Madurai, South Indian Trip:
When we heed about Madurai, Meenakshi Amman Koil comes to our mind. There are not adequate words to praise this temple. Most of the temple was built during the reign of Tirumala Nayak (1623-1659). But the oldest parts reflect the influence of Vijayanagar who ruled here until their defeat Talikota (1565) against the Muslim kingdoms.
One can spend hours without tiring. It usually enters the great gopuram of the East, but any will do, the South, the thinner appearance and the highest one in the west where you arrive if just walking distance from hotel-modest means who is in this direction a few hundred meters, the north when exiting from an outlet unaffordable where tourists are expected with smiles that hide not the greed of sellers.
Visitors can admire the immense gopuram, numbering eleven, responsible for thousands of statues painted in bright colors, reaching nearly 60 m in height and also their characteristics with slightly concave sides that enhance the effect of great height. Gopuram the south and east are the most beautiful. They provide a rich field for photos with these hordes of characters, Gods and Goddesses, monsters of all kinds who fill the many floors.
Describe the temple and its various parts are not easy. Everywhere, these are just courses and mazes, halls hypostyle (mandapa) pillars decorated with gods, goddesses, celestial creatures and fantastic animals...
This sacred city and the stone "puja", several times daily ritual that priests lead to honor the gods. The gods are awakened, bathed, fed, and transported. Crowds of pilgrims from all over India come here.
The enclosure lotus Basin Gold is located just opposite the south gopuram. This lovely pool where aquatic poussent flowers is bordered by steps (ghats) and surrounded by nice gallery peripheral richly carved pillars (west gallery) and ceilings painted with mythological scenes. It is in the (wider) west of this gallery need to go buy a ticket giving right to take pictures (Rs 30). On the left in this gallery opens the temple of Minakshi (entry to non-Hindus). Continuing straight ahead, one enters a large mandapa, crossing a wide aisle. Just opposite, raised in a sanctuary sometimes closed doors with the bars is the very large and corpulent Mukuruni Pillayar, large statue of a form of Ganesh who is the local name. On his trunk, the syllable OM, as spelling Tamil, is listed on the sandalwood paste.
For your Madurai trip Madurai Tourism presents finest rental facilities. You can hire a car or van and travel in and around Madurai.
