Night Ceremony in Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple

Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple

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Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple was built by King Kulasekara Pandya (1190-1216 CE). He built the main 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. 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. 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 The temple is a major pilgrimage destination within the Shaivism tradition, dedicated to Meenakshi Devi and Shiva. However, the temple includes Vishnu in many narratives, sculptures and rituals as he is considered to be Meenakshi's brother this daily process of religious action at early in the morning is being traditionally named Thirupalli Ezhuchi - wake up a prayer – Morning Prayer – opening ceremony. During night it is said to be named, the closing ceremony – bed-chamber ceremony – night ceremony. The temple will be usually open from 05:00 hrs to 12:30 hrs and 16:00 hrs to 20:30 hrs.