Rameswaram Yatra

Rameswaram Temple

The temple of Rameswaram is as old as the Ramayana. The temple had humble beginnings with an ancient shrine housed in a thatched hut until the 12th century. The present structure is the work of number of persons spread over a number of centuries. The existing record shows that first ever masonry structure was built by Parakrama Bahu of Sri Lanka. The Setupathy (architects and stone masons) rulers of Ramanathapuram completed the rest of the temple. Although mainly Dravidian in style some of the temple vimanams resemble that of the Pallava period. The temple has also received royal patronage from several kingdoms such as Travancore, Ramanathapuram, Mysore and Pudukkottai. Much of the additions were carried out between the 12th to 16th centuries. Udayan Sethupathi of Ramnad expanded the temple in the 15th century and his statue is found near the southern entrance of the temple. Stretched over a vast area of 15 acres, Rameswaram Temple is the typical specimen of Dravidian style of architecture. The skyscraping gopurams (spires) truly dominate the skyline of Rameswaram. 

Meenakshi Temple

Meenakshi Temple, also referred to as Meenakshi Amman or Meenakshi Sundareshwara Temple, is a historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in the temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India.The presiding deities are Meenakshi, a form of Parvati, and her consort, Sundareshwar, a form of Shiva. The temple is at the center of the ancient temple city of Madurai mentioned in the Tamil Sangam literature, with the goddess temple mentioned in 6th century CE texts.

The restored complex now houses 14 gopurams (gateway towers), ranging from 4550m in height, with the southern gopura tallest at 51.9 metres (170 ft). The complex has numerous sculpted pillared halls such as Ayirakkal (Thousand pillared hall), Kilikoondu-mandapam, Golu-mandapam and Pudu-mandapam.The temple attracts over a million pilgrims and visitors during the annual 10-day Meenakshi Tirukalyanam festival, celebrated with much festivities, fervour and a ratha (chariot) procession during the Tamil month of Chittirai (overlaps with April-May in Georgian calendar, Chaitra in North India). The Temple has been adjudged best Swachh Iconic Place in India as on October 1, 2017 under Prime Minister of India's Flagship Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
First have a look on various minor quadrangular complexes, 14 gopurams or towers or on out of which the tallest one, the southern tower, which stretches nearly 170 feet (52 meters) high. The temple which has five entrances, covers an area of 847 feet (254.1 meters) long and 792 feet (237.6 meters) wide in the North - South direction, the circumference of the Aadi Veedhi which is the path within the great walls is 830 feet (249 meters) on the east west and , measuring 730 feet (219 meters) from North - South direction.

It is believed that one who sprinkles the waters of the pond of Golden Lotus on Amavasya (new moon) day, the first day of the month, days of eclipse and other auspicious days and worship the Lord, they will be blessed with all their aspirations for success. The temple has four Rajagopurams or majestic towers, there are five towers on top of the sanctum sanctorum of the Lord, three on top of the sanctum sanctorum of the Goddess and two golden towers or vimanas, all which have been exquisitely designed and sculptured.

Only Hindus can go into the inner sanctums to worship the deity of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar. 

Namakkal Anjaneyar Temple

Namakkal Anjaneyar temple is located in Namakkal, a town in Namakkal district. It is dedicated to the Hindu god Hanuman. It is constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture. The legend of the temple is associated with Narasimha, an avatar of Hindu god Vishnu appearing for Hanuman and Lakshmi. The image of Anjaneyar is 18 ft (5.5 m) tall, making it one of the tallest images of Hanuman in India. The Agamam is followed by “Sri Vaikhanasam”.

The temple has a pillared hall leading to the sanctum. The temple is maintained and administered by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Government of Tamil Nadu.