The Meenakshi temple at Madurai in Tamil Nadu has been constructed by the rulers of the Nayak dynasty who ruled Tamil Country right up to Cape Comorin, after the fall of Vijayanagar kingdom in 1565.Their greatest king Tirumala Nayaka(1623-1659 A.D.) built the Vasant Mandapa in front of the great Meenakshi temple. Shiva and Parvati were worshipped in Madurai since ancient times in the forms of Sundara Pandya and Meenakshi who were the divine ancestors of an old Pandya dynasty of this palace.

The Meenakshi temple is actually a double temple dedicated to Sundaresvar (Shiva) and his consort structures measure 259*221 m and each of the four sides have a large gateway. As one enters into the eastern gateway, he is led through a pillared corridor with another gateway surrounded by a gopuram.Three other gateways, also have gopurams of smaller size. The temple has a flat-roofed corridor with three aisles. The Sanctum has a small tower rising above the flat roof. Courts and halls are located in the temples having colonnades of pillars. The figure-Sculptures attached are very large, showing superb workmanship.