Last weekend my friend Alexis and I visited the Sri Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. A magical place!
Above: The view of the temples from a local rooftop.
Above: The temples’ towers are undergoing a repainting that must happen every 13 years. The process takes about a year, so I didn’t feel like I was cheated since they have had this palm leaf protection during my entire trip.
Above: Through the scaffolding you can see a carving of Ganesh and the faded paint that will soon be primed again and painted with vibrant colors.
Above: My Indian brother and I walk towards the temple. Don’t we look alike? They make you check your shoes at the door (no socks either), so I went barefoot from the hotel.
Above: Masses head towards the South Tower, the traditional entry point although their are five towers that all serve as gates to the complex.
Above: A small Ganesh shrine is a place to pray for marriage or if married, for a child. The colors, gifts, and strings all have meaning here.
Above: The temple elephant (a god incarnate) blesses Alexis.
Above: Meters and meters of flowers are strung for offerings to the Hindu gods Shiva (the destroyer) and Meenaskshi (an incarnation of the goddess Parvati) for whom the temple is named.
Above: An arch with 1008 oil lamps. 1008 is a special number for Hindus. I haven’t learned why…yet.
Above: Hall of 1000 pillars.
Above: I’m not digging the dot, but it was placed by a Brahman priest. I didn’t think I should rub it off right away. I do like the Ganesha Shrine though.
Above: Pilgrims wear black and orange, no shoes, and often fast and remain chaste for up to 45 days in preparation.
Above: The entrance to the main shrine. Non-Hindus are not allowed. They told us it is a statue of her made of jade.
Above: Said Brahman priest…we were talked into this photo by our guide. Don’t we all look excited?
Above: Beautiful stone carvings.
Above: Pilgrims light candles at one of the many shrines.
Above: Newly painted ceilings.
Above: One of the smaller towers waiting to be covered and repainted.
Above: Awesome.
Above: The place is just as jumping in the evenings.
Usted parece bien en el traje de naranja….. La diosa Meenakshi nunca ha dicho que no los hindús no deberían entrar en el templo….. Todo el hombre hizo leyes …….. la diosa Meenakshi es la madre para cada uno en el universo y le gustarían todos sus niños (nosotros humano) yendo cerca de ella.
You are very South Indian in Dhothi and Shirt costume. Fine.
you have made a wonderful close observation about the temple and the south Indian people’s life style. i also read your blog about tirupur textile industry. keep it up