The Meenakshi Amman Temple, one of the most iconic temples of South India with more than 30,000 sculptures, is located in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, on the southern bank of the Vaigai River. It is dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi, a form of Shakti, and her consort Sundareswarar, a form of Shiva - the temple's name deriving from 'meena' (fish) and 'akshi' (eyes), symbolising the goddess's beautiful eyes.
Origin Story: According to legend, Princess Meenakshi was born with three breasts to King Malayadwaja Pandya, and it was prophesied her third breast would disappear when she met her destined husband. After conquering many kingdoms, she battled the gods themselves, who appealed to Lord Shiva for help. When Shiva appeared before her, her third breast vanished, and recognising him as her destined partner, she asked him to marry her. Their wedding, called Thirukalyanam, is celebrated annually during the 10-day Chithirai Festival.
History: Construction began over 1400 years ago, but the temple endured cycles of destruction and restoration, including plunder during the 14th-century Islamic invasion led by Malik Kafur. It was later rebuilt by the Vijayanagara Empire and further expanded under Tirumala Nayaka in the 17th century.
Architecture: The temple complex spans around 15 acres with over 30,000 statues, four nine-storeyed Rajagopuram towers, and the Thousand Pillar Hall, featuring 985 finely carved stone pillars cut from a single rock. The main sanctum houses Lord Sundareswarar as a Shiva Lingam, said to have manifested itself and been discovered by a merchant - leading King Kulasekaran to build the city of Madurai around it.