Mumbai: This ancient city in Tamil Nadu which is believed to be 2500 years-old – Madurai – is world famous for the Meenakshi Amman Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, known here as Sundareshwara and his consort Parvati (Meenakshi).
The original temple was looted by Muslim invaders and hence it had to be rebuilt. The present temple structure was built by Vishwanatha Nayakar in accordance to the Shilpa Shastra.
Among the many Mandapams or halls within the temple complex, the Meenakshi Nayakkar Mandapam also known as the Ayiramkal Mandapam (thousand pillars hall) finds a special mention.
Interestingly, there are only 985 pillars instead of 1000. Now what’s noteworthy is that the pillars have been built in such a manner that no matter which direction you stand, the pillars appear to be aligned. Images of the Gods have been carved on the pillars that retell the glorious history of this ancient Indian city.
