Story Of Madurai Meenakshi Amman
Heyoo Folks!😃 This is Lakshmi in association with our Srutha! We both are here to tell all of you'll the story of Madhurai's Meenakshi Amman or Meenakshi Ma as Shrutha calls her.⭐️ This is Srutha's idea altogether.I am just being a co-writer.😳
Before we start with the story,Here is a short Introduction:
Meenakshi Amman literally translates into 'The Goddess With Fish-Like Eyes." Known for her valour,her historic temple on the banks of River Vaigai is the crowing glory of the city of Madurai located in Tamil Nadu. It is dedicated to Parvati known as Meenakshi, and her consort,Lord Shiva, here named Sundareshwarar. The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2,500-year-old city of Madurai and is a significant symbol for the Tamil people, mentioned since antiquity in Tamil literature. Unlike other temples,the Goddess Meenakshi is given more importance than Lord Sundareshwar.
The temple is believed to be founded by Indra.When he was on a pilgrimage to atone for his misdeeds,he felt the burden of his misdeeds lifting when he neared the 'Swayambhu' lingam and immediately constructed the temple to enshrine it. The city of Madurai,is laid out in concentric circles culminating from the temple.It is one of the few temples to have four entrances facing in four directions. The central shrine consists of the idols of the emerald-hued black stone idol of Meenakshi Amman and Lord Sundareshwar in a seperate shrine,with both the shrines having gold-plated towers.
The parrot in Meenakshi Ma's hands represents the South Indian saint 'Andal.'
The main festival celebrated here is the Meenakshi-Sundareshwar Thirukalyanam.
Here is a stanza from the Meenakshi Pancha Ratnam :
Udyath bhanu sahasra koti sadrusam, Keyura harojjwalam,
Bimboshtim smitha danthapankthi ruchiram, peetambaralankrutham,
Vishnu brahma surendra sevitha patham, Thathwa swaroopam shivam,
Meenakshmi pranathosmi santhathamaham, karunya vara nithim.
I always bow before that Meenakshi, who is the treasure house of mercy,
Who shines like billions of rising suns,
Who wears a shining crown,
Who has reddish lips like the Bimba fruits,
Who has shining rows of sparkling teeth,
Who decorates herself with reddish silk,
Whose feet is worshipped by Vishnu, Brahma and Indra,
Who is the consort Of Lord Shiva,
And who is the personification of sacred truth.
Edited by EternalStars. - 7 years ago
