Priests perform the puja ceremonies on a daily basis and during festivals. It was described to be the sangam of scholars, or a place where scholars meet. Email. Instead a daughter is born out of the fire who is already 3 year old and has three breasts. Each group or sets of panels in each storey present an episode from regional or pan-Hindu legend. Some link its legend to other deities such as Indra who proclaims 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 honor of a goddess. It was built by Krishnappa Nayakar II. This Temple is the very oldest and important temple in Tamil Nadu that lies one Kilometer away from the South of Vaigai river. The courtyard walls were added over time in response to invasion and the plunder of the temple complex. [68] Of these five are gateways to the Sundareshvara shrine, three to the Meenakshi shrine. It is also known for its beautiful architecture, sculpture, and painting work. [109][110][111], Over the centuries, the temple has been a centre of education of culture, literature, art, music and dance. Koodal Azhagar Temple: This temple is a Vishnu temple. The temple is enclosed with huge walls, which were built in response to the invasions. [16][40], 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. 5 tiered gopuram adorns the Western entrance to the Amman temple complex. However, the temple is definitely one of the "wonders of India". [4] These are dated to be from the 1st to 4th century CE. 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 participating in temple festivities. Tirumala Nayaka, a Hindu king, took considerable interest in erecting many complexes inside the temple. According to historical findings, creation of this temple can be traced back to early A.D. [115] According to legend, when Sastri sang these songs infront of presiding deity, the goddess had responded visibly. [28][33], The goddess Meenakshi is the principal deity of the temple, unlike most Shiva temples in South India where Shiva is the principal deity. Of course, some other legendaries also narrated the importance and glory of the temple. Chitra gopuram (W), also known as Muttalakkum Vayil, was built by Maravarman Sundara Pandyan II (1238-1251). It depicts the marriage of Sundareswarar and Meenkashi attended by Vijayaranga Chokkanatha and Rani Mangammal. Meenakshi Temple, Madurai The ancient city of Madurai, more than 2,500 years old, was built by the Pandyan king, Kulashekarar, in the 6 th century B.C. Mottai gopuram (lit. Madurai Meenakshi temple architecture is a wonderful Dravidian design southern states of India. 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. [51][54] The missionaries ridiculed the temple artwork and criticized the temple practices while introducing themselves as "Roman Brahmins" and "Northern Sanniasis" [sic]. Meenakshi(Parvati) Architecture: South Indian, Kovil Location: Madurai The Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple or Meenakshi Amman Temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati located in the holy city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. So tall pillared halls, and a … 42,000 raised from members of the community. The gopuram east to the Sundareshwara shrine is 5 storeyed. Excerpt for the etymology of Meenatchi from ", Christopher Fuller (1995), The 'Holy Family' of Shiva in a south Indian temple, Social Anthropology, Volume 3, Issue 3, Cambridge University Press, pages 205-217, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department, "This Temple Is Covered in Thousands of Colorful Statues", "Madurai's Meenakshi Temple named best 'Swachh Iconic Place' in India", https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02666030.1997.9628522, Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Thirukkoil – Temple Towers, South Indian Temple: Mīnākṣī and Sundareśvara at Madurai, Navarathri celebrations: Meenakshi temple golu display steals the show, Crowds throng Madurai Meenakshi temple for ‘golu’, "* Mīnākṣī-Sundareśvara - 'Tiruviḷaiyāṭaṟ Purāṇam' in Letters, Design and Art", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Meenakshi_Temple&oldid=1002489070, Religious buildings and structures in Madurai, Official website different in Wikidata and Wikipedia, Articles containing Sanskrit-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Chithirai Thiruvizha, Navaratri, Cradle festival, Aavanimolam, 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. Meenakshi Amman Temple is located in the middle of the city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu. 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. The Meenakshi temple hosts a festival in each month of the Tamil calendar. [4] The early texts imply that a temple existed in Madurai by the mid 6th century. The girl grows up, the king crowns her as the successor and when she meets Shiva, his words come true, she takes her true form of Meenakshi. This symbolizes her mythical conquests and her presence in the secular life of the people. This gopuram is named after the frescoes and reliefs that depict secular and religious themes of Hindu culture. [98] The Tamil word velli means silver and ambalam means stage or altar. [68][103], In the Tamil month of Purattasi, the temple celebrates the Navarathri festival, also known as Dasara or Dussehra elsewhere. This is decidedly the oldest city of South India, truly representing Dravidian culture. A mandala is a structure built according to the laws of symmetry and loci. [16][40], In the north, the Indian subcontinent had been conquered by the Delhi Sultanate. Meenakshi temple is one of the most famous Hindu temples in Madurai. Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple: Awesome Temple Architecture - See 4,086 traveler reviews, 2,940 candid photos, and great deals for Madurai, India, at Tripadvisor. [29] She was earlier known by the Tamil name Thadadakai ("fish-eyed one"), which was called later as Meenakshi. Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple was built by King Kulasekara Pandya (1190-1216 CE). 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. The judgment went against the Nadars, then they took their appeal to the London Privy Council. 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, material aid if they are poor. The four tallest gopurams on the outer walls alone depict nearly 4,000 mythological stories. 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. Sort by: Top Voted. It consists of monuments inside a number of concentric enclosures, each layer fortified with high masonry walls. [72] The Sundareswarar shrine has a stone linga in its square plan sanctum, and this anicon is shaded under a stone cobra hood. The Mottai gopuram for nearly three centuries did not have the roof structure, is simpler and has fewer stucco images than the other major entrances, giving it a relatively bald appearance and the local name. Madurai Meenakshi Temple Architecture Meenakshi temple is situated in the heart of the city of Madurai. The Hindus generally circumambulate the shrines clockwise first before entering the shrine for a darshana. Vembaturara Ananda Nambi built the early version of the three-tiered gopuram in 1227. The Tamil famous Hindu Saint Thirugnanasambandar also described the construction of the temple and mentioned the God as Aalavai Iraivan. Nayaka Period (16th - 17th century) Madurai Meenakshi Temple Tour. The celestial couple is seated inside an architectural frame with a flowering tree in the background. Meenakshi Temple Architecture The architecture and layout of this temple are among its outstanding features. These offerings are always vegetarian, and animal sacrifices are never performed, states Christopher Fuller. [26] In medieval literature and inscriptions, it is sometimes referred to as Kadambavanam (lit. The Meenakshi temple is dedicated to goddess Meenakshi, the Consort of Lord Siva. The Nataraja shrine was also added in the 15th century by Arulalan Sevahadevan Vanathirayan, who also renovated the Thiruvalavaudaiyar shrine. It was designed by Vishwanatha Nayak. It is about 460 kilometres (290 mi) southwest from Chennai, the state capital. However, the temple includes Vishnu in many narratives, sculptures and rituals as he is considered to be Meenakshi's brother. The temple is square shaped and a series of concentric streets with names from Tamil months surround the structure. [52], 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. One of the most famous temples in the city as well as in India, Meenakshi Amman Temple is dedicated to the mighty Goddess Parvati and the creator himself – Lord Shiva. Meenakshi Amman Temple. "bald" gateway) was started by Krishnappa Nayakkar, also called the North Raya gopuram (this is not on the plan, below the bottom edge). [65], The ancient temple complex was open. Additionally, the complex has a golden lotus sacred pool (L) for pilgrims to bathe in, a thousand-pillar hall choultry 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. 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. [36], The work completed by Vishwanatha Nayaka in 1560 was substantially expanded to the current structure during the reign of Tirumala Nayaka (1623–55). [6][7] The temple is at the center of the ancient temple city of Madurai mentioned in the Tamil Sangam literature, with the goddess temple mentioned in 6th century CE texts. Some of these mandapas include:[16][78], The mandapas also feature community gathering halls. Meenakshi Amman Temple is the world famous Temple situated in the centre of the Madurai city in Tamil Nadu. "silver hall" where Shiva danced). #temple #indiantemple #Madurai #tamilnadu #meenakshitemple Maravarman Sundara Pandyan II also added a pillared corridor to the Sundareswara shrine and the Sundara Pandyan Mandapam . Lakana Nayakar expanded and renovated the Mahamandapa in late 15th century CE. [71], The shrine for Sundareswarar[note 2] is the largest within the complex and its entrance is aligned with the eastern gopuram. [16][40], The temple has other shrines, such as for Murugan in the northwest corner of the second courtyard. Of the many attractions that make South India a cultural paradise on earth, Meenakshi Temple is the most iconic and popular one. It has long been the focus of both Indian and international tourist attraction as well as one of the most important places of Hindu pilgrimage. 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. • It is dedicated to Parvathi, known as Meenakshi, and her consort, Shiva, here named sundareswarar. 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. [30] According to another theory, the name of the goddess literally means "rule of the fish", derived from the Tamil words meen (fish) and aatchi (rule). Meenakshi Amman Temple – An architectural marvel dedicated to Goddess Parvathi The Meenakshi Amman Temple is located in the center of Madurai. Their petition was accepted, but it should be performed without the entry of Nadars into the temple. [35][67], 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. [106] The wedding of the divine couple is regarded as a classic instance of south Indian marriage with matrilineal emphasis, an arrangement referred as "Madurai marriage". The historic Meenakshi Amman temple is located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River, Madurai, Tamil Nadu. The Meenakshi Temple at Madurai. [62], The temple complex is spread over about 14 acres (5.7 ha). [94][95], 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 temple prakarams (outer precincts of a temple) and streets accommodate an elaborate festival calendar in which processions circumambulate the temple complex. The golden top can be seen from a great distance in the west through the apertures of two successive towers. [100], The temple is a popular site for Hindu weddings, though it is not the exclusive site. His major contributions are the Vasantha Mandapam for celebrating Vasanthotsavam (spring festival) and Kilikoondu Mandapam (corridor of parrots). Rather, Sundareswarar is represented in the form of anthropomorphic Somaskanda image. See more ideas about madurai, temple, india. Structuring And Architecture Meenakshi Amman Temple ‘Mukuruny Vinayaka’ which means three ‘Kurinis’ are carved on one single stone and placed outside the Sundareswarar shrine that is in the path of Meenakshi Shrine. The gopuram near the Ganesha shrine (Mukkuruni Vinayakar), also called the Nadukkattu gopuram or Idaikattu gopuram, was built by the Siramalai Sevvanthimurti Chetti family. [58], In November 1895, the Nadars of kamuthi 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. The temple forms the center and lifeline of Madurai's 2,500-year-old city. [10] 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 Tirumala Nayaka. The sacrality of Madurai is from this temple. Nevertheless, the … The entire structure, when viewed from above, represents a mandala. Visvanatha Nayak then poured resources to heavily fortify the temple complex, set a new plan for the temple complex. Ancient mythology has it that Lord Shiva came down in the form of Sundareswarar to marry Meenakshi, anincarnation of Goddess Parvati, who … The festival is celebrated in the Chithirai month, which typically falls about April. This temple is dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi, who is regarded to be an Avatar of Parvati, and her consort, Shiva, in his form as Sundareswara. [51] The king started a procession tradition linked to the temple to link his authority with the divine and maintain the social system. Architecture The painting is executed on a vivid red background, with delicate black linework and large areas of white, green and ochre. The goods and services for temple-related pilgrims and visitors is a significant part of the Madurai economy. Meenakshi Amman Temple Nayaka Period (16th - 17th century) Madurai Meenakshi Temple Tour "The temple city of Madurai is situated at a distance of 307 miles south of Madras on the main railway line. [25] The temple complex is well connected with road network (four lane National Highway 38), near a major railway junction and an airport (IATA: IXM) with daily services. The Vijayanagara rulers succeeded, removed the ruins and reopened the temple for active worship. [59][60][61], 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. It is commonly referred to as the Meenakshi temple. [71], The goddess shrine has the green stone image of Meenakshi, standing in bent-leg posture. [53] The British rulers first gave endowments to the temple and the British troops participated in temple festivities to gain socio-political acceptance. 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. 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. Madurai Meenakshi Temple Timings, Darshan, Pooja, and Other Details. [16][40] Chettiappa Nayakkar rebuilt the north colonnade of the Golden Lotus Tank, as well as Dvarapala mandapam in front of the Sannadhi gopuram. These displays are particularly popular with children, and families visit the displays in large numbers. Meenakshi Temple, Madurai The ancient city of Madurai, more than 2,500 years old, was built by the Pandyan king, Kulashekarar, in the 6th century B.C. Her left hand hangs by her side. The oldest gopuram is the eastern one (I on plan), built by Maravarman Sundara Pandyan during 1216-1238[66] Each gopuram is a multi-storeyed structure, covered with sculpture painted in bright hues. It is in front of the eastern tower, outside the current walled complex. None of these travel during a festive procession. The Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple history dates back all the way to the late 12th century. Each passing dynasty has contributed to the architecture of the temple and as a result you will find that various styles have been assimilate din the temple. [50] These streets use traditional Tamil Hindu month names, such as Adhi, Chitrai, Avani-moola, Masi and others. The Meenakshi Amman Temple covers an area of 6 hectares (14.83 acres), and can be easily identified by its gopurams, which are 14 in total. In the northeast corner is another stone image of his consort. Kambathadi mandapam (H) was built by Krishna Virappa Nayakkar (1572- 1595). Meenakshi Amman Temple. The shrine for Meenakshi is smaller, though theologically more important. [77], 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. In 1959, Tamil Hindus began collecting donations and initiated restoration work in consultation with engineers, Hindu monasteries, historians and other scholars. This architectural masterpiece is a finest example of Dravidian style of architecture. [13][16] In the 16th century, the temple complex was further expanded and fortified by the Nayak ruler Vishwanatha Nayakar and later others. The metal version is used for a festive procession. The tall sculpture of Ganesh carved of single stone located outside the Sundareswarar shrine in the path from Meenashi shrine is called the Mukuruny Vinayakar. For his respect towards Lingam, he built Meenakshi Amman Temple. Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai. Some inscriptions refer to it as Vembathurar gopuram. There are an estimated 33,000 sculptures that are within the corridors, halls and shrines of the temple. Vijayanagara period . The temple structure with its concentric squares and high walled enclosures is a lesson for students of architecture. "The temple city of Madurai is situated at a distance of 307 miles south of Madras on the main railway line. Not to mention, it happens to be the largest temple complex in the state of Tamilnadu. Meenakshi, the bride, is the royal monarch. [68][40], The Nayakas, who were the local governors for the Vijayanagara rulers, expanded the temple complex. Sep 12, 2013 - Explore Kasidah's board "Meenakshi Temple", followed by 2344 people on Pinterest. 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 other for Sundareshvara (A). Meenakshi Amman Temple is a historic Tamil Hindu temple situated in the temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu , India, on the southern bank of the Vaigai River. [24], The Meenakshi temple is located in the heart of historic Madurai city, about a kilometer south of the Vaigai River. [114], Shyama Shastri, one of the Trinity of Carnatic music, had composed a set of nine Telugu songs in praise of Meenakshi of Madurai, which are referred to as Navaratnamalika(Garland of nine gems). https://jothishi.com/meenakshi-temple-an-architectural-marvel-in-madurai [96] The shrine of Sundareswarar is considered as one of the Pancha Sabhai (five courts),[97] where the Tamil Hindu tradition believes Shiva performed cosmic dance. Interior Architecture of Meenakshi Amman Temple, a famous shrine of Madurai. It was completed by Amaravati Purur Vayinagaram Chettiyar family in 1878 CE. Vishnu is believed to be the brother of Meenakshi. See more ideas about temple, madurai, hindu temple. [11][26] 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. Terms of Service, Venugopala Swamy Temple - Hoysala's architectural marvel, Ghati Subramanya Swamy Temple - An Architectural wonder, Tatwani Temple – The Temple With A Healing Pool. 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. As per … Kulasekara Pandya was also a poet and he composed a poem on Meenakshi named Ambikai Malai. [66], 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. The Nayaka ruler also gilded the vimana of the primary shrines with gold. [38], 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. Some festivals attract significant participation, with the Meenakshi wedding-related festival attracting over a million people over 12 days. Maravarman Sundara Pandyan II also added a pillared corridor to the Sundareswara shrine, and the Sundara Pandyan Mandapam. The marriage of Meenakshi and Shiva was the biggest event, with all gods, goddesses and living beings gathered. [9] Goddess Meenakshi is described as the divine ruler, who along with Shiva were the primary deities that the southern Tamil kingdoms such as the Pandya dynasty revered. Before its completion in the 19th century, the gopuram made of stone and brick had even fewer stucco images. The warrior goddess worship tradition is ancient in the Tamil Hindu tradition, states Bayly, and it dramatically expanded after the 14th-century wars. [47] According to one poetic legend called Madhura Vijayam attributed to Ganga Devi, the wife of Kumara Kampana, she gave him a sword, urged him to liberate Madurai, right the vast wrongs, and reopen the Meenakshi temple out of its ruins. by Edward Fosmire. [75], The sacred temple tank is called Porthamarai Kulam ("Pond with the golden lotus"). The gopuram west to the Sundareshwara shrine is also 5 storeyed, and was completed around 1374 by Mallapan. The surviving plan of the temple complex places it within the old city, one defined by a set of concentric squares around the temple. Between 1310–1311, the Ala ud Din Khilji's Muslim general Malik Kafur and his Delhi Sultanate forces went deeper into the Indian peninsula for loot and to establish annual tribute paying Muslim governors. 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. The temple is also significant because it implies an affinal, protective relationship between Shaivism and Vaishnavism traditions of Hinduism, by making Shiva the husband of Meenakshi, and Vishnu her brother, a significant relationship in Dravidian kinship system. [92][93] Meenakshi herself is a central part of the Shaktism tradition of Hinduism, and represented as the dominant figure of the pair in this temple. 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. Built sometime between the year 1623 and 1655, the wonderful architecture of the place is renowned globally. It is dedicated to Parvati, known as Meenakshi, and her consort, Shiva, here named Sundareswarar. The Nandi mandapam was renovated again in 1877. It is called Nadukkattu because it is between the shrines of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar. The city roads radiate from the temple complex and major ring roads form a concentric pattern for the city, a structure that follows the Silpa Sastra guidelines for a city design. Muslim armies had begun raiding central India for plunder by the late 13th century. [16][17][18], The temple is a major pilgrimage destination within the Shaivism tradition, dedicated to Meenakshi Devi and Shiva. Sep 3, 2014 - Explore Gautam Trivedi T's board "colour in architecture-meenakshi temple, madurai, india", followed by 289 people on Pinterest. The large temple complex is the most prominent landmark in Madurai and attracts tens of thousands visitors a day. It consists of monuments inside a number of concentric enclosures, each layer fortified with high masonry walls. Meenakshi Amman Temple is the world famous Temple situated in the centre of the Madurai city in Tamil Nadu. [108] During the one-month period, there are a number of events including the "Ther Thiruvizhah" (chariot festival) and "Theppa Thiruvizhah" (float festival). This image is set in a square garbha griya (central sanctum). Both the Meenakshi and Sundareswarar shrines have gold plated Vimanam (tower over sanctum). But the reign of the Nayaks marks the golden period of Madurai when art, architecture and learning flourished expansively. He also built a Mahamandapam. [27], Meenakshi (Sanskrit: मीनाक्षी, lit. 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