The Madurai Meenakshi Temple is a historic Hindu temple located in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. It was built by the Pandya dynasty in the 6th century CE and expanded over subsequent centuries by the Vijayanagara Empire and Nayak rulers. The temple complex covers around 14 acres and features 14 towering gopurams, or gateway towers. At its center are two main shrines dedicated to the deities Meenakshi and Sundareshwara, representing the goddess Parvati and lord Shiva. It is considered an exemplary example of Dravidian architecture.

1. Dravidian
Architecture

2. Dravidian
Architecture
• Dravidian architecture or the South Indian temple style that emerged in the southern
part of the Indian subcontinent or South India and in Sri Lanka, reaching its final form by
the sixteenth century. It is seen in Hindu temples, and the most distinctive difference
from north Indian styles is the use of a shorter and more pyramidal tower over the
garbhagriha or sanctuary called a vimana, where the north has taller towers, usually
bending inwards as they rise, called shikharas.
• Various kingdoms and empires such as the Satavahanas, the Cholas, the Chera,
the Kakatiyas, the Reddis, the Pandyas, the Pallavas, the Gangas, the Kadambas,
the Rashtrakutas, the Chalukyas, the Hoysalas, and Vijayanagara Empire among others
have made substantial contribution to the evolution of the Dravida architecture.

3. Rock Cut architecture
under Pallavas
• Early stage of Dravidian art and architecture
• Pallava architecture was sub-divided into two phases: the rock cut phase and the
structural phase. The rock cut phase lasted from the 610 AD to 668 AD and
consisted of two groups of monuments, the Mahendra group and the Mamalla
group. The best examples of Mahendra group of monuments are the cave
temples at Mandagapattu, Pallavaram and Mamandur.
• The second group of rock cut monuments belong to the Mamalla group in 630 to
668 AD. During this period free-standing monolithic shrines called rathas
(chariots) were constructed alongside pillared halls. Some of the best examples
of this style are the Pancha Rathas and Arjuna's Penance at Mahabalipuram.
• The second phase of Pallava architecture is the structural phase when free-
standing shrines were constructed with stone and mortar brought in for the
purpose. Monuments of this phase are of two groups - the Rajasimha group (690
to 800 AD) and the Nandivarman group (800 to 900 AD).The Rajasimha group
encompasses the early structural temples of the Pallavas when a lot of
experimentation was carried out. The best examples of this period are the Shore
Temple at Mahabalipuram and the Kanchi Kailasanathar Temple at Kanchipuram
both constructed by Narasimhavarman II who was known as Rajasimha.
• The best example of the Nandivarman group of monuments is the Vaikunta
Perumal Temple at Kanchipuram. During this period, Pallava architecture attained
full maturity and provided the models upon which the massive Brihadeeswarar
Temple of the Cholas at Thanjavur and Gangaikonda Cholapuram and various
other architectural works of note were constructed.

4. Shore temple
Mahabalipuram
• Shore Temple, complex of elegant shrines , one
among several Hindu monuments
at Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), on
the Coromandel Coast of Tamil Nadu state, India.
It is considered the finest early example
of medieval southern Indian temple architecture.

5. Shore temple Mahabalipuram
• It is a structural temple, built with blocks of granite, dating from the 8th century AD. At the
time of its creation, the site was a busy port during the reign of Narasimhavarman II of
the Pallava dynasty. As one of the Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, it has been
classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984.It is one of the oldest structural
(versus rock-cut) stone temples of South India.
• All the three Temples of the Shore Temple complex are built on the same platform. Viewed
from the northern end, the temples appear to be a replica of the Dharmaraja Ratha. The main
Shore Temple, which faces east so that the sun rays shine on the main deity of Shiva Linga in
the shrine, is a five-storied structural Hindu temple rather than rock-cut as are the other
monuments at the site. Built with sculpted granite stones hauled from a nearby quarry, it is
the earliest important structural temple in South India. Its pyramidal structure is 60 feet
(18 m) high and sits on a 50 feet (15 m) square platform. There is a small temple in front
which was the original porch. It is made out of finely cut local granite.
• The temple is a combination of three shrines. The main shrine is dedicated to Shiva, as is the
smaller second shrine. A small third shrine, between the two, is dedicated to a
reclining Vishnu and may have had water channelled into the temple, entering the Vishnu
shrine. The two Shiva shrines are orthogonal in configuration. The entrance is through
a transverse barrel vault gopuram. The two shikharas have a pyramidal outline, each
individual tier is distinct with overhanging eaves that cast dark shadows. The outer wall of the
shrine to Vishnu and the inner side of the boundary wall are extensively sculptured and
topped by large sculptures of Nandi. The temple's outer walls are divided by pilasters into
bays, the lower part being carved into a series of rearing lions. The temple walls are
surrounded by sculptures of Nandi

6. Shore temple
Mahabalipuram

7. Shore temple
Mahabalipuram
• The temple has a garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) in which
the deity, Sivalinga, is enshrined, and a
small mandapa surrounded by a heavy outer wall with little
space between for circumambulation. At the rear are two
shrines facing in opposite directions. The inner shrine dedicated
to Ksatriyasimnesvara is reached through a passage while the
other, dedicated to Vishnu, is facing outwards. The Durga is
seated on her lion vahana. A small shrine may have been in the
cavity in the lion's chest. The Shore Temples, like many major
Hindu temples, include both Shaivism and Vaishnavism temples
and iconography.
• The roofs of the temples have ornamentation similar to the
Pancha Rathas. The roofs have finials on the top, indicative of
its religious functional nature, as it was a completed temple.
The octagonal shape of the shikaras of the two temples
dedicated to Shiva are in the Dravidian architectural style.
Beneath the towers, the sanctuary walls are mostly blank
without any decorations, but the columns are carved over lion
mounted bases. The decorations on the outer faces of these
shrines are similar to those seen on the Pancha Rathas, though
due to their closeness to the sea, are partially eroded due to
salty winds.

8. Brihadeswara Temple,Thanjavur

9. Brihadeswara
Temple,Thanjavur
• Brihadeshwara Temple (Peruvudaiyar Kovil) is a Hindu
temple dedicated to Shiva located in Thanjavur in the
Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is also known as Periya
Kovil, RajaRajeswara Temple and Rajarajesvaram.
• It is one of the largest temples in India and is an
example of Dravidian architecture during the Chola
period. Built by emperor Raja Raja Chola I and
completed in 1010 AD, the temple turned 1000 years
old in 2010.
• The temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site
known as the “Great Living Chola Temples”, with the
other two being the Brihadeeswarar Temple,
Gangaikonda Cholapuram and Airavatesvara temple.
• The temple stands amidst fortified walls that were
probably added in the 16th century. The vimanam
(temple tower) is 216 ft (66 m) high and is the tallest
in the world.
• The Kumbam (the apex or the bulbous structure on
the top) of the temple is carved out of a single rock
and weighs around 80 tons.

10. Brihadeswara Temple,Thanjavur
Built out of granite, the vimana tower above the shrine is one of the tallest
in South India. The temple has a massive colonnaded prakara (corridor) and
one of the largest Shiva lingas in India.
• The temple complex is a rectangle that is almost two stacked squares,
covering 240.79 metres (790.0 ft) east to west, and 121.92 metres
(400.0 ft) north to south. In this space are five main sections: the sanctum
with the towering superstructure (sri vimana), the Nandi hall in front
(Nandi-mandapam) and in between these the main community hall
(mukhamandapam), the great gathering hall (mahamandapam) and the
pavilion that connects the great hall with the sanctum (ardhamandapam).
• The temple complex integrates a large pillared and covered veranda
(prakara) in its spacious courtyard, with a perimeter of about 450 metres
(1,480 ft) for circumambulation. Outside this pillared veranda there are two
walls of enclosure, the outer one being defensive and added in 1777 CE by
the French colonial forces with gun-holes with the temple serving as an
arsenal.

11. Brihadeswara
Temple,Thanjavur
• They made the outer wall high, isolating the temple complex
area. On its east end is the original main gopuram or gateway
that is barrel vaulted. It is less than half the size of the main
temple's vimana. Additional structures were added to the
original temple after the 11th century, such as a mandapa in
its northeast corner and additional gopurams (gateways) on
its perimeters to allow people to enter and leave from
multiple locations.
• Some of the shrines and structures were added during the
Pandya, Nayaka, Vijayanagara and Maratha era, before the
colonial era started, and these builders respected the original
plans and symmetry rules. Inside the original temple
courtyard, along with the main sanctum and Nandi-
mandapam are two major shrines, one for Kartikeya and for
Parvati. The complex has additional smaller shrines

13. Brihadeswara
Temple,Thanjavur
• The temple faces east, and once had a water moat around it. This has been filled up. The fortified
wall now runs around this moat. The two walls have ornate gateways called the gopurams. These
are made from stone and display entablature. The main gateways are on the east side. The first one
is called the Keralantakan tiruvasal, which means the "sacred gate of the Keralantakan". The word
Keralantakan was the surname of king Rajaraja who built it. About a 100 metres (330 ft) ahead is
the inner courtyard gopuram called the Rajarajan tiruvasal. This is more decorated than
the Keralantakan tiruvasal, such as with its adhishthanam relief work narrating scenes from
the Puranas and other Hindu texts.
• The inner eastern gopuram leads to a vast courtyard, in which the shrines are all signed to east–
west and north-west cardinal directions. The complex can be entered either on one axis through a
five-story gopuram or with a second access directly to the huge main quadrangle through a smaller
free-standing gopuram. The gopuram of the main entrance is 30 m high, smaller than the vimana.
• The main temple-related monuments and the great tower is in the middle of this courtyard.Around
the main temple that is dedicated to Shiva, are smaller shrines, most of which are aligned axially.
These are dedicated to his consort Parvati, his sons Subrahmanya and Ganesha, Nandi, Varahi,
Karuvur deva (the guru of Rajaraja Chola), Chandeshvara and Nataraja.
• The Nandi mandapam has a monolithic seated bull facing the sanctum. In between them are stairs
leading to a columned porch and community gathering hall, then an inner mandapa connecting to
the pradakshina patha, or circumambulation path. The Nandi (bull) facing the mukh-mandapam
weighs about 25 tonnes.It is made of a single stone and is about 2 m in height, 6 m in length and
2.5 m in width. The image of Nandi is a monolithic one and is one of the largest in the country

14. Brihadeswara Temple,Thanjavur
The sikhara, a cupolic dome (25 tons), is octagonal and
rests on a single block of granite, weighing 80 tons.

15. Madurai Meenakshi Temple

16. Madurai
Meenakshi
Temple
• 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
• The contemporary temple is the result of rebuilding efforts started by
the Vijayanagara Empire rulers who rebuilt the core and reopened the temple.
• In the 16th century, the temple complex was further expanded and fortified by the
Nayak ruler Vishwanatha Nayakar and later others. The restored complex now
houses 14 gopurams (gateway towers), ranging from 45–50 m in height, with the
southern gopura tallest at 51.9 metres (170 ft).

17. Madurai Meenakshi
Temple
• The town of Madurai is ancient, and one mentioned
in Sangam era texts. These are dated to be from the 1st
to 4th century CE. Some early Tamil texts call Madurai
as Koodal, and these portray it as a capital and a temple
town where every street radiated from the temple.
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.
• The early texts imply that a temple existed in Madurai
by the mid 6th century.In medieval literature and
inscriptions, it is sometimes referred to as
Kadambavanam (lit. "forest of Kadamba")
or Velliambalam (lit. "silver hall" where Shiva danced). It
was described to be the sangam of scholars, or a place
where scholars meet.
• It is mentioned in the Tamil
text Tiruvilayadalpuranam and the Sanskrit text Halasya
Mahatmya. It is one of the shrines of the 275 Paadal
Petra Sthalams.

18. Madurai Meenakshi
Temple
Temple complex plan
• The earliest temple at Madurai was likely constructed in the 7th century C.E., but the
temple complex we experience today is largely the work of the Nayak dynasty in the 16th
and 17th centuries. They enlarged the complex and redesigned the surrounding streets in
accordance with the sacred tradition of the Vastu Shastra (Hindu texts prescribing the
form, proportions, measurements, ground plan, and layout of architecture).
• The Meenakshi Temple is a prime example of Dravidian architecture—a style of Hindu
architecture common in the southern states of India. Characteristics of Dravidian
architecture often include covered porches on temples, tall entry gate towers on two or
more sides, many-pillared halls, and a water tank or reservoir for ritual bathing.
• The temple complex is spread over about 14 acres (5.7 ha).The courtyard is close to a
square with each side of about 800 feet, but more accurately a rectangle with one side
about 50 feet longer. 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).
• Additionally, the complex has a golden lotus sacred pool (L) for pilgrims to bathe in, a
thousand-pillar hall 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. The temple is embedded inside a commercial hub and traditional markets.

19. Madurai
Meenakshi
Temple

20. Madurai Meenakshi Temple
• Two principal sanctuaries (accessible only by
Hindus) sit at the center of the temple
complex: one dedicated to Meenakshi (who is
considered a manifestation of the goddess
Parvati), and another dedicated to
Sundareshwara or “Beautiful Lord” (a form of
the god Shiva).
• A gold finial visible only from a high vantage
point, caps each of these sanctuaries. Fronting
each sanctuary is a mandapa (a pillared,
porch-like structure) that pilgrims pass through
as they make their way to the garbagriha (the
innermost sacred areas of the sanctuary).

21. Madurai Meenakshi Temple
• At the south end of the complex is the Golden
Lily Tank, which is used by believers for ritual
bathing before they enter the sanctuaries of
Meenakshi and Sundareshwara. The northeast
corner of the complex is occupied by the
Thousand Pillar Hall, a vast, ornate mandapa.
Although there are actually only 985 pillars,
the effect is impressive, with most of the stone
pillars carved in high or low reliefdepicting
gods, demons, and divine animals.
• Originally this space was likely used for
religious dancing and musical performances as
well as a place to gain an audience with the
king. Today the Thousand Pillar Hall functions
primarily as a museum, with exhibitions of
bronze sculptures, paintings, and objects from
the temple’s history.

22. Madurai Meenakshi
Temple
• The Gopuras
• We now return to the most noticeable feature of the complex—the
massive towers, or gopuras, which are actually entry gates. Some visitors
to the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai mistake the gopuras for the sacred
temples and shrines themselves. The word gopura may be derived from
the Tamil words ko meaning “king,” and puram meaning “exterior or
gateway”; or from the Sanskrit go meaning “cow” and puram meaning
“town.”
• Here, there are fourteen gopuras roughly oriented to the cardinal
directions and flanking either the temple of Meenakshi or Sundareshwara,
or the entire walled compound. They generally increase in height as one
moves further away from the center of the complex, as the outermost
sections were continually added to by a succession of rulers, who
commissioned ever grander towers as a sign of their power and devotion.
• The gopuras act as symbolic markers for the sacred space into which they
lead and most are covered with a profusion of brightly painted stucco
figures representing gods and demons.