Hindu Society of North Carolina

Author(s): Hindu Society of North Carolina
Publisher: Hindu Society of North Carolina

Page 38

36 Page
WAH
GODDESS MINAKSHI DEVI मीनाक्षी देवी
Goddess Parvati incarnated herself as a mortal, reigned as the Pandyan Princess, wedded Lord Shiva and performed 64 miracles for the devotees. Her trousseau is exhibited in the best bourgeois fashion: golden saris, emeralds and rubies, and gem studded crowns. Her dowry included mountains of sugary sweetmeats overlaid with beaten silver. Meenakshi means one with the eyes of meen (fish). She stands with a parrot and a bouquet, radiating love and compassion. The sublime grace of the divine mother and her infinite mercy are beyond description.
The shrine of Meenakshi Devi is a replica from the famous temple in the ancient city of Madurai, situated in Tamilnadu state of India. The present temple was constructed by Tirumala Nayak, who ruled the Pandya kingdom from 1623 to 1659 A.D. The Meenakshi temple complex in Madurai occupies an area of 16 acres. It has massive walls and tall towers. The tallest tower is 169 feet high south tower.
Madurai is a well planned city where festivals for Meenakshi Devi are celebrated throughout the year. Most important festivals are in the month of Chaitra mid April to mid May), shravan (mid August to mid September) and thai (mid January to mid February). Chaitra purnima, the full moon day of Chaitra, is believed to be her wedding anniversary and is considered to be most auspicious.
अम्बा भजामि, Tiga 4 H I त्रिपुराम्बा भजामि, शारदाम्वा भजामि ।
Ambaam bhajaami, Jagadambaam bhajaami; Tripuraambaam bhajaami, Shaaradaambaam
bhajaami.
9007 Təqarət
HINDU SOCIETY OF NORTH CAROLINA CELFBERATION AND APPRECIATION (1976-2006)