblem?"</a>. The Times of India. Madurai: The Times Group. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210626124741/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/Which-Tamil-Nadu-temple-is-the-state-emblem/articleshow/55285143.cms">Archived</a> from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Times+of+India&rft.atitle=Which+Tamil+Nadu+temple+is+the+state+emblem%3F&rft.date=2016-11-07&rft.aulast=Swaroop&rft.aufirst=Vishnu&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Ftimesofindia.indiatimes.com%2Fcity%2Fmadurai%2FWhich-Tamil-Nadu-temple-is-the-state-emblem%2Farticleshow%2F55285143.cms&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-8"><a href="#cite_ref-8">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFMadhavan2011" class="citation journal cs1">Madhavan, Chitra (1–15 July 2011). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://madrasmusings.com/Vol%2021%20No%206/the-artist-who-designed-the-state-emblem.html">"The artist who designed the State emblem"</a>. Madras Musings. XXI (6). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20201216051132/http://madrasmusings.com/Vol%2021%20No%206/the-artist-who-designed-the-state-emblem.html">Archived</a> from the original on 16 December 2020. Retrieved 23 June 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Madras+Musings&rft.atitle=The+artist+who+designed+the+State+emblem&rft.volume=XXI&rft.issue=6&rft.date=2011-07-01%2F2011-07-15&rft.aulast=Madhavan&rft.aufirst=Chitra&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fmadrasmusings.com%2FVol%252021%2520No%25206%2Fthe-artist-who-designed-the-state-emblem.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–23-9">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–23_9-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–23_9-1">b</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–23_9-2">c</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–23_9-3">d</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–23_9-4">e</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–23_9-5">f</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–23_9-6">g</a> <a href="#CITEREFD._Uma2015">D. Uma 2015</a>, pp. 19–23. </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201536–37-10">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTED._Uma201536–37_10-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTED._Uma201536–37_10-1">b</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTED._Uma201536–37_10-2">c</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTED._Uma201536–37_10-3">d</a> <a href="#CITEREFD._Uma2015">D. Uma 2015</a>, pp. 36–37. </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEKing200572–74-11">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKing200572–74_11-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKing200572–74_11-1">b</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKing200572–74_11-2">c</a> <a href="#CITEREFKing2005">King 2005</a>, pp. 72–74. </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201539–40-12"><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTED._Uma201539–40_12-0">^</a> <a href="#CITEREFD._Uma2015">D. Uma 2015</a>, pp. 39–40. </li> <li id="cite_note-britmadurai-13">^ <a href="#cite_ref-britmadurai_13-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-britmadurai_13-1">b</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Madurai">Madurai</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20171201045818/https://www.britannica.com/place/Madurai">Archived</a> 1 December 2017 at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a>, Encyclopedia Britannica, Quote: "The [Meenakshi] temple, Tirumala Nayak palace, Teppakulam tank (an earthen embankment reservoir), and a 1000-pillared hall were rebuilt in the Vijayanagar period (16th–17th century) after the total destruction of the city in 1310." </li> <li id="cite_note-14"><a href="#cite_ref-14">^</a> <a href="#CITEREFMichell1995">Michell 1995</a>, pp. 9-10 </li> <li id="cite_note-15"><a href="#cite_ref-15">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFTara_Boland-CreweDavid_Lea2003" class="citation book cs1">Tara Boland-Crewe; David Lea (2003). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=lXCOAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT401">The Territories and States of India</a>. Routledge. p. 401. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-135-35624-8" title="Special:BookSources/978-1-135-35624-8"><bdi>978-1-135-35624-8</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+Territories+and+States+of+India&rft.pages=401&rft.pub=Routledge&rft.date=2003&rft.isbn=978-1-135-35624-8&rft.au=Tara+Boland-Crewe&rft.au=David+Lea&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DlXCOAgAAQBAJ%26pg%3DPT401&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988">, Quote: "By the beginning of the 14th century south India was exposed to the depredations of Muslim raiders from the north, and even Madurai was destroyed in 1310, by Malik Kafur, briefly becoming the seat of a sultanate thereafter." </li> <li id="cite_note-fuller94-16">^ <a href="#cite_ref-fuller94_16-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-fuller94_16-1">b</a> <a href="#cite_ref-fuller94_16-2">c</a> <a href="#cite_ref-fuller94_16-3">d</a> <a href="#cite_ref-fuller94_16-4">e</a> <a href="#cite_ref-fuller94_16-5">f</a> <a href="#cite_ref-fuller94_16-6">g</a> <a href="#cite_ref-fuller94_16-7">h</a> <a href="#cite_ref-fuller94_16-8">i</a> <a href="#cite_ref-fuller94_16-9">j</a> <a href="#cite_ref-fuller94_16-10">k</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFChristopher_Fuller2003" class="citation book cs1">Christopher Fuller (2003). "Madurai". In George Michell (ed.). Temple Towns of Tamil Nadu. Marg. pp. 94–113. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-85026-213" title="Special:BookSources/978-81-85026-213"><bdi>978-81-85026-213</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=bookitem&rft.atitle=Madurai&rft.btitle=Temple+Towns+of+Tamil+Nadu&rft.pages=94-113&rft.pub=Marg&rft.date=2003&rft.isbn=978-81-85026-213&rft.au=Christopher+Fuller&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-17"><a href="#cite_ref-17">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBrian_A._Hatcher2015" class="citation book cs1">Brian A. Hatcher (2015). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=IdeoCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA20">Hinduism in the Modern World</a>. Routledge. pp. 20–21. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-135-04631-6" title="Special:BookSources/978-1-135-04631-6"><bdi>978-1-135-04631-6</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Hinduism+in+the+Modern+World&rft.pages=20-21&rft.pub=Routledge&rft.date=2015&rft.isbn=978-1-135-04631-6&rft.au=Brian+A.+Hatcher&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DIdeoCgAAQBAJ%26pg%3DPA20&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201534–47-18"><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTED._Uma201534–47_18-0">^</a> <a href="#CITEREFD._Uma2015">D. Uma 2015</a>, pp. 34–47. </li> <li id="cite_note-19"><a href="#cite_ref-19">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFV._K._Subramanian2003" class="citation book cs1">V. K. Subramanian (2003). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=LcMhnC9sYS8C&pg=PA96">Art Shrines of Ancient India</a>. Abhinav Publications. pp. 95–96. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-7017-431-8" title="Special:BookSources/978-81-7017-431-8"><bdi>978-81-7017-431-8</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Art+Shrines+of+Ancient+India&rft.pages=95-96&rft.pub=Abhinav+Publications&rft.date=2003&rft.isbn=978-81-7017-431-8&rft.au=V.+K.+Subramanian&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DLcMhnC9sYS8C%26pg%3DPA96&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-20"><a href="#cite_ref-20">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFEdwin_Francis_Bryant2007" class="citation book cs1">Edwin Francis Bryant (2007). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=0z02cZe8PU8C&pg=PA546">Krishna: A Sourcebook</a>. Oxford University Press. pp. 546 with note 45. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-19-803400-1" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-19-803400-1"><bdi>978-0-19-803400-1</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Krishna%3A+A+Sourcebook&rft.pages=546+with+note+45&rft.pub=Oxford+University+Press&rft.date=2007&rft.isbn=978-0-19-803400-1&rft.au=Edwin+Francis+Bryant&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3D0z02cZe8PU8C%26pg%3DPA546&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-21"><a href="#cite_ref-21">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFT._Padmaja2002" class="citation book cs1">T. Padmaja (2002). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=pzgaS1wRnl8C&pg=PA98">Temples of Kr̥ṣṇa in South India: History, Art, and Traditions in Tamilnāḍu</a>. Abhinav Publications. pp. 97–99. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-7017-398-4" title="Special:BookSources/978-81-7017-398-4"><bdi>978-81-7017-398-4</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Temples+of+Kr%CC%A5%E1%B9%A3%E1%B9%87a+in+South+India%3A+History%2C+Art%2C+and+Traditions+in+Tamiln%C4%81%E1%B8%8Du&rft.pages=97-99&rft.pub=Abhinav+Publications&rft.date=2002&rft.isbn=978-81-7017-398-4&rft.au=T.+Padmaja&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DpzgaS1wRnl8C%26pg%3DPA98&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEGopal1990181-22"><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEGopal1990181_22-0">^</a> <a href="#CITEREFGopal1990">Gopal 1990</a>, p. 181. </li> <li id="cite_note-Eck2013p277-23"><a href="#cite_ref-Eck2013p277_23-0">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFDiana_L._Eck2013" class="citation book cs1"><a href="/wiki/Diana_L._Eck" title="Diana L. Eck">Diana L. Eck</a> (2013). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=PyC4o7i9tnEC&pg=PA277">India: A Sacred Geography</a>. Random House. pp. 277–279. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-385-53192-4" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-385-53192-4"><bdi>978-0-385-53192-4</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=India%3A+A+Sacred+Geography&rft.pages=277-279&rft.pub=Random+House&rft.date=2013&rft.isbn=978-0-385-53192-4&rft.au=Diana+L.+Eck&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DPyC4o7i9tnEC%26pg%3DPA277&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-24"><a href="#cite_ref-24">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/madurais-meenakshi-temple-named-best-swachh-iconic-place-in-india/article19780817.ece">"Madurai's Meenakshi Temple named best 'Swachh Iconic Place' in India"</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20201111224306/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/madurais-meenakshi-temple-named-best-swachh-iconic-place-in-india/article19780817.ece">Archived</a> from the original on 11 November 2020. Retrieved 20 October 2017.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Madurai%27s+Meenakshi+Temple+named+best+%27Swachh+Iconic+Place%27+in+India&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thehindu.com%2Fnews%2Fcities%2FMadurai%2Fmadurais-meenakshi-temple-named-best-swachh-iconic-place-in-india%2Farticle19780817.ece&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-25"><a href="#cite_ref-25">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFRina_Kamath2000" class="citation book cs1">Rina Kamath (2000). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=bw2vDg2fTrMC">Chennai</a>. Orient Blackswan. pp. 140–141. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-250-1378-5" title="Special:BookSources/978-81-250-1378-5"><bdi>978-81-250-1378-5</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Chennai&rft.pages=140-141&rft.pub=Orient+Blackswan&rft.date=2000&rft.isbn=978-81-250-1378-5&rft.au=Rina+Kamath&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3Dbw2vDg2fTrMC&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-Geographic2008p155-26">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Geographic2008p155_26-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-Geographic2008p155_26-1">b</a> <a href="#cite_ref-Geographic2008p155_26-2">c</a> <a href="#cite_ref-Geographic2008p155_26-3">d</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFKeith_Bellows2008" class="citation book cs1">Keith Bellows (2008). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=jNqDFSxR8-MC&pg=PA155">Sacred Places of a Lifetime: 500 of the World's Most Peaceful and Powerful Destinations</a>. National Geographic Society. pp. 155–156. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4262-0336-7" title="Special:BookSources/978-1-4262-0336-7"><bdi>978-1-4262-0336-7</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Sacred+Places+of+a+Lifetime%3A+500+of+the+World%27s+Most+Peaceful+and+Powerful+Destinations&rft.pages=155-156&rft.pub=National+Geographic+Society&rft.date=2008&rft.isbn=978-1-4262-0336-7&rft.au=Keith+Bellows&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DjNqDFSxR8-MC%26pg%3DPA155&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEReddy201310-27"><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEReddy201310_27-0">^</a> <a href="#CITEREFReddy2013">Reddy 2013</a>, p. 10. </li> <li id="cite_note-William_P._Harman_1992_24-28">^ <a href="#cite_ref-William_P._Harman_1992_24_28-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-William_P._Harman_1992_24_28-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFWilliam_P._Harman1992" class="citation book cs1">William P. Harman (1992). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=F_siW9T3ev4C&pg=PA24">The Sacred Marriage of a Hindu Goddess</a>. Motilal Banarsidass. p. 24. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-208-0810-2" title="Special:BookSources/978-81-208-0810-2"><bdi>978-81-208-0810-2</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+Sacred+Marriage+of+a+Hindu+Goddess&rft.pages=24&rft.pub=Motilal+Banarsidass&rft.date=1992&rft.isbn=978-81-208-0810-2&rft.au=William+P.+Harman&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DF_siW9T3ev4C%26pg%3DPA24&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-29"><a href="#cite_ref-29">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFManly_Palmer_Hall1949" class="citation book cs1">Manly Palmer Hall, ed. (1949). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=fZoUAAAAIAAJ">Horizon, Volume 9, Issue 3</a>. Philosophical Research Society. p. 33.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Horizon%2C+Volume+9%2C+Issue+3&rft.pages=33&rft.pub=Philosophical+Research+Society&rft.date=1949&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DfZoUAAAAIAAJ&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-30"><a href="#cite_ref-30">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFFisher2018" class="citation book cs1">Fisher, Michael H. (18 October 2018). An Environmental History of India: From Earliest Times to the Twenty-First Century. Cambridge University Press. p. 74. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781107111622" title="Special:BookSources/9781107111622"><bdi>9781107111622</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=An+Environmental+History+of+India%3A+From+Earliest+Times+to+the+Twenty-First+Century&rft.pages=74&rft.pub=Cambridge+University+Press&rft.date=2018-10-18&rft.isbn=9781107111622&rft.aulast=Fisher&rft.aufirst=Michael+H.&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-31"><a href="#cite_ref-31">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation book cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=pjRuAAAAMAAJ">Journal of Indian History</a>. Department of History, University of Kerala. 2002. p. 96.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Journal+of+Indian+History&rft.pages=96&rft.pub=Department+of+History%2C+University+of+Kerala&rft.date=2002&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DpjRuAAAAMAAJ&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-32"><a href="#cite_ref-32">^</a> Excerpt for the etymology of Meenatchi from "A Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the Tamil Language, Vol. VII, PART - II", page 68: மீனாட்சி, Mīṉāṭci, பெ. (n. ) மதுரையை உறைவிடமாகக் கொண்ட தெய்வம்; Umā, the tutelary Goddess of Madurai. [மீன் + ஆட்சி. மீனைக் கொடியில் சின்னமாகக் கொண்டவள்.] Translation: [ Meen + Aatchi. Her who put the fish as symbol for the flag.] (மீன் - Mīṉ which means "fish", ஆட்சி- āṭci which means "rule") </li> <li id="cite_note-33"><a href="#cite_ref-33">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation book cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/dli.jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZM9kuxy.TVA_BOK_0009170">Proceedings of the First International Conference Seminar of Tamil Studies, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April, 1966</a>. International Association of Tamil Research. 1968. p. 543.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Proceedings+of+the+First+International+Conference+Seminar+of+Tamil+Studies%2C+Kuala+Lumpur%2C+Malaysia%2C+April%2C+1966&rft.pages=543&rft.pub=International+Association+of+Tamil+Research&rft.date=1968&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Fdli.jZY9lup2kZl6TuXGlZQdjZM9kuxy.TVA_BOK_0009170&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-34"><a href="#cite_ref-34">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://shaivam.org/scripture/English-Translation/1488/thiruvilaiyadal-puranam-introduction/#gsc.tab=0">"The Sacred Sports of Siva - Introduction"</a>. shaivam.org. Retrieved 2 June 2023.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=shaivam.org&rft.atitle=The+Sacred+Sports+of+Siva+-+Introduction&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fshaivam.org%2Fscripture%2FEnglish-Translation%2F1488%2Fthiruvilaiyadal-puranam-introduction%2F%23gsc.tab%3D0&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEHarman199244–47-35">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHarman199244–47_35-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHarman199244–47_35-1">b</a> <a href="#CITEREFHarman1992">Harman 1992</a>, pp. 44–47. </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEBrockman2011326–327-36">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBrockman2011326–327_36-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBrockman2011326–327_36-1">b</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBrockman2011326–327_36-2">c</a> <a href="#CITEREFBrockman2011">Brockman 2011</a>, pp. 326–327. </li> <li id="cite_note-Bayly1989p29-37">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Bayly1989p29_37-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-Bayly1989p29_37-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFSusan_Bayly1989" class="citation book cs1">Susan Bayly (1989). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=Fxqtx8SflEsC">Saints, Goddesses and Kings: Muslims and Christians in South Indian Society, 1700-1900</a>. Cambridge University Press. pp. 29–30. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-521-89103-5" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-521-89103-5"><bdi>978-0-521-89103-5</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Saints%2C+Goddesses+and+Kings%3A+Muslims+and+Christians+in+South+Indian+Society%2C+1700-1900&rft.pages=29-30&rft.pub=Cambridge+University+Press&rft.date=1989&rft.isbn=978-0-521-89103-5&rft.au=Susan+Bayly&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DFxqtx8SflEsC&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-38"><a href="#cite_ref-38">^</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.britannica.com/art/shangam-literature">Sangam Literature</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20190528193907/https://www.britannica.com/art/shangam-literature">Archived</a> 28 May 2019 at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a>, Encyclopedia Britannica </li> <li id="cite_note-ayyar477-39">^ <a href="#cite_ref-ayyar477_39-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-ayyar477_39-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFP._V._Jagadisa_Ayyar1982" class="citation book cs1">P. V. Jagadisa Ayyar (1982). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=NLSGFW1uZboC">South Indian Shrines: Illustrated</a>. Asian Educational Services. pp. 477–479. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-206-0151-2" title="Special:BookSources/978-81-206-0151-2"><bdi>978-81-206-0151-2</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=South+Indian+Shrines%3A+Illustrated&rft.pages=477-479&rft.pub=Asian+Educational+Services&rft.date=1982&rft.isbn=978-81-206-0151-2&rft.au=P.+V.+Jagadisa+Ayyar&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DNLSGFW1uZboC&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTECotterell2011190-40"><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECotterell2011190_40-0">^</a> <a href="#CITEREFCotterell2011">Cotterell 2011</a>, p. 190. </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–32-41">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–32_41-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–32_41-1">b</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–32_41-2">c</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–32_41-3">d</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–32_41-4">e</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–32_41-5">f</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–32_41-6">g</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTED._Uma201519–32_41-7">h</a> <a href="#CITEREFD._Uma2015">D. Uma 2015</a>, pp. 19–32. </li> <li id="cite_note-42"><a href="#cite_ref-42">^</a> <a href="#CITEREFMichell1995">Michell 1995</a>, pp. 9-10, Quote: "The era under consideration opens with an unprecedented calamity for Southern India: the invasion of the region at the turn of the fourteenth century by Malik Kafur, general of Alauddin, Sultan of Delhi. Malik Kafur's forces brought to an abrupt end all of the indigenous ruling houses of Southern India, not one of which was able to withstand the assault or outlive the conquest. Virtually every city of importance in the Kannada, Telugu and Tamil lands succumbed to the raids of Malik Kafur and later Muslim invasions; forts were destroyed, palaces dismantled and temple sanctuaries wrecked in the search for treasure. In order to consolidate the rapidly won gains of this pillage, the Delhi Sultanate established the province of Ma'bar in 1323 with the capital at Madurai (Madura) in the southernmost part of the Tamil zone, former capital of the Pandyas who were dislodged by the Delhi forces. Madurai thereupon became the capital of the Ma'bar (Malabar) province of the Delhi empire." </li> <li id="cite_note-Melton2014p884-43">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Melton2014p884_43-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-Melton2014p884_43-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFJ._Gordon_Melton2014" class="citation book cs1">J. Gordon Melton (2014). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=bI9_AwAAQBAJ&pg=PA884">Faiths Across Time: 5,000 Years of Religious History [4 Volumes]: 5,000 Years of Religious History</a>. ABC-CLIO. p. 884. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-61069-026-3" title="Special:BookSources/978-1-61069-026-3"><bdi>978-1-61069-026-3</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Faiths+Across+Time%3A+5%2C000+Years+of+Religious+History+%26%2391%3B4+Volumes%26%2393%3B%3A+5%2C000+Years+of+Religious+History&rft.pages=884&rft.pub=ABC-CLIO&rft.date=2014&rft.isbn=978-1-61069-026-3&rft.au=J.+Gordon+Melton&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DbI9_AwAAQBAJ%26pg%3DPA884&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-Bayly1989p109-44"><a href="#cite_ref-Bayly1989p109_44-0">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFSusan_Bayly1989" class="citation book cs1">Susan Bayly (1989). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=Fxqtx8SflEsC">Saints, Goddesses and Kings: Muslims and Christians in South Indian Society, 1700-1900</a>. Cambridge University Press. pp. 109–110. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-521-89103-5" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-521-89103-5"><bdi>978-0-521-89103-5</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Saints%2C+Goddesses+and+Kings%3A+Muslims+and+Christians+in+South+Indian+Society%2C+1700-1900&rft.pages=109-110&rft.pub=Cambridge+University+Press&rft.date=1989&rft.isbn=978-0-521-89103-5&rft.au=Susan+Bayly&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DFxqtx8SflEsC&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-Ernst2004p109-45"><a href="#cite_ref-Ernst2004p109_45-0">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFCarl_W._Ernst2004" class="citation book cs1">Carl W. Ernst (2004). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=9bNAAQAAIAAJ">Eternal Garden: Mysticism, History, and Politics at a South Asian Sufi Center</a>. Oxford University Press. p. 109. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-19-566869-8" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-19-566869-8"><bdi>978-0-19-566869-8</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Eternal+Garden%3A+Mysticism%2C+History%2C+and+Politics+at+a+South+Asian+Sufi+Center&rft.pages=109&rft.pub=Oxford+University+Press&rft.date=2004&rft.isbn=978-0-19-566869-8&rft.au=Carl+W.+Ernst&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3D9bNAAQAAIAAJ&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-46"><a href="#cite_ref-46">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFSarojini_Chaturvedi2006" class="citation book cs1">Sarojini Chaturvedi (2006). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=qXcwAQAAIAAJ">A short history of South India</a>. Saṁskṛiti. p. 209. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-87374-37-4" title="Special:BookSources/978-81-87374-37-4"><bdi>978-81-87374-37-4</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=A+short+history+of+South+India&rft.pages=209&rft.pub=Sa%E1%B9%81sk%E1%B9%9Biti&rft.date=2006&rft.isbn=978-81-87374-37-4&rft.au=Sarojini+Chaturvedi&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DqXcwAQAAIAAJ&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-Eraly2015chid-47"><a href="#cite_ref-Eraly2015chid_47-0">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAbraham_Eraly2015" class="citation book cs1">Abraham Eraly (2015). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=vyEoAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT155">The Age of Wrath: A History of the Delhi Sultanate</a>. Penguin Books. pp. 155–156. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-93-5118-658-8" title="Special:BookSources/978-93-5118-658-8"><bdi>978-93-5118-658-8</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+Age+of+Wrath%3A+A+History+of+the+Delhi+Sultanate&rft.pages=155-156&rft.pub=Penguin+Books&rft.date=2015&rft.isbn=978-93-5118-658-8&rft.au=Abraham+Eraly&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DvyEoAwAAQBAJ%26pg%3DPT155&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-michellttownchid-48">^ <a href="#cite_ref-michellttownchid_48-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-michellttownchid_48-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFGeorge_Michell1993" class="citation book cs1">George Michell (1993). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=D3XXAAAAMAAJ">Temple Towns of Tamil Nadu</a>. Marg Publications. pp. 4–8, 95–96. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-85026-21-3" title="Special:BookSources/978-81-85026-21-3"><bdi>978-81-85026-21-3</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Temple+Towns+of+Tamil+Nadu&rft.pages=4-8%2C+95-96&rft.pub=Marg+Publications&rft.date=1993&rft.isbn=978-81-85026-21-3&rft.au=George+Michell&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DD3XXAAAAMAAJ&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-Jackson2016p65-49"><a href="#cite_ref-Jackson2016p65_49-0">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFWilliam_J._Jackson2016" class="citation book cs1">William J. Jackson (2016). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=QymrCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA62">Vijayanagara Voices: Exploring South Indian History and Hindu Literature</a>. 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BRILL Academic. pp. 338–352 with footnotes 25. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-90-04-28387-9" title="Special:BookSources/978-90-04-28387-9"><bdi>978-90-04-28387-9</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Jesuit+Survival+and+Restoration%3A+A+Global+History%2C+1773-1900&rft.pages=338-352+with+footnotes+25&rft.pub=BRILL+Academic&rft.date=2014&rft.isbn=978-90-04-28387-9&rft.au=Sabina+Pavone&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DqnajBQAAQBAJ&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-58"><a href="#cite_ref-58">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFSusan_Bayly1989" class="citation book cs1">Susan Bayly (1989). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=Fxqtx8SflEsC">Saints, Goddesses and Kings: Muslims and Christians in South Indian Society, 1700-1900</a>. 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South Asian Studies. 8: 25–29. <a href="/wiki/Doi_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="Doi (identifier)">doi</a>:<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://doi.org/10.1080%2F02666030.1997.9628522">10.1080/02666030.1997.9628522</a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=South+Asian+Studies&rft.atitle=Pa%C3%B1capret%C4%81san%C4%81s%C4%ABn%C4%AB-Sad%C4%81%C5%9Biv%C4%AB&rft.volume=8&rft.pages=25-29&rft.date=1997&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1080%2F02666030.1997.9628522&rft.aulast=Rajarajan&rft.aufirst=R.K.K.&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.academia.edu%2F29586279&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-tnhrceinfo-71">^ <a href="#cite_ref-tnhrceinfo_71-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-tnhrceinfo_71-1">b</a> <a href="#cite_ref-tnhrceinfo_71-2">c</a> <a href="#cite_ref-tnhrceinfo_71-3">d</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.maduraimeenakshi.tnhrce.in/towers.aspx">Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Thirukkoil – Temple Towers</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20171201032357/http://www.maduraimeenakshi.tnhrce.in/towers.aspx">Archived</a> 1 December 2017 at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a>, Madurai Meenakshi Temple, Government of Tamil Nadu </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTED._Uma201524–32-72">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTED._Uma201524–32_72-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTED._Uma201524–32_72-1">b</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTED._Uma201524–32_72-2">c</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTED._Uma201524–32_72-3">d</a> <a href="#CITEREFD._Uma2015">D. 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Rutgers University Press. p. 9. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-8135-8394-5" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-8135-8394-5"><bdi>978-0-8135-8394-5</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Living+Class+in+Urban+India&rft.pages=9&rft.pub=Rutgers+University+Press&rft.date=2016&rft.isbn=978-0-8135-8394-5&rft.au=Sara+Dickey&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DVNR2DAAAQBAJ&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-107"><a href="#cite_ref-107">^</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/Which-Tamil-Nadu-temple-is-the-state-emblem/articleshow/55285143.cms">"Which Tamil Nadu temple is the state emblem? | Madurai News - Times of India"</a>. <a href="/wiki/The_Times_of_India" title="The Times of India">The Times of India</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210626124741/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/Which-Tamil-Nadu-temple-is-the-state-emblem/articleshow/55285143.cms">Archived</a> from the original on 26 June 2021. Retrieved 23 June 2021.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=The+Times+of+India&rft.atitle=Which+Tamil+Nadu+temple+is+the+state+emblem%3F+%26%23124%3B+Madurai+News+-+Times+of+India&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Ftimesofindia.indiatimes.com%2Fcity%2Fmadurai%2FWhich-Tamil-Nadu-temple-is-the-state-emblem%2Farticleshow%2F55285143.cms&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEFuller200463–74-108">^ <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFuller200463–74_108-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFuller200463–74_108-1">b</a> <a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFuller200463–74_108-2">c</a> <a href="#CITEREFFuller2004">Fuller 2004</a>, pp. 63–74. </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEFuller200497-109"><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFuller200497_109-0">^</a> <a href="#CITEREFFuller2004">Fuller 2004</a>, p. 97. </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEFuller200467-111"><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFuller200467_111-0">^</a> <a href="#CITEREFFuller2004">Fuller 2004</a>, p. 67. </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEBansal2008123-112"><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBansal2008123_112-0">^</a> <a href="#CITEREFBansal2008">Bansal 2008</a>, p. 123. </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEHarman199265-113"><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHarman199265_113-0">^</a> <a href="#CITEREFHarman1992">Harman 1992</a>, p. 65. </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEHarman199266-114"><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHarman199266_114-0">^</a> <a href="#CITEREFHarman1992">Harman 1992</a>, p. 66. </li> <li id="cite_note-115"><a href="#cite_ref-115">^</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/Navarathri-celebrations-Meenakshi-temple-golu-display-steals-the-show/articleshow/54706589.cms">Navarathri celebrations: Meenakshi temple golu display steals the show</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181011112041/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/Navarathri-celebrations-Meenakshi-temple-golu-display-steals-the-show/articleshow/54706589.cms">Archived</a> 11 October 2018 at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a>, The Times of India (6 Oct 2016) </li> <li id="cite_note-116"><a href="#cite_ref-116">^</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/crowds-throng-madurai-meenakshi-temple-for-golu/article5206661.ece">Crowds throng Madurai Meenakshi temple for 'golu'</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210120024713/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Madurai/crowds-throng-madurai-meenakshi-temple-for-golu/article5206661.ece">Archived</a> 20 January 2021 at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a>, The Hindu (6 OCTOBER 2013) </li> <li id="cite_note-117"><a href="#cite_ref-117">^</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/gods-and-gopurams-in-full-glow/article6465343.ece">Gods and gopurams in full glow</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20171201045658/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/gods-and-gopurams-in-full-glow/article6465343.ece">Archived</a> 1 December 2017 at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a>, The Hindu (1 OCTOBER 2014) </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEKaren_Pechilis_Prentiss199978–79-118"><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKaren_Pechilis_Prentiss199978–79_118-0">^</a> <a href="#CITEREFKaren_Pechilis_Prentiss1999">Karen Pechilis Prentiss 1999</a>, pp. 78–79. </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEDatta20051626-119"><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDatta20051626_119-0">^</a> <a href="#CITEREFDatta2005">Datta 2005</a>, p. 1626. </li> <li id="cite_note-FOOTNOTEKinsley1998227-120"><a href="#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEKinsley1998227_120-0">^</a> <a href="#CITEREFKinsley1998">Kinsley 1998</a>, p. 227. </li> <li id="cite_note-syama-121">^ <a href="#cite_ref-syama_121-0">a</a> <a href="#cite_ref-syama_121-1">b</a> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBruno1998" class="citation book cs1">Bruno, Nettl (1998). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=ZOlNv8MAXIEC&pg=PA228">The Garland Encyclopedia of World Music: South Asia : the Indian subcontinent</a>. Taylor & Francis. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0824049462" title="Special:BookSources/0824049462"><bdi>0824049462</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+Garland+Encyclopedia+of+World+Music%3A+South+Asia+%3A+the+Indian+subcontinent&rft.pub=Taylor+%26+Francis&rft.date=1998&rft.isbn=0824049462&rft.aulast=Bruno&rft.aufirst=Nettl&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DZOlNv8MAXIEC%26pg%3DPA228&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"> </li> </ol></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Bibliography">Bibliography</h3>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=26" title="Edit section: Bibliography">edit</a>]</div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239549316">.mw-parser-output .refbegin{margin-bottom:0.5em}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents>ul{margin-left:0}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents>ul>li{margin-left:0;padding-left:3.2em;text-indent:-3.2em}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents ul,.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents ul li{list-style:none}@media(max-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .refbegin-hanging-indents>ul>li{padding-left:1.6em;text-indent:-1.6em}}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-columns ul{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .refbegin-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .refbegin{font-size:90%}}</style><div class="refbegin refbegin-columns references-column-width" style="column-width: 20em"> <ul><li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFPrasanna_Kumar_Acharya2010" class="citation book cs1">Prasanna Kumar Acharya (2010). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/stream/encyclopaediaofh07achauoft#page/n9/mode/2up">An encyclopaedia of Hindu architecture</a>. Oxford University Press (Republished by Motilal Banarsidass). <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-7536-534-6" title="Special:BookSources/978-81-7536-534-6"><bdi>978-81-7536-534-6</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=An+encyclopaedia+of+Hindu+architecture&rft.pub=Oxford+University+Press+%28Republished+by+Motilal+Banarsidass%29&rft.date=2010&rft.isbn=978-81-7536-534-6&rft.au=Prasanna+Kumar+Acharya&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fstream%2Fencyclopaediaofh07achauoft%23page%2Fn9%2Fmode%2F2up&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFPrasanna_Kumar_Acharya1997" class="citation book cs1">Prasanna Kumar Acharya (1997). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=rbayQwAACAAJ">A Dictionary of Hindu Architecture: Treating of Sanskrit Architectural Terms with Illustrative Quotations</a>. Oxford University Press (Reprinted in 1997 by Motilal Banarsidass). <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-7536-113-3" title="Special:BookSources/978-81-7536-113-3"><bdi>978-81-7536-113-3</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=A+Dictionary+of+Hindu+Architecture%3A+Treating+of+Sanskrit+Architectural+Terms+with+Illustrative+Quotations&rft.pub=Oxford+University+Press+%28Reprinted+in+1997+by+Motilal+Banarsidass%29&rft.date=1997&rft.isbn=978-81-7536-113-3&rft.au=Prasanna+Kumar+Acharya&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DrbayQwAACAAJ&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFVinayak_BharneKrupali_Krusche2014" class="citation book cs1">Vinayak Bharne; Krupali Krusche (2014). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=CGukBgAAQBAJ">Rediscovering the Hindu Temple: The Sacred Architecture and Urbanism of India</a>. Cambridge Scholars Publishing. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4438-6734-4" title="Special:BookSources/978-1-4438-6734-4"><bdi>978-1-4438-6734-4</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Rediscovering+the+Hindu+Temple%3A+The+Sacred+Architecture+and+Urbanism+of+India&rft.pub=Cambridge+Scholars+Publishing&rft.date=2014&rft.isbn=978-1-4438-6734-4&rft.au=Vinayak+Bharne&rft.au=Krupali+Krusche&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DCGukBgAAQBAJ&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAlice_Boner1990" class="citation book cs1">Alice Boner (1990). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=doQLZ21CGScC">Principles of Composition in Hindu Sculpture: Cave Temple Period</a>. Motilal Banarsidass. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-208-0705-1" title="Special:BookSources/978-81-208-0705-1"><bdi>978-81-208-0705-1</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Principles+of+Composition+in+Hindu+Sculpture%3A+Cave+Temple+Period&rft.pub=Motilal+Banarsidass&rft.date=1990&rft.isbn=978-81-208-0705-1&rft.au=Alice+Boner&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DdoQLZ21CGScC&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAlice_BonerSadāśiva_Rath_Śarmā2005" class="citation book cs1">Alice Boner; Sadāśiva Rath Śarmā (2005). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=itQUAAAAIAAJ">Silpa Prakasa</a>. Brill Academic (Reprinted by Motilal Banarsidass). <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-8120820524" title="Special:BookSources/978-8120820524"><bdi>978-8120820524</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Silpa+Prakasa&rft.pub=Brill+Academic+%28Reprinted+by+Motilal+Banarsidass%29&rft.date=2005&rft.isbn=978-8120820524&rft.au=Alice+Boner&rft.au=Sad%C4%81%C5%9Biva+Rath+%C5%9Aarm%C4%81&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DitQUAAAAIAAJ&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFA.K._CoomaraswamyMichael_W._Meister1995" class="citation book cs1">A.K. Coomaraswamy; Michael W. Meister (1995). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=5B1QAAAAMAAJ">Essays in Architectural Theory</a>. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-19-563805-9" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-19-563805-9"><bdi>978-0-19-563805-9</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Essays+in+Architectural+Theory&rft.pub=Indira+Gandhi+National+Centre+for+the+Arts&rft.date=1995&rft.isbn=978-0-19-563805-9&rft.au=A.K.+Coomaraswamy&rft.au=Michael+W.+Meister&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3D5B1QAAAAMAAJ&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"></li> <li>Dehejia, V. (1997). Indian Art. Phaidon: London. <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-7148-3496-3" title="Special:BookSources/0-7148-3496-3">0-7148-3496-3</a>.</li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAdam_Hardy1995" class="citation book cs1">Adam Hardy (1995). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=aU0hCAS2-08C">Indian Temple Architecture: Form and Transformation</a>. Abhinav Publications. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-7017-312-0" title="Special:BookSources/978-81-7017-312-0"><bdi>978-81-7017-312-0</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Indian+Temple+Architecture%3A+Form+and+Transformation&rft.pub=Abhinav+Publications&rft.date=1995&rft.isbn=978-81-7017-312-0&rft.au=Adam+Hardy&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DaU0hCAS2-08C&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAdam_Hardy2007" class="citation book cs1">Adam Hardy (2007). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=ofUVAQAAIAAJ">The Temple Architecture of India</a>. Wiley. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0470028278" title="Special:BookSources/978-0470028278"><bdi>978-0470028278</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+Temple+Architecture+of+India&rft.pub=Wiley&rft.date=2007&rft.isbn=978-0470028278&rft.au=Adam+Hardy&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DofUVAQAAIAAJ&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAdam_Hardy2015" class="citation book cs1">Adam Hardy (2015). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=_oADrgEACAAJ">Theory and Practice of Temple Architecture in Medieval India: Bhoja's Samarāṅgaṇasūtradhāra and the Bhojpur Line Drawings</a>. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-93-81406-41-0" title="Special:BookSources/978-93-81406-41-0"><bdi>978-93-81406-41-0</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Theory+and+Practice+of+Temple+Architecture+in+Medieval+India%3A+Bhoja%27s+Samar%C4%81%E1%B9%85ga%E1%B9%87as%C5%ABtradh%C4%81ra+and+the+Bhojpur+Line+Drawings&rft.pub=Indira+Gandhi+National+Centre+for+the+Arts&rft.date=2015&rft.isbn=978-93-81406-41-0&rft.au=Adam+Hardy&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3D_oADrgEACAAJ&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"></li> <li>Harle, J.C., The Art and Architecture of the Indian Subcontinent, 2nd edn. 1994, Yale University Press Pelican History of Art, <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/0300062176" title="Special:BookSources/0300062176">0300062176</a></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFMonica_Juneja2001" class="citation book cs1">Monica Juneja (2001). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=7N7VAAAAMAAJ">Architecture in Medieval India: Forms, Contexts, Histories</a>. Orient Blackswan. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-8178242286" title="Special:BookSources/978-8178242286"><bdi>978-8178242286</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Architecture+in+Medieval+India%3A+Forms%2C+Contexts%2C+Histories&rft.pub=Orient+Blackswan&rft.date=2001&rft.isbn=978-8178242286&rft.au=Monica+Juneja&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3D7N7VAAAAMAAJ&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFStella_Kramrisch1976" class="citation book cs1">Stella Kramrisch (1976). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=NNcXrBlI9S0C">The Hindu Temple Volume 1</a>. Motilal Banarsidass (Reprinted 1946 Princeton University Press). <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-208-0223-0" title="Special:BookSources/978-81-208-0223-0"><bdi>978-81-208-0223-0</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+Hindu+Temple+Volume+1&rft.pub=Motilal+Banarsidass+%28Reprinted+1946+Princeton+University+Press%29&rft.date=1976&rft.isbn=978-81-208-0223-0&rft.au=Stella+Kramrisch&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DNNcXrBlI9S0C&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFStella_Kramrisch1979" class="citation book cs1">Stella Kramrisch (1979). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=8-aS52MgIkMC">The Hindu Temple Volume 2</a>. Motilal Banarsidass (Reprinted 1946 Princeton University Press). <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-208-0224-7" title="Special:BookSources/978-81-208-0224-7"><bdi>978-81-208-0224-7</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+Hindu+Temple+Volume+2&rft.pub=Motilal+Banarsidass+%28Reprinted+1946+Princeton+University+Press%29&rft.date=1979&rft.isbn=978-81-208-0224-7&rft.au=Stella+Kramrisch&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3D8-aS52MgIkMC&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFMichael_W._MeisterMadhusudan_Dhaky1986" class="citation book cs1">Michael W. Meister; Madhusudan Dhaky (1986). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=DRY3AQAAIAAJ">Encyclopaedia of Indian temple architecture</a>. American Institute of Indian Studies. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-8122-7992-4" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-8122-7992-4"><bdi>978-0-8122-7992-4</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Encyclopaedia+of+Indian+temple+architecture&rft.pub=American+Institute+of+Indian+Studies&rft.date=1986&rft.isbn=978-0-8122-7992-4&rft.au=Michael+W.+Meister&rft.au=Madhusudan+Dhaky&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DDRY3AQAAIAAJ&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFTemple_theertham2012" class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120328234631/http://www.maduraimeenakshi.org/templenew.php?link=theertham">"Temple theertham"</a>. 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K.S. Gautam (ed.). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/indiathroughages00mada">India through the ages</a>. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=India+through+the+ages&rft.pub=Publication+Division%2C+Ministry+of+Information+and+Broadcasting%2C+Government+of+India&rft.date=1990&rft.aulast=Gopal&rft.aufirst=Madan&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Findiathroughages00mada&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAwakened_India2007" class="citation cs2">Awakened India (2007), Awakened India, Volume 112, Prabuddha bharata office</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Awakened+India%2C+Volume+112&rft.pub=Prabuddha+bharata+office&rft.date=2007&rft.au=Awakened+India&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988">.</li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBansal2008" class="citation cs2">Bansal, Sunita Pant (2008), Hindu Pilgrimage: A Journey Through the Holy Places of Hindus All Over India, Delhi: Hindology Books, <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-223-0997-3" title="Special:BookSources/978-81-223-0997-3"><bdi>978-81-223-0997-3</bdi></a></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Hindu+Pilgrimage%3A+A+Journey+Through+the+Holy+Places+of+Hindus+All+Over+India&rft.place=Delhi&rft.pub=Hindology+Books&rft.date=2008&rft.isbn=978-81-223-0997-3&rft.aulast=Bansal&rft.aufirst=Sunita+Pant&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988">.</li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBrockman2011" class="citation cs2">Brockman, Norbert C. (2011), <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=JkSk4euA-TEC">Encyclopedia of Sacred Places</a>, California: ABC-CLIO, LLC, <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-59884-655-3" title="Special:BookSources/978-1-59884-655-3"><bdi>978-1-59884-655-3</bdi></a></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Encyclopedia+of+Sacred+Places&rft.place=California&rft.pub=ABC-CLIO%2C+LLC&rft.date=2011&rft.isbn=978-1-59884-655-3&rft.aulast=Brockman&rft.aufirst=Norbert+C.&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DJkSk4euA-TEC&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988">.</li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFCompiled2008" class="citation cs2">Compiled (2008), Symbolism in Hinduism, Mumbai: Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-7597-149-3" title="Special:BookSources/978-81-7597-149-3"><bdi>978-81-7597-149-3</bdi></a></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Symbolism+in+Hinduism&rft.place=Mumbai&rft.pub=Central+Chinmaya+Mission+Trust&rft.date=2008&rft.isbn=978-81-7597-149-3&rft.au=Compiled&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988">.</li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFCotterell2011" class="citation cs2">Cotterell, Arthur (2011), Asia: A Concise History, Delhi: John Wiley & Sons(Asia) Pte. Ltd., <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-470-82958-5" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-470-82958-5"><bdi>978-0-470-82958-5</bdi></a></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Asia%3A+A+Concise+History&rft.place=Delhi&rft.pub=John+Wiley+%26+Sons%28Asia%29+Pte.+Ltd.&rft.date=2011&rft.isbn=978-0-470-82958-5&rft.aulast=Cotterell&rft.aufirst=Arthur&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988">.</li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFDatta2005" class="citation cs2">Datta, Amaresh (2005), The Encyclopaedia of Indian Literature (Volume Two) (Devraj To Jyoti), Volume 2, New Delhi: Sahitya Akademi, <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-260-1194-0" title="Special:BookSources/978-81-260-1194-0"><bdi>978-81-260-1194-0</bdi></a></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+Encyclopaedia+of+Indian+Literature+%28Volume+Two%29+%28Devraj+To+Jyoti%29%2C+Volume+2&rft.place=New+Delhi&rft.pub=Sahitya+Akademi&rft.date=2005&rft.isbn=978-81-260-1194-0&rft.aulast=Datta&rft.aufirst=Amaresh&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988">.</li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFFuller2004" class="citation cs2">Fuller, Christopher John (2004), The camphor flame: popular Hinduism and society in India, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-691-12048-5" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-691-12048-5"><bdi>978-0-691-12048-5</bdi></a></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+camphor+flame%3A+popular+Hinduism+and+society+in+India&rft.place=New+Jersey&rft.pub=Princeton+University+Press&rft.date=2004&rft.isbn=978-0-691-12048-5&rft.aulast=Fuller&rft.aufirst=Christopher+John&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988">.</li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFHarman1992" class="citation cs2">Harman, William P. (1992), The sacred marriage of a Hindu goddess, Delhi: Indiana University Press, <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-59884-655-3" title="Special:BookSources/978-1-59884-655-3"><bdi>978-1-59884-655-3</bdi></a></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+sacred+marriage+of+a+Hindu+goddess&rft.place=Delhi&rft.pub=Indiana+University+Press&rft.date=1992&rft.isbn=978-1-59884-655-3&rft.aulast=Harman&rft.aufirst=William+P.&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988">.</li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFIyerT._R.1987" class="citation cs2">Iyer, T. G. S. Balaram; T. R., Rajagopalan (1987), History & description of Sri Meenakshi Temple, Sri Karthik Agency</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=History+%26+description+of+Sri+Meenakshi+Temple&rft.pub=Sri+Karthik+Agency&rft.date=1987&rft.aulast=Iyer&rft.aufirst=T.+G.+S.+Balaram&rft.au=T.+R.%2C+Rajagopalan&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988">.</li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFKi1963" class="citation cs2">Ki, Palaniyappan (1963), The Great Temple of Madurai: English version of the book Koilmanagar</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+Great+Temple+of+Madurai%3A+English+version+of+the+book+Koilmanagar&rft.date=1963&rft.aulast=Ki&rft.aufirst=Palaniyappan&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988">.</li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFKing2005" class="citation cs2">King, Anthony D. (2005), <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=1HtVU6D2LOUC">Buildings and Society: Essays on the Social Development of the Built Environment</a>, Taylor & Francis e-library, <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-203-48075-5" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-203-48075-5"><bdi>978-0-203-48075-5</bdi></a></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Buildings+and+Society%3A+Essays+on+the+Social+Development+of+the+Built+Environment&rft.pub=Taylor+%26+Francis+e-library&rft.date=2005&rft.isbn=978-0-203-48075-5&rft.aulast=King&rft.aufirst=Anthony+D.&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3D1HtVU6D2LOUC&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988">.</li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFKinsley1998" class="citation cs2">Kinsley, David (1998), Hindu goddesses: visions of the divine feminine in the Hindu religious tradition By David Kinsley, Delhi: The Regents of the University of California, <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-208-0394-7" title="Special:BookSources/978-81-208-0394-7"><bdi>978-81-208-0394-7</bdi></a></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Hindu+goddesses%3A+visions+of+the+divine+feminine+in+the+Hindu+religious+tradition+By+David+Kinsley&rft.place=Delhi&rft.pub=The+Regents+of+the+University+of+California&rft.date=1998&rft.isbn=978-81-208-0394-7&rft.aulast=Kinsley&rft.aufirst=David&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988">.</li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFKnott2000" class="citation cs2">Knott, Kim (2000), Hinduism: A Very Short Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press, <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0192853875" title="Special:BookSources/978-0192853875"><bdi>978-0192853875</bdi></a></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Hinduism%3A+A+Very+Short+Introduction&rft.place=Oxford&rft.pub=Oxford+University+Press&rft.date=2000&rft.isbn=978-0192853875&rft.aulast=Knott&rft.aufirst=Kim&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988">.</li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFKumar2001" class="citation cs2">Kumar, Sehdev (2001), A thousand petalled lotus: Jain temples of Rajasthan : architecture & iconography, New Delhi: Indra Gandhi National Centre of Arts, <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-7017-348-9" title="Special:BookSources/978-81-7017-348-9"><bdi>978-81-7017-348-9</bdi></a></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=A+thousand+petalled+lotus%3A+Jain+temples+of+Rajasthan+%3A+architecture+%26+iconography&rft.place=New+Delhi&rft.pub=Indra+Gandhi+National+Centre+of+Arts&rft.date=2001&rft.isbn=978-81-7017-348-9&rft.aulast=Kumar&rft.aufirst=Sehdev&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988">.</li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFMichell1995" class="citation cs2">Michell, George (1995), <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=W6bphUvvPf4C&pg=PA97">Architecture and art of southern India: Vijayanagara and, Volume 1, Issue 6</a>, New York: Cambridge University Press, <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-521-44110-0" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-521-44110-0"><bdi>978-0-521-44110-0</bdi></a></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Architecture+and+art+of+southern+India%3A+Vijayanagara+and%2C+Volume+1%2C+Issue+6&rft.place=New+York&rft.pub=Cambridge+University+Press&rft.date=1995&rft.isbn=978-0-521-44110-0&rft.aulast=Michell&rft.aufirst=George&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DW6bphUvvPf4C%26pg%3DPA97&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988">.</li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFNational_Geographic2008" class="citation cs2">National Geographic (2008), <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=jNqDFSxR8-MC">Sacred Places of a Lifetime: 500 of the World's Most Peaceful and Powerful Destinations</a>, United States: National Geographic Society, <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4262-0336-7" title="Special:BookSources/978-1-4262-0336-7"><bdi>978-1-4262-0336-7</bdi></a></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Sacred+Places+of+a+Lifetime%3A+500+of+the+World%27s+Most+Peaceful+and+Powerful+Destinations&rft.place=United+States&rft.pub=National+Geographic+Society&rft.date=2008&rft.isbn=978-1-4262-0336-7&rft.au=National+Geographic&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DjNqDFSxR8-MC&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988">.</li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFNicholson1997" class="citation cs2">Nicholson, Louise (1997), National Geographic Traveler: India, 3rd Edition, US: National Geographic Society, <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4262-0595-8" title="Special:BookSources/978-1-4262-0595-8"><bdi>978-1-4262-0595-8</bdi></a></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=National+Geographic+Traveler%3A+India%2C+3rd+Edition&rft.place=US&rft.pub=National+Geographic+Society&rft.date=1997&rft.isbn=978-1-4262-0595-8&rft.aulast=Nicholson&rft.aufirst=Louise&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988">.</li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFPal1988" class="citation cs2">Pal, Pratapaditya (1988), <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=-fvKVDxcJoUC&pg=PA291">Indian Sculpture, Volume 2</a>, Los Angeles: Museum Associates, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-87587-129-5" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-87587-129-5"><bdi>978-0-87587-129-5</bdi></a></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Indian+Sculpture%2C+Volume+2&rft.place=Los+Angeles&rft.pub=Museum+Associates%2C+Los+Angeles+County+Museum+of+Art&rft.date=1988&rft.isbn=978-0-87587-129-5&rft.aulast=Pal&rft.aufirst=Pratapaditya&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3D-fvKVDxcJoUC%26pg%3DPA291&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988">.</li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFKaren_Pechilis_Prentiss1999" class="citation cs2">Karen Pechilis Prentiss (1999), The embodiment of bhakti, New York: Oxford University Press, <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" 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(2013). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.academia.edu/4382207">* Mīnākṣī-Sundareśvara - 'Tiruviḷaiyāṭaṟ Purāṇam' in Letters, Design and Art</a>. New Delhi: Sharada Publishing House. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20201012054234/https://www.academia.edu/4382207/M%C4%AB%E1%B9%87ak%E1%B9%A3%C4%AB_Sundare%C5%9Bvara_Tiruvi%E1%B8%B7aiy%C4%81%E1%B9%ADa%E1%B9%9F_Pur%C4%81%E1%B9%87am_in_Letters_Design_and_Art">Archived</a> from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2017.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=%2A+M%C4%ABn%C4%81k%E1%B9%A3%C4%AB-Sundare%C5%9Bvara+-+%27Tiruvi%E1%B8%B7aiy%C4%81%E1%B9%ADa%E1%B9%9F+Pur%C4%81%E1%B9%87am%27+in+Letters%2C+Design+and+Art&rft.pub=New+Delhi%3A+Sharada+Publishing+House&rft.date=2013&rft.aulast=Rajarajan&rft.aufirst=R.K.K.&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.academia.edu%2F4382207&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFReddy2013" class="citation book cs1">Reddy, G.Venkatramana (2013). Alayam - The Hindu temple - An epitome of Hindu Culture. Mylapore, Chennai: Sri Ramakrishna Math. p. 31. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-7823-542-4" title="Special:BookSources/978-81-7823-542-4"><bdi>978-81-7823-542-4</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Alayam+-+The+Hindu+temple+-+An+epitome+of+Hindu+Culture&rft.place=Mylapore%2C+Chennai&rft.pages=31&rft.pub=Sri+Ramakrishna+Math&rft.date=2013&rft.isbn=978-81-7823-542-4&rft.aulast=Reddy&rft.aufirst=G.Venkatramana&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFSelbyPeterson2008" class="citation cs2">Selby, Martha Ann; Peterson, Indira Viswanathan (2008), <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=B0_lLAechPcC">Tamil geographies: cultural constructions of space and place in South India</a>, New York: State University of New York Press, <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-7914-7245-3" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-7914-7245-3"><bdi>978-0-7914-7245-3</bdi></a></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Tamil+geographies%3A+cultural+constructions+of+space+and+place+in+South+India&rft.place=New+York&rft.pub=State+University+of+New+York+Press&rft.date=2008&rft.isbn=978-0-7914-7245-3&rft.aulast=Selby&rft.aufirst=Martha+Ann&rft.au=Peterson%2C+Indira+Viswanathan&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DB0_lLAechPcC&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988">.</li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFSmith1996" class="citation cs2">Smith, David (1996), <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/danceofsivarelig0000smit">The Dance of Siva: Religion, Art and Poetry in South India By David</a>, United Kingdom: Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge, <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-521-48234-9" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-521-48234-9"><bdi>978-0-521-48234-9</bdi></a></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+Dance+of+Siva%3A+Religion%2C+Art+and+Poetry+in+South+India+By+David&rft.place=United+Kingdom&rft.pub=Press+Syndicate+of+the+University+of+Cambridge&rft.date=1996&rft.isbn=978-0-521-48234-9&rft.aulast=Smith&rft.aufirst=David&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Fdanceofsivarelig0000smit&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988">.</li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFSoundara_Rajan2001" class="citation cs2">Soundara Rajan, Kodayanallur Vanamamalai (2001), Concise classified dictionary of Hinduism By Kodayanallur Vanamamalai Soundara Rajan, New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company, <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-7022-857-8" title="Special:BookSources/978-81-7022-857-8"><bdi>978-81-7022-857-8</bdi></a></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Concise+classified+dictionary+of+Hinduism+By+Kodayanallur+Vanamamalai+Soundara+Rajan&rft.place=New+Delhi&rft.pub=Concept+Publishing+Company&rft.date=2001&rft.isbn=978-81-7022-857-8&rft.aulast=Soundara+Rajan&rft.aufirst=Kodayanallur+Vanamamalai&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFT._A._Gopinatha_Rao1993" class="citation book cs1">T. A. Gopinatha Rao (1993). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=MJD-KresBwIC">Elements of Hindu iconography</a>. Motilal Banarsidass. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-208-0878-2" title="Special:BookSources/978-81-208-0878-2"><bdi>978-81-208-0878-2</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Elements+of+Hindu+iconography&rft.pub=Motilal+Banarsidass&rft.date=1993&rft.isbn=978-81-208-0878-2&rft.au=T.+A.+Gopinatha+Rao&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DMJD-KresBwIC&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAjay_J._Sinha2000" class="citation book cs1">Ajay J. Sinha (2000). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=WvqLzaSUGi8C">Imagining Architects: Creativity in the Religious Monuments of India</a>. University of Delaware Press. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-87413-684-5" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-87413-684-5"><bdi>978-0-87413-684-5</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Imagining+Architects%3A+Creativity+in+the+Religious+Monuments+of+India&rft.pub=University+of+Delaware+Press&rft.date=2000&rft.isbn=978-0-87413-684-5&rft.au=Ajay+J.+Sinha&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DWvqLzaSUGi8C&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBurton_Stein1978" class="citation book cs1">Burton Stein (1978). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=Hq5BngAACAAJ">South Indian Temples</a>. 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Abhinav Publications. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-7017-362-5" title="Special:BookSources/978-81-7017-362-5"><bdi>978-81-7017-362-5</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+Square+and+the+Circle+of+the+Indian+Arts&rft.pub=Abhinav+Publications&rft.date=1997&rft.isbn=978-81-7017-362-5&rft.au=Kapila+Vatsyayan&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DvwLJc3pBzzUC%26pg%3DPR10&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFV.K.2003" class="citation cs2">V.K., Subramanian (2003), Art shrines of ancient India, New Delhi: Abhinav Publications, <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-7017-431-8" title="Special:BookSources/978-81-7017-431-8"><bdi>978-81-7017-431-8</bdi></a></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Art+shrines+of+ancient+India&rft.place=New+Delhi&rft.pub=Abhinav+Publications&rft.date=2003&rft.isbn=978-81-7017-431-8&rft.aulast=V.K.&rft.aufirst=Subramanian&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988">.</li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFD._Uma2015" class="citation cs2">D. Uma (2015), Festivals of Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple, Madurai a historical and cultural perspective, Madurai Kamraj University, <a href="/wiki/Hdl_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="Hdl (identifier)">hdl</a>:<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://hdl.handle.net/10603%2F135484">10603/135484</a></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Festivals+of+Meenakshi+Sundareswarar+temple%2C+Madurai+a+historical+and+cultural+perspective&rft.pub=Madurai+Kamraj+University&rft.date=2015&rft_id=info%3Ahdl%2F10603%2F135484&rft.au=D.+Uma&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988"></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFV.1995" class="citation cs2">V., Vriddhagirisan (1995), <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.org/details/nayaksoftanjore0000vrid">Nayaks of Tanjore</a>, New Delhi: Asian Educational Services, <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-81-206-0996-9" title="Special:BookSources/978-81-206-0996-9"><bdi>978-81-206-0996-9</bdi></a></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Nayaks+of+Tanjore&rft.place=New+Delhi&rft.pub=Asian+Educational+Services&rft.date=1995&rft.isbn=978-81-206-0996-9&rft.aulast=V.&rft.aufirst=Vriddhagirisan&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.org%2Fdetails%2Fnayaksoftanjore0000vrid&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AMeenakshi+Temple" class="Z3988">.</li></ul> </div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="External_links">External links</h2>[<a href="/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&action=edit&section=27" title="Edit section: External links">edit</a>]</div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1235681985">.mw-parser-output .side-box{margin:4px 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href="/wiki/Template:Shaivism_topics" title="Template:Shaivism topics"><abbr title="View this template">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:Shaivism_topics" title="Template talk:Shaivism topics"><abbr title="Discuss this template">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Shaivism_topics" title="Special:EditPage/Template:Shaivism topics"><abbr title="Edit this template">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="Shaivism" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/Shaivism" title="Shaivism">Shaivism</a></div></th></tr><tr><td class="navbox-abovebelow" colspan="3" style="background:#FFC569;"><div><a href="/wiki/History_of_Shaivism" class="mw-redirect" title="History of Shaivism">History</a></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="background:#FFC569;;width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Category:Forms_of_Shiva" title="Category:Forms of Shiva">Deities</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Shiva" title="Shiva">Shiva</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Bhairava" title="Bhairava">Bhairava</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Dakshinamurti" title="Dakshinamurti">Dakshinamurti</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Harihara" title="Harihara">Harihara</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ishana" title="Ishana">Ishana</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nataraja" title="Nataraja">Nataraja</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sadyojata" class="mw-redirect" title="Sadyojata">Sadyojata</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Tatpurusha" class="mw-redirect" title="Tatpurusha">Tatpurusha</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Vamadeva" title="Vamadeva">Vamadeva</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Shakti" title="Shakti">Shakti</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Ardhanarishvara" title="Ardhanarishvara">Ardhanarishvara</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sati_(Hindu_goddess)" title="Sati (Hindu goddess)">Sati</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Parvati" title="Parvati">Parvati</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ganesha" title="Ganesha">Ganesha</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kartikeya" title="Kartikeya">Kartikeya</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Devasena" title="Devasena">Devasena</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Valli" title="Valli">Valli</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nandi_(mythology)" class="mw-redirect" title="Nandi (mythology)">Nandi</a></li></ul> </div></td><td class="noviewer navbox-image" rowspan="7" style="width:1px;padding:0 0 0 2px"><div><a href="/wiki/File:India_statue_of_nataraja.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/India_statue_of_nataraja.jpg/100px-India_statue_of_nataraja.jpg" decoding="async" width="100" height="133" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/India_statue_of_nataraja.jpg/150px-India_statue_of_nataraja.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/India_statue_of_nataraja.jpg/200px-India_statue_of_nataraja.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1704" data-file-height="2272" /></a></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="background:#FFC569;;width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Religious_text" title="Religious text">Texts</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Shvetashvatara_Upanishad" title="Shvetashvatara Upanishad">Shvetashvatara Upanishad</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Shivarahasya_Purana" title="Shivarahasya Purana">Shivarahasya Purana</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Shiva_Purana" title="Shiva Purana">Shiva Purana</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Shiva_Sutras_of_Vasugupta" title="Shiva Sutras of Vasugupta">Shiva Sutras of Vasugupta</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Tirumurai" title="Tirumurai">Tirumurai</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="background:#FFC569;;width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Mantra" title="Mantra">Mantra</a>/<a href="/wiki/Stotra" title="Stotra">Stotra</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Om_Namah_Shivaya" title="Om Namah Shivaya">Om Namah Shivaya</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Rudrashtakam" title="Rudrashtakam">Rudrashtakam</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Mah%C4%81mrityunjaya_Mantra" class="mw-redirect" title="Mahāmrityunjaya Mantra">Mahāmrityunjaya</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Shiva_Tandava_Stotra" title="Shiva Tandava Stotra">Shiva Tandava</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Shiva_Sahasranama" title="Shiva Sahasranama">Sahasranama</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Shiv_Chalisa" class="mw-redirect" title="Shiv Chalisa">Chalisa</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Shri_Rudram" title="Shri Rudram">Shri Rudram</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Shiva_Mahimna_Stotra" title="Shiva Mahimna Stotra">Shiva Mahimna</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Hara_Hara_Mahadeva" title="Hara Hara Mahadeva">Hara Hara Mahadeva</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="background:#FFC569;;width:1%">Traditions</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Shaiva_Siddhanta" title="Shaiva Siddhanta">Shaiva Siddhanta</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Pashupata_Shaivism" title="Pashupata Shaivism">Pashupata Shaivism</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kapalika" title="Kapalika">Kapalika</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Aghori" title="Aghori">Aghori</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kaula_(Hinduism)" title="Kaula (Hinduism)">Kaula</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kashmir_Shaivism" title="Kashmir Shaivism">Trika Shaivism</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Lingayatism" title="Lingayatism">Veera Shaivism</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Siddha_Siddhanta" title="Siddha Siddhanta">Siddha Siddhanta</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Shiva_Advaita" title="Shiva Advaita">Shiva Advaita</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Smarta_tradition" title="Smarta tradition">Shaiva Smartas</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="background:#FFC569;;width:1%">Festivals and observances</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Kanwar_Yatra" title="Kanwar Yatra">Kanwar Yatra</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Maha_Shivaratri" title="Maha Shivaratri">Maha Shivaratri</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Pradosha" title="Pradosha">Pradosha</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Shiva_Puja" title="Shiva Puja">Shiva Puja</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="background:#FFC569;;width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Shiva_temple" class="mw-redirect" title="Shiva temple">Shiva temples</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="background:#FFC569;width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Panch_Kedar" title="Panch Kedar">Panch Kedar</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Kedarnath_Temple" title="Kedarnath Temple">Kedarnath</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Tungnath" title="Tungnath">Tungnath</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Rudranath" title="Rudranath">Rudranath</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Madhyamaheshwar" title="Madhyamaheshwar">Madhyamaheshwar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kalpeshwar" title="Kalpeshwar">Kalpeshwar</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="background:#FFC569;width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Pancha_Sabhai" title="Pancha Sabhai">Pancha Sabhai</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Sri_Vadaranyeswarar_Temple" title="Sri Vadaranyeswarar Temple">Rathinam</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nataraja_Temple,_Chidambaram" title="Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram">Pon</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Velli</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nellaiappar_Temple" title="Nellaiappar Temple">Thamiram</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Thirukutralam" title="Thirukutralam">Chitiram</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="background:#FFC569;width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Pancha_Bhuta_Sthalam" title="Pancha Bhuta Sthalam">Pancha Bhuta Sthalam</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Nataraja_Temple,_Chidambaram" title="Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram">Chidambaram (Ether)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Srikalahasteeswara_temple" title="Srikalahasteeswara temple">Tirukalahasti (Air)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Arunachalesvara_Temple" title="Arunachalesvara Temple">Tiruvannamalai (Fire)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Jambukeswarar_Temple,_Thiruvanaikaval" title="Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval">Tiruvanaikaval (Water)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ekambareswarar_Temple_(Kanchipuram)" title="Ekambareswarar Temple (Kanchipuram)">Kanchipuram (Earth)</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="background:#FFC569;width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Jyotirlinga" title="Jyotirlinga">Jyotirlingas</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Bhimashankar_Temple" title="Bhimashankar Temple">Bhimashankar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Grishneshwar_Temple" title="Grishneshwar Temple">Grishneshwar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kedarnath_Temple" title="Kedarnath Temple">Kedarnath</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Mallikarjuna_Jyotirlinga" class="mw-redirect" title="Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga">Mallikarjun</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Mahakaleshwar_Jyotirlinga" title="Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga">Mahakaleshwar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nageshvara_Jyotirlinga" title="Nageshvara Jyotirlinga">Nageshvar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Omkareshwar_Temple" title="Omkareshwar Temple">Omkareshwar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ramanathaswamy_Temple" title="Ramanathaswamy Temple">Ramanathaswamy</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Somnath_temple" title="Somnath temple">Somnath</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Trimbakeshwar_Shiva_Temple" title="Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple">Trimbakeshwar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Vaidyanath_Jyotirlinga" title="Vaidyanath Jyotirlinga">Vaidyanath</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kashi_Vishwanath_Temple" title="Kashi Vishwanath Temple">Vishwanath</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="background:#FFC569;width:1%">Others</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Amarnath_Temple" title="Amarnath Temple">Amarnath</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Brihadisvara_Temple,_Thanjavur" class="mw-redirect" title="Brihadisvara Temple, Thanjavur">Brihadeeswarar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Lake_Manasarovar" title="Lake Manasarovar">Kailash Mansarovar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Katas_Raj_Temples" title="Katas Raj Temples">Katas Raj</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Lingaraja_Temple" title="Lingaraja Temple">Lingaraja</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Meenakshi Sundareshwarar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ardhanareeswarar_temple,_Tiruchengode" class="mw-redirect" title="Ardhanareeswarar temple, Tiruchengode">Tiruchengode</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Vadakkunnathan_Temple" title="Vadakkunnathan Temple">Vadakkum Nathan</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="background:#FFC569;;width:1%">Related topics</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Lingam" title="Lingam">Lingam</a> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Rasalingam" title="Rasalingam">Rasalingam</a></li></ul></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Siddha" title="Siddha">Siddha</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Vibhuti" title="Vibhuti">Vibhuti</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Shiva_Sahasranama" title="Shiva Sahasranama">Other names</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><td class="navbox-abovebelow" colspan="3" style="background:#FFC569;"><div> <ul><li><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/96/Symbol_category_class.svg/16px-Symbol_category_class.svg.png" decoding="async" width="16" height="16" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/96/Symbol_category_class.svg/23px-Symbol_category_class.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/96/Symbol_category_class.svg/31px-Symbol_category_class.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="180" data-file-height="185" /><a href="/wiki/Category:Shaivism" title="Category:Shaivism">Category</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/File:Symbol_portal_class.svg" class="mw-file-description" title="Portal"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e2/Symbol_portal_class.svg/16px-Symbol_portal_class.svg.png" decoding="async" width="16" height="16" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e2/Symbol_portal_class.svg/23px-Symbol_portal_class.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/e2/Symbol_portal_class.svg/31px-Symbol_portal_class.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="180" data-file-height="185" /></a><a href="/wiki/Portal:Hinduism" title="Portal:Hinduism">Portal</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div class="navbox-styles"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236075235"></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox" aria-labelledby="Shiva_temples" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks hlist mw-collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239400231"><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:Shiva_temples" title="Template:Shiva temples"><abbr title="View this template">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:Shiva_temples" title="Template talk:Shiva temples"><abbr title="Discuss this template">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Shiva_temples" title="Special:EditPage/Template:Shiva temples"><abbr title="Edit this template">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="Shiva_temples" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/List_of_Shiva_temples_in_India" title="List of Shiva temples in India">Shiva temples</a></div></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Trilinga_Kshetras" title="Trilinga Kshetras">Trilinga Kshetras</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Daksharamam" title="Daksharamam">Daksharamam</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Srisailam" title="Srisailam">Srisailam</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kaleswaram" class="mw-redirect" title="Kaleswaram">Kaleswaram</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Panch_Kedar" title="Panch Kedar">Pancha Kedaras</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Kedarnath" title="Kedarnath">Kedarnath</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Tungnath" title="Tungnath">Tungnath</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Rudranath" title="Rudranath">Rudranath</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Madhyamaheshwar" title="Madhyamaheshwar">Madhyamaheshwar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kalpeshwar" title="Kalpeshwar">Kalpeshwar</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Pancharama_Kshetras" title="Pancharama Kshetras">Pancharama Kshetras</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Amararama" title="Amararama">Amararama</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Draksharama" class="mw-redirect" title="Draksharama">Draksharama</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ksheerarama" title="Ksheerarama">Ksheerarama</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kumararama" title="Kumararama">Kumararama</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Somarama" title="Somarama">Somarama</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Pancha_Sabhai" title="Pancha Sabhai">Pancha Sabhas</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Sri_Vadaranyeswarar_Temple" title="Sri Vadaranyeswarar Temple">Emarald/Rathinam, Thiruvalangadu</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nataraja_Temple,_Chidambaram" title="Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram">Gold/Pon, Thillai</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Silver/Velli, Madurai</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nellaiappar_Temple" title="Nellaiappar Temple">Copper/Thamiram, Nellai</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Thirukutralam" title="Thirukutralam">Art/Chithiram, Courtallam</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Pancha_Bhuta_Sthalam" title="Pancha Bhuta Sthalam">Panchabhuta Sthalams</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Ekambareswarar_Temple_(Kanchipuram)" title="Ekambareswarar Temple (Kanchipuram)">Kanchipuram (Earth)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Arunachalesvara_Temple" title="Arunachalesvara Temple">Tiruvannamalai (Fire)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Jambukeswarar_Temple,_Thiruvanaikaval" title="Jambukeswarar Temple, Thiruvanaikaval">Thiruvanaikaval (Water)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nataraja_Temple,_Chidambaram" title="Nataraja Temple, Chidambaram">Chidambaram (Ether) </a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Srikalahasteeswara_temple" title="Srikalahasteeswara temple">Srikalahasthi (Air)</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Pancha_Ishwarams" title="Pancha Ishwarams">Pancheswarams</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Ketheeswaram_temple" title="Ketheeswaram temple">Kethiswaram</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Koneswaram_Temple" title="Koneswaram Temple">Koneswaram</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Munneswaram_temple" title="Munneswaram temple">Munneswaram</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Naguleswaram_temple" title="Naguleswaram temple">Naguleswaram</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Tenavaram_temple" title="Tenavaram temple">Thondeswaram</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Jyotirlinga" title="Jyotirlinga">Jyotirlinga Sthalas</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Somnath_temple" title="Somnath temple">Somnath</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Srisailam" title="Srisailam">Srisailam</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Mahakaleshwar_Jyotirlinga" title="Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga">Mahakaleshwar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Omkareshwar_Temple" title="Omkareshwar Temple">Omkareshwar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kedarnath" title="Kedarnath">Kedarnath</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Bhimashankar_Temple" title="Bhimashankar Temple">Bhimashankar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kashi_Vishwanath_Temple" title="Kashi Vishwanath Temple">Kashi Vishvanath</a> </li> <li><a href="/wiki/Trimbakeshwar_Shiva_Temple" title="Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple">Trimbakeshwar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Baidyanath_Temple" title="Baidyanath Temple">Vaidyanath</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nageshvara_Jyotirlinga" title="Nageshvara Jyotirlinga">Nageshvara</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ramanathaswamy_Temple" title="Ramanathaswamy Temple">Rameswaram</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Grishneshwar_Temple" title="Grishneshwar Temple">Grishneshwar</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Significant</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Paadal_Petra_Sthalam" title="Paadal Petra Sthalam">275 Paadal Petra Sthalams</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Brihadisvara_Temple" title="Brihadisvara Temple">Brihadeeswaram</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Amarnath_Temple" title="Amarnath Temple">Amarnath</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Lingaraja_Temple" title="Lingaraja Temple">Lingaraj</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Mahabaleshwar_Temple,_Gokarna" title="Mahabaleshwar Temple, Gokarna">Gokarna</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kudalasangama" title="Kudalasangama">Kudalasangama</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Vaikom_Sree_Mahadeva_Temple" title="Vaikom Sree Mahadeva Temple">Vaikom</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Vadakkunnathan_Temple" title="Vadakkunnathan Temple">Thrissur</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Thyagaraja_Temple,_Tiruvarur" title="Thyagaraja Temple, Tiruvarur">Thiruvarur</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kandariya_Mahadeva_Temple" title="Kandariya Mahadeva Temple">Khajuraho</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_Shiva_temples_in_India" title="List of Shiva temples in India">More...</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%">Out of India</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/M%E1%BB%B9_S%C6%A1n" title="Mỹ Sơn">Bhadreshwaram (Vietnam)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ateshgah_of_Baku" title="Ateshgah of Baku">Fire temple (Azerbaijan)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ganga_Talao" title="Ganga Talao">Ganga Talao (Mauritius)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Iraivan_Temple" title="Iraivan Temple">Iraivan temple (USA)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Katas_Raj_Temples" title="Katas Raj Temples">Katas Raj (Pakistan)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kaiyuan_Temple_(Quanzhou)" title="Kaiyuan Temple (Quanzhou)">Kadhalishwaram ruins (China)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ketheeswaram_temple" title="Ketheeswaram temple">Kethishwaram (Sri Lanka)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Koneswaram_Temple" title="Koneswaram Temple">Koneshwaram (Sri Lanka)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kokkadicholai_Thaanthonreeswarar_Temple" title="Kokkadicholai Thaanthonreeswarar Temple">Kokkadicholai Thaanthonreeswaram</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Mount_Kailash" title="Mount Kailash">Mt. Kailash (Tibet)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Pashupatinath_Temple" title="Pashupatinath Temple">Pashupatinath (Nepal)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Prambanan" title="Prambanan">Shivagraham (Indonesia)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sri_Sivan_Temple" title="Sri Sivan Temple">Sivan temple (Singapore)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Phanom_Rung_Historical_Park" title="Phanom Rung Historical Park">Sthūlādri (Thailand)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Temple_in_the_Sea" title="Temple in the Sea">Temple in the Sea (Trinidad and Tobago)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Banteay_Srei" title="Banteay Srei">Tribhuvanamāhesvaram (Cambodia)</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Devasathan" title="Devasathan">Thewasathan Bot Phram</a> (<a href="/wiki/Giant_Swing" title="Giant Swing">sao ching cha</a>)(<a href="/wiki/Bangkok" title="Bangkok">Bangkok</a>)</li> <li>Hx thewalay kestr phiman (<a href="/wiki/Sukhothai_province" title="Sukhothai province">Sukhothai province</a>)</li> <li>Hx Phar Ishvaran (<a href="/wiki/Kamphaeng_Phet_province" title="Kamphaeng Phet province">Kamphaeng Phet province</a>)</li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div>    </div><noscript><img src="https://login.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:CentralAutoLogin/start?type=1x1" alt="" width="1" height="1" style="border: none; position: absolute;"></noscript> <div class="printfooter" data-nosnippet="">Retrieved from "<a dir="ltr" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&oldid=1257507769">https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&oldid=1257507769</a>"</div></div> <div id="catlinks" class="catlinks" data-mw="interface"><div id="mw-normal-catlinks" class="mw-normal-catlinks"><a href="/wiki/Help:Category" title="Help:Category">Categories</a>: <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Hindu_temples_in_Madurai" title="Category:Hindu temples in Madurai">Hindu temples in Madurai</a></li><li><a href="/wiki/Category:Parvati_temples" title="Category:Parvati temples">Parvati 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1,\n [\"CITEREFBurton_Stein1978\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFBurton_Stein1989\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFBurton_SteinDavid_Arnold2010\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFCampantar_Tirumurai_12004\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFCampantar_Tirumurai_32004\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFCarl_W._Ernst2004\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFChristopher_Fuller2003\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFCompiled2008\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFCotterell2011\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFD._Uma2015\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFDatta2005\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFDavid_Dean_Shulman2014\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFDiana_L._Eck2013\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFEdwin_Francis_Bryant2007\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFFisher2018\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFFuller2004\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFGeorge_Michell1993\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFGopal1990\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFHardgrave2006\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFHarman1992\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFHolly_Baker_Reynolds1987\"] = 2,\n [\"CITEREFIyerT._R.1987\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFJ._Gordon_Melton2014\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFJackie_Menzies2006\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFKapila_Vatsyayan1997\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFKaren_Pechilis_Prentiss1999\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFKarthikeyan2013\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFKeith_Bellows2008\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFKi1963\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFKing2005\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFKinsley1998\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFKnott2000\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFKumar2001\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFLewandowski1977\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFMadhavan2011\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFManly_Palmer_Hall1949\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFMichael_W._MeisterMadhusudan_Dhaky1986\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFMichell1995\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFMilton_Singer1991\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFMonica_Juneja2001\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFNational_Geographic2008\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFNicholson1997\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFP._V._Jagadisa_Ayyar1982\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFPal1988\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFPrasanna_Kumar_Acharya1997\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFPrasanna_Kumar_Acharya2010\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFR.K.K._Rajarajan2014\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFRajarajan1997\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFRajarajan2013\"] = 2,\n [\"CITEREFRamaswamy2007\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFReddy2013\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFRina_Kamath2000\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFSabina_Pavone2014\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFSara_Dickey2016\"] = 2,\n [\"CITEREFSarojini_Chaturvedi2006\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFSelbyPeterson2008\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFSmith1996\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFSoundara_Rajan2001\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFStella_Kramrisch1976\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFStella_Kramrisch1979\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFSusan_Bayly1989\"] = 3,\n [\"CITEREFSwaroop2016\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFT._A._Gopinatha_Rao1993\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFT._Padmaja2002\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFTara_Boland-CreweDavid_Lea2003\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFTemple_theertham2012\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFThenmozhi1969\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFV.1995\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFV.K.2003\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFV._K._Subramanian2003\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFVijaya_Ramaswamy2017\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFVinayak_BharneKrupali_Krusche2014\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFWilliam_J._Jackson2016\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFWilliam_P._Harman1992\"] = 1,\n [\"CITEREFŽupanov1993\"] = 1,\n}\ntemplate_list = table#1 {\n [\"Citation\"] = 27,\n [\"Citation needed\"] = 1,\n [\"Cite book\"] = 61,\n [\"Cite journal\"] = 6,\n [\"Cite news\"] = 3,\n [\"Cite web\"] = 8,\n [\"Commons category\"] = 1,\n [\"Convert\"] = 8,\n [\"Coord\"] = 1,\n [\"Dead link\"] = 1,\n [\"EngvarB\"] = 1,\n [\"IAST\"] = 1,\n [\"INR\"] = 2,\n [\"ISBN\"] = 2,\n [\"Infobox Hindu temple\"] = 1,\n [\"Langx\"] = 2,\n [\"Multiple image\"] = 5,\n [\"Plainlist\"] = 1,\n [\"Refbegin\"] = 1,\n [\"Refend\"] = 1,\n [\"Reflist\"] = 2,\n [\"Refn\"] = 3,\n [\"See also\"] = 1,\n [\"Sfn\"] = 100,\n [\"SfnRef\"] = 4,\n [\"Shaivism\"] = 1,\n [\"Shiva temples\"] = 1,\n [\"Short description\"] = 1,\n [\"Use dmy dates\"] = 1,\n [\"Webarchive\"] = 7,\n}\narticle_whitelist = table#1 {\n}\n","limitreport-profile":[["?","300","23.1"],["MediaWiki\\Extension\\Scribunto\\Engines\\LuaSandbox\\LuaSandboxCallback::callParserFunction","280","21.5"],["dataWrapper \u003Cmw.lua:672\u003E","80","6.2"],["MediaWiki\\Extension\\Scribunto\\Engines\\LuaSandbox\\LuaSandboxCallback::preprocess","60","4.6"],["recursiveClone \u003CmwInit.lua:45\u003E","60","4.6"],["is_generic 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Inc.","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.wikimedia.org\/static\/images\/wmf-hor-googpub.png"}},"datePublished":"2004-10-06T22:39:46Z","dateModified":"2024-11-15T07:58:30Z","image":"https:\/\/upload.wikimedia.org\/wikipedia\/commons\/e\/e9\/An_aerial_view_of_Madurai_city_from_atop_of_Meenakshi_Amman_temple.jpg","headline":"historic Hindu temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India"}</script> </body> </html>