Meenakshi Naicker Mandapam

Meenakshi Naicker Mandapam

Form the Asta Sakthi Mandapam ,we come to the Meenakshi Naicker Mandapam called after its constructer.This mandapam is 160 feet long and 110 feet broad.Here we can six rows of stone pillars numbering 110 each 22 feet high.

In each of these pillar,there is the figure of a yali(a fabulous animal like a lion with an elephant's proboscis possibly the mammoth) at the top and beautiful architecture work at the bottom.We find some unfinished statues also in this mandapam.

There is a'Thiruvatchi' (frame of lamps) at the western and of this mandapam,there are 1008 lamps in this thiruvatchi its height is about 25 feet when lighted ,it presents magnificient sight.Having been installed by the Marudhu Pandyas its maintenance charges are met even today by the Sivagangai state's temples,Hereditory  Trustee.

On the roof in front of this.Thiruvatchi areengraved the twelve Raises (planatory positions) in a square form.The test of the ceiling is painted with circular artistic decoration.

There are flower shops on the northern side of this mandapam.On the southern side there are toy and bangle shops,sacred ash,vermilion,turmeric and such other articles required for performing 'Archana' (chanting of holy words before the idol) are also sold in these shops.

On each side of the Thiruvatchi there is a room in which temple's paraphernalia are kept.

Beyond the Thiruvatchi ,towards the Amman Sannadhi we enter the base of a seven storeyed  tower. This base is 78 feet long and 38 feet broad.The height of the tower is 177 feet.There

 are 730 sculptures on this tower each one of them is an excellent piece of art,Because of this,this tower is  sometimes referred to as the Chitra Gopuram,(Artistic tower).

A view of this tower can be had from the Adi veethi (first path way surrounding the shrines of sree Meenakshi and lord Sundareswarar) at the place where elephants are tied or from the western side of the Golden Lily Tank.This tower was built in 1569 by Kalathinatha Mudaliar son of Dalavoi Ariyanatha Mudaliar.Like the Thiruvatchi,it is maintained by the Sivaganga Devasthanam.