MEASURED DRAWING AND

ANALYSIS-II
TOPIC- MADURAI MEENAKSHI TEMPLE, TAMIL
NADU
LOCATION
• COUNTRY: India
• STATE: Tamil nadu
• CITY: Madurai
 HISTORY
• Meenakshi Amman Temple is a historic Hindu temple located in the southern bank of river Vaigai in the temple
city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.
• It is dedicated to Parvati who is known as Meenakshi and her consort, Shiva, named here as Sundareswarar.
• The Meenakshi temple is believed to be founded by Indra (king of Devas) while he was on a pilgrimage. He felt
his burden taken off nearing the swayambu lingam (self formed lingam) of Madurai. He ascribed this miracle to
the lingam and constructed the temple and enshrined the lingam there.
• Tamil literature speaks about the temple for the last couple of millennia. Thirugnanasambandar, the famous
Hindu saint of Saiva philosophy, mentioned this temple as early as the 7th century.
• The temple was believed to be sacked by the infamous Muslim invader Malik Kafur in 1310 and all the ancient
elements were destroyed.
• The initiative to rebuild the structure was taken by first Nayak king of Madurai, Viswanatha Nayak (1559–
1600) under the supervision of Ariyanatha Mudaliar, the prime minister of the Nayak Dynasty and the founder
of the Poligar System
• The original design by Vishwanatha Nayak in 1560 was substantially expanded to the current structure during
the reign of Thirumalai Nayak(1623–55). He erected many complexes inside the temple. His major
contributions are the Vasantha Mandapam for celebrating vasanthorsavam(spring festival) and Kilikoondu
Mandapam (corridor of parrots).
• The corridors of the temple tank and Meenakshi Nayakar Mandapam were built by Rani Mangammal.
TEMPLE VIEW
 INTRODUCTION
• Meenakshi Amma Temple is a historic
Tamil Hindu temple located on the
southern bank of the Vaigai River in the
temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
• It is dedicated to Parvati, known as
Meenakshi, and her consort, Shiva, here
named Sundareswarar.
• The temple forms the heart and lifeline
of the 2,500-year-old city of Madurai
and is a significant symbol for the Tamil
people, mentioned since antiquity in
Tamil literature
• Its an Dravidian style Hindu temple.
• It is dedicated to Parvathi, known as Meenakshi,
and her consort, Shiva, here named
sundareswarar.
• Surrounding an area of the temple is about 45
acres
• The temple was 1 st constructed somewhere
around the time by kulashekara pandyan.
• A large part of the temple was destroyed during
the muslim invasion during the 14th century
and then was restored to its former glory in the
early 17th century.
• The temple was rebuilt by vishwanatha nayak
accordance to shilpa shastra.
Temple plan
 Architectural aspects of the temple
• The temple is the geographic and ritual center
of the ancient city of Madurai and one of the
largest temple complexes in Tamil Nadu.
• The temple complex is divided into a number of
concentric quadrangular enclosures contained by
high masonry walls
• Viswanatha Nayak allegedly redesigned the city
of Madurai in accordance with the principles laid
down by Shilpa Shastras.
• The city was laid out in the shape of square with
a series of concentric streets culminating from
the temple.
• The complex is in around 45 acres(180,000 m2)
[7] and the temple is a massive
structure measuring 254  .
 GOPURAMS
• The temple has huge Gopurams which can be seen
from a far distance.
• Each gopuram is a multi-storeyed structure, covered
with thousands of stone figures of animals, gods and
demons painted in bright hues.
• There are 14 Gopurams ranging from 45–50m in
height.
• Nine tier gopurams, Rajagopuram - four
• Seven tier, Chittirai gopuram - one
• Five tier gopurams -five
• Three tier gopurams -two
• Golden gopurams -two
 GOPURAMS

• The outer 4 towers are the landmarks of Madurai, which are tall when compared to
other gopurams. And They are:
• East tower height 161'3“ & has 1011 sudhai figures. (its the oldest gopuram built
by maravarman sundara pandyan during 1216-1238)
• South tower height 170'6“(, 51.9 meters) & has 1511 sudhai figures. ( tallest of all)
• West tower height 163'3“ & has 1124 sudhai figures.
• North tower height 160'6“ & has lesser figures of sudhai than other outer towers.
• These 4 gopuram’s are nine storeys & is ornamented with elaborate sculptures.
• And the other towers are inside the twin temples and are smaller compared to the
outer gopurams. and also these inner gopuram serves as the entrance to the inner
enclosure shrines
Sections of gopuram
 GOPURAMS

• Kadaka Gopuram – This towering gateway leads to the main shrine that houses
Goddess Meenakshi. The gateway was rebuilt by Tumpichi Nayakkar during the mid-
16th century. The ‘gopuram’ has five storeys.
• Sundareswarar Shrine Gopuram – This is the oldest ‘gopuram’ of the temple and was
built by Kulasekara Pandya. The ‘gopuram’ serves as a gateway to the Sundareswarar
(Lord Shiva) shrine. Chitra Gopuram – Built by Maravarman Sundara Pandyan II, the
gopuram depicts the religious and secular essence of Hinduism. 
• Nadukkattu Gopuram – Also called as the ‘Idaikattu Gopuram,’ this gateway leads to
the Ganesha shrine. The gateway is placed right in between the two main shrines. 
• Mottai Gopuram – This ‘gopuram’ has fewer stucco images when compared to the
other gateways. Interestingly, ‘Mottai gopuram’ had no roof for nearly three centuries. 
• Nayaka Gopuram – This ‘gopuram’ was built by Visvappa Nayakkar around 1530. The
‘gopuram’ is astonishingly similar to another gateway called ‘Palahai Gopuram.’
 Rajagopurams (nine tiered): 
• The tower on top of the sanctum sanctum of the • South Rajagopuram
God (east):
• The tower on top of the sanctum sanctum of the God • It was constructed in the year 1559 by Siramalai
(east): Sevanthi Murthy Chetti.
• This tower was constructed by Maravarman • It is the tallest of the temple towers measuring 160.9
Sundarapandian the Pandian King (1216 - 1238) feet in height, with a base area of 108 feet by 67 feet
• The tower is 153.3 feet in height, and the base
• 1511 mythological figures are seen in it.
measurers 111.3 feet by 65.6 feet.
• This bears 1011 episodes from puranams sculptured
in it.
 North Rajagopuram West Rajagopuram.
• This gopuram remained unfinished for a number of years and was • This was constructed by King Parakrama
therefore called Mottai Gopuram meaning a tower without a roof.
Pandian duri ng his reign between 1315 and
• This is 152 feet in height and the length of the base is 111.6 feet 1347.
with a width of 66.6 feet.
• This houses 404 carvings depicting mythological stories. • This has a height of 154.6 feet with a base
• Construction of this tower was started by Krishnaveerappanaicker length of 101 feet and a width of 63.6 feet
(1564 - 1572) and completed by the family of Amaravathi Pudur • . This tower houses 1124 sculptures of
Vayinagaram Nagappa Chetti in 1878. 
mythological importance. 10
Details OF gopurams
The towers of Swami shrine Amman Sannithi gopurams

• Swami shrine gopuram (three tiers). • Amman sannithi gopuram (three

• Gopura Nayaka Gopuram, also called tier).
Swami Sannidhi gopuram (five tiers). • Kadahagopuram or Amman
• The Mukkuruni Vinayagar gopuram or Sannithi west gopuram.
Nadukkattu gopuram or Idaikattu
• Chittira Gopuram or Amman
gopuram (five tier).
Sannithi gopuram.
• Wooden gopuram (timber) or the
Swami Sannithi west gopuram.
• Sinnamottai gopuram (small roofless
gopuram) or Swami Sannithi North
Gopuram (five tiers)
Sundereshwara shrine: 
• The Sundareswarar shrine lies at the centre of the complex.
It is dedicated to Lord Shiva named here as Sundereswarar.
• The Sundareswarar shrine has a gold plated Vimanam. The
golden top can be seen from a great distance in the west
through the apertures of two successive towers.
• It has two prakarams and mahamandapas. Within the
Sundareswarar temple complex is a shrine to Nataraja .
• It can be entered through 5 gopurams -four 5 tiered ones on
its outer walls, -one three tiered at the entrance to the inner
prakaram.
• Dwarapalakas, which are twelve feet in height, stand guard
at the entrance to the swamy shrine.
• On entering one can see the 'arukal peedam' (pedestal with
six pillars) and two brass covered Dwarapalakas.
• There are several images of the manifestations of Shiva.
The scenes from the wedding cermeony of Sundareswarar
& Meenakshi are depicted in the pillars of the halls. 
 Meenakshi Amman shrine:

• Meenakshi’s shrine is located to the southwest of Sundareswarar’s shrine.

• A three-storied 'gopuram' stands at the entrance of the shrine and on the outer sanctum, the
golden flagstaff, Thirumalai Nayakar Mandapam, brass images of Dwarapalakas, and shrines of
Vinayaka can be seen.
• The Maha Mandapam or the inner sanctum can be reached through the doors in Arukal Peedam
where the shrines of Ayravatha Vinayakar, Muthukumarar, and the celestial bedroom is extant.
• In the shrine, Devi Meenakshi is depicted as the fish-eyed goddess who stands with a parrot and
bouquet, emanating love and grace.
• The Meenakshi shrine has the emerald-hued black stone image of Meenakshi.
• 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 area covered by the shrine of Sundareswarar is exactly one fourth of the area of the temple
and that of Meenakshi is one fourth that of Sundareswarar.
 MADURA STYLE

• The temple is high walled &

enclosure on the boundaries
around the temples, intervening
courtyards called prakarams which
contain pillared halls, store rooms,
other smaller shrines and square
water tanks for ritual baths.
• The temple is square shaped.
• The tank is surrounded by a
pillared cloister and has steps
leading down to the water.
 Temple Tank
• The sacred temple tank Porthamarai Kulam ("Pond with the golden lotus"), is 50 m by 37 m in size.
• According to legend, Shiva promised a stork that no fish or other marine life would grow here and
thus no marine animals are found in the lake.
• In the Tamil legends, the lake is supposed to judge the worth of a new piece of literature. Authors
place their works here and the poorly written works are supposed to sink and the scholastic ones
are supposed to float, Tirukkural by Tiruvalluvar was one such work.
• It is also known by other names such as Adhi Theertham, Sivaganga and Uthama Theertham.
• Porthamarai Kulam is the same pond in which Golden Lotus had bloomed which was used by Indra
to perform his pooja. It is believed that if devotees take a dip in the water especially on a new moon
day (Amavasya), eclipse days, along with other auspicious days then they achieve great success.
• This contains the rectangular Golden Lotus tank with stepped sides; a brass lamp- column stands in
the middle. The walls of the surrounding colonnade are decorated with murals representing the 64
miracles which Shiva is said to have performed in and around Madurai. The long friezes are notable
for their vividly drawn figures and distinctive brown and ochre coloring. 
 halls
• The corridor surrounding the sanctum of Meenakshi is called kilikoondu Mandapam ("bird cage corridor").
The space was once used to keep green parrots that were trained to utter the name of Meenakshi. There are
two large cages full of squawking green parrots.
• 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. Sculptures
of Shiva and Kali trying to out-dance one another are pelted with balls of ghee by devotees. A golden
flagstaff with 32 sections symbolizes the human backbone and is surrounded by various gods, including
Durga and Siddar.
• The Meenakshi Nayakkar Mandapam ("Hall of 100 pillars") has two rows of pillars carved with images of yali
(mythological beast with body of lion and head of an elephant), commonly used as the symbol of Nayak
power. It is situated to the north of Sundareswarar flag staff hall.
• The Puthu Mandapam ("new hall") constructed by Tirumala Nayak contains large number of sculptures. It is
situated opposite to the east gopuram. The Ashta Shakthi Mandapam ("Hall of eight goddess") is the first
hall in the entrance of Meenakshi shrine tower near to East Tower. Ashta indicates eight and Shakthi refers
to goddess - the hall has statues of eight goddesses. The gopurams (towers) can be viewed from this hall.
The passage was named for eight forms of goddess Sakthi carved on its pillars. Other sculptures and
paintings depict the Tiruvilayadal (holy games of Shiva). The sculptures of heroes of Mahabharata, the
Pancha pandavas can be seen in the Pancha Pandava Mandapam (Hall of Pandavas).
 halls
• The Viravasantharaya Mandapam is a large hall with huge corridors. To the south of this hall is the kalyana
mandapam, to the south of the pillared hall, is where the marriage of Shiva and Parvati is celebrated every
year during the Chithirai Festival in mid-April. The golden images of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar are
carried into the 16th century oonjal mandapam (swing corridor) and placed on the swing every Friday at
5:30 p.m. The shrine has a 3-storied gopuram guarded by two stern dwarapalakas (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.
• 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 depicting the story of Shiva taking the form
of Bikshadanar to teach the sages a lesson.
• The Mangayarkarasi mandapam is a newly built hall situated opposite to the marriage halls and bears the
name of saindy queen, Mangayarkarasi who contributed to Saivism and Tamil language. To the south of
Mangayarkarasi mandapam lies the Servaikarar Mandapam, a hall built by Marudu brothers in 1795. The
Nagara mandapam (Hall of beating drums) lies opposite to Sundareswarar shrine was built by Achaya
Rayar, the minister of Rani Mangammal in 1635. The Kolu Mandapam is a hall for displaying dolls during
the Navarathri festival celebrated during September–October. This hall is situated in the second corridor of
the Meenakshi shrine at the western side.
 Thousand pillared hall:
• The "Aayiram Kaal Mandapam" or Thousand Pillar Hall contains 985 (instead of 1000)
carved pillars.
• The hall was built by Ariyanatha Mudaliar in 1569 and it is a structure where the
engineering skill and artistic vision are blended.
• At the entrance of the hall the statue of Ariyanatha Mudaliar seated on a horse-back is
present, which flanks one side of the entrance to the temple. The statue is periodically
garlanded by worshippers.
• Each pillar in the hall is a carved monument of the Dravidian sculpture. The more
prominent among the carved figures are those of Rati (wife of Kama), Karthikeya, Ganesha,
Shiva as a wandering mendicant and endless number of yalis (mythical figures of lions).
• There is a Temple Art Museum in the hall where icons, photographs, drawings, and other
exhibits of the 1200 years old history of the temple is displayed.
• Just outside this hall, towards the west, are the Musical Pillars. Each pillar, when struck,
produces a different musical note.
Details in Meenakshi temple
Details in Meenakshi temple
Thank you