Mother Meenakshi of Madhurai, Goddess of 64 Fine Arts(Chathushashti Kalaa Mayi)

Meenakshi of Madhurai is an incarnation of Mother Parvathi consort of Lord Shiva

under the name Sundareshwar Swamy. She is
called as Princess of Madhurai born with three Breasts. As said by many Fortune
tellers, third breast get disappears when
she meets her would be who is incarnation of Shiva and same thing happened when she
meet Lord Sundareshwar. Meenakshi is
warrior goddess of Pandya Kingdom who is martinnent and has masculine figure. She
attained the name Meenakshi(One who is with eyes of a Fish)
from fish which protects it's off spring with her eyes very dilligently.

It is believed that Goddess Meenakshi was utter ferocious during olden times. Daily
during nights She used to come out of Garbha griha and used
to kill and eat persons who come on her way. So people re so afraid and wouldnot
come out of their houses after sun has set. Jagadguru Adhi Sankaracharya
upon hearing this came to madhurai town and wanted to know what is the reason
behind this. The Idl of Deity is more pacified with great smiling power
which made hm to think how such a caring mother can kill her own children. So he
decided to stay in Temple complex during night times inspite of Village
people's words. During that night Sankaracharya slept in temple complex and during
night when he heard sounds of her anklets he woke up nd carefully observing
amman as she is moving from her seat. As she was moving out of Grabha griha her
face was turning red and she is getting roudra kalas so Sanakracharya came to know
this and decided not to allow amman out of Graba Griha. With great amusement he
came infront of her and asked her to stop. SH e stepped back and asked him the
reason
for stopping. Sankarcharya Then Asked Meenakshi amman to play Paachika(Ludo) game
with him and challeneged amman that he will win the game. Devi with great laughter
sat inside grabhagriha and started playing the Luddo game. As she is more powerful
she won the game and her coin came to the Bindhu sthaana of the Ludo Chart. Then
shankara
accepted the defeat then she started moving outwards Garbha Griha then shankara
with loud voice said you are not allowed to go outside as you won and has to be at
center
of this chart. Then Devi understood mastery of Shanakra and realised that the chart
drawn is Srichakra and is her location as loving and caring Mother. In this way
ferocious Meenakhi amman was turned to eb most pacified amman during the all the
times of Day and Night.

Even now SricChakra drawn by shankara is visible in garbha griha. Coming to the
Idol of Meenakshi Amman it is made of Lapis Lazuli of Green complexion with two
hands one holding parrot and
other left free in an artistic way. Her green complexion symbolizes Knowledge. Her
knowledge is about all 64 fine arts which
are praised as ChathushashtiKalas. Parrot in her hand is called her celestial
partner for whom she imparts knowledge. Parrot
is called mediator between Goddess and Sundareshwar.She is referred as Raja
Mathangi Amman or Sukha Shyamala one who holds
parrots. Meenakshi amman Sadhana is always traces back to Mathangi amman or
Shyamala Devi who is called as Minister of Supreme
empress Goddess Lalitha Tripura Sundari. This can be understood from Mathangi amman
Idol in Meenakshi amman Temple Complex.
The crown or Makutha of Meenakshi amman is bent to left side which is also iconic
charecter of Mother Mathangi whose hair
is stuffed to the left side.
Meenakshi amman temple is always flanked by innumerable green parrots which proves
she is none other than Sukha Shyamala Devi.
Coming to the architecture of Madurai Meenakshi amman temple it is located in the
southern banks of Vaigai River.Even temple
existed before from 6th century BC it was well looted by Malik Kafur who is the
Army Millitant of AlauddhinKhilji. Later
present form of temple is built by Nayakar ruler Vishwanatha as per shilp shasthra.
Architecture is well known for its 14 sanctorum
towers of which tallest is southern tower of 51.19 feet. For its beauty of
architecture it is in the top 30 nominee of New 7 wonders
of world. Temle complex also contains a great water tank/pool which at midst
contains golden lotus.

Among all the festivals annual marriage festival which is called Thirukalyanam is
held for 10 days which attracts millions of'Deity
and the annual revenue of 60 million is obtained.Every year Goddess is worshipped
with concert of 108 veenas which is one of
the thing that Shukha shyamala holds in her hand. EVery day ekaantha seva is held
which is splendid and marvellous and life worth
scenary.

So friends have a trip to Madhurai and enjoy and feel the beauty of great Tamil
dravidian architecture of temples and attain blessings of Meenakshi amman.