| Goddess Parvati incarnated herself as a mortal, reigned as the
Pandyan Princess, wedded Lord Shiva and performed 64 miracles for
the devotees. Her trousseau is exhibited in the best bourgeois fashion:
golden saris, emeralds and rubies, and gem studded crowns. Her dowry
included mountains of sugary sweetmeats overlaid with beaten silver.
Meenakshi means one with the eyes of meen (fish). She stands with
a parrot and a bouquet, radiating love and compassion. The sublime
grace of the divine mother and her infinite mercy are beyond description.
The shrine of Meenakshi Devi is a replica from the famous temple
in the ancient city of Madurai, situated in Tamilnadu state of
India. The present temple was constructed by Tiruinala Nayak,
who ruled the Pandya kingdom from 1623 to 1659 A.D. The Meenakshi
temple complex in Madurai occupies an area of 16 acres. It has
massive walls and tall towers. The tallest tower is 169 feet high
south tower.
Madurai is a well planned city where festivals for Meenakshi
Devi are celebrated throughout the year. Most important festivals
are in the month of chaitra ( mid April to mid May), shravan (
mid August to mid September) and thai ( mid january to mid February).
Chaitra purnima, the full moon day of Chaitra, is believed to
be her wedding anniversary and is considered to be most auspicious.
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