Page 616 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

614  SOUTH INDIA

Madurai: Minakshi Sundareshvara Temple

This enormous temple complex is dedicated to Shiva,
known here as Sundareshvara (the “Handsome God”),
and his consort Parvati or Minakshi (the “Fish-Eyed
Goddess”). Originally built by the early Pandyas
(7th–10th centuries), it was extensively added to by
succeeding dynasties, especially between the 14th
and 18th centuries. The temple complex is within
a high-walled enclosure, at the core of which are
the two sanctums for Minakshi and Sundareshvara,
surrounded by a number of smaller shrines and
grand pillared halls. Especially impressive are
the 12 gopuras. Their soaring towers rise from
solid granite bases, and are covered with
stucco figures of deities, mythical animals
and monsters, painted in vivid colours.

Guardian Deities
Fierce monster
images, with
protruding eyes
and horns, mark
the arched ends
of the vaulted
roofs, and serve as
guardian deities.

Gopura
Pyramidal gates (gopuras) rise to a
height of more than 50 m (164 ft).
These towering gateways indicate
the entrance to the temple complex
at the four cardinal points, while
lesser gopuras lead to the sanctums
of the main deities.

Openings in
the middle of the
Stucco Work long sides allow
The figures of deities on the tower light to enter the
are repaired, repainted and ritually hollow chambers
reconsecrated every 12 years. at each level.
For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp702–703 and pp717–18

614-615_EW_India.indd 614 26/04/17 11:49 am
Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.6)
Date 12th July 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm