Temple · Madurai, India

Meenakshi Temple

Meenakshi Temple, also known as Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, is a historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. Built 1200.

Built 1200IndiaTemple
Meenakshi Temple
Meenakshi Temple.

Photo: எஸ்ஸார் via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0. Cropped and resized for display.

Landmark facts

LocationMadurai, India
TypeTemple
Built1200
Coordinates9.9197° N, 78.1194° E

Every fact above is taken from the sources listed below; anything no source states is left blank rather than guessed.

What Meenakshi Temple is known for

Meenakshi Temple, also known as Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, is a historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.

About Meenakshi Temple

Meenakshi Temple, also known as Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, is a historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to Meenakshi, a form of Parvati, and her consort Sundareswarar (Shiva). The temple is theologically significant as it represents a confluence of various denominations of Hinduism such as Shaivism, Shaktism, and Vaishnavism.

History

The town of Madurai is described from the Sangam era texts, dated to 1st to 4th century. Tamil texts imply that a temple existed in Madurai by the mid-6th century. As per these texts, the town of "Koodal" (Madurai) is described as a temple town where every street radiated from the temple.

Planning a visit? Visit the official Meenakshi Temple website — the official site has the current visiting information.

How to get there

Nearest townMadurai
Nearest airportMadurai Airport (IXM)
Distance from the airport6.0 miles (straight line)

Nearest major airport by straight-line distance from the landmark’s coordinates; road distance will be longer.

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Landmarks nearby

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Frequently asked questions

What is Meenakshi Temple?

Meenakshi Temple, also known as Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, is a historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.

Where is Meenakshi Temple located?

Meenakshi Temple is in Madurai, India. Its coordinates are 9.9197° N, 78.1194° E.

How do I get to Meenakshi Temple?

The nearest town is Madurai, and the nearest airport is Madurai Airport (IXM), about 6.0 miles away (straight line).

When was Meenakshi Temple built?

Meenakshi Temple was built 1200.

Sources

Page last updated 13 November 2026.