Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai - One Of The Most Important Shrines - Tamil Nadu - India

Meenakshi Amman Temple is located in the southern bank of river Vaigai in the temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai complex is dedicated to Lord Shiva, known here as Sundareshvara and his consort Goddess Parvati or Meenakshi. The original temple was built by Kulasekara Pandya, but the entire credit for making the temple as splendid as it is today goes to the Nayaks.

Address: Madurai, Tamil Nadu India - 625001
Height: 52 m
District: Madurai
Architectural style: Dravidian architecture
Dedicated to: Sundareswarar (Lord Shiva) and Meenakshi (Goddess Parvati)
Also known as: Meenakshi Amman Temple
Significance: One of the sacred abodes of Goddess Parvati
Famous For: World Renowed Meenakashi Temples
Phone: 0452 234 4360
Function: Hindu temple
Architect: Viswanatha Nayak

Located in the holy city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, Meenakshi Temple can be reached easily by the means of local transport from Madurai. The Sri Meenakshi Sundareswara temple and Madurai city originated together. According to tradition, Indra once committed sin when he killed a demon, who was then performing penance. The plan for the current temple structure was laid by Viswanath Naik and was completed by Tirumalai Nayakar. The Aadi, Chittirai and the Maasi, and Veli streets surround the temple. Both temples are adorned with exquisite carvings & sculptures and gold plated vimanams. Before entering the temple, have a look around the Pudhu Mandapa . The main temple entrance is through the eastern (oldest) gopuram. Legend has it that the reigning deity Meenakshi was born out of holy fire as an answer to the prayers of King Malayadwaja and his wife Kanchanamalai. She married Lord Shiva and both ruled the city of Madurai as Lord Sundareshwar and Goddess Meenakshi. It is also believed that Lord Indra founded the temple when he found a suyambu lingam.

Sprawled in an area of 45 acres, the temple complex comprises not less than twelve superlative gopurams (towers), which are richly sculptured and decorated. The tallest tower rises to the extent of 170 feet. There are 12 massive gopurams in the temple, the four tallest gopurams at the outer walls (The tallest is the southern gopuram, measuring 49 metres). There are four entrances. The main entrance is to the Meenakshi Amman shrine. There is a huge idol of Lord Ganesha as you move from the kilikoontu mandapam to Lord Sundareswarar's sannadhi. This Ganesha known as Mukkuruni Vinayakar was unearthed by Tirumalai nayakar while he was digging a temple tank 3 kms from the Meenakshi Amman temple. Madurai is also known as the festival city. All the usual festivals are celebrated, yet the Chithirai festival that is held in April/May (for 3 days), is very important when the celestial marriage of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar is celebrated, drawing a huge crowd of people from all over the state. The Meenakshi Temple : It is the elegant twin temple of Sundareswarar and Meenakshi and the life of Madurai City revolves around this temple. The construction process of the temple began 2000 years ago.

Entry Fee And Other Charges For Visit Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai

Pilgrims don't have to pay any entry fees for a visit at the Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai. However you can donate or pay by your own wish for any poojas that you wish to do in the Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai. Photography and Videography are not allowed but if you want some photos or videos needed permission the temple board.

Timing For Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai

• Open Days: Open All days of the week
• Morning: 5:00 AM to 12:30 PM
• Evening: 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Pooja Timings at Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai

• Thiruvanandal pooja Morning: 05:00 to 06:00 AM
• Vizha pooja Morning: 06:30 to 07:15 AM
• Kalasandhi pooja Morning: 06:30 to 07:15 AM
• Thrikalasandhi pooja Morning: 10:30 to 11:15 AM
• Uchikkala Pooja (Noon Pooja): 10:30 to 11:15 AM
• Maalai pooja Evening: 04:30 to 05:15 PM
• Ardhajama Pooja: 07:30 PM to 08:15 PM
• Palliyarai Pooja: 09:30 PM to 10:00 PM

Best Time To Visit Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai

Madurai usually has a hot and dry climate. In the summers the weather is quite hot. Therefore it can be a bit difficult to enjoy the place completely. Though, during the winter months the weather is pleasant. It is neither too hot nor too cold. So the best time to visit Madurai is from October to March. Takes 2 to 3 hours for visit all temple complax. Most excellent timings to worship the God Madurai Meenakshi in the meenakshi amman temple is early morning 5 AM to 7 AM. Meenakshi amman temple opening timings is 4:00 AM every day and here we have recommended the best worship timings between 4:00 AM to 8:00 AM is a uncongested timing for peaceful darshan.

Tourist Attractions Near Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai

Apart from its Majestic Temples and religious places, the city of temples offers a host of other places of interest. A sightseeing tour of Madurai is the best option to relax and enjoy. Gandhi Museum, Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam, Thirumalai Nayak Palace, Adhisyam, Vandiyur Kanmoy Tourist Complex, Rajaji Park are also mejor tourist attractions very closed from Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai.

Shopping Near Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai

The tourism destination is also equally famous for its fragrant jasmine flowers and if you can take time off your busy travel schedule, do make a visit to the colorful Madurai flower market where you can see a wide variety of flowers including the famous Madurai Jasmine. Puthu Mandapam, Cottage Arts Emporium, Hajeemosa, ThangaMayil Jewellery, Rajmahal Silks, Poompuhar Sales Showroom are famous and popular markets of Madurai for shopping.

Restaurants Near Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai

Here is the list of some famous and popular Restaurants for eating food which are very closed from Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai.

Gopu Iyengars Restaurant
1, West Chitrai Street Near Meenakshi Temple Madurai
0.1 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai

Hotel New Manorama Restaurant
42A East Chithirai Street Mman Sannathi
0.1 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai

Hotel Durga Bhavan Restaurant
30 East Chitrai Street Hotel Durga Bhavan, Near Indian Bank, Simmakkal
0.1 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai

Chetty Nadu Mess
21, Thiyagi Thayammal Street North Chitrai Street
0.3 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai

Sri Shank Wala Restaurant
No 19/28, Near South Masi Road Jadamuni Koil Street
0.3 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai

Pandian Restaurant
8 Vengalakadai Street, East Masi Street Near Raj Mahal Jewellers
0.3 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai

Murugan Idli Shop
No 196, Near Pothys & Jos Alukas, West Masi Street
0.5 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai

Sree Mohan Bhojanalaya
33,Dhanappa Mudali street, West Tower Street, Opp Hotel Temple View
0.4 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai

Hotels Near Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai

Here is the list of some famous and popular Hotels for accomandation which are very closed from Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai.

Simap Residency 2.0 Star Hotel
12 A/1, Meenakshi Kovil Street, Next to Central Bank, Madurai
0.2 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai

Hotel Nambi
89/1, West Avani Moola Street, Opp to Madurai Radha Transport, Madurai
0.3 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai


Hotel Kathir Palace 2.0 Star Hotel
14, Dhanappa Mudali Street, Madurai
0.4 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai

The Golden Park
28,29 West Perumal Maistry Street, Madurai
0.5 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai

Abinaya Lodge
198, Near Meenakshi Amman Temple, West Masi Shreet, Madurai
0.5 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai

Rathna Residency Hotel
109, West Perumal Maistry Street, Madurai
0.6 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai

Hotel Boopathi
16 - 17 Perumal Tank (E), Town Hall Road, Madurai
0.6 km from Sri Meenakshi Temple Madurai

How to Reach Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai

By Air:

Madurai is connected by air with Mumbai and Chennai. Madurai airport is 10-km away from madurai city.

By Train:

Madurai has direct rail connections to Bangalore, Coimbatore, Kollam, Chennai, Rameshwaram, Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli, Tirupathi and Tuticorin.

By Road:

Madurai city has 5 Major Bus Stands- Periyar Bus Stand, Anna Bus Stand, Palanganatham Bus Stand, Arapalayam Bus Stand, Mattuthavani Bus Stand and probably to all parts of major cities in south India.

Google Map For Meenakshi Amman Temple Madurai