Meenakshi Amman
Temple – Temple Tanks
Porthamarai
Kulam (Pond with Golden Lotus):
The sacred temple tank Porthamarai
Kulam ("Pond with the golden lotus"), is 165 ft (50 m)
by 120 ft (37 m) in size. In the Tamil legends, the lake is
supposed to judge the worth of a new piece of literature. Authors place their
works here and the poorly written works are supposed to sink and the scholastic
ones are supposed to float, Thirukkural by Thiruvalluvar was one such work.
Only a fraction of 17th and 18th century paintings of
Nayak period survives and one such portion is found in the small portico on the
western side of the tank. It depicts the marriage of Sundareswarar and Meenakshi
attended by Vijayaranga Chokkanatha and Rani Mangammal.
The painting is executed on a vivid red background, with
delicate black line work and large areas of white, green and ochre. The celestial
couple is seated inside an architectural frame with a flowering tree in the
background.
It was in this pond that the Golden Lotus for Indra to
perform his pooja bloomed. This pond is also known as Adhi Theertham, Sivaganga
and Uthama Theertham. This pond is situated within the temple complex. This
theertham was created by Lord Sivaperuman by thrusting his Soolam (three pronged
spear) into the earth in deference to the plea of Nandhi Devar and other
deities.
It was here, that the plank of Sangam appeared and
established greatness of the moral text called Thirukkural. It was here that Chokkalingam
was found by the grace of the Lord, by the first Guru of Dharmapura Adheenam
and Saint Srilasri Guru Gnanasambandar. In keeping with the boons granted by
the Lord to a stork, upto this date neither fish or other lives are found in
this miraculous sacred pond. Since this theertham was created before all other Theerthams
it is called Adhi Theertham and because it is much greater importance than all
other Theerthams, it is also called Parama Theertham as Gnana Theertham because
it confers prosperity on all who bathe in it.
As it grants heavenly abode it is also called Mukthi
Theertham and as Sivaganga because the water from Ganga from the head of Lord
Siva confluences with it and as Uthama Theertham because of its purity than any
other theertham.
If the devotees bathe in the waters of this pond of
Golden Lotus on Amavasya (new moon) day, the first day of the month, days of
eclipse and other auspicious days and worship the Lord, they will be blessed
with all their aspirations for success.
Ezhu
Kadal (Seven seas):
According to legend, in deference to the plea of Godess
Thadathagai, the Lord summoned the seven seas for Kanchanamalai..
Kondazhi:
This is also called Valaiveesi Theppakulam. This is
another holy theertham situated at Ellis Nagar.
River
Vaigai:
Legend has it that the Lord ordained River Ganga to
flood in the area in order to slake the thirst of Gundodaran. This river is
also known as Poompunal Aru, Vaiyai, Poyyakulakodi, Sivagangai, Sivagnana
Theertham and Vegavathi.
Kiruthamalai:
Kiruthamalai, another theertham is a tributary of Vaigai
River.
Theppakulam
(Lake):
The Theppakulam was constructed by Thirumalai Nayakkar
in 1645, about three kilometers east of the temple. Every year on the day of
Thaipoosam Godess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar are taken in procession on a
decorated float on this lake, when they bless the devotees. This is one of the
famous festivals of Madurai.
Purathotti
Nirmaliya Theertham:
This is a theertham on the second corridor of the Swamy
temple.