Saturday, December 3, 2011

Madurai Meenakshi Temple - Kambathadi Mandapam

Visited on 1 Sept 2011: This mandapam is located in the outer prakaram of the Sundareswarar Sannithi. This is called the kambhathadi mandapam. Here one can see an most amazing collection of most exquisite & ornate sculptures on granite pillars. I could capture many of these on my camera:( Had to take special permission from temple officials to be able to take photographs in an inner prakara)

The Nandi Mandapam
Veerabhadrar & Bhikshandanar Urdhvathandavar & Bhadrakali Chakra Dhanar Nandi the Celestial Bull facing Sri Sundareswarar sanctum Sri Kalasamharar Sri Natarajar & his consort SivakamiKanyadanam -Sri Vishnu giving away the hand of the bride Meenakshi to Sri Sundareshwarar
Arjunan & Pasu Patastar Sri Sankara Narayanar and Sri Ardhanareeswarar Sri Gaja Samharar Ravana carrying Siva & Parvati on his shoulders Agni Veerabhadrar & Agora Veerabhadrar Sri Rishabha Rudrar & Sri Eka Pather Sri Nandi Mandapam directly facing the sanctum sanctorum
at

46 comments:

  1. SandhyaDecember 3, 2011 at 8:18:00 PM PST

    I feel like visiting the temple again. The sculptures are so beautiful. It is long since I visited this temple. Thanks for the clear photographs!

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  2. TomokoDecember 3, 2011 at 11:01:00 PM PST

    Wow, many sculptures on the pillars. They are so historical and delicate. There are many temples here in Nara but most of them not allow visiters to take photos. Thank you for sharing those interesting photos.
    RedRose from Japan.

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  3. ArtiDecember 4, 2011 at 6:58:00 AM PST

    The architecture is intricate and the temple looks so peaceful and ancient. Beautiful captures.

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  4. My Unfinished LifeDecember 4, 2011 at 8:00:00 AM PST

    really intricate carvings..im looking forward to doing a detailed south india tour..though i have been to some destinations..but my visit to south india has been more or less limited!!!


    http://sushmita-smile.blogspot.com

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  5. Anil PDecember 4, 2011 at 9:28:00 AM PST

    Such wonderful sculptures.

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  6. magdaDecember 4, 2011 at 12:53:00 PM PST

    Wonderful and interesting photos, with scoulptures!!!
    Many greetings and good week!

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  7. R Niranjan DasDecember 4, 2011 at 11:39:00 PM PST

    Beautiful architecture.

    www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com

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  8. ashokDecember 5, 2011 at 1:58:00 AM PST

    wow!You've captured them well...

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  9. ProsperoDecember 5, 2011 at 10:28:00 AM PST

    Thank you for the tour of these rarely seen sculptures. They have a magnificent aura about them.


    p.s. the island in question is Bermuda.

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  10. RajDecember 5, 2011 at 11:26:00 AM PST

    Beautifully captured. Brought back pleasant memories of the temple. :)

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  11. UrmiDecember 5, 2011 at 6:51:00 PM PST

    Very beautiful architecture of the Meenakshi temple and I appreciate for all your lovely shots. Excellent post.

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  12. eye in the skyDecember 5, 2011 at 7:16:00 PM PST

    It's amazing how you're able to photograph inside. My experience has been that I'm usually not allowed because 1) I'm not Hindi, 2) photography isn't allowed inside regardless of religious beliefs. Great photos. :)

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  13. ShoutforfoodDecember 5, 2011 at 9:58:00 PM PST

    beautiful temple.

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  14. India TravelDecember 6, 2011 at 12:38:00 AM PST

    The images are absolutely fascinating. Everyone should visit this temple at least once on their Tamilnadu tourism. Thanks for sharing. It is indeed good!

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  15. TeamgsquareDecember 6, 2011 at 3:10:00 AM PST

    Lovely carving ...

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  16. IndraniDecember 6, 2011 at 4:22:00 AM PST

    Very good captures. I didn't have my dc then.

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  17. UnknownDecember 6, 2011 at 5:54:00 AM PST

    The sculptures are so interesting! It is been a long time I went to Madurai but the clear photographs almost gave me a virtual tour of the Madurai Meenakshi Kovil. Nandri!

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  18. T. BecqueDecember 6, 2011 at 4:14:00 PM PST

    Those carvings are incredible!

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  19. Maryam MaquillageDecember 6, 2011 at 6:09:00 PM PST

    Your posts are always amazing and inspirational--I can't say it enough!!! P. S. I've always wanted to reincarnate into an Indian goddess so I could wear bejeweled saris and sparkling bangles all day every day. I hope I do!! P. P. S. Thank you so much for all your wonderful, kind, and poetic comments--I love reading them and I always look forward to more :)) Namaste ::bows::

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  20. FotokarusellenDecember 7, 2011 at 5:35:00 AM PST

    A great post. Beautiful work. Thank you fro sharing.

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  21. RamakrishnanDecember 7, 2011 at 9:39:00 AM PST

    @Shooting Star: So why don't you plan a grand tour of South India! Concentrate on temples if your interest is in architecture & sculptures. Kerala temples are distinct and different than Tamilnad temples.

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  22. RamakrishnanDecember 7, 2011 at 9:43:00 AM PST

    @Eye in the Sky: Photographs are allowed in some temples-you need to buy a ticket for your camera but photography is restricted to limited areas.

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  23. RamakrishnanDecember 7, 2011 at 9:45:00 AM PST

    @India Travel:Thanks for your kind comments

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  24. RamakrishnanDecember 7, 2011 at 9:50:00 AM PST

    @ Akshay: Thanks for your visit. Glad you enjoyed the virtual tour.

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  25. RamakrishnanDecember 7, 2011 at 9:55:00 AM PST

    @Maryam Maquillage: Look forward to your quick reincarnation /trans formation to an Indian "Goddess". Tough part is to learn to wear a sari but even tougher to learn to carry it gracefully.

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  26. FriedaDecember 7, 2011 at 1:46:00 PM PST

    These sculptures are very impressive. All these details are incredible...

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  27. Phivos NicolaidesDecember 7, 2011 at 9:15:00 PM PST

    Astonishing! Thanks for showing us all these interesting places my friend.

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  28. Dark KnightDecember 8, 2011 at 11:47:00 AM PST

    Very nice pics. The sculptures are beautiful.

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  29. Rhapsody PhoenixDecember 8, 2011 at 8:09:00 PM PST

    Namaste.....
    wow magnificent. i am surprised thedy allowed you to take photographs. You do a lot of travelling I see.

    Take care...
    Thanks for stopping by and sharing your opinion with me on your take on things.

    http://twitter.com/rhapsodyphoenix

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  30. magiceyeDecember 9, 2011 at 4:21:00 AM PST

    beautiful set of images!
    lucky you could get permission!!

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  31. AnonymousDecember 9, 2011 at 4:59:00 AM PST

    I am so unfamiliar with Indian terminology that I had to google Mandapam and Prakaram to find out their definitions. Thank goodness for modern technology! Lol.

    Interesting sculptures. Do people do temple rubbings of these sculptures as the Thai and Cambodians do? I have beautiful Cambodian rubbings in my home. If I make it to India (2013?), I intend to buy Indian art.

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  32. CameraCruiseDecember 9, 2011 at 7:32:00 AM PST

    What a beautiful temple!
    The sculptures and your photos are so beautiful!
    Thanks for sharing.
    Have a great weekend.

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  33. ShreyaDecember 9, 2011 at 7:58:00 AM PST

    Lovely pics. :) Have mailed you the bird widget code. :)

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  34. ShobhaDecember 9, 2011 at 9:13:00 AM PST

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  35. RamakrishnanDecember 9, 2011 at 9:18:00 AM PST

    @Gigihawaii: Googled temple rubbings in Thailand & found this: "Over the years, the Thai Government became aware that this rubbing process was causing surface erosion which was permanently damaging the treasured temple wall carvings. In 1995 they banned the process and restricted exportation of all temple rubbings made by this direct rubbing technique."

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  36. Sujatha SathyaDecember 9, 2011 at 9:29:00 AM PST

    the pillars are exquisite

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  37. RamakrishnanDecember 9, 2011 at 9:37:00 AM PST

    @Shreya: Thanks for sending.

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  38. RamakrishnanDecember 9, 2011 at 9:37:00 AM PST

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  39. MridulaDecember 9, 2011 at 10:27:00 AM PST

    What a majestic temple!

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  40. BarbDecember 9, 2011 at 11:58:00 AM PST

    The intricacy of the carvings makes me want to closely examine them and learn the story each carving represents.

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  41. Pietro BrosioDecember 10, 2011 at 9:04:00 AM PST

    Fantastic carvings and architecture, magnificent temple. A really interesting post with wonderful pictures!

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  42. TrotterDecember 10, 2011 at 11:01:00 AM PST

    Hi Ram! I’m so happy to be here after my accident ;)

    Wonderful temple!!

    Blogtrotter Two is around Scandola. Fabulous! Enjoy and have a great weekend!

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  43. UnknownDecember 10, 2011 at 1:17:00 PM PST

    Another temple I would love to visit. The ceiling looks pretty amazing.

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  44. DUTADecember 11, 2011 at 6:00:00 AM PST

    Kudos to you for presenting us with such richness of art!

    I really appreciate your efforts to capture those pillars adorned with such intricate, interesting carvings.
    Thanks for sharing.

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  45. GayuJanuary 26, 2012 at 3:57:00 AM PST

    There is a special way how Temples in South India are carved.

    I have visited many temples there...but never had a camera to click pics.

    Thanks for sharing these pics. Do u have a pic of Thanjavur Periya kovil??

    Gayu

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  46. VairamJuly 24, 2012 at 4:01:00 AM PDT

    Madurai Meenakshi temple 360 view
    http://www.dinamalar.com/360_view_detail.asp?id=272

    ReplyDelete

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