This morning saw us heading for the Meenakshi Amman Temple – clearly the highlight of all temples, I have seen in India.

To put the perspective right, to me this place felt like the Hindu equivalent to what the Vatican is for Catholics. The temple is more than just a simple temple, it is a massive compound of around six hectares. It is surrounded by a wall with four gate towers and an entrance pavilion. Inside it houses a total of 27 temples (assuming the count on wikipedia is correct), with another ten gate towers between buildings on the inside. The place is huge, there is quiet some walking inside … it is lively and hectic, full of people – but quiet and peaceful at the same time. To me this all way unexpected … I had known before, about the importance of the place – but one has to really see it to get the full picture.

Check this wikipedia article for more background on the temple’s history, architecture and significance.