1. NAGARA MANDAPA
Nagara Mandapa, also called Acharayan Mandapa, constructed during the reign of Rani Mangammal (A.D.1689-1706), is situated opposite to Meenakshi Shrine. On a pillar to the east of this mandapa there are sculptures of Ranimangammal and her grandson Muthuvijayaranga Chokkanatha Nayak facing the temple. The musical instrument Nagara is played two times, ie. morning and evening,
every day from the top of this mandapa.
2. PUDUMANDAPAM
It was constructed by Thirumalai Nayak (1626-33) for the purpose of celebration of Vasanthotsav (summer festival) of the Madurai temple. It measures about 110 meter x 35 meter. It is a treasure house of sculptures. It is a tradition to celebrate the Vasanthotsav by filling up water in the pit of this mandapa. The inner pillars of this mandapa adorn the life size statues of Thirumalai Nayak and his predecessors. At western entrance of this mandapa is an elegant statue of Thirumalai Nayak seated on a horse back. The outer pillars adorn the sculptures of Ravananugrahamurti, Gajasamharamurti, Ekapadamurti, Kali, Urdhvatandava, celestial marriage of Siva and Meenakshi and sculptures depicting the stories of Thiruvilayadal purana such as Tadathagaipiratti (Goddess with three breasts) Siva breast feeding the young ones of the pigs and tigers, feeding of sugarcane to stone elephant, blessing the black sparrow etc. This mandapa exemplifies the sculptural art tradition of the Nayak period.
3. ELUKADAL STREET
There is an ancient street, running in front of the Chokkanatha shrine, called Elukadal Street (Affluence of Seven Seas). It was here, in this street, the stores which sold many essential goods existed. There was a large tank on the north of this street. Now it is destroyed and in its place a multi-storeyed building is erected to house the shops. A legendary story says that Kanchanamala, the mother of Goddess Meenakshi wished to take sacred bath in seven seas. When Lord Siva learnt this, He miraculously brought water from seven seas to Madurai and formed a tank here to house the water, and help his mother-in-law to take bath in that tank. Hence the name Elukadal . Even to-day, one can see a Siva temple, on the western band of the tank, believed to have been worshipped by Kanchanamala along with her husband Malayathuvasan. A stone slab inscription erected by the side of the tank mentions that one Saluva Nayaka, an officer of the Vijayanagara ruler Krishnadevaraya, in A.D.1516, renovated and reconstructed this tank and named it as ‘Saptasakaram’ (Elukadal).
There is a sluice trough located in between the Raya Gopura and Pudumandapa to take water to many places. On the four sides of it are the drainpipes which took water to Elukadal, Pudumandapam and the temple. Now a stucco Nandhi image is placed on it.
4. RAYA GOPURAM
At the Western corner of the Elukadal street there is an unfinished Gopura. It measures about 58 meters in length and 39 meters in breadth. This massive structure was constructed in A.D.1654 by Thirumalai Nayak in order to enhance the beauty of Meenakshi Chokkar temple. But it was stopped with the foundation portion alone. Known as Raya Gopura, it has the sculptural representations of Thirumalai Nayak and his younger brother Muthiyalu Nayak in its western lower storey. This gopura exhibits the architectural excellence of the Nayak period. If the tower was built, this would have been one of the tallest Gopuras in Tamilnadu.
5.VITTAVASAL
(The Gateway which is left undisturbed) This gateway is located in front of the Amman Shrine. It is a reminiscent of the Pandya fort in Madurai. It is mentioned in an inscription of the British Government(A.D.1935) found on the gateway. There is a one hundred year old printing press, called V.Subbarayalu Naidu and sons printing press located to the east of Vittavasal. This seems to be one of the earlier printing press established in Madurai.
6. TEMPLE CARS
There are two large and beautifully decorated wooden temple cars at the centre of the East Masi Street, generally used for carrying the idols of the God and Goddess on a procession after the celestial wedding of Meenakshi-Chokkanathar during the Chitrai festival. The largest of them is meant to carry the bronze images of Lord Siva and Meenakshi and in the other one only the idol of Goddess Meenakshi is carried. These temple cars are decorated exuberantly with the benign, and ferocious forms of Siva, sculptures related to Thiruvilayadal Purana, various incarnations of Vishnu, Sakti images, folk art forms and erotic sculptures. The cars were made by Thirumalai Nayak 400 years ago.
7. KOTHAVAL CHAVADI ( CHOULTRY)
There is a double storeyed building in the East Mast Street to the north of Vilakkuthoon. This was utilised as a police station. An inscription of the British period, found on the south of the gateway of the building refers to the building as Kothval Chavadi Police Mainguard.
8. VILAKKU THOON (THE LAMP POST)
There is a long metal Lamp post called VIlakkuththun in the meeting place of South Masi street and East Masi street, to the north of the Ten pillars. An inscription found here mentions that this Lamp post was installed in honour of John Blackburn the then collector of Madurai. It was he who in A.D.1840 ordered for the destruction of Madurai Fort and extended the outer Streets (Veliveedhi). The old fort area was converted into public residential area. In respect of the expansion of the city limit the stone elephant was brought from the Thirumalai Nayak Palace and installed at Yanaikkal junction in memory of Blackburn.
9. TEN PILLAR LANE
To the north of the Thirumalai Nayak Palace, ten tall pillars may be seen in a lane, with a height of 12 meters and 1.20 meters breadth. Today the public call this lane as Ten Pillar Lane. It was in this area where another portion of the Palace seemed to have existed as a residence of the king’s younger brother. This was called Rangavilasa. This part of the Palace was destroyed and the ten pillars which survived, formed part of the courtyard of that Palace. Without understanding the real purpose of these pillars, the people consider that these were used as elephant staples
10. SETHUPATI HOSPITAL ( PANDYAN COOPERATIVE STORE)
The building in which the Pandyan Co operative Store functions today was erected in A.D.1897. This was donated in honour of the British Prince Albert Victor by the Sethupati, ruler of Ramnad. This is inscribed in a stone slab fixed on a wall of this building.The south west portion , in which the Registrar's office function, was constructed by British.
11. THIRUMALAI NAYAK PALACE
It is believed that the celebrated Nayak King Thirumalai Nayak (A.D.1620-1659) erected this palace around A.D.1636. There were two main portions ie. Swargavilas and Rangavilas, enclosed by a high wall called Parimathil. Most of the structures of the Palace have been destroyed and only one fourth of the palace exists today. The elephant staple, horse court, vasanthavavi, garden, officers residences, playground, the temple of the Goddess Rajarajeswari and other parts of the original palace were destroyed due to obvious reasons. The northern part of the Palace, seems to have existed by the side of the Naubat- Khana street. The king Thirumalai Nayak believed to have resided in the celestial pavilion called Swargavilas, which still exists. The remaining existing parts of the Palace are a large courtyard, darbhar hall, pooja room, natakasala and bed chamber.
The upper portion of the Palace is decorated with a number of beautiful domes supported by wonderful short but heavy columns. Attractive arches, stucco figures and stucco works are some of the artistic splendours of this Palace. This is an ancient South Indian Palace constructed by lime, bricks, wood, and stone, showing curious workmanship and great beauty. The Palace is the best example of Indo-Sarasanic architecture, ie. an admixture of traditional Hindu and Muslim architecture.
Nagara Mandapa, also called Acharayan Mandapa, constructed during the reign of Rani Mangammal (A.D.1689-1706), is situated opposite to Meenakshi Shrine. On a pillar to the east of this mandapa there are sculptures of Ranimangammal and her grandson Muthuvijayaranga Chokkanatha Nayak facing the temple. The musical instrument Nagara is played two times, ie. morning and evening,
every day from the top of this mandapa.
2. PUDUMANDAPAM
It was constructed by Thirumalai Nayak (1626-33) for the purpose of celebration of Vasanthotsav (summer festival) of the Madurai temple. It measures about 110 meter x 35 meter. It is a treasure house of sculptures. It is a tradition to celebrate the Vasanthotsav by filling up water in the pit of this mandapa. The inner pillars of this mandapa adorn the life size statues of Thirumalai Nayak and his predecessors. At western entrance of this mandapa is an elegant statue of Thirumalai Nayak seated on a horse back. The outer pillars adorn the sculptures of Ravananugrahamurti, Gajasamharamurti, Ekapadamurti, Kali, Urdhvatandava, celestial marriage of Siva and Meenakshi and sculptures depicting the stories of Thiruvilayadal purana such as Tadathagaipiratti (Goddess with three breasts) Siva breast feeding the young ones of the pigs and tigers, feeding of sugarcane to stone elephant, blessing the black sparrow etc. This mandapa exemplifies the sculptural art tradition of the Nayak period.
3. ELUKADAL STREET
There is an ancient street, running in front of the Chokkanatha shrine, called Elukadal Street (Affluence of Seven Seas). It was here, in this street, the stores which sold many essential goods existed. There was a large tank on the north of this street. Now it is destroyed and in its place a multi-storeyed building is erected to house the shops. A legendary story says that Kanchanamala, the mother of Goddess Meenakshi wished to take sacred bath in seven seas. When Lord Siva learnt this, He miraculously brought water from seven seas to Madurai and formed a tank here to house the water, and help his mother-in-law to take bath in that tank. Hence the name Elukadal . Even to-day, one can see a Siva temple, on the western band of the tank, believed to have been worshipped by Kanchanamala along with her husband Malayathuvasan. A stone slab inscription erected by the side of the tank mentions that one Saluva Nayaka, an officer of the Vijayanagara ruler Krishnadevaraya, in A.D.1516, renovated and reconstructed this tank and named it as ‘Saptasakaram’ (Elukadal).
There is a sluice trough located in between the Raya Gopura and Pudumandapa to take water to many places. On the four sides of it are the drainpipes which took water to Elukadal, Pudumandapam and the temple. Now a stucco Nandhi image is placed on it.
4. RAYA GOPURAM
At the Western corner of the Elukadal street there is an unfinished Gopura. It measures about 58 meters in length and 39 meters in breadth. This massive structure was constructed in A.D.1654 by Thirumalai Nayak in order to enhance the beauty of Meenakshi Chokkar temple. But it was stopped with the foundation portion alone. Known as Raya Gopura, it has the sculptural representations of Thirumalai Nayak and his younger brother Muthiyalu Nayak in its western lower storey. This gopura exhibits the architectural excellence of the Nayak period. If the tower was built, this would have been one of the tallest Gopuras in Tamilnadu.
5.VITTAVASAL
(The Gateway which is left undisturbed) This gateway is located in front of the Amman Shrine. It is a reminiscent of the Pandya fort in Madurai. It is mentioned in an inscription of the British Government(A.D.1935) found on the gateway. There is a one hundred year old printing press, called V.Subbarayalu Naidu and sons printing press located to the east of Vittavasal. This seems to be one of the earlier printing press established in Madurai.
6. TEMPLE CARS
There are two large and beautifully decorated wooden temple cars at the centre of the East Masi Street, generally used for carrying the idols of the God and Goddess on a procession after the celestial wedding of Meenakshi-Chokkanathar during the Chitrai festival. The largest of them is meant to carry the bronze images of Lord Siva and Meenakshi and in the other one only the idol of Goddess Meenakshi is carried. These temple cars are decorated exuberantly with the benign, and ferocious forms of Siva, sculptures related to Thiruvilayadal Purana, various incarnations of Vishnu, Sakti images, folk art forms and erotic sculptures. The cars were made by Thirumalai Nayak 400 years ago.
7. KOTHAVAL CHAVADI ( CHOULTRY)
There is a double storeyed building in the East Mast Street to the north of Vilakkuthoon. This was utilised as a police station. An inscription of the British period, found on the south of the gateway of the building refers to the building as Kothval Chavadi Police Mainguard.
8. VILAKKU THOON (THE LAMP POST)
There is a long metal Lamp post called VIlakkuththun in the meeting place of South Masi street and East Masi street, to the north of the Ten pillars. An inscription found here mentions that this Lamp post was installed in honour of John Blackburn the then collector of Madurai. It was he who in A.D.1840 ordered for the destruction of Madurai Fort and extended the outer Streets (Veliveedhi). The old fort area was converted into public residential area. In respect of the expansion of the city limit the stone elephant was brought from the Thirumalai Nayak Palace and installed at Yanaikkal junction in memory of Blackburn.
9. TEN PILLAR LANE
To the north of the Thirumalai Nayak Palace, ten tall pillars may be seen in a lane, with a height of 12 meters and 1.20 meters breadth. Today the public call this lane as Ten Pillar Lane. It was in this area where another portion of the Palace seemed to have existed as a residence of the king’s younger brother. This was called Rangavilasa. This part of the Palace was destroyed and the ten pillars which survived, formed part of the courtyard of that Palace. Without understanding the real purpose of these pillars, the people consider that these were used as elephant staples
10. SETHUPATI HOSPITAL ( PANDYAN COOPERATIVE STORE)
The building in which the Pandyan Co operative Store functions today was erected in A.D.1897. This was donated in honour of the British Prince Albert Victor by the Sethupati, ruler of Ramnad. This is inscribed in a stone slab fixed on a wall of this building.The south west portion , in which the Registrar's office function, was constructed by British.
11. THIRUMALAI NAYAK PALACE
It is believed that the celebrated Nayak King Thirumalai Nayak (A.D.1620-1659) erected this palace around A.D.1636. There were two main portions ie. Swargavilas and Rangavilas, enclosed by a high wall called Parimathil. Most of the structures of the Palace have been destroyed and only one fourth of the palace exists today. The elephant staple, horse court, vasanthavavi, garden, officers residences, playground, the temple of the Goddess Rajarajeswari and other parts of the original palace were destroyed due to obvious reasons. The northern part of the Palace, seems to have existed by the side of the Naubat- Khana street. The king Thirumalai Nayak believed to have resided in the celestial pavilion called Swargavilas, which still exists. The remaining existing parts of the Palace are a large courtyard, darbhar hall, pooja room, natakasala and bed chamber.
The upper portion of the Palace is decorated with a number of beautiful domes supported by wonderful short but heavy columns. Attractive arches, stucco figures and stucco works are some of the artistic splendours of this Palace. This is an ancient South Indian Palace constructed by lime, bricks, wood, and stone, showing curious workmanship and great beauty. The Palace is the best example of Indo-Sarasanic architecture, ie. an admixture of traditional Hindu and Muslim architecture.
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