A divine couple and governed by a deity
Like numerous other sacred sites and structures in India, the city of Madurai in the state of Tamil Nadu, located near the southernmost point of the subcontinent, has its origins in mythology. In accordance with established customs, over 3500 years ago, the divine Indra erected a diminutive structure atop an organically occurring stone as an expression of devotion to Shiva, a principal deity within the expansive Hindu pantheon. Shiva, who is commonly associated with devastation, possesses additional attributes such as procreation and virility. Additional deities began to venerate the location as Indra did. As soon as a human devotee beheld the miraculous scene of gods worshipping at the lingam, he informed Kulashekhara Pandya, the local monarch, who proceeded to construct a temple at the location.
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The legend surrounding the figure Meenakshi is also legendary. It describes Malayadhvaja, a Pandyan monarch who desired an heir and son. He meticulously executed a fire ceremony in which he beseeched the spirits to grant his request. Conversely, he was bestowed with Meenakshi, a daughter born with three breasts. The gods advised the king not to be concerned and to nurture Meenakshi as a valiant warrior, just as he would a son. Furthermore, they predicted that her third breast would vanish when she reached her true love as an adult. Meenakshi demonstrated her prowess in combat by annihilating armies in every direction. However, upon attempting to invade from the north, she encountered the deity Shiva, who is believed to reside atop Mount Kailasha, situated in the profound Himalayas. As soon as she caught sight of him, one of her breasts detached, fulfilling the prophecy.
A great Tamil poet of the seventeenth century and devotee of Shiva, Kumaraguruparar, described this scene as follows:
On the battlefield, upon seeing Shiva, your third curving breast vanished. You timidly bowed to him and were astounded to discover that you had lost all but two breasts.
Your entire being was flooded with him. You felt shy as you regarded him endearingly with a side gaze reminiscent of nectar. [1]
Vishnu, assuming the persona of Meenakshi’s brother, was an additional prominent deity in the Hindu pantheon. He officiated the matrimonial union between Shiva and Meenakshi, and the celestial couple established their domicile in Madurai, where they symbolically maintained their positions as monarch and ruler, respectively.
It is probable that the construction of the earliest temple at Madurai commenced in the 7th century C.E. However, the present-day temple complex is predominantly the product of the Nayak dynasty’s efforts during the 16th and 17th centuries. The complex was expanded, and the adjacent streets were reconfigured, in adherence to the venerated tradition outlined in the Vastu Shastra, which comprises Hindu scriptures that dictate the architectural form, proportions, dimensions, ground plan, and arrangement.
The temple complex is centred around two primary sanctuaries, both of which are restricted to Hindus. One is devoted to Meenakshi, an embodiment of the deity Parvati, and the other is esteemed with the name Sundareshwara, which translates to “Beautiful Lord” and is considered a manifestation of the god Shiva. These sanctuaries are each capped with a gold orb that is only discernible from a considerable height. Pilgrims traverse the mandapa, which is a porch-like structure with pillars, in order to reach the garbagriha, which comprises the sanctuary’s most sacrosanct regions.
Every spring, sculpted figures of Meenakshi and Sundareshwara are commemorated with a massive multi-day festival in which they are tenderly rocked on a swing within the temple on Friday evenings, imitating a romantic interlude.
Prior to entering the sanctuaries of Meenakshi and Sundareshwara, devotees perform a sacred ablution in the Golden Lily Tank, located at the southern part of the complex. A enormous, ornate mandapa known as the Thousand Pillar Hall occupies the northeast corner of the complex. With the majority of the stone pillars depicting divine creatures, demons, and gods in high or low relief, the effect is impressive despite the fact that there are only 985 of them. Originally, this area probably served as a venue for musical performances, religious dancing, and gaining access to the monarch. Presently, the Thousand Pillar Hall serves as a museum predominately, showcasing bronze sculptures, paintings, and artefacts that trace the history of the temple.
