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

46 comments:

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

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

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  6. Beautiful architecture.

    www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.com

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

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

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  10. 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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  11. 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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  12. Very good captures. I didn't have my dc then.

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  13. 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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  14. 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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  15. A great post. Beautiful work. Thank you fro sharing.

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  16. @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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  17. @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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  18. @India Travel:Thanks for your kind comments

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

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  20. @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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  21. These sculptures are very impressive. All these details are incredible...

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

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  23. Very nice pics. The sculptures are beautiful.

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  24. 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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  25. beautiful set of images!
    lucky you could get permission!!

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

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

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

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

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

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  36. 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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  37. 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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  38. Madurai Meenakshi temple 360 view
    http://www.dinamalar.com/360_view_detail.asp?id=272

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