If you visit Madurai in Tamilnadu, India, for whatever reason, business, employment or pilgrimage, you cannot miss the breathtaking view of the four imposing Rajagopurams (temple entrances) from anywhere in the city of Madurai. Put on a “Namaskaram” with folded hands to the Rajagopurams (consecrated on 8-4-09 and shining with new paintings, an artistic feast for the eyes).
It is said “Gopura Dharisanam Kodi Pava Vimosanam”, which means that if you only see the Rajagopuram of a temple and worship piously, you will erode a billion of your sins.
The temple is a short walk from Madurai Train Station via Townhall Road (Rs 20 car fee) to reach the west side entrance. Open for dharshan from 5.30 am to 12.30 pm and again from 4.30 pm to 10.00 pm
In all Siva temples, the tradition is to worship Lord Siva first and then his consort “Amman”. But in Madurai, Meenakshi Amman is worshiped first before approaching Lord Siva – Sundareswarar, traditionally, as she is the “Sakthi” (Power) of this universe.
Three Sakthi Beedams are the most powerful in all of India: Madurai Meenakshi; Kaanji Kamakshi (in Kancheepuram near Chennai) and Kasi Visalakshi (in Varanasi in North India) according to Hindu mythology.
Get up early in the morning (it is considered very auspicious to worship in any temple); take a bath and dress neatly with pants or dhoti (Lungis, half pants, etc. are prohibited inside the temple); have something on your forehead – holy ash or kumkum (Sathguru Jaggi Vasudev, the world renowned spiritualist says – when we go outdoors, vibrations, good or bad, are captured through the seven chakras of our body; by putting something like holy ash between your eyebrows, all bad vibes seep in and only good vibes are allowed).
Bring some pooja materials such as flowers, coconut, banana, etc., as according to Hindu Dharma, you should not go empty-handed when visiting: a house with children; a patient or a deity in a temple.
Enter the temple through the south gate through the west entrance (leave your footwear at the free service kiosk at the entrance). Take a pinch of water (considered sacred) from the Golden Lotus Pond and sprinkle it on your head (believed to be purified before approaching the deities). You can take a look up to worship the golden pinnacles of Swami and Amman temples from the steps of the pond. First you worship “Vibudhi Vinayagar” (the idol is submerged by the holy ashes that the devotees pour on it) right next to the pond.
You will now enter Meenakshi Amman Sannidhi, after going around the altar, through the main entrance. (Pooja Tickets Rs.5; Special Entry Rs.15). If you choose a normal day, avoiding crowded holidays, you can continue to worship Meenakshi as your heart pleases (without the jostling of another devotee from behind).
As you leave, you will land at Swami Sannadhi, after worshiping the greatest “Mukkuruni Vinayagar” en route. Have a nice dharshan of Sundarewarar (Lingam) and the Nataraja (idol) on the right side in the dance pose.
Going around the altar here, you will worship Saraswathi; Dakshinamoorthy; Siddhar; Durgai; and Mahalakshmi. Pray to each of these deities for their well-being. When you exit the second corridor, you will see “Navagraha Sannadhi” (the 9 planets of the universe, including Guru and Saturn). Flip 9 times to get the blessings from all of them.
You are sure to have immense peace of mind when you leave the Meenakshi temple.