{mosimage}Again it started in an impulse.... While I was going through an old album when I went to Madurai once in 2003, there was the photo of paintings being renovated. Then I thought why shouldn't I visit Madurai again so that there must have been more finished paintings. I booked the ticket via www.irctc.com, along with my friend Ram Prasad. This happened about 3 months before the actual travel date. Even though I had been to Madurai when I was in 4th standard and once when I was in ABT, I had no "feel" of that city. So I decided that I must stay for a couple of days to get a feel of it. On Thursday Hindu paper I read that the temples in Madurai are being renovated in a full swing. I knew I am going to miss many things, but postponing / cancelling the trip... Nah!The journey started on a fun note with Ram and me from Chennai Egmore on 19th Sep '08.. Needless to say, I enjoyed the warmth of the city, thanks to Ramprasad and his friends... Also I got to see enough of the sculpture marvels of Pandiyas and also the nature at its best in the Pazhamudhircholai.
Madurai Temple
Reaching there by 6:30 a.m, I was put up in a Heritage Hotel called "New College House" very closer to the Railway Station and the Meenakshi temple. It was a reasonable budget hotel with no extra frills. After a small nap, I refreshed myself and went to the Meenakshi temple. The temple is being renovated, so I couldn't get the sight of the Gopurams' grandeur (நான்மாட கூடல்) as they were covered with thatch. I was in a excited mood, so chose to wear white dhoti (வேஷ்டி) carrying my DSLR kit and was often mistaken for professional photographer. After sometime I was even tempted to take up it as extra income (ha! ha! ha!).... They charged Rs. 50/- towards Camera charges but were very liberal in allowing to take photographs in any part of the temple except the main shrine (கர்ப்பகிருகம்). Because of the influx of foreign tourists, they might have taken this liberal stand. I also noticed so much of malayalees in the floating population.
{mosimage}The story of the temple goes like this:- According to legend, the sacred Suyambulingam discovered by the king of Gods `Indiran' at Kadambavanam, was later enshrined by him in Madurai. The fact that the Lord is seen on the vehicle of `Indira' in this temple is said to be proof for this.
Many historical evidences of the temple have been found dating back from early A.D Thirugnanasambandar the Hindu Saint has mentioned the temple in his songs which go back to early 7th century. The lord has been described as `Aalavai Iraivan' in his songs.
{mosimage}The temple was almost completely destroyed in the year 1310 following the invasion of the Islamic conqueror Malikkapur. As kings who were followers of Islam were noted for their intolerance towards other religions, the invaders destroyed most of the ancient sculputures of the temple. The temple was restored to its pristine glory in the late 14th century when the Hindu Kings came back to power in Madurai. This can also be termed as a new beginning of a new era in the history of the temple, when it was almost rebuilt. The King Thirumalai Naicker played an important role in the construction of the new form of the temple.
I, having a keen eye for architecture and sculptures, am at short of words to mention anything about this temple's grandeur as well as finest artistic recall values. The sculptures here depict the rich and glorious lives of then Tamil culture as well as the finer aesthetics. Better you see the things for yourself is all I could say at this moment.
{mosimage}Hah!!!.. I came here basically for the paintings. I was quite disappointed that there was very minimal progress since I came here last time. But the new 2 segments had the mind blowing "Meenakshi Kalyanam" fresco that I couldn't take my eyes off. The style is not Tanjore one, but very similiar to what we see in the walls of Padmanabhaswami temple, in Kerala. I got terribly inspired to replicate the same in Tanjore Painting format. I enquired a guide about the artiste and he confirmed that the painters were from Kerala and had discontinued after a while. I felt bit depressed that when it will actually be completed and love to see them in action. I took lot of photos of each small paintings so that I can try them in my future endeavours.
Click here to see the complete set of Meenakshi Temple & Fresco Painting Photos
{mosimage}The story of the temple goes like this:- According to legend, the sacred Suyambulingam discovered by the king of Gods `Indiran' at Kadambavanam, was later enshrined by him in Madurai. The fact that the Lord is seen on the vehicle of `Indira' in this temple is said to be proof for this.
Many historical evidences of the temple have been found dating back from early A.D Thirugnanasambandar the Hindu Saint has mentioned the temple in his songs which go back to early 7th century. The lord has been described as `Aalavai Iraivan' in his songs.
{mosimage}The temple was almost completely destroyed in the year 1310 following the invasion of the Islamic conqueror Malikkapur. As kings who were followers of Islam were noted for their intolerance towards other religions, the invaders destroyed most of the ancient sculputures of the temple. The temple was restored to its pristine glory in the late 14th century when the Hindu Kings came back to power in Madurai. This can also be termed as a new beginning of a new era in the history of the temple, when it was almost rebuilt. The King Thirumalai Naicker played an important role in the construction of the new form of the temple.
I, having a keen eye for architecture and sculptures, am at short of words to mention anything about this temple's grandeur as well as finest artistic recall values. The sculptures here depict the rich and glorious lives of then Tamil culture as well as the finer aesthetics. Better you see the things for yourself is all I could say at this moment.
{mosimage}Hah!!!.. I came here basically for the paintings. I was quite disappointed that there was very minimal progress since I came here last time. But the new 2 segments had the mind blowing "Meenakshi Kalyanam" fresco that I couldn't take my eyes off. The style is not Tanjore one, but very similiar to what we see in the walls of Padmanabhaswami temple, in Kerala. I got terribly inspired to replicate the same in Tanjore Painting format. I enquired a guide about the artiste and he confirmed that the painters were from Kerala and had discontinued after a while. I felt bit depressed that when it will actually be completed and love to see them in action. I took lot of photos of each small paintings so that I can try them in my future endeavours.
Click here to see the complete set of Meenakshi Temple & Fresco Painting Photos
