Meenakshi Temple, Madurai

[madurai veeran]

It’s now possible for devotees anywhere in the world to reach Goddess Meenakshi of Madurai sitting at home – through the internet as the famous temple’s e-puja was activated recently.

By accessing the website maduraimeenkashi.org, devotees can book pujas or abhishekams and order prasad by paying Rs 500 to Rs 2,250.

“Traffic is picking up gradually as we have not promoted it (e-puja) in a big way yet,” deputy commissioner of the temple B Raja told HT. So far 10 per cent of 600 registered users have ordered pujas, he added. “We are sure the numbers will multiply once more people come to know about this service,” said Raja.

After registering their names with the website, devotees need to enter their personal information such as their name, rasi, natchathiram, gothram. They can then specify the name of the puja they want performed and the date. They can even sponsor the daily annadanam for Rs 2,250. For an extra charge, all paid through credit cards, sandal paste prasad would be sent from any of the six major deities.

The temple website has been designed and hosted by Madurai-based software company Winways Systems, a major advocate of open source software.

Tirumala Tirupathi was the first temple to enter the e-age with internet-based services from booking rooms to pujas.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/storyp...enakshi+temple

[Arul Murugan]

Beautiful thread.

Great photos about Meenakshi Amman of Madurai Managar.

Thanks to Anniyan.

Thirumalainayakar Mahal

[mukeshworld]

Categorisation of exhibits at the Thousand Pillar Hall Museum in Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple commenced here on Thursday.

Sathyabhama Badhreenath, Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Survey of India, inspected the articles kept at the museum along with members of a Technical Advisory Committee.

The committee has been established for upgrading the hall into a world-class heritage museum. Special importance is being accorded to lighting arrangement.

“An inventory of the articles has been drawn up. We will ensure that the chosen articles integrate with the living heritage of this temple. This museum will be one of its kind in the State,” she said.

B. Raja, Joint Commissioner, Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department and Executive Officer of the temple, said, “We expect the work to be completed by March 2008. However, this is not a regular civil structure like other museums. ” The Rs.1.55-crore project is funded by the Tourism Department.

L. Manivannan of Thiagarajar College, a member of the committee, said that touch screen monitors containing detailed literature about architecture and other significant aspects of the temple would also be made available.

“With all these details, it will be a treasure trove for researchers and the public alike,” he said. Since foreigners were the most impressed by ancient structures, details of the other important Jain monuments found in and around Madurai would be made available at the museum.

Other members who inspected the paintings included G. Madusoodan, Superintending Engineer, HR and CE Department, and temple engineers J. Kesavan and P. Kumaran.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/11/17/stor...1758120600.htm

[lostashmish]

Originally Posted by VaastuShastra

Everyone should spread that 7wonders voting site around, as it would be a shame if India wasnt the top country in the end, when it clearly deserves to be. Also its annoying that the Tak Mahal, which in my opinion is bland compared to these ancient temples, were to top yet another list whilst Meenashki gets no mention whatsoever - so post it on every forum you visit with a meenakshi picture thread, and get all the family and friends to vote too lol ;-)

Folks, you may want to explore discovery channel documentaries on how and why temple structures like Meenakshi temple are not on world map.

It has to do with religious sentiments in british period, during which the modern perceptions on architecture, cultures, civilizations were formed in the west. At that point in time, religion was as deeply rooted in british society as it in some noticeable muslim soceties today. When they discovered temples (kahjuraho) they were stunned to see sexual images. they were anyway not comfortable with disticntive features of Indian religions and hence they found everything demonic in it. As a result none of Indian architecture (whatever percieved to be hindu) was ever brought onto world map in a positive light at that time. Taj was percieved to be a muslim monument, which was seen as close to british christianity (in ideological sense) and hence got british blessing. and thats how we still do not see many of the mysteriously amazing monuments any refernce on world map, as it such awareness never picked up the momentum. Of course in modern times popularizing these monuments purely on merit, stand a better chance now, at least in west. In fact in the documentary I am referring to, it was not about Meenakshi temple, it was about some Granite made temple which had 80 tonnes solid granite on the top and theme was how they took that peice on top of such a tall temple, around 1000-1200 years back..Cant actually remember that its been years since I saw that in UK

[Arul Murugan]

Originally Posted by lostashmish

In fact in the documentary I am referring to, it was not about Meenakshi temple, it was about some Granite made temple which had 80 tonnes solid granite on the top and theme was how they took that peice on top of such a tall temple, around 1000-1200 years back..Cant actually remember that its been years since I saw that in UK

Its not granite made temple.

I think the temple you are refering here in Thanjavur Brahadeshwar Big Temple in Tamilnadu.

The architecture of the temple is also admirable. All the carvings were done by the kingdom's best artisans. There are even stone figures of all the architects in the main gopuram. One noticeable figure is that of a foreigner who was there at that time and has contributed to the work The Linga measures 9 ft in height, 23.5 ft in circumference. The Linga was brought from the shore of Narmadha river. This Linga is also called as "Raja Rajeswara Mudaiyan " because of its bright appearance. The total area of the temple measures 237.9m in length and 119.1m in breadth. The height of centre Vimana is 64.8m. The top of the tetrangled vimana has been closed with a round stone measuring 81.3 tons weight and fashioned from a single piece of black stone. To get the stone to the top of the vimana, a slope path was made for six km from the northern side of the Thanjavur

http://chennaionline.com/toursntrave...joretemple.asp

This is the temple photo:

[lostashmish]

[QUOTE=Arul Murugan;16534566]Its not granite made temple.

I think the temple you are refering here in Thanjavur Brahadeshwar Big Temple in Tamilnadu.

The architecture of the temple is also admirable.


Wow stunningly beautiful. Maan, even on paniting it on plain cloth is no mean task, and here its on on mammoth rocks...Amazing...

I wonder, why we cant model some of our new buildings inspired by Indian/south asian ancient architecture...It would be a world of good contribution to mankind.
Imagine, at the moment we are enjoying India being rebuilt in glass and steel, thats great too, but visualize the world at the end of this century, everything may look similar thruout the world..I call it subtle "Architectural Evangelism". Not only Indian arhitecture but Indian architects/builders ahve the opportunity to resurrect, preserver and evolve all form of diverse architects from politically lesser dominant cultures...

Cheers


Folks just imagine yourself to be a non Indian for sometime

[mukeshworld]

image hosted on flickr

[mukeshworld]

image hosted on flickr

[Madurai gilli]

By maduraigilli at 2007-11-21

[Madurai gilli]

By maduraigilli at 2007-11-21

[madurai veeran]

I just visited your profile in imageshack and looks like you have removed all the pictures you had previously uploaded. If you do that then your pictures will no more be visible in the forum.

http://profile.imageshack.us/user/maduraigilli/

[Madurai gilli]

By maduraigilli at 2007-11-20

[Madurai gilli]

By maduraigilli at 2007-11-21

[Arul Murugan]

Decorated Madurai Meenakshi Temple for Karthigai Deepam festival

courtesy: Dinakaran epaper

[VijayyMdu]

deleted

[Madurai gilli]

By maduraigilli at 2007-12-01

[Madurai gilli]

By maduraigilli at 2007-12-01

[Anniyan]

Originally Posted by Arul Murugan

The top of the tetrangled vimana has been closed with a round stone measuring 81.3 tons weight and fashioned from a single piece of black stone. [/url]

They say its made of single stone, but its not true. Archaeological Survey of India have found that its made of three stones each weighing 80tons.

During my recent trip to India, I got special permission (with some influence) from Archaeological department and climbed upto the first level of the tower. The tower has cavity wall upto certain height, you can actually walk in between the two walls, there are sculputres of Bharatanatayam steps and ancient paintings. I will create a new thread and post some very rare pics (may be first in the internet) and interesting hidden information about tanjore big temple

[Raj_network]

Can't wait for surprise Dude!.

[Arul Murugan]

Originally Posted by Anniyan

They say its made of single stone, but its not true. Archaeological Survey of India have found that its made of three stones each weighing 80tons.

During my recent trip to India, I got special permission (with some influence) from Archaeological department and climbed upto the first level of the tower. The tower has cavity wall upto certain height, you can actually walk in between the two walls, there are sculputres of Bharatanatayam steps and ancient paintings. I will create a new thread and post some very rare pics (may be first in the internet) and interesting hidden information about tanjore big temple

Anniyan, it is thrilling!

Most of people talk about Tanjore temple was about the single stone of weight 80 Tons.

Waiting for your new thread!