1) Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai is built by Kulashekarar Pandyan in Dravidian architectural style. Dedicated to Meenakshi (Parvati) and Sundareswarar (Lord Shiva). Major Festival is Marriage (Tirukalyanam) Festival from end of April to start of May.
This Temple, also known as Meenakshi-Sundareshwarar Temple, is one of the oldest and most important temples in Tamil Nadu. It is believed that Lord Shiva married Meenakshi at the site where the temple is currently located. During the ‘Marriage Festival,’ which takes place over a period of 10 days, the temple attracts more than a million devotees. The temple is well-maintained and was named the ‘Best cleanest Iconic Place’ in India.
The temple occupies a large area in the heart of Madurai, as it spreads over 14 acres. The temple is enclosing with huge walls. The entire structure, viewed from above, represents a mandala. There are various shrines built within the complex. Apart from the two main shrines, which are dedicated to Sundareswarar and Meenakshi, the temple has shrines dedicated to various other deities like Ganesha, Lakshmi, and Saraswati.
The temple also has a consecrated pond named ‘PorthamaraikKulam’(pond with a golden lotus). The temple has four main towering gateways that look identical to each other. Apart from the four ‘Tower,’ the temple also houses many other ‘Tower’ that serve as gateways to a number of shrines. The temple has 14 towering gateways.
The temple also has numerous pillared halls called ‘Mandapams.’ These halls were built by various kings, and they serve as resting places for pilgrimages. Famous one is Ayirakkal Mandapam – It literally translates to ‘hall with a Thousand pillars.’
2) Brihadeeshwara Temple (Peruvudaiyar-Kovil) is a Hindu temple dedicated to load Shiva located at Thanjavur in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the largest temples in India and is Dravidian architecture during the Chola period. Built by emperor RajaRaja Chola I and completed in AD 1010.
The tower is 216 ft high and is the tallest in the world. The bulbous structure on the top of the temple is carved out of a single rock and weighs around 80 tons. There is a big statue of bull, carved out of a single rock measuring about 16 ft long and 13 ft high at the entrance. The entire temple structure is made out of granite stone.
The nearest airport is Tiruchirappalli airport, which is 60 Kilometers from this temple.
3) Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple is one of most popular temple in India. Known for its intricate works and majestic towers. This temple is the best example of architecture excellence. This highly sacred temple is one of the 12 jyotirlingas in India and is visited by almost every Hindu's. This temple has 22 holy waters, bathing in which is believed to atone sins of devotees. This temple is regarded with high significance even in holy scripture of Hindu religion. It is associated with Lord Rama and his successful rescuing of Sita after killing demon Ravana as while on their way back to Ayodhya, it is here that Lord Rama had worshiped Lord Shiva.
The religious importance of this temple can be seen from the popular belief, according to which a visit to pilgrimage Kashi is incomplete without a visit to Rameshwaram temple. Ever since, devotees would walk and spend months and years on travel for visiting both the shrines.
The ancient shrine of this temple is believed to be in a humble thatched hut until 12th century. The major additions to the temple were done from 12th century to 16th century during the various reigns. The present structure of this temple was built during 17th century. The present structure of this temple is spread across 15 acres of land. Its majestic pillars, vast corridors, wall's and towers allure every visitor. Its granite walls have intricate carvings have been mounted on a raised platform. The outer corridors of this temple are considered as the longest in the world, with a total length of, 3850 feet for all the corridors. There are around 1212 pillars in the outer corridor with a height of 30 feet while the main tower of Rajagopuram has a height of around 53 meters.
There are majestic towers at the east and west, while gate towers adorned the temple on the northern and southern side. There are many intriguing aspects of this temple which leaves everyone mesmerized. It is also said that the rocks used in corridor are not from this region but were brought from somewhere outside Tamil Nadu. The nearest airport is in Madurai city.
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