The temple city of Madurai is decked up for the MahaKumbha abishekam . The shrine has been extensively renovated. The old structural emoluments which had withstood the test of time ,have been refurbished. The painting work is in full swing. The special poojas have started. The temple is wearing a festive look.
Meenakshi Temple ,is always in a celebrating mood. Every day is marked by regal ,resounding occasions.Each day is an unique collaboration of devotion and resonant inspiration . This is the reverential experience of this ancient town.
Modern architecture has crept in.The assimilation of old and new is not a synchronised concept.It is not a seamless configuration. The old and the new do not blend .
The present Temple management committee, has taken a bold step. It has removed all the new designations. The shining marble in different hues, and the glittering granites in multi shades, the brass covering to the encrypted stone pillars have been removed. These fresh additions had marred the grandeur and the antiquity of the temple. They presented a ghastly portrayal . The fixation of such expensive materials presented an unholy combination and an unwilling amalgamation.
The temple ,now has seen a transformation. It has regained its originality. It looks royal and grand, sober and sumptuous, great and ecstatic..
Piety and sublimity are the essence of worship. The sanctum sanctorium , where all the godly powers converge has been modified to receive the consecrated divine effluence in absolute unison.
The reorganisation of the shrines of Meenakshi and her consort Sundersewarar, has been executed scrupulously. The damaged roofing in certain parts of the temple has been replaced with great care.
The commercial restrictions are implicated. Selling of tickets for darshans are a provision to restrict the crowd. But God is for all.The demarcation of the poor and the rich , the ordinary and the elite , the simple and the snobbish, the modest and the audacious , has to be withdrawn.
A free flow of devotees will add grace to the shrine ,as it had been practised all these years. Restrictions hamper normality. The faltering mob creates confusion. This distractions diffuses devotion and leads to unpleasant adherence.A little thought to this digression ,will resume prosperous endowments.
Meenas Poems 