Meenakshi Temple named best ‘Swachh Iconic Place’ in India

Madurai’s Meenakshi Temple named best ‘Swachh Iconic Place’ in India. The Madurai City Corporation is set to receive a special award from the Centre as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. The Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple has been adjudged best ‘Swachh Iconic Place’ in India as on October 1, 2017. Ten spots were identified by the Central Government as part of the ‘Swachh Iconic Places’ initiative earlier this year. Madurai Corporation has placed several bins at a distance of 50 metres along the Chithirai streets. A total of 63 compact bins (for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste) have been placed and four compactor trucks do the rounds around the temple premises. There are 25 e-toilets and 15 water ATMs for tourists to use. There are two road sweepers and battery operated vehicles specifically purchased to clean this stretch.

About Meenakshi Temple: 

• Meenakshi Temple is a historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in the temple city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu. 
• It is dedicated to Meenakshi, a form of Parvati, and her consort, Sundareswar, a form of Shiva.
• The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2,500-year-old city of Madurai.
• Although most of the present structure was built between 1623 and 1655 CE. In the 14th century, the Sultanate Muslim Commander Malik Kafur plundered the temple and looted it of its valuables. It was rebuilt by the Nayak ruler Vishwanatha Nayakar around the 16th century. It was Vishwanatha Nayaka who rebuilt the temple in accordance to shilpa shastra. 
• It houses 14 gopurams (gateway towers), ranging from 45–50m in height. The tallest is the southern tower, 51.9 metres (170 ft) high, and two golden sculptured vimanas, the shrines over the garbhagrihas (sanctums) of the main deities.
• There are an estimated 33,000 sculptures in the temple. It was on the list of top 30 nominees for the "New Seven Wonders of the World". 
• The temple attracts 15,000 visitors a day, around 25,000 on Fridays, and receives an annual revenue of Rs. 60 million.
• The annual 10-day Meenakshi Tirukalyanam festival, celebrated during April and May, attracts 1 million visitors.