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Vandiyur Mariamman
Teppakulam
Mariamman Teppakulam is a 1000 ft long and 950 ft wide huge square tank
situated at the eastern end of the city, about 5 km to the east of Meenakshi
temple. The tank believed to be built by King Thirumalai Nayak in 1646, is connected
to river Vaigai through underground channels. It is the venue of the annual
Float festival.
An idol of Lord Vinayaka is installed on a mandapam at the center of the Teppakulam
(tank) which is surrounded by other four small mandapams. It is said that this
idol has been discovered from the earth during the construction of the Thirumalai
Nayak Mahal. The annual float festival also known as 'Theppam' Festival of the
Meenakshi temple is celebrated at the Teppakulam on the full moon day (Thaipoosam
day) of the Tamil month Thai (January/February). At that time the center mandapam
is illuminated with colorful lights and temple deities are brought to it in
decorated floats called 'Theppam'. Celebrated with huge enthusiasm and pleasure,
this festival attracts thousands of tourists from far and near.
There is a temple on the Northern side of the tank which is dedicated to Mariamman,
a famous deity of Tamil Nadu.
Thirumalai Nayak
Mahal
Thirumalai Nayak Mahal, built in the year 1636 in Indo-Saracenic style by
King Thirumalai Nayak with the help of an Italian Architect, is located 1.5km
north of Meenakshi temple. The original palace complex, was four times bigger
than the present structure. It was destroyed by Chokkanatha Nayak- the grandson
of Thirumalai Nayak, and the valuables were shifted to his own palace in Trichy.
The present building was the main palace where the king lived.
Thirumalai Nayak Mahal consisted mainly of two parts, namely Swargavilasa (Celestial
Pavilion) and Rangavilasa. These parts consists of the royal residence, a theatre,
a shrine, apartments or quarters, armory, palanquin place, a royal bandstand,
a pond and a garden. The palace was renovated several times during the 19th
century and what survive today is the 'swargavilasa' and few adjoining buildings.
'Swargavilasa', with its 3, 900 sq.m spacious rectangular courtyard, is surrounded
by massive white circular pillars, measuring 20m in height and 4m in diameter
and these pillars are connected by high decorated arches. Furniture and utensils
used by the kings have been exhibited inside the palace. To the west of the
courtyard lies the throne chamber, a vast room with an arcaded octagon covered
by a dome of 60-70 feet high and this room leads to the dance hall. The courtyard
and the dancing hall are the major attractions of the palace. A museum is also
located inside the palace which exhibits the furniture and utensils used by
the kings.
After independence, the palace was declared as a national monument and now
it is under the aegis of the Archaeological Department of Tamilnadu. The palace
is open for visitors from 9.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m and 2.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. Sound
and light show on the life of Thirumalai Nayak and the story of 'Silappathikaram'
(a Tamil classic) is performed here daily in English (6:45pm) and Tamil (8:15pm).
The ticket fee for the shows are Rs. 10/- for adults and Rs. 5/- for children.
Contact Address :
Thirumalai Nayak Palace
Palace Road, Madurai - 625 001
Phone: +91-452-2332945/2338992
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