MeenakshiAmmanTemple

 #TamilNadu: Earthen lamps are lit at #Madurai's #MeenakshiAmmanTemple on the occasion of #KarthigaiDeepam, today. Also called Chota Diwali 😊

Am always fascinated by the temple architecture in South India.

(pic courtesy: Meenakshi Amman Temple management)

Brief history:

#MeenakshiAmmanTemple or Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple is a historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in the temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to Thirukamakottam udaya aaludaiya nachiyar #Meenakshi, a form of Parvati, and her consort, Sundareshwar, a form of #Shiva. The temple is surrounded by 14 gopurams the tallest of which, the famous southern tower, rises to over 170 ft (52 m) and was built in 1559. The oldest gopuram is the eastern one, built by Maravarman Sundara Pandyan during 1216-1238. Each gopuram is a multi-storeyed structure, covered with thousands of stone figures of animals, gods and demons painted in bright hues. The outer gopuram presents steeply pyramidal tower encrusted with plaster figures, while the inner gopuram serves as the entrance to the inner enclosure of Sundareswarar shrine. The temple, like the many others in the nearby areas has been built in the traditional Dravidian style of temple architecture. The Dravidian style is highlighted by the large ornately decorated gopurams (temple towers), stone sculptures, pillars and courtyards. The temple regally swanks fourteen gopurams, all roughly 50m high, with the tallest standing at 51.9m.  The oldest gopuram at this temple was built as early as 1238...