Madurai Meeanakshi Temple, Madurai

According to Hindu legend of Madurai Meeanakshi Temple , Shiva came down to earth in the form of Sundareswarar to marry Meenakshi, an incarnation of [Parvati].The temple is the geographic and ritual center of the ancient city of Madurai. The temple walls, streets and finally the city walls (ancient) were built around the temple in concentric squares. Ancient Tamil classics mention that the temple was the center of the city and the streets happened to be radiating out like the lotus and its petals. It is one of the few temples in Tamil Nadu to have four entrances facing four directions.
The complex is in around 45 acres (180,000 Sq Meters) and the temple is a massive structure measuring 254 by 237 meters. The temple is surrounded by 12 towers, the tallest of which, the famous Southern tower, rises to over 170 ft (52 m) high.
Festivals
The most important festival associated with the temple is the Meenakshi Thirukalyanam (The divine marriage of Meenakshi) that is celebrated in April every year. During that one month period, in which most Tamil Nadu temples celebrate their annual festivals, there are a number of events including the Their Thiruvizhah (Chariot festival) and Thoppa Thiruvizhah (Float festival) are celebrated. Apart from this, major Hindu festivals like Navratri, Shivrathri are celebrated in a grand manner. Like most Shakti temples in Tamil Nadu, the Fridays during the Tamil months of Aadi (July 15 – Aug 17) and Thai (Jan 15 to Feb 15) are popularly celebrated with thousands of devotees thronging to the temple. In every Tamil month some festive occasions will happen in the temple like Aavani Urchavam, Maarghazi Urchavam, Navaratri, etc. Like Meenakshi Thirukalyanam Festival, Avani Moola Utsavam is also the major important festival in Meenakshi Amman Temple. This is a 10-day festival mainly devoted to Lord Sundareswarar which describes His various leelai a.k.a. Thiruvilayadal performed in Madurai city to save His devotees from distractions and problems.
Pottramarai Kulam (the Golden Lotus Pond):
It was in this pond  that the Golden Lotus for Indra to perform his pooja bloomed. This pond is also known as Adhi Teertha, Sivaganga and   Uthama Theertham. This pond is situated within the temple complex. This theertham was created by Lord Sivaperuman by thrusting his Soolam (three pronged spear) into the earth in deference to the plea of Nandhi Devar and other deities. It was here, that the plank of Sangam appeared and established greatness of the moral text called Thirukkural. It  was here that Chockalingam was found by the grace of the Lord, by the first Guru of Dharmapura Adheenam and Saint Srilasri Guru Gnanasambandar. In keeping with the boons granted by the Lord to a stork, upto this date no fish nor other life is found in this miraculous sacred pond. Since this theertam was created before all other theerthams it is called Adhi Theertham and because it is much greater importance than all other theerthams, it is also called Parama Theertham as Gnana Theertham because it confers prosperity on all who bathe in it. As it grants heavenly abode it is also called Mukthi Theertham and as Sivaganga because the water from Ganga from the head of Lord Siva confluences with it and as Uthama Theertham because of its purity than any other theertham..
How to Reach
Madurai City is well connected with Road, Rail and Air.
There are many trains passing through Madurai.
Regular bus facility available from almost all towns of  Tamilnadu State and many cities of neighboring states.
There are many package tours being operated from Various parts of south india