Bangalore to Madurai - Meenakshi Temple - Dec 2011

Day 2 - Meenakshi Sundareswara Temple

The temple is open from 05:00 A.M to 12:30 P.M, and later from 04:00 P.M to 09.30 P.M. Your hotel can arrange for a tour guide to explain the temple architecture, the dynasty that ruled, and about other topics.

We planned a visit to the Meenakshi temple the next day. Because Ayyappa Swamy devotees would crowd the temple in the early morning, we decide to go to the temple after 09:00 A.M. Please remember that if you are visiting the temple for the first time, either enter the temple from the East gate or the North gate. Also remember that the auto rickshaw guys may charge a high price for the commute. The guideline is to pay about Rs. 10 per kilometer. We ended up paying Rs. 50 for a kilometer and half!

The Meenakshi Sundareswara temple is a huge complex. My parents and brother had visited this temple years ago, and my mother fondly narrates her experience. I would be visiting this temple for the first time. My jaws dropped when I saw the gopuram (tower), and my jaw continued to drop when I saw the idols and pillars inside the temple. The temple has four big gopurams in each direction; the southern tower is the tallest of all. Each gopuram is colorful and stunning with the sculptures. Ensure that you remember the gate in which you entered; otherwise, you may tend to exit from another gate or end up going in circles.

North Tower

One of the smaller towers

Model of the entire temple complex

Please note that you cannot carry scissors, weapons, cigarettes, and other harmful items inside the temple. You will not be allowed if you are wearing shorts or have dressed inappropriately. Taking photos of the deity is not allowed. Kindly respect the Indian Hindu tradition, and adhere to it. Foreigners are not allowed inside the sanctum (near the God or Goddess).

We entered through the North gate, and were welcomed by the God Naga. The entrance to the Temple Museum is at this side of the temple. Several people had tied cradles, praying to be bestowed with children. Questioning a few religious beliefs can trigger unwanted arguments. However, we must use our common sense and practical implications of our actions. The temple authorities remove the excess cradles and dispose them.

God Nagas

We bought the special darshana tickets (Rs. 100 each); otherwise, one can opt for free darshana (dharma darshana). For camera, the temple authorities charge Rs. 50. Please note that taking photos of deities inside the sanctum is not allowed. The temple halls have colorful paintings on the ceiling and gorgeous idols on the pillars. The name of each idol is displayed in Tamil and in English. I guess that I fell in love with the flawless features of these idols. I tried to capture them all in my camera, initially; but later, I let the images seep into myself. Was a beautiful feeling!

We first saw the Sundareshwara temple and later visited the Meenakshi temple. Finally, we saw the Thousand Pillars and the Temple Museum. I will let the photos do the talking.

Entrance to Sundareshwara temple

Nandi

The Thousand Pillars hall (Aayiram Kaal Mandapam) is neatly maintained. Each pillar showcases the Dravidian style of architecture. No two pillars are the same; sculptures are unique. The Lord Nataraja is worth seeing. This hall is also the Temple Museum; hosting several antique idols, doors, and other items. The ivory section is amazing.

Lord Nataraja

A glimpse of the Thousand Pillars hall

Made of ivory

The temple complex also has a tank. Surrounding the tank are walk paths; one of the walk paths display antique wall paintings. Currently, water has been pumped out of the tank, and we could see the golden lotus and sit on the steps of the tank. We sat on the steps silently to let the experience seep inside, and also to get a glimpse of the towers.

Tank

Updated on January 28, 2012: 

The temple complex has a variety of shops that may interest you.

Later, we went to Jayaram Bakery to satisfy our sweet tooth. We visited this bakery a couple of times. During one such visit, we were amazed to see school children storm in and out of the bakery, purchasing only apple cake! Oh, the joy on their faces are beautiful!

In the evening, we met our friends, and drove to Kadambavanam to watch the sunset. Liked the place and food! On the way to this place, we stopped at the Ramakrishna Ashram; serene.

In the next sequel, I shall write about our visit to the Thirupparamkunram Murugan temple and other places.

Previous blogs:
- Namakkal Temples
- Madana Gopal Swamy Temple

Regards,
Asha

Bangalore to Madurai - Madana Gopal Temple - Dec 2011

Day 1 - Madurai

From Namakkal, we drove towards Madurai. On the way, we saw fertile fields of paddy, ginger, chrysanthamums, sugarcane, and others. This time around we did not stop and enter the fields; however, we enjoyed watching the fields go past by one after another. The lakes were filled with water. I am sure that the Pongal harvest will be good.

By 2:00 P.M or so, we reached Madurai. The city experienced a bundh due to the Mullaperiyar dam issue. The otherwise hyper active city seemed awfully silent that day. We stayed at the Madurai Residency hotel, which is closer to the West gate (and North gate) of the gorgeous Meenakshi temple. By the time we checked into the hotel, the hotel restaurant was closed for lunch, and the only food that they served was bread-jam or bread-cheese and milkshakes. Ah, that was a blessing!

In the evening, we had plans to meet a friend's family and have dinner at the Murugan Idli Shop. We walked from our hotel to the venue. It's beautiful to walk and get accustomed with the city's culture. You can see small temples, shops that sell soft cotton cloth, ground turmeric, and other items, and idli shops that women run outside their homes.

While we waited for our friend to arrive, we loitered around on the West Masi street, and entered the ancient temple of Madana Gopal. The Lord has four hands, holding Shanka and Chakra in two hands, and playing a flute with the other two. The idol may be one of its kinds, and can mesmerize you. The temple is open in the morning from 07:00 A.M to noon and in the the evening from 04:30 P.M to 09:00 P.M.

Madana Gopala Swamy Temple

One of the shrines - Gopuram 

Pillar Sculpture

A Piece From Ramayana

A Piece From Ramayana

A Piece From Ramayana

What can I say about the Murugan Idli Shop? They serve idlis and dosas with a variety of chutneys and delicious sambar. On a busy day, you have to wait to get a seat at this place; may lose your patience. The place also sells Jil Jil Jigarthanda drink, which originated at Madurai. This drink is made of milk, China grass, sarsaparilla syrup, ice cream, and sabudana. Please try this drink; it's yummy.

Jil Jil Jigarthanda

After dinner, we headed back to the hotel, and slept peacefully.

Review of the Madurai Residency hotel:

Ensure that you get a room for which you have paid or booked online; check your preferrance of toilet (Indian or European). Otherwise, the staff will allocate a room of their choice, and you will end up wasting time in your attempts to get another room.

The rooms are neat, and the service is relatively good. It's great if you can communicate in Tamil. Though there are unpleasant reviews about the staff or service, we had a good stay for four days. The staff were kind and enterprising.

The food at the restaurant is tasty. We liked their breakfast spread and the a la carte dishes (lunch and dinner). The hotel also has a roof top restaurant, which we did not use. We visited the roof top in the morning to get a bird's view of the city.

In the next blog, I shall introduce the Meenakshi temple.

Regards,
Asha

Bangalore to Namakkal - Dec 2011

For year end (2011), we planned a road trip to Madurai and Kodaikanal. On the way, we decided to stop at Namakkal, and visit the temples. Our Mahindra Scorpio was serviced, and waiting to hit the road. We started early in the morning, drove on NH 7, and reached Namakkal by noon. In this blog, I will write about the Namakkal temples and post a few photos.

Santa accompanying us

Note: We usually carry 'Moo' on our journeys, but this time around, Santa accompanied us. :-)

Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple

My husband and in-laws had visited Namakkal about a decade (or more) ago; I would be visiting this place for the first time. My husband was anxious to see the changes that had occurred over the decades. First, the traffic was crazy. Second, the road leading to the Namakkal temple had evolved and was blocked for vehicles; had to search for a safe parking space. Third, the Anjaneyar temple seemed to have been renovated.

We went to the Anjaneyar temple first. As we walked towards the temple, we saw lovely Rangolis and flower stalls that were selling garlands made of betel and tulsi leaves. The Lord is visible from the road, and is the idol huge! The Lord is about 18 feet in height (and growing), and stands majestically with his hands folded. He is decorated with a crown, jewels, and sweet-scented garlands.

Rangoli

Garlands

We felt humble seeing such a gigantic deity receiving Abhishekam in the morning. The Lord is offered a variety of things - water, milk, honey, fruits, and so on. After the Abhishekam, the Lord is decorated with flowers. Pray to this Lord to bestow good sense and refined speech, health, courage, and prosperity. For a Shokla specific to this Lord, see http://panchamukhi.com/tn_04.aspx.

Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple

Namakkal Anjaneyar

Namagiri Lakshmi Narashimha Temple

The Lord Anjaneya faces the Lord Narashimha temple (8th century temple). This temple is at the Saligrama Cave Hill, and is open from 7:30 A.M to 1:00 P.M (IST) and later from 4:30 P.M to 8:30 P.M. The temple complex also includes the Goddess Lakshmi or Naama Giri Thaayar temple. One has to visit the goddess before visiting the Lord. The Lord Narashimha is stunning, and has Shiva on the right and Brahma on the left, and Surya and Chandra fanning the Lord Narashimha. One can also see Brahma's sons, Sanaka and Sanaathana inside the sanctum. For more information, see http://www.imsc.res.in/~rao/ramanujan/newnow/namagiriindex.htm.

Namagiri Narashimha Temple entrance

Lord Ganapathi at entrance

Damsel at entrance

One of the shrines

Lord Naga

One of the sides of the Lord's shrine

Tree on which people tie cloth cradle

Lord Naga and Lord Ganapathi

Lord Narashima's feet

Lord Narashima with Goddess Lakshmi

Unique colored gopuram

Beautiful birds

We missed to see the cave temple of Sri Ranganatha. This temple is on the eastern side of the Namakkal hill.

From our experience, we recommend that you visit the temples at Namakkal. Does not matter if one is unaware of the history or story associated with the temples. Being physical present in those temples can sooth the mind, body, and soul, and also makes one feel humble and human.

In the next blog, I shall write about Madurai, which was our next destination.

Regards,
Asha