Thoonga Nagaram (the city that never sleeps) - Madurai

On Sunday we were listening to some of the 80's hits Tamil songs. The famous song from Rajini's movie "then madurai vaigai nadhi dhinam pAdum thamizh pAttu " was telecasted. While we were thoroughly enjoying the song something struck the mind hmmm... we had not blogged about the famous Madurai. 

Last month we had been to Madurai. Wow what a lovely place? If you question what is it famous for? Everyone will tell immediately that Meenakshi Amman temple. We have heard  "Madurai Arasalum Meenakshi" a song from the Tamil movie Thirumalai Thenkumari. Apart from the famous Meenakshi temple it has got other treasures also. The famous Astanga vimanam in Koodal Azhagar temple, Azhagar Koil, Vandiyoor Teppakulam (tank), Tirumalai Nayak Mahal, two Arupadai veedu (abode of Lord Muruga) namely Tiruparankundram and Pazhamudir Cholai etc. Last but not the least Madurai is also famous for its Jasmine flowers. In olden days Madurai was famous for Sangam Vaithu Tamil Valartha Madurai.

This blog is all about Meenakshi Amman Temple. More of Madurai and near by temples will be posted in our upcoming post.

Meenakshi Sundereswar Temple:

A temple dedicated to Fish shaped eye deity Goddess Meenakshi. This temple is located on the bank of the river Vaigai.

History: Once there was a Pandya king by name Malayadwaja Pandya who was ruling Madurai. His wife name was Kanchanamalai. They were childless for many years. So they performed the Putra Kameshti Yagna. Goddess Parvathi emerged from the Yagna with 3 breasts. The voice from the heaven told that the third breast will disappear as soon as she sees her better half. They named her Tadaatakai and she was trained in all Sastras, she became princess and ruled the kingdom. Goddess Meenakshi came to Kailash and after seeing Lord Shiva her third breast disappeared. When marriage was fixed, Lord Kallazhagar was asked to come and give Goddess Meenakshi as kannika dhanam to Lord Sundareswar (Shiva). Lord Shiva's servant Gundhodhara had the large feast. He was so thirsty that all the water got over. Seeing this Lord Shiva told Gundodhara "Vai kai" meaning keep the hand on the land. Immediately water splashed and quenched the thirst of  Gundhodhara. So the river was called Vaigai. Kallazhagar was not able to come to the marriage as there was a flood. During an auspicious hours the marriage took place with the help of another Koodalazhagar Perumal. Hearing that the marriage took place he felt insulted and returns back to Azhagar koil.

The above said story is celebrated as a Chithirai thiruvizha (festival) held in the month of April to May. Lakhs of devotees come here to witness the same.

Sculpture, Golden Lotus Tank, Majestic Mukurni Ganesha, Velli ambalam, Thousand pillars hall all add beauty to this temple. The towers are adorned with intricate details and beautiful sculptures. The North tower is called as Mottai Gopuram (bare tower), as most part of the tower does not have sculptures. It is said that all the towers of Meenakshi Temple was built overnight by the Bhutaganas and finally when the north tower was being built it became morning. So they left this tower incomplete.

Mukurni Pillayar (Lord Ganesha):

Three ‘kurunni’ (an unit of measurement) of grains are used to make big ‘modakam’ (a dish made of rice flour) as an offering to this Ganesha. Hence the name ‘Mukkuruni Pillaiyar’.

Goddess Meenakshi:

Smiling Goddess welcomes all devotees to Madurai. She is the avatar of Goddess Parvati.

Velli Ambalam:

While entering the Sundareswar Swamy's sannidhi (sanctum) please lookout for the beautiful dancing Lord Nataraja on the right side of the sannidhi. You could see some difference from rest of the Nataraja found in other places. What is it? This is the only place where Lord Nataraja has his right leg lifted instead of the usual left leg. It is said that the Pandhya king once wanted to learn the dance. So he appointed a teacher and started learning dance. While practicing he felt pain and thought that even for Lord Nataraja posing with left leg raised will make tiresome. So he requested Lord Nataraja to change the position of his leg. On seeing his pure devotion Lord Nataraja changed his posture.

Outside the Sundareswar sanctum one could find Goddess Saraswathi, Durgai, Lord Dakshinamoorthy, etc.

To the both sides of Goddess Durgai, there are elephant sculptures. It is said that this elephant ate the Sugarcane? Hmm... interesting story.

The story goes like this. Once the Pandhya King heard about  Ellam valla Siddhar who was performing various miracles in the city. He was summoned by the king to the palace, but the Siddhar (saint) refused. So the king went to the temple and asked the Siddhar to prove his extraordinary powers. He asked him to make this stone elephant to eat the sugarcane. To his surprise the elephant came to life and ate the sugarcane. Not only this, the elephant also snatched the king's necklace. The king immediately fell at Siddhar's feet and ask for apology. Even now the event is celebrated every year. The event is planned to be held on 15th January 2015 (1st day of Tamil month Thai). Make sure to witness the same if you are planning to visit Madurai at this time.

Aayiram Kaal Mandapam (Thousand Pillars Hall):

Entrance fee:

        For Indian: ₹ 5/-
        For Foreigners: ₹ 100
        MobileCamera: ₹50/-

This has about 985 pillars beautifully seen in rows. Different statues are being displayed. There are paintings depicting the Thiruvilaiyaadal and other stories.

One can find Musical Pillar which produces musical notes when struck with a tool. This tool is not there. Try striking with your hand and listen to this. They are there at the right as well as left corner when you enter Aayiram Kaal Mandapam.

Timings: 5:00 am - 12:30 pm
                 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Note:   

• Temple timing is subject to change during festival.
• No entry fee
• Camera/Video not allowed inside temple.
• If you want to take photo inside the temple premise, one can take using mobile. But need to pay Rs. 50 at the counter.

Other Information:

Map:

Tipu's Summer palace & Bangalore Fort

Tipu's Summer Palace:

This palace was started by Hyder Ali in the year 1781 and was completed during the reign of Tipu Sultan in the year 1791 and was used as a summer palace. This is located next to Venkataramana temple, near KR Market. One can spend around 15-30 min here. Museum is housed in the ground floor and in the upper floor one would find 2 balconies on the eastern and western side. The structure is decked with pillars and arches.

Darbar view

Venkataramana temple

Timings: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm

Entry Fee:  ₹ 5 for Indians

                  ₹ 100 for Foreigners

Bangalore Fort:

Fort main entrance

 

Less known fort in the heart of the Bengaluru city. You would have passed by this place many times but would not have seen it. Only the bare outer walls remains today.

Ganapathy temple inside fort

Timings: 8:30 am - 5:30 pm

No Entry Fee.

Other Information:

Map:

JP Park @ Bangalore

Kids are nagging you during weekend? Feeling Lazy, don't wan't to travel and neither sit at home, just want to spend 2-3 hours? Then  Jayaprakash Narayan Biodiversity Park (JP Park) may be good option. 

The cool breeze, silent lake, chirping birds, lush green garden and blue sky add to the beauty of this park. It is located at Mathikere spread over 85 acre land, opened in the year 2006. This has 3 lakes, 4 km of jogging track, Children area and a Musical Fountain. This park is well maintained and a good place for relaxing.

Park Timings : 5 am to 9 am and 4 pm to 8 pm.
Musical Fountain Timings : 7 pm and 7:45 pm (only on Saturday and Sunday).
Musical Fountain Fee: ₹ 10 / person

Note: Eatables are not allowed inside the park.

Other Information:

Map:

Avani - Hill that tells Slice of Epic Ramayana (Uttara Kandam) and Virupakshi - Kolar District

Continuation from the previous post Kurudumale. 

Virupakshi Temple:

About 4 km from Mulbaghal town lies a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, Virupakeswara. As per the priest, small Linga in the temple would change the colour thrice a day. Lingam colour will be Red in the morning, honey colour in the afternoon and black in the night. 

 

The other deities of this temple are Lord Venugopalaswamy, Goddess Durgaambaal who is gracing the devotees in the sitting posture with leg on either side of the Lion.

Ramalingeswara Temple:

Around 8 km from Virupaakshi temple lies the beautiful Ramalingeswara temple. It is said that Lord Rama engaged in war with his twin sons Lava and Kusha. It is a great sin to start war with the lads, Lord Rama approched sage Valmiki for cleansing his sin. Valmiki suggest to install Lingam to get out of the sin. After Rama installed Lakshmana, Bharata and Satrugana also followed.

This temple was built during Chola dynasty. The Lava Kusha hills with Seetha matha temple on the top as a backdrop add beauty to this Temple.

The Ashtadikpalas, Rulers of Eight Directions - Click here for more details.

 

Lava Kusha hill: 

Locals believe that Lava and Kusha were born in here. Hence the name Lava Kusha Betta (hill). One has to climb up the hill to experience Uttara Kandam Ramayana. The trekking to the hill takes us to the beauty of the surrounding rocks. It seems to us that the rock has been beautifully arranged in some order by the people. It is said that after the washerman doubts Sita's chastity, Rama sends her to the Valmiki Ashram. The local say that Valmiki stayed here, was looking after Sita and Lava and Kusha were born in this hermitage. People also believe that Sita was weeping after overlooking the war between Lord Rama and his sons Lava, Kusha. Even today one could find where Sita had washed her clothes. It took nearly an hour to climb up and down the hill. When we reached Sita Matha temple it was closed, later we came to know that one can approach nearby Ramalingeswara priest to open the temple.

Near to Ramalingeswara temple lies Sarada Devi Temple. Opposite to this temple is the Sringeri Jagadguru Shankaracharya Sharada Peetham. As we were already late, we did not visit the temple and returned to Bengaluru.

Other Information:

Map: