Mudalipillai Mandapam

Next to this Tower, is the Mudalipillai Mandapam. This is also calld Mudali Mandapam and dark Mandapam. It is 60 feet broad. It was built in 1963 by Kadanthai Mudaliar.

On both sides of this Mandapam, there are pillars with beautiful statues of women. A legendary story is related about these women. Once the wives of the saints of Tharuga forest fell in love with Lord Siva when he appeared before them in the form of Bikshadanar (begger). They were so enamoured with love that they stood spell bound by the Lord’s be witching beauty and grace.

In such a gratitude they did not even notice the slipping of their clothes from their waists. The Sculpture has showed a superb skill in making these statuses. The statue of Lord Bikshadanar also exhibits the inordinate efficiency of the artist. There is a statue of a saint of the Tharuga Forest there is also a state of Mohini (the lady who throws charm). The idols of Ganesa and subramanya also find a place in this mandapam.

The mudali mandapam cannot now be termed Dark mandapam during the Temple Renovation in 1963 windows have been built on the northern wall of mandapam. These windows provide a free flow of air and light.

Golden Lily Tank

From the Mudali Pillai mandapam, we come to an important part of Sree Meenakshi temple. A beautiful rectangular tank face us right across its northern bank is situated the sanctum sanctorum of sree Meenakshi. There are big stone corridors on the four sides of this tank.

The Golden Lily Tank is 165 feet long and 120 feet broad. There are stone steps on all the four sides leading almost to its bottom. The tank is filled with water during the major part of the year. Only very rarely does the tank get dry.

Before entering sanctum sanctorum. Hindus who go into the temple bare-footed, wash their feet in the tank’s water.

After washing their feet ( and incidentally perhaps their sins) the pious Hindus sprinkle some water on their heads take a handful of the water, get up the steps spray the water on a step, stand on the portion, face themselves towards the main deity put their palms together and pray with eyes closed for a new and better life. They then get up the steps and go to the idol of Lord Vinayaga immensed in the sacred ash.

The south-western corner of Golden Lily tank present a grand view to one coming in from the Mudali Mandapam. In the background we see the upper part of the majestic southern tower of the temple.

From the centre of the eastern corridor, we can see two small towers covered with golden plates in the midst of the eight towers of the temple. The idols the deities of the temple namely Sree Meenakshi and Lored Sundareswara are rooted just below the golden towers.

On the southern wall there are marble stones on these the 1,330 stanzas of Thirukkural, the Holy scripture of the divine post Thiruvalluvar, are engraved.

On the western wall of the northern corridor. The models of the portions of the temple, relating to Sree Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswara are painted. Exquisite painting on the ceilings of the corridors also attract our eyes.

There are several pillars in the northern corridors. The figure of the poets the Tamil Sangam’s (Association of poet’s) last period are engraved on this pillars. While there were 89 poets during the last period of the sangam we find the statues only 24 of them.

On one of the pillar in the centre, we see the figures of Kulasekara Pandyan who built the temple and the city in the good old days. On another there is the figure of Dhananjayan who informed the Pandyan King about his discovery of the foot of Lord Siva in the Kadamba Forest.

There is lily with Golden leaves floating at the centre of the tank, this testifies to the name of this tank.

Sitting on the steps of the Golden Lily Tank, one forgets the worries about the world by looking at the people of all sorts assembling there.

Swing Mandapam

On the western side of the golden tank, there is a small mandapam built in black marble. This is called the Swing Mandapam (Nall) or Oonjal Mandapam.

Every Friday evening the golden idols of Sree Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswara are place in a swing on the dais of the mandapam. A string is tied to this swing. A man sits on the floor in front of the swing and pulls it so that the swing moves to and fro. Now this mandapam is decorated fully with design mirrors.

On other days, Tamil hymns are sung by Odhuvars who sit in front of the swing dais.

The six shrines of Lord Muruga are painted on the side walls above the dais opposite the swing mandapam; there is also a small mandapam here, where we can see the artistic paintings painted during Rani Mangamma’s time. The statues of Rani Mangamma, her minister, Ramappayy and her grandson Vijayarangachokanathar, also find a place in this mandapam.

Parrot Cage Mandapam

Next to the swing mandapam and just at the entrance to the Amman Sannathi is the Parrot Cage Hall (Killikkondu Mandapam), some Parrots were kept in a big cage in the entrance of the south.

These parrots provide delight to the children. The kids talk something to the parrots. Those creatures repeat the sounds. This gives pleasure to the younger generation. The parrot is a sacred bird and is often show in company with Gods and Goddesses. Particularly, Goddesses are always seen with a parrot in their left hand. Obviously it means presence of peace and happiness.

There are 28 pillars in this Mandapam. Each of these excess in artistic beauty. On these pillars we see the statues of the Pandavas, Valli, Sugreevan and other deities, yali is engraved in another pillar. A stone ball revolves in its mouth. This is indeed an admirable creation.

Opposite the Amman Sannadhi, on one side of the Salipeedam (sacrificing alter) is the Pillar having the figure of Bheema (the Hercules among the Pandavas). On the pillar of the other side is the figure of a semi-human animal. There are figures posed in fighting attitude that is very realistic.

A reason is attributed, for having kept these pillars at the centre of the temple. People, should not swerve from justice, put up hold it with prejudice just as the pointer of a ‘scale is at’ the centre when the weights of the pans are equal.

The miraculous deeds of Lord Siva are portrayed on the black places of rock on these pillars. Though the figures are tiny they excel in artistic beauty. The deities of the Hindu Pantheon are depicited in the paintings on canopy of this Mandapam. The scene of Sree meenakshi’s wedding appearing in front of her Sannadhi attracts everyone’s eyes.