Hi. Hope everyone is doing good. After reading n number of articles, finally I decided to share some collective information about Madurai and its hidden history. Scroll down to know something new and interesting!
GENERAL DEETS
As we all know, Madurai is one of the most popular and oldest cities in India. Formerly Madurai was called as Madura (until 1949). It is the South-center, Tamil Nadu state of Southern India. It is located on the Vaigai river, about 30 miles south-east of Dindigul. Madurai is also known as, Athens of the East, Thoonga Nagaram (City that never Sleeps), Naan maada koodal (City of Four junctions), Malligai Managar (City of Jasmine), Koodal Managar (City of Junction), Koil Nagar (Temple city) and so on.
It is also known for historical background that lord Shiva himself performed sixty-four wonders called “Thiruvilaiyadals.” The city also holds the pride of Meenakshi Amman Temple. Even the temple was nominated for seven wonders of the world. The temple was completely destroyed in 1310 by Islamic conqueror (a person who conquers a place or people; a vanquisher), Malikkafur. Later in 14th century, Madurai came under the control of Pandiya Kings. Slowly Pandiya Kings and Nayak rulers (King Thirumalai Naicker) played a vital role in regaining the original form of Meenakshi Amman temple and put on lot of efforts to expand the temple.
We all know about Lord Nataraja and the appearance of the statue. Generally, Lord Nataraja will be seen with his left leg raised, but in Madurai we can see him with his right leg raised which is located in Thiruvilaiyadal Puranam.
In Madurai, streets are named based on the directions of it and every road we take will connect us to gate of Meenakshi Amman temple. The city is also known for the best flower Jasmine. We cannot find or match the aroma of jasmine anywhere across our country. As we already know, the city is known as Thoonga Nagaram because even in the midnight we can find people roaming around the streets, many roadside food shops are crowded like anything. We can also say it in a single word as food tour at midnight.
Though we can drink Jigarthanda everywhere now, but the original flavor of it can be found only in Madurai. The taste of it cannot match with any other drink.
As the city is completely known for temples, but actually they have malls in Madurai. First, Pudhu Mandapam was considered to be oldest mall of Madurai which still exists. Here we can find all types of accessories and many cultural legacies (property or money left). Now, many new malls have been built (can find western culture and trends adopted). Not only malls, all types of restaurants, KFCs are made available for the people over there.
The most widely celebrated festival is Chithirai festival and Theppakulam festival. This festival will be celebrated for weeks and all the people gather together as a family to commemorate it with huge happiness. We can also find many tribal resorts (which can match kodaikanal or Munnar) and events organized over there.
Gandhi museum is quite famous in Madurai. There we can see Gandhi’s belongings like his shawl, dhoti, the signature round spectacles and the blood-stained dhoti of him during his murder.
As women have the habit of buying jewelries seen through TV ads and other social media. In Madurai, Bullion Bazar is the place where we can find all types of Gold and Silver jewels available. It can be the best bazar to buy all types of authentic jewels.
A village called Vilacheri (commonly called as potters’ village) is located around 10 km from Madurai. This village is known for making potteries and handcrafted products. We may get these products anywhere, but here we can get an opportunity to witness the product making process from the scratch. Also, we get a chance to communicate with the people over there to know about their work history and village specialties. These people are well-versed in making Navratri golu dolls and papier mache dolls.
Madurai is also famous for Banana fruit shop. Unlike other fruit shop, it is quite unique where we can see 16 different varieties of Bananas available in the shop. Though we are not banana lover, while passing by will make us crave for it.
The city was named Madurai because, it is believed that Lord Shiva had appeared and a drop of nectar (honey) falls on the town from his hair. Maduram means sweetness in Tamil.
Thangam theatre in Madurai was considered to be one of the biggest cinema halls in Asia. But it is no longer exists. The hall comprises around 2,563 persons officially, spread over more than 52,000 square feet.
It also gives great visual experience for the audience. The theatre was demolished after the ownership changed. Sivaji’s Parasakthi movie was blockbuster hit which was screened for 175 days. Also, M.G. R’s Nadodi Mannan and K. Bhagyaraj’s Thooral Ninnu Pochu movie also created history for screened many days. Not only Tamil movies, many Hollywood and Bollywood movies also screened in the theatre. Because of his large vacant space, government issued an order to use it as education/children theatre.
ANTIQUITY
As per archeologist, the city was built in guidance of Lord Shiva. It was also believed that the shape of the city is coin shaped serpent (snake) Halasya. The snake covers the entire boundaries of the town (like coin shape) where its mouth and tail pointed toward the center of town (exactly where Meenakshi Amman temple was built).
In ancient time, Madurai was actually a forest called as Kadamba (bur flower-tree" or "laran" or "Leichhardt pine”). On full moon day, while merchant (person who involved in trade and business) crossing the forest seen Lord Indra worshipping a Shiva Linga. He shared this information with the King (person who rules the city in that century). King decided to clear the forest and created path that leads to Linga in the forest. He also took measures to build a shrine (holy place or small area dedicated to someone) for Shiva. The existing Meenakshi Amman (Sundareshvara and Meenakshi) temple is later grew into same shrine.
MEENAKSHI – PATTER OF TINY FEET!
As per Tamil text narration, during 13th century Madurai was ruled by Pandiyan King Malayadhwaja. But unfortunately, the king was childless. So, he decided to perform Yajna (ritual done in front of a sacred fire, often with mantras). During Yajna, suddenly a three-year-old girl comes out of the fire with three breasts. The girl was brought up by the king and her spouse Kanchamalai. It was believed the girl’s third breast would disappear once she meets her husband. The girl was named as Tadatagai but because for her beautiful eyes she was eventually called as Meenakshi. Even the flags of Pandiya kings are portrayed with two fishes (represent his daughter eyes).
The girl was taught with all the skills by the king including war skills. After Meenakshi grown up, she went to fight in many battles along with Digvijay (person who always remain powerful than others, especially in battlefield, conqueror) and won all the battles. On her journey, she reached Himalayas. There she seen Lord Shiva as soon as she encountered Shiva her third breast disappeared. She believed Shiva as her husband and decided to marry him.
Once Meenakshi returns from Himalayas, King crowned her as ruler of Madurai and also celebrated her wedding with Lord Shiva. The wedding of Meenakshi and Sundareshvara occurred in the month of Chaitra (means New bright light (April-May)). The wedding ceremony was celebrated with huge happiness. Meenakshi was considered to be the best ruler of Madurai so far.
BRITISH – HOLD SWAY!
In 1801, Madurai was moved under the control of British. Even British people take part in all the festivals and donated money for the welfare of the temple. In 1812, Rous Peter was elected as collector. Who was one of the administrators of both Britain government and the temple. Rous Peter was known for his fair administration of the temple. So, in order to honor him Tanjore Division Gazetteer (geographical dictionary or directory) records vernacular ballads (ordinary, everyday music such as popular and folk music/ village folks) was sung.
GODDESS SAVED PETER!
This Rous Peter had more belief towards Meenakshi, because during one rainy night when he was asleep, a small girl appeared in his bedroom and took him out of the house by holding his hand. As soon as Peter steps out, a lightning from the sky turns the building into ashes. Peter felt that the girl who saved him from this accident was none other than Meenakshi. So, he donated pair of gold stirrup studded with rubies to show his gratitude. The stirrup presented by him is still worn by Goddess (Meenakshi) during festivals.
Also, Peter doesn’t return back to England after his retirement. He stayed back and requested to bury him in Madurai where his eyes face the Meenakshi Amman.
DESIDERATUM OF KING RAJASHEKARA PANDIYAN!
While Natraj was dancing Tandava to celebrate his wedding festivities, in front of Patanjali (author of two Hindu classics, Buddhist and he had tiger legs) and Vyagrapada (rishi, who had the habit of offering flower to Nataraja which shouldn’t be touched by anyone, even honeybees and he had snake legs). One of the Pandiya king (Rajashekara Pandiyan) requested to raise his right leg to perform dance, as he felt his right leg left grounded for a long time might hurt him. To fulfill his request Lord Shiva danced with his right leg raised. This was the reason behind Nataraja different leg posture in Madurai.
MAANIKAVASAGAR!
Out of 64 miracles of Shiva, one miracle is seemed to be most famous bedtime story narrated by Madurai people. During ancient time, the king Varagunavarman II (one of the Panidya King, who ruled around 826-885CE) sent his minister to pickup his horses from east coast. On his way, the minister was mesmerized by the teacher who sat beneath the tree and developed interest for his teaching. So, he stayed there.
The teacher is none other than Shiva himself. Shiva addressed the minister as Maanikavasagar (means man with words as precious as ruby). In 9th century he became a poet and wrote Tiruvasakam, a book of Shaiva hymns. He spent all the money in renovating the Shiva temple which King provided to him to get back his horses. As days passed, King was worried because minister haven’t turned back neither no message about his arrival. So, he sent his other servants to search for him. On the return of the servants, the king came to know about the happenings. Also, he was sent with a ruby and a message from Shiva that his horse will return to Madurai in the month of August (Avani). As mentioned, Maanikavasagar brought back the impressive horses back to the kingdom. But unfortunately, all the horses turned into jackals after night. So, king ordered to imprison the minister and tortured him. Later the king asked the servants to bring the minister before Vaigai river.
As they were standing near the bank of river, slowly water flows out and started entering the city. The king asked all the people to collect mud (soil) and build a stone/wall to prevent river water from entering into the city. Everyone agreed and started to proceed. But one old lady refused to follow the order. Instead, she said she would offer pudding (food made of sugar and flour) to the person who can help to compensate her work. One young man accepted the offer and started tasting the pudding.
Because of pudding taste, he forgot his work and sat on the ground to enjoy it thoroughly. The king came to know that the young man denied his duty. So, he hit the young man on his back using cane. But instead of young man, all other felt the pain of cane. Then the entire people realized that the young man is Shiva himself and begged for forgiveness. King became the great devotee of Lord Shiva!
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