Meenakshi Temple

01.01.2018 - 01.01.2018

Day 11 Meenakshi Temple Madurai

Off to Meenakshi Temple.

Visited the gorgeous Meenakshi Temple which is considered to be the finest in South Indian religious architecture. This enormous temple complex is dedicated to Shiva and his consort Parvati, or Meenakshi. Even before passing through the massive stone walls of the temple, the nine striking gopurams (monumental gateways covered with stucco figures of deities, mythical animals and monsters all painted in vivid colours) loom high above.

Wikipedia has an excellent breakdown about the temple.

I will let my i phone pictures do the talking as no camera were allowed.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meenakshi_Temple

http://www.maduraimeenakshi.org/

http://www.culturalindia.net/indian-temples/meenakshi-temple.html

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destinations/asia/india/meenakshi-amman-hindu-temple/

Prem and local guide Nagendra

Denise

Stand here

Look there

This is what you see

Denise and Sophia

I just loved the ceilings and floors.

Talk about being crushed

The Thousand Pillar Hall contains 985 (instead of 1000) carved pillars.

Love how this person in pink could have been easily part of the murals.

Some of the 985 carved pillars.

Sugar cane

While writing this blog after the trip … Wow ... we are lucky to be one of the last public to be able to take our own photos inside Meenakshi Temple as now even mobile phones with its cameras are banned. Plenty on Google images anyway but that is not the point.

https://www.tripsavvy.com/how-to-visit-madurai-meenakshi-temple-1539720

After visiting the temple complex, visited a handicraft shop to capture the temple view from their roof top. I kind of suspected as we came down the different floors looking at the different craft items on display that it was a sales trap for the unwary ... “Do you want to buy …”

No, I didn’t want to buy a silk carpet nor a wooden carving but happy to take some photos as my memory.

Just before reaching the bus, saw a street side tattoo artist at work. Yes, he was wearing gloves but …

Then back on the bus and off for lunch ...

Hotel Supreme’s Gurya Vegetarian Restaurant for a plate of Hakaua vegetarian noodles 110 rupees / NZ$2.30 / US$1.70 plus being hot the beer 210 rupees / NZ$4.40 / US$3.25. All up 326 rupees / NZ$6.90 / US$5.00.

http://www.hotelsupreme.in/