The twin temple of Meenakshi- Sundareswarar alias Madurai Meenakshiamman kovil which lies in the heart of the city, near Chithirai street is one of the most important tourist landmark of Madurai city. The temple on the southern side is dedicated to the fish eyed Goddess Meenakshi, the consort of Lord Sundareswarar (Shiva) and the other to Lord Sundareswarar himself. This temple complex which is about 258mts in length and 242mts in breadth is surrounded by five highly decorated gopurams (towers). The temple is an excellent example of Dravidian architecture and the major highlight is the 'Hall of a Thousand Pillars' known as Ayiramkal Mandapam, built around 1560. This hall, adorned with 985 elaborately carved pillars, is a museum of icons, photographs and illustrations. Among the mandapams, the Kambattadi Mandapam is outstanding for its excellent sculptured representations of the manifestations of Shiva on the pillars. The temple can be visited from 5:00AM to 12:30PM and 4:00PM to 9:30PM.