Madurai

Madurai, situated on the banks of Vaigai river in Tamil Nadu, is famous for the Meenakshi temple. The legend goes that Meenakshi (meaning eyes like a fish), a form of Parvati, was the outcome of prayers by the then King and Queen. She appeared as a three-year-old, with three breasts (one of which would disappear when she met her future husband – Shiv). 

The Lotus Pond of the Meenakshi temple

Named Thadathagai, she was trained like a son and crowned the Queen of Madurai. The tale goes that after conquering the whole world, she reached Mount Kailash where she met Shivji (when, as foretold, her third breast disappeared).

Meenakshi

Her marriage to Shiv ji – known here as Sundareshwar took place in Madurai. 

Sundareshwar

While the main and important deity remains Meenakshi, it is also an important holy Shiv temple – he performed 64 lilas (लीला) here, for the benefit of his disciples. 

The intricate carving of the marriage, the lilas of Shivji etc.

The temple complex is big with several gopurams and mandapams. It also has a hall of 1000 pillars. Details of Meenakshi temple are found in the Sthalpurans.

Carvings in the corridors of Meenakshi Temple

The ancient Alagar Kovil temple, just a few kilometres from Madurai, is situated at the foothills of Alagar hills. 

The Alagar Kovil Temple

In Tamil scriptures, Vishnu is known as Thirumal or Perumal and, in this area, is called Alagar. 

The entrance to the Alagar Kovil temple

The Alagar Koyil is dedicated to Vishnu and is known for its intricate sculpting and mandaps.

The temple has beautiful carvings on its facade.

According to legend, Vishnu had come down for the divine marriage of his sister Meenakshi with Sundareshwar. Unfortunately, the marriage took place before he could reach there. Initially he was annoyed at this, but the couple came to meet him on the way. Vishnu blessed the divine couple and turned back from the banks of the river Vaigai.

The big mandap just outside the Alagar Kovil temple

In April/May each year, the month long Chithirai Festival of the Shaivites celebrates the wedding of Meenakshi with Sundareshwar. The latter fortnight has the Alagar festival that is celebrated by Vaishnavites where the Alagar procession is taken out in a rath.

The rath, just after the Alagar festival

A closer look of the rath of the Alagar festival