Things to Do in Madurai

Embark on a Sri Meenakshi Temple where many treasures, insights, and stories are waiting. Let a local host show you around and experience this cultural attraction from a local perspective.

Reasons to book this tour :

✓ See Thousand Pillars Museum from a local perspective

✓ Get insights straight from a local source

✓ Explore Sri Meenakshi Temple it with a local.

As a center of Madurai, there's a cultural gem ready to be discovered. Get ready and hit the road with your favorite local and prepare to be amazed.

On this Private Sri Meenakshi Temple tour in Madurai,With so much to see and learn, there's no better way than to have a knowledgeable local by your side. Check out its best-known spots as well as those little details that only a local expert knows about, like Thousand Pillars Museum and Sri Meenakshi Temple.

Embark on an enriching journey where you'll get to know everything about this must-visit attraction with its ins and outs, its incredible history, insights, and fun facts. The more you explore, the more you'll discover why this place is so important to the locals and its cultural relevance. 

As the evening draws, the extraordinary ‘Going to Bed Ceremony’ at Sri Meenakshi Temple rises. Each night, the image of Shiva is carried from his shrine to join his consort Parvati, in another part of the temple.  This ceremony can be chaotic and noisy, but this is not to be missed if you are traveling to Madurai. Each morning, the image of Shiva is returned to his own place of rest. We will start at the east entrance of the temple, and we will witness the traditional Aarti ceremony that is performed every evening at dusk. The experience wonderfully highlights local culture and religion, in an effort by the participants to find peace. Note: *Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the Temple’s main sanctum area, but they can witness the ceremony from outside. *The beginning time of the ceremony is not precise. It depends on the number of people, temple festivals and the movements of Hindu's astrological constellations.

Dress Code:
* Full pants and shirt with sleeves is required. People wearing Half pants/ sleeveless shirts are not allowed inside the temple.
* Cigarettes, lighters, match boxes, tobacco, chewing gum, cosmetic items are not allowed to take into the temple. Water bottle, purse and small hand bag are allowed to take into the temple.
* Photography/videography is prohibited inside the temple premises.

Exclusions:
* Entrance fee for the Temple
* Tipping for the guide


Any Questions/Assistance:

Please fill this form and send to us and I will reply within Four Hours!

https://surveyheart.com/form/641d3da03444cb080e450b7d


Thank you!

Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple:

The Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple was constructed under the reign of King Kulasekara Pandya between 1190 and 1216 CE.

He was responsible for the primary sections of the three-tiered gopura at the entrance of the Sundareswarar Shrine, as well as the central area of the Goddess Meenakshi Shrine, which are among the earliest extant components of the temple.

Additionally, he established shrines (Koil) dedicated to Natarajar and Surya adjacent to the main temple, along with Ayyanar to the east, Vinayagar to the south, Kariamalperumal to the west, and Kali to the north.

A Mahamandapam was also constructed by him. Kulasekara Pandya was not only a ruler but also a poet, having  a poem titled Ambikai Malai in honor of Meenakshi.   pillared corridor to the Sundareswara shrine and the Sundara Pandyan Mandapam.

This temple serves as a significant pilgrimage site within the Shaivism tradition, Meenakshi Devi and Shiva. Notably, Vishnu is incorporated into various narratives, sculptures, and rituals, as he is regarded as Meenakshi's brother.

The daily religious observance that occurs early in the morning is traditionally referred to  Thirupalli Ezhuchi, which translates to "wake up a prayer" or "Morning Prayer" for the opening ceremony.

The evening ritual is known as the closing ceremony, or the bed-chamber ceremony, which takes place at night. The temple typically operates from 05:00 hours to 12:30 hours and again from 16:00 hours to 20:30 hours.