Meenakshi Temple in Madurai is known as Meenakshi Amman Temple or Minakshi Sundareshwara Temple. Located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in the state of Tamil Nadu. Mandir is dedicated to Meenakshi, a form of Parvati and Sundareshwar a form of Shiva. The temple is located at the centre of the city of Madurai.
Meenakshi Amman Temple is a major pilgrimage place for Shiv and Parvati both. The temple includes Vishnu in many narratives and sculptures as Vishnu is considered the brother of Meenakshi.
Read further to know the opening & closing timings of Meenakshi Temple. Also, know about the darshan and pooja timings of the temple.
Madurai Meenakshi Temple Timings
| Puja and Darshan | Time |
|---|---|
| Temple Opening Time | 4:30 AM |
| Maalai Pooja | 4:30 AM to 5:15 AM |
| Thiruvanandal Pooja | 5:00 AM – 6:00 AM |
| Vizha Pooja | 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM |
| Kalasandhi Pooja | 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM |
| Darshan | 7:15 AM to 10:30 AM |
| Thrukalasandhi Pooja | 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM |
| Uchikkala Pooja (Noon Pooja) | 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM |
| Darshan | 11:15 AM to 12:30 PM |
| Temple Closing Hours | 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM |
| Temple reopens | 4:00 PM |
| Darshan | 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM |
| Ardhajama Pooja (Night Pooja) | 7:30 PM to 8:15 PM |
| Darshan | 8:15 PM to 9:30 PM |
| Palilliarai Pooja | 9:30 PM to 10:00 PM |
| Temple Closing Time | 10:00 PM |
Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple Opening Closing Timings
| Morning Time | Closing Time | |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Opening Time: 4:30 AM Closing Time: 12:30 PM | Opening Time: 4:00 PM Closing Time: 10:00 PM |
| Tuesday | Opening Time: 4:30 AM Closing Time: 12:30 PM | Opening Time: 4:00 PM Closing Time: 10:00 PM |
| Wednesday | Opening Time: 4:30 AM Closing Time: 12:30 PM | Opening Time: 4:00 PM Closing Time: 10:00 PM |
| Thursday | Opening Time: 4:30 AM Closing Time: 12:30 PM | Opening Time: 4:00 PM Closing Time: 10:00 PM |
| Friday | Opening Time: 4:30 AM Closing Time: 12:30 PM | Opening Time: 4:00 PM Closing Time: 10:00 PM |
| Saturday | Opening Time: 4:30 AM Closing Time: 12:30 PM | Opening Time: 4:00 PM Closing Time: 10:00 PM |
| Sunday | Opening Time: 4:30 AM Closing Time: 12:30 PM | Opening Time: 4:00 PM Closing Time: 10:00 PM |
Meenakshi Temple Darshan Timings
| Morning Darshan Timing | 7:15 AM to 10:30 AM |
| Afternoon Darshan Timing | 11:15 AM to 12:30 PM |
| Evening Darshan Timing | 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM |
| Night Darshan Timing | 8:15 PM to 9:30 PM |
Meenakshi Amman Temple Pooja Timings
All the puja and rituals are performed by pandits in Meenakshi Temple. Every day six poojas are performed in the temple.
The rituals and festivals are accompanied by music with nadhaswaram (pipe instrument) and tavil (percussion instrument) recitation of the Vedas.
| Puja | Time |
|---|---|
| Maalai Pooja | 4:30 AM to 5:15 AM |
| Thiruvanandal Pooja | 5:00 AM – 6:00 AM |
| Vizha Pooja | 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM |
| Kalasandhi Pooja | 6:30 AM to 7:15 AM |
| Thrukalasandhi Pooja | 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM |
| Uchikkala Pooja (Noon Pooja) | 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM |
| Ardhajama Pooja (Night Pooja) | 7:30 PM to 8:15 PM |
| Palilliarai Pooja | 9:30 PM to 10:00 PM |
Get complete details on Meenakshi Temple Darshan and Pooja Online Ticket Booking
Madurai Temple Entry Fee
- Free darshan for all devotees
- Rs.20 (per person) for quick darshan of the temple
- Rs.50 (per person) darshan for expedited darshan
- Rs. 100 (per person) Premium Ticket darshan providing the fastest access to the temple
- Rs.250 to Rs.500 (per person) for special darshan
About Meenakshi Amman Temple
- Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple is one of the most famous and largest temples in South India.
- The temple has 14 Gopurams including 4 Raja Gopurams, 2 Gold Gopurams, 1 Chithirai Gopuram, 5 five-floored Gopurams and 2 three-floored Gopurams which look very beautiful.
- There are a thousand pillars inside the temple and a sacred pool with golden lotus.
- The temple is considered as ” Best Swachh Iconic Place” and awarded by the Central Government in the year 2017.
- There is a museum inside the temple named “The Temple Art Museum” where you can see ancient sculptures and paintings.
Best Time To Visit Madurai Meenakshi Temple
The best time to visit Meenakshi Temple is from the month of October to March. During these months the weather is cool and you can easily explore the temple and the city.
Significance of Meenakshi Temple
The Meenakshi Temple is a theologically and culturally significant temple for Tamil Hindus. The marriage of God Sundaresvara and Goddess Meenakshi is a symbolic paradigm for human marriage. The Temple holds a significant relationship between Shaivism and Vaishnavism.
Meenakshi is the central part of Shaktism. Tiruvilaiyatal Purana has listed 68 pilgrimage places. Among the four most important pilgrimage places. Madurai is one of them.
The temple is one of the popular sites for Hindu weddings. The goods and services transferred to Meenakshi Temple play an important part in the economy of Madurai.
Festivals Celebrated at Meenakshi Temple
Meenakshi Temple held a festival in every month of Tamil Calendar.
The Special festival is the Meenakshi marriage which collapses with the “Chidambaram marriage” which lasts for 12 days. In this festival, Vishnu gives his sister to marry Shiva in a procession. In this month of Chithirai, millions of people visit the temple.
“Avani Moola Utsavam” is a 10-day festival mainly devoted to Sundareswarar and describes various scare games of Shiva.
The Navratri festival is important and the temple is lit up with garlands of lights and colourful displays. The mandapam halls display mythological scenes from Hindu texts using golu dolls.
The other important festivals of the temple are the Vasantham festival, Unjal Festival, Mulai-Kottu festival, Kolattam festival, Arudhra Dharsan festival and Thai month Utsavam.
Dress Code of Meenakshi Temple
The dress code for male devotees is that they should wear dhotis or pyjamas with upper clothes or formal pants and shirts.
Women should wear sarees or half sarees with a blouse and churidars. Women are mandatory to cover their heads.
The children should wear a fully covered dress.
Tips While Visiting Meenakshi Temple
- Check the weather before planning your trip to Madurai. Due to high temperature or humid atmosphere, you won’t be able to explore.
- Check the information of Meenakshi Amman Temple for the visitors before planning the trip.
- Follow all the rules of the temple to have a memorable visit.
- Cameras and Mobile Phones are not allowed inside the temple.
- Try to visit the temple early in the morning for the hassle-free darshan and visit of the temple.
- Wear comfortable footwear as you have to walk a lot to visit the temple.
Do’s and Dont’s of Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple
- Must follow the dress code of the temple.
- Cigarettes, Tobacco and Gutka are not allowed inside the temple.
- Wearing socks or shoes is prohibited inside the temple for devotees.
- Mobile phones, cameras or any type of electronic gadget, bags or water bottles are not allowed inside the temple.
- Female devotees should not enter the temple during their first five days of the Menstruation Period.
- The cleanliness of the temple should be maintained.
- Umbrellas, sticks and items made of animal skin are not allowed inside the temple.
How To Reach Madurai Meenakshi Temple?
By Road
You will easily get a cab and bus from major cities to reach Madurai
By Rail
Madurai Railway Station is the nearest railway station to reach the temple. The temple is located at a distance of 2 km from the station.
By Air
Madurai Airport is the nearest to reach Meenakshi Amman Temple at a distance of just 10 km.
Where to Stay in Madurai near Meenakshi Temple?
There are many best places to stay in Madurai. If you want to visit Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple and look for Hotels and Dharamshala? Then YatraDham.Org will provide you best accommodation option in Madurai. Below is the list of the stay options.
