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Yep, it's official- the CVs have some grudge against the Tamil culture- hence their penchant for murdering and mutilating all the icons who the Tamilians cherish- first it was Skanda, now it is Meenakshi.
Don't they fear the wrath of the Gods? Or are Skanda and Meenakshi not gods for them?
Just in case some of our viewers think that the version shown in DkDM is correct, let me give a brief account of Meenakshi - the Goddess who is the reigning monarch of Madurai.
Let us travel back in time to the past...
... when a small but beautiful settlement had sprung up on the banks of the river Vaigai. The original settlers wanted their settlement to flourish for ever, hence they prayed to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva obliged by giving darshan and sprinkling a few drops of nectar (madhu). The settlement came be called Madurapuri....which was later on got shortened to Madurai.
In due course of time, Madurai became the capital city of the Pandya empire. The Pandya kings were known for the valour, heroism, generosity, and above all their devotion towards Lord Shiva.
The story of Meenakshi begins with her father- the second Pandya king, Maladhwaja. Even as a boy, Malayadhwaja was familiar with the story that a swambhu Shivalinga was situated in a forest nearby. As instructed by his father, one of Malyadhwaja's first duties as king was to locate the Shivalinga in the forest and construct a temple there.
Believing that Lord Shiva would grant his heart's desire- a son, to carry on the lineage, Maladhwaja and his wife Kanchamalai performed a yagna. A three year old girl with three breasts sprung out of the flames and went and sat on Kanchanamalai's lap.
The king was startled. He was expecting a son- not a daughter -and certainly not a daughter with three breasts. But just then a heavenly voice sounded and instructed the king to raise the daughter as a son. The heavenly voice also told that the girl was none other than Goddess Parvati incarnated.
The last bit of information put the king in greater worry. Now, if this so-called daughter of his was Parvati incarnated, how was he supposed to get her married? After all, a father's duty doesn't cease until he marries her off to a suitable groom.
The heavenly voice assured him that the girl would find her own mate and, indeed, only one Being would be able to match her in every respect. The third breast would disappear when she met her future husband.
Somewhat reassured, King Malayadhwaja named the girl, Tatatkai and taught her all the necessary skills needed for running a kingdom.
On Malayadhwaja's death, Tatakai ascended the throne and ruled the empire. She was called Meenakshi by her people. No ruler is satisfied till he expands the frontiers of his kingdom and Meenakshi was no exception. She set out on a military expedition to conquer the nearby kings. No one could face or resist her- for, was she not Adi Shakti herself?
Her unbroken and victorious campaign extended northwards till she reached Himalayas itself. Undaunted, she began scaling its peaks till she reached Mount Kailsh itself. Shiva's ganas, unaware of Meenakshi's true identity tried to resist her.
Meenakshi- also unaware that this was the abode of Lord Shiva- made short work of the ganas and prepared to march forward. Lord Shiva smiled, and thought that Meenakshi's destiny had brought her so far, now it was time for him to reveal himself to her.
As the triumphant princess was marching forth, Shiva appeared before her. Meenakshi stopped in surprise and on realizing who it was dropped her weapons. Somewhere, in the depths of her consciousness, some old memories stirred awake and in a flash, she realized who she was.
But it was not time for her to discard her mortal body and rejoin Shiva at Kailsh. She still had duties to be performed to her kingdom and people. Shiva directed her to return to Madurai and assured her he would join her after eight days to marry her.
But this girl was not Parvati - who would obey Shiva implicitly. This was Meenakshi, who as an only daughter and now the queen, was used to pretty much getting her way done.
Meenakshi told him, in no uncertain terms, that while his ascetic appearance was alright for Kailash, he had to spruce himself up if he wanted to be the bridegroom of a Pandyan Queen. Lord Shiva, realizing that the balance of power was now tilted in his wife's favour, smilingly agreed. Accordingly , when the Lord appeared for his wedding, he came in the form of Sundareshwar (Most Handsome amongst Beings).
It is said that the Divine Couple ruled over the kingdom in their human forms for a long time.
