Madurai Chitra Festival Video clippings

Meenakshi Amman Festival



Meenakshi Amman Chariot Festival



Azhagar Festival

Most Important Festivals Celebrated in Madurai

The most important festival associated with the temple is the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Thirukalyanam (The divine marriage of Sri Meenkashi) that is celebrated in April or May every year. Both the marriage and the Vishnu's pacification are still celebrated as the biggest festival in Madurai, called Chithirai Thiruvizha also called as Azhagar Thiruvizha.

During that one month period, in which most Tamilnadu temples celebrate their annual festivals, there are a number of events including the Therottam a.k.a. Thiru Ther (Chariot festival) and Theppa Thiruvizha (Float festival) are celebrated. Apart from this, major Hindu festivals like Navaratri, Shivaratri are celebrated in a grand manner. Like most Shakti temples in Tamilnadu, the Fridays during the Tamil months of Aadi (July 15 - Aug 17) and Thai (Jan 15 to Feb 15) are popularly celebrated with thousands of devotees thronging to the temple.

Golden Lotus Tank in Meenakshi Amman Temple

Potramarai Kulam (Golden Lotus Tank), the sacred pond inside the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple is a very holy site for the devotees and people go around the lake before entering the main shrine. The etymology for the word means, the Pond with the Golden Lily and as the Lily that grows in it has a golden color. According to the legend, Lord Shiva promised to 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 be a judge for judging a worth of a new literature. Thus, authors place their works here and the poorly written works are supposed to sink and the scholastic ones are supposed to float.

Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Madurai

The Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple or Meenakshi Amman Temple (In Tamil: மீனாக்ஷி அம்மன் கோவில்) is a historic Hindu temple located in the holy city of Madurai, Tamilnadu, India. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva (in the form of Sundareswarar or Beautiful Lord) and his consort, Goddess Parvati (in the form of Meenakshi or Fish-eyed Goddess). The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2500 year old city of Madurai, home of the Tamil language.

According to Hindu legends, Lord Shiva, in the form of Sundareswarar, with his divine group of followers, appeared here in Madurai to marry Pandya King Malayadwaja Pandya's daughter, Meenakshi, believed to be an incarnation of Hindu Goddess Parvati. This temple is one of the most sacred abodes of Parvati. Also we can say it as "First Sakthi Peedam".

The temple has a stunning architecture and it was a frontrunner in the election for the modern seven wonders of the world for its architectural importance. The complex houses 12 magnificent gopurams or towers that are elaborately sculptured and painted. The temple is a significant symbol for the Tamil people, and has been mentioned since antiquity in Tamil literature, though the present structure is believed to have been built only recently in the early 17th century.

Photo Gallery and Pictures of Madurai Tourism Spots

Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple South Tower (Highest Tower)
Koodal Azhagar Temple Tower (Astaanga Vimanam)Athisayam - Amusement Theme Park

Azhagar Koil

Kallazhagar Temple Mountain Hill

Mahatma Gandhi Museum

Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakkulam

Mariamman Temple Tank Boating

Pazhamudhircholai Murugan Temple
Kutladampatti Waterfalls
Thiruparankundram Arulmigu Subramaniya Swamy Temple
Thirumohur Arulmigu Kalamega Perumal Temple
Thirumalai Nayak Palace

Madurai City Tours and Travels Places

In Madurai, there are many important places to visit:

• Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple - Abode of Lord Shiva and Sakthi
• Thirumalai Nayak Palace
• Mahatma Gandhi Museum
• Mariamman Teppakulam
• Azhagar Kovil - Abode of Lord Vishnu
• Thiruparankundram - Abode of Lord Muruga

Apart from this, there are so many temples are available in and around Madurai viz., Thiruvadavoor, Thirukkoodal, Thirumogur, Inmaiyil Nanmai Tharuvar Temple, etc.,

About Madurai: Temple City of Tamilnadu

India is the place of worship. In India, there are so many holy places are available. Among them, Madurai plays an important role. Its well developed structure, culture and civilizations show the prosperity of Madurai city. Madurai is popularly known as "Temple city", since it has so many temples. It has another name (i.e.,) Non-sleeping city. It is the second biggest city of Tamilnadu state. Madurai city is famous for Jasmine Flowers. It is the one of the South India's greatest temple town and is synonymous with the celebrated Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple situated on the banks of river Vaigai. Madurai was an important cultural and commercial centre even as early as 550 AD. It was the capital city for the great Pandya kings.




The Pandyan King Kulasekarar built a great temple and created a lotus shaped city around the temple. On the day the city was to be named, as Lord shiva blessed the land and its people, divine nectar (Madhu) was showered on the city from his matted locks. This city was henceforth known as Madhurapuri. As far as Madurai is concerned, its structure looks like a Lotus. Of course, the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple is situated at the center of the city. This is the center part of the lotus. Around the temple, the city has been developed. Every street around the temple is named the Tamil month calendar name. Today the city is well developed with the latest technologies and become the spot for Information Technology Park. Now Madurai is becoming Tier II city.