HISTORIC ELEMENTS OF MADURAI CORE

 MEENAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE

The temple complex have Amman and Shiva shrine with Asta Shakti Mandapam ,Meenakshi Nayaka Mandapa , Meenakshi Nayakkar Mandapam, Potramaraikulam (Golden Lotus Tank), The Thousand Pillar Mandapam, Meenakshi Naicker Mandapam, Muthupillai Mandapam, Nagara Mandapam, Sangili Mandapam, Kolu Mandapam, Arukal mandapam, Velliambala Mandapam, Mandapam of 63 saints,  The hall of hundred pillars and  Pechchiyakkal Mandapam.

The mandapam taken for study is nagara mandapam which is a part of the temple complex. This mandapam is in front of the amman shrine and it is a gateway into the temple. As this mandapam is in the entry the entire mandapam is converted in to a shopping area. 

The two area taken for study are

1.      Nagara mandapam

2.      Viravasantharaya mandapam (opposite to ayiramkal mandapam – entry through east tower.

Nagara mandapam :

The mandapam is the gate way to the amman shrine and it is an additional gate way apart from the main east gopuram.

The nagara mandapam engages shops of different varieties. The shops have different types and problems. The problems experienced are the crowd, loading and unloading of the items inside the temple. Main problem experienced is these shops make use of the mandapams and the architectural features; sculptures of the mandapam are hidden within the space of the shops. 

The layout shows that the entire mandapam is filled with shops in which only 20 % is related with the temple activities. The other activities are related with the tourist shopping. The architectural features, ambiance of the mandapam and half the mandapam is hidden back at the shops. The shops use the rear end of the mandapam for storage which destroys the quality of the mandapam

Viravasantharaya mandapam

The mandapam that continues from the east gopuram,leading to the shive temple. The complex constitute of the ayiram kal mandapam in one end and kalyana mandapam at the other end. The shops uses some parts of the viravasantharaya mandapam , some parts of ayiramkal mandapam and the path leading to the vinayagar temple.

The whole pathway is used for shops which are of different varieties, ranging from pooja items, kolu dolls shopping,fancy items , gift shops, bangles and cosmetics items.

The shops that are connected with the temple complex are very less in number when compared to the other shops.

The shops connected with the mandapam are majorly gifts , books , and fancy articles. Handicraft items and bangle shops are found in large numbers.

Pudhu mandapam

Pudhu mandapam , majority of the shopping activites happen in this mandapam of Madurai. The commercial activity started in the mandapam during early 1970’s and increasing till today. This activity affects the mandapam in its spatial use, architectural features and the entire mandapam is covered with commercial activities. 

The mandapam has hundreds of sculptures and mandapams , with nayak style. The architectural features of the mandapam are hidden within the shops and the sculptures are broken and modified according to their needs. The mandapam’s visual phenomenon is affected and the physical features of the mandapam are destroyed due to negligence of the people. The visual impact of the mandapam makes one feel the commercialization of the Madurai area

. 

Raya gopuram:

The unfinished gopuram that is the gate way of the temple complex of Madurai is a 16 century element, which stands as an architectural excellence of nayak style. The tower has a broad base whose one side base is larger than the base of temple’s towers. The current scenario has transformed this element into a commercial stand. The seating area of mandapam is converted into shops for textiles.

The whole usable area of tower is fully used for commercial activities. The architectural features are hidden behind the shutters. The gopuram exhibits more number of sculptures and murals which are destroyed by the additions of the shops.