Request info on Madurai

Hi ladies (especially Madurai Meenakshis),

I saw a well made documentary on Madurai on BBC. They showed the temple and poojais in great detail. I was interested in knowing more about the original idol of Devi Meenakshi. This is not inside the temple, but on the outside of the temple. The Devi is portrayed as a fertility icon with three breasts to indicate her powers. The idol has a greenich hue though made of stone. So the green colour and three breasts depict Meenakshi as conferring fertlity on women and land.

Have any of you seen this idol on the wall? Pls let me know. Am interested in various levels- personal, academic. anthropological. Also if true, would like to see it myself.

Thanks in advance.
cheers
Vidya

Hello Vidya, i shall get back to you with all details in 2, 3 days.
There is a version that she had 3 breasts & the third one vanished when swami set his eyes on her. So she made out immediately, that this was her spouse-to be !
I have asked for the story & mail it. But I have'nt seen any outside the temple - this is new(s) to me !
Love & regards,
Chithra.

Or shld I say, Madurai Meenakshi? I look forward to reading the story. I tuned into this programme a bit late and saw the idol on the wall just for a minute. After meeting you, interest in Madurai has increased. Read abt Ondapilli which makes good nannari sherbet in madurai and thought of all you good folk of Madurai.

I am still waiting for the information - but my mother living in Madurai for 70 yrs says, she has not heard of this !
you want me to post Nannari sharbath - enga ooru special ?
Love & regards
chithra.

Hi Vidhya,

I have also been to this temple many times, since hubby comes from there. Have seen the story of Meenakshi from her birth , painted on the wall, maybe that is what they showed on BBC. I don't remember seeing a stone idol. What Chitra says is true , i have also heard this story. I will also await the Original Madurai Ponnu's answer!
but a great temple....was to have been included as a wonder f the world or so...don't know if it is done.

Thank you for the answers. But pls do not try too hard. This idol was on the wall outside the temple, in the kadai theruvu. I have to visit Madurai anyway soon and will check this out (also eat Prem Nivas halwa, masala kizhangu, buy sungudi pudavai etc).

Okay, one more question. I saw that the original prathishtai of Madurai Meenakshi was under a tree. They have built the sanctum shrine around that. And on some days, one can go behind the present idol and see the one under the tree? Any leads on that?

Mrs Chithra, yes please. Do post nannari sherbet and any other herbal quenchers for summer.

love & regards
Vidya

Dear Vidhya,
Indeed Madurai holds a speciality for women, Goddess Meenakshi is the ruler and Lord is like our Queen Victoria's Prince Philip. One is supposed have a darshan of the Mother and then the Father there, I have heard. I have also visited the temple so many times, my husband and myself met there and consequently got married. I am enchanted by the vastness of the temple.At present, a team from Kerala who specialise in antique painting revival are re painting the 64 Thiruvilayadal (those paintings were carelessly scrapped off ). They are doing it with very traditional colours and paints, made from natural materials and also using modern technology to preserve them. I saw this news last week in the Hindu of Cochin edition while I was there. It may take many years to complete.Anyway, we can see atleast whatever they have painted sofar.
It is said that Goddess Meenakshi had 3 breasts and she was very courageous and fearless. She was not shy, and it was said that her 3rd breast will vanish and she will become shy when she meets her Lord. When SHE met the Lord, it all happened and then she married him.
I think there is a website on the temple, to promote it as a World Wonder. Try the net also for more details and I shall get back if I get to it first.
Varloo

I was following this thread very closely for quite sometime and due to work pressure missed it for a few weeks. Here is a detailed link from Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meenakshi

Vidya

http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/m...0200600400.htm

Dear Vidhya, what you heard about Goddess Meenakshi is very true. In the pragaram of the Swami temple, there are a series of Lime sculptures - painted- depicting the story of meenakshi. The Pandya king Malayathvajan who did not have any children performed a yaga. Out of the Homa fire came the beautiful, little Meenakshi with three breasts and a heavenly voice announced that when she meets her husband to be, the third one will vanish,. After her Pattabishegam Meenakshi went on a "digvijayam and won laurels in all her wars with many kings and went on to Kailash where Lord shiva dwells. When she raised her bow and arrow and one look at Shiva, she felt very shy and dropped her and suddenly her third breast disappeared!! Well we all know about Meenakshi Kalyanam!The painted sculptures are very much there and I have seen it with my own eyes several times. Hope you
will make a visit to the temple soon!
savideva