Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple is very famous hindu temple which is located at Bannerghatta Road, Bangalore. The Meenakshi Sundareshwar temple is a miniature version of the original temple at Madurai, Tamilnadu. Beautiful, spacious temple is devoted to Sri Meenakshi Amma and is built in Tamilnadu style architecture with stone structures.

Location Karnataka , Bangalore Rural, Bangaluru

Legend

Meenakshi  is a form of the Hindu goddess Parvati - the consort of Shiva, one of the many Hindu female deities to have a major temple devoted to her. The goddess Meenakshi is the principal deity of the temple, not Sundareswarar, unlike most Shiva temples in South India where Shiva is the principal deity. According to Hindu legend, in order to answer the prayers of the second Pandya king Malayadwaja Pandya and his wife Kanchanamalai, Parvati appeared out of the holy fire of the Putra Kameshti Yagna (sacrifice for childbirth) performed by the king. According to another legend, the goddess herself gave notice to Kanchanamalai in one of her previous births that Kanchanamalai would have the privilege of mothering the goddess. The girl who came out of the holy fire had three breasts. A voice from the heavens told the king not to worry about the abnormality and added that the third breast would vanish as soon as the girl met her future husband.

Architecture

The temple structure is a replica of the famous Madurai Meenakshi Temple and is also run by the same trust. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, known here as Sundareshwar and his consort Parvati or Meenakshi. It is a beautiful temple with a tower (Gopura). On entering the temple, Lord Sundareshwar is seen at the entrance and Goddess is on the other side of the temple. Besides, the structure has deites of other gods, including Ganesha, Subramanya, Srinivasa and even Ayappa.

The temples has the Navagraha idols too.The temple also houses shrines to Lord Ganesha, Lord Subramanya, Lord Venkateshwara and Lord Ayyappa. You can also see a large space for Navagrahas (Nine Planets).

Culture

The city of Bangalore has beautifully blended its rich cultural heritage with modern culture which makes it one of the most happening cities in India. The city though being considered the IT Capital of the country is undergoing a revival of age-old traditional art forms. This fusion of the old and the new can be seen in every aspect of Bangalore culture, right from its theatre to its arts and crafts and gives the city a cosmopolitan character.

Darsan Info

Temple timings:-

Mon to Thursday : Morning 6:30 AM to 12:30 PM & Evening 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Friday : Morning 6:30 AM to 1:00 PM & Evening 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Sunday : Morning 6:30 AM to 1:00 AM & 3:00 PM to 8:30 PM. 

Darsan Dresscode

Visitors are requested to wear modest clothing. No shorts are allowed (even for men).

Temple Rituals

Morning Pooja everyday at 6.30 AM to Meenakshi Matha and Morning and Evening Abhishekam to Godesses

Special Rituals

Most important festival associated with the temple is the "Meenakshi Thirukalyanam" (the divine marriage of Meenakshi) that is celebrated in April every year.

Additional Info

 

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