Meenakshi Temple, Hindu temple in Madurai, India
The Meenakshi Temple is a Hindu temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, with 14 towers rising to about 52 meters (170 feet), each decorated with thousands of carved stone figures. The complex consists of several concentric corridors and courtyards enclosed by thick outer walls surrounding the goddess shrine at the center.
The temple dates back to the 6th century when the Pandya dynasty established it as a religious center. In the 17th century, the Nayak rulers expanded the structure and added the monumental gateway towers and pillared halls that remain today.
Devotees and locals gather daily in the courtyards to participate in rituals conducted by Brahmin priests wearing white robes. Visitors walk clockwise around the inner shrine, offer flowers, and listen to chants echoing through the stone halls.
The temple opens early in the morning each day and closes after dark, with access to certain inner areas restricted to Hindus. Visitors should wear modest clothing, remove footwear before entering, and expect crowds during prayer times throughout the day.
Inside the compound stands the Hall of a Thousand Pillars, which contains 985 individually carved stone columns, each with different decorations. Another chamber features angled mirrors that multiply the reflection of a single item and distribute it across the room.
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