Meenakshi Amman
Temple – Mandapams (Halls)
The temple has a number of halls which served various
purposes and were dedicated to different gods and goddesses.
Kilikoondu Mandapam
The corridor surrounding the sanctum the Meenakshi is
called Kilikoondu Mandapam ("bird cage corridor"). The
space was once used to keep green parrots that were trained to utter the name
of Meenakshi. There are two large cages full of squawking green parrots.
Kambatadi Mandapam
The Kambatadi Mandapam ("Hall of temple
tree") with its seated Nandi (sacred bull) has various manifestations of
Shiva carved and also contains the famous "Marriage of Meenakshi"
sculpture. Sculptures of Shiva and Kali trying to
out-dance one another are pelted with balls of ghee by devotees. A golden flag staff with 32 sections
symbolizes the human backbone and is surrounded by various gods,
including Durga and Siddhar.
Viravasantharaya Mandapam
The Viravasantharaya Mandapam is a large hall
with huge corridors.
Kalyana Mandapam
To the south of Viravasantharaya Mandapam is
the kalyana mandapam, to the south of the pillared hall, is where the
marriage of Shiva and Parvati is celebrated every year during
the Chithirai Festival in mid-April.
Oonjal Mandapam
The golden images of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar are
carried into the 16th century Oonjal mandapam (swing corridor) and
placed on the swing every Friday at 5:30 p.m. The shrine has a
3-storied gopuram guarded by two stern Dwarapalakas (guardians) and supported by golden, rectangular
columns that bear lotus markings. Along the perimeter of the chamber, granite
panels of the divine couple are present. The hall is situated in the
western bank of the temple tank.
Kolu Mandapam
The Kolu Mandapam is a hall for displaying
dolls during the Navarathri festival
celebrated during September–October. This hall is situated in the second
corridor of the Meenakshi shrine at the western side.
Meenakshi Naicker Mandapam
This mandapam which is seen next to the Ashta Sakthi
mandapam was constructed by Meenakshi Naicker belonging to the Naicker clan in
the year 1708. There are sculptures depicting Goddess Meenakshi and Lord
Shiva who took the form of a hunter and huntress to rid a Brahmin of his
sin. The twelve Sun signs of zodiac have been depicted in a square shape
structure on top of the mandapam. This mandapam is 160 feet in length and
has pillars that have been arranged in six rows.
This mandapam was named after the constructor and the
same is 110 feet broad and 160 meters long. The vast mandapam is then supported
by 110 pillars each 22 feet high in 6 rows. One can see the figure of a Yali
inscribed on each of these pillars and that adds to the surreal feel of the mandapam.
This is a meditation hall built from stones and has 100
pillars supporting the ceiling. It is also called Meenakshi Nayakkar Mandapam
or Nooru Kaal Mandapam.
Muthupillai Mandapam or Iruttumandapam
The Mudali Pillai Mandapam or Iruttu
Mandapam (Dark hall) is a wide and long hall. On the pillars of the halls,
there are fine sculptures depicting the story of Shiva taking the form of Bikshadanar to teach the sages a lesson.
It was constructed by Kadanthai Mudaliar in
1613. There are statues of Pitchanar, Munivars or saints of the
Tharukavanam and wives of the saints. Mythology has it that Lord Shiva
took the form of Pitchanar to preach to the Munivars of Tharukavanam. The
statues of Munivar, Mohini and Kadanthai Mudaliar are seen at the southern side
of the mandapam.
It is also called the Dark Mandapam. There are etchings
of beautiful women on the pillars supporting the mandapam. These women are
depicted to have mesmerized by the charming beauty and grace of Lord Shiva who
appeared in front of them.
Swamy Sannidhi (sanctum sanctorum) – Dakshinamoorthy, Lingothpavar,
Durga Mandapams
On the walls of the sanctum sanctorum of the Lord are
the Dakshinamoorthy Mandapam with a pinnacle, the Lingothpavar mandapam has
sculptures of Maal and Ayan unable to find the feet and crown of the Lord and
the Durga mandapam. These mandapams were built by Kambavarayar.
Celestial wedding Hall
The sacred wedding hall to the south of
Veeravasantharayar mandapam was built by Vijayaranga Chokkanatha Nayakkar (1706
– 1732). His sculpture is etched on a pillar. The ceilings of the sacred
wedding hall are covered with teak planks with exquisite art work. The 64
miracles of Lord Sivaperuman have also been painted on the dome of the
mandapam. There are also paintings depicting the twin worlds and fourteen
worlds.
Earlier the celestial wedding of the Lord and Goddess
used to be solemnized in this mandapam. Now the wedding takes place at the new
wedding hall where the North Aadi Street and West Aadi Street meet. After the
wedding, the Lord and Goddess would proceed to the old wedding hall to bless
the devotees.
A scene from the wedding of the celestial couple forms
the backdrop of the wedding dais in the mandapam. Sculptures of the Meenakshi
and Chokkanathar are found at Kampathadi mandapam and new mandapam. Paintings
of the celestial weddings adorn the walls of entrance to Amman Sannidhi and the
western wall of the parrot cage mandapam.
The golden chariot of the temple is kept in this
mandapam. During the festivals the Lord and Godess would be taken out in
procession from this mandapam. The golden chariot procession also starts from
this mandapam.
Mangayarkarasi Mandapam & Sculpture
The Mangayarkarasi mandapam is a newly built
hall situated opposite to the marriage halls and bears the name of saintly
queen, Mangayarkarasi who contributed to Saivism and Tamil language.
This mandapam is situated opposite the old wedding
hall. In view of the Kumbabishekam, this mandapam was renovated between
1960 and 1963 according to the present style. This mandapam houses statue
of Arikesari Maravarman, his consort Mangayarkarasiyar, Minister Kulachirayar
and Thirugnanasambanthar in poses worshipping Lord Sivaperuman.
Servaikarar Mandapam
Situated opposite the old wedding hall and to the south
of Mangayarkarasi mandapam, this mandapam was built in 1795 by Marudhappa
Servaikarar.
Muthuramayyar mandapam
Situated near the Servaikarar mandapam, this mandapam
was built by Muthuramayyar. One of the pillars in this mandapam bears the
statue of Muthuramayyar. Kasiviswanathar and Visalakshi Amman shrines are
situated in this mandapam. In a pillar opposite there is a statue of
Sarabeswarar. It is in the mandapam opposite this hall, that the sacred
task of Annadhanam is distributed every day. About 250 persons are fed free
every day.
Nagara Mandapam
Nagara mandapam situated opposite the Amman sanctum in
East Chitra Street was built in the year 1635 by Achutharayan, minister of Rani
Mangammal. This mandapam was built for the purpose of sounding the Nagara
drum to announce important events and festivals to the devotees. Even though
many shops are situated in the premises, the practice of beating the Nagara
drum continues.
New Mandapam
The Puthu Mandapam ("new hall")
constructed by Tirumala Nayak contains large number of sculptures. It is
situated opposite to the east gopuram.
The New Mandapam, situated opposite the East Rajagopuram
was built by King Thirumalai Naicker with the work starting in 1626 and ending
in 1645. The dimensions of this mandapam known as Vasantha mandapam and
Thirumalai Naicker Mandapam are: length – 333 feet (100 meters), width 105 feet
(31.5 meters) and height 25 feet (7.5 meters). On both sides of this
mandapam the statues of ten famous kings of Naicker dynasty have been carved.
These statues which range from King Viswanatha Naicker to Thirumalai Naicker
had been chiseled in a life like manner.
On the pillars surrounding the mandapam, along the first
six rows on the eastern side are carved figures of equestrian heroes, yalis,
Ekapathamoorthy and that of Gajasankarar. In the adjacent interior are
sculptures of Thadagapirattiar, her tours (dikvijayam), Lord Shiva facing her,
feeding of piglets, moon, sun, tiger feeding fawns and two dwarapalakars.
On the six pillars next to the western entrance to the
mandapam, there are sculptures of Thiripurasankarar, four heroes on horses,
Ravana trying to lift Mount Kailash and others. In the interior of the
mandapam, there are scenes of Meenakshi celestial wedding, Indra, Bramha,
Sankaranarayanan, Arthanareeswarar, Oorthandavar, Kali, feeding the granite
elephant with sugarcane and other sculptures.
On the pillars are 25 poses of Lord
Shiva: According to the work Thirupanni Maalai all the sculptures in the
mandapam were executed by Sumandira Moorthy Asari. Since the sculptures
were new at the time the mandapam was built, it was called Pudhu Mandapam (New
Mandapam). There are interesting episodes of events that took place while the
sculptures were being carved.
Theradi Mandapams (the Mandapam at the foot of chariot
shed)
Theradi Mandapams are situated along the East Masi Street. During
the Chitra Festival, the procession deities Meenakshi and Sundareswarar arrive
at this mandapam on the day of car festival before being taken out in
procession in their chariots. The shed housing the car of Amman was built
by Pappu Chettiar. Now the cars of Amman and the Lord have been renovated with
modern technology. The shed of the Lord was built in the year 1795 by
Anandazhvan Ayyan.
Ashta Shakthi Mandapam
This mandapam which is the eastern entrance of the Amman
Sannithi is said to have been constructed by the queens Uruthirapathiammal and
Tholiammal (1623-1659) who were the wives of Thirumalainaicker.
The eight forms of Goddess Sakthi the consort of Lord
Shiva, Kaumari, Rowthiri, Vaishnavi, Mahalakshmi, Yangnarubini, Shyamala,
Maheswari and Manonmani have been sculptured into the pillars of the mandapam
individually. There are drawings depicting the life of Meenakshi Amman on
the roof of the mandapam. There are statues of Vallaba Vinayagar and
Murugan at the entrance of this mandapam.
Built by the two wives of Thirumalai Naicker, it is
dedicated to the eight forms of Shakthi (Feminine power). These 8 forms are
sculpted on the eight pillars of the hall.
The Ashta Shakthi Mandapam ("Hall of
eight goddesses") is the first hall in the entrance of Meenakshi shrine
tower near to East Tower. Ashta indicates eight
and Shakthi refers to goddess - the hall has statues of eight
goddesses. The gopurams (towers) can be viewed from this
hall. The passage was named for eight forms of goddess Shakti carved on its pillars.
Other sculptures and paintings depict the Thiruvilayadal (holy
games of Shiva).
Pancha Pandava Mandapam (Hall of Pandavas)
The sculptures of heroes of Mahabharata, the Pancha
Pandavas can be seen in
the Pancha Pandava Mandapam (Hall of Pandavas).