Goddess Meenakshi is a beautiful name that means the fish-eyed goddess and represents an aspect of the powerful goddess Parvati. Sundareswara, the handsome lord, is a magnificent aspect of the great god Shiva.
Madurai is known for its long-standing tradition of the worship of Meenakshi-Sundareswarar, which has been practised for many centuries.
The Madurai Meenakshi Wedding refers to the annual festival celebrated at the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. The festival is a reenactment of the wedding ceremony of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar, which according to Hindu mythology, took place in Madurai. The festival is celebrated in the month of Chaitra (March-April) and lasts for 12 days.
The Legend:
Once upon a time, in the southern part of India, there reigned a king by the name of Malayadwaja Pandya in the city of Madurai. He and his wife, queen Kanchanamala, had no children but desperately wanted one. They sacrificed to the gods by performing a yagna, and in return, they were given a daughter with three breasts. The king was concerned about his daughter's appearance, and he was told that his daughter was an incarnation of the goddess Parvati and that her third breast would disappear when she met her soulmate.
The girl was named Meenakshi and was trained in martial arts and other skills to prepare her for her future role as a warrior queen. She grew up to be a brave and beautiful princess who won many battles and conquered many kingdoms.
One day, Meenakshi decided to go on a hunting expedition in the forest near Mount Kailash, where Lord Shiva lived. She encountered Lord Shiva, who was meditating in the forest and was struck by his handsome appearance. She realized that he was her soulmate and asked him to marry her. Lord Shiva initially refused, but later agreed after being convinced by his followers.
The wedding ceremony, known as Meenakshi Thirukalyanam, was held in Madurai with great pomp and splendour. The gods and goddesses, including Brahma and Vishnu, attended the wedding and blessed the couple.
Meenakshi Thirukalyanam is celebrated annually in Madurai during the Tamil month of Chithirai (April-May) as a grand festival called Chithirai Thiruvizha. The festival is attended by millions of people from all over the world and is a celebration of love and devotion, The festival is a celebration of the divine union of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar and is believed to bring prosperity and happiness to the devotees who participate in it.
It is a wonderful opportunity to experience the rich culture and traditions of Tamil Nadu and witness the grandeur of the Meenakshi Amman Temple.
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