5. Meenakshi Amman Temple
The Meenakshi Amman Temple is a Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in the city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to Parvati, known as Meenakshi, and her consort, Shiva, known as Sundareswarar. The temple is a significant symbol for the Tamil people, and is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Tamil Nadu. The temple complex is composed of two main shrines, the larger one dedicated to Meenakshi, and the smaller one to Sundareswarar. A thousand-pillared hall lies between the two shrines. The temple has many ornate stone carvings of gods, goddesses, and animals. The temple is a major pilgrimage site for Shaivas and Vaishnavas. The annual Meenakshi Tirukalyanam festival, celebrated during the Tamil month of Chittirai, is one of the most important festivals in the temple. The festival culminates with the marriage of Meenakshi to Sundareswarar. The Meenakshi Amman Temple was built by the Pandyan king Kulasekara Pandyan I in the 6th century AD. The temple was extensively renovated and expanded by the Nayaka kings of Madurai during the 16th and 17th centuries. The Meenakshi Amman Temple is open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm.
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