Story of 3 breasted princess - Meenakshi Photo

Photographer’s Note

I recenlty visited one of the most spectacular architectural marvels of India - The Madurai Meenakshi temple. Meenakshi temple is considered by many as one of the great wonders of architecture. And like TajMahal, a LOVE STORY behind it!

Story :-
According to mythology, Meenakshi(the one with fish like eyes) was a princess who was born with three breasts. Holy men adviced that the extra breast would disappear when she meet her future husband!

Meenakshi,grew up to be a valorous queen and later went on a DigVijaya or a tour of victory, across the length and breadth of the Indian subcontinent. In the course of her travels she came to Mount Kailash where she encountered Shiva; upon standing in front of Shiva her third breast disappeared and a the warrior princess transformed into a blushing bride.

Shiva directed Meenakshi to return to Madurai, and promised her that he would join her in eight days as her groom. Eight days later the divine wedding was celebrated with pomp and splendour in Madurai.

Temple :-
Meenakshi temple is one of the largest temples in India and a magnificent example of Dravidian architecture and sculptures. Many considers the temple as one of the great wonders of ancient world.

Located at the heart of Madurai City, it features an astonishing profusion of sculpted figures, ornamental pillars and cloistered courtyards. Among the highlights of the temple complex are the "Hall of a Thousand Pillars" and the "Tank of Golden Lotuses".

Of its 12 Gopurams (Towers), four of the tallest stand at the outer walls of the temple. Here is the 48.4m high southern gopuram. It is quite spectacular with over 1500 sculptures - stucco figures - of deities, mythical animals and monsters painted in vivid colours.

Technical - Adjusted levels & lighting using PS.

quillo, nethrafotos, anew, mtulika, atus, christlagat, pablominto, sabyasachi1212, pranab, kermit350, ramesh_lalwani, sathiyan, AiresSantos, elitsa has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

quillo (7174) 2006-05-20 19:02

Hi Sunil, a symmetrical and colorista photo of the Meenakshi temple, fitted well in the door, I like.

Congratulations.

Paco

nethrafotos (376) 2006-05-20 19:04

Hi Sunil:

You have nicely utilized one of the dwarams (doors) as a frame to capture the temple. A very good detailed note, too. Congrats!

TFS

Imam

anew (580) 2006-05-20 19:15

This is a very good pov. I also love the colors and the details you have captured here. Good job.

atus (15452) 2006-05-20 19:27

Hello Sunil,
very nicely framed colorful shot from a good PoV. Thank You for the useful and very interesting note.
Best regards.
Attila

Izobretenik (1264) 2006-05-20 20:00

A nice picture and a good eye for the composition. You took a risk (?) placing the main subject in the center of it and you did well. The contrasts between inside and outside give to your picture a very good impact.

Izo

AthaPan (0) 2006-05-20 20:01

Hi Sunil

Lovely photo, rich in details.
Well done

Sakis

PJE (19443) 2006-05-20 20:31

Well Sunil I can certaily see that you planned this photo well. I love the framework and the details on the temple. I am sure one has to see it with ones eyes to appreciate its beauty. On a side note did you get any close up photos of this temple. That would make a nice compliment to this posting! Thanks for sharing! Cheers and may God be with you!

pablominto (40712) 2006-05-21 1:52

Hello Sunil,
Intriguing framing!
Your point of view is interesting, but even more so the subject...
The architecture of the temple is depicted in fine colours and very good details, lots of interesting things to explore!
Greetings,
Pablo -

imrek (4) 2006-05-21 1:57

HI Sunil,
very original and well chosen POV...good colours and excellent framing...well done!!!
regards,
imre

sabyasachi1212 (19546) 2006-05-21 3:40

Hi Sunil,
Excellent composition. Beautiful framing. As I scrolled down, the temple suddenly seems to grow in size, giving it a 3 dimensional effect.
Regards
Sabyasachi

pranab (5354) 2006-05-21 3:45

sunil,
even though i've been to south but never been to madurai, one of these i'll make it there. great framing within the frame. good vibrant color and excellent dof.

aravind_phd (237) 2006-05-21 4:12

Hi man,

Framing inside the frame is very nice.. Cool concept for architectural shots.

Madurai City is built around Meenakshi Amman temple, not the other way around :)

Nandri,
Aravind

kermit350 (8988) 2006-05-21 11:44

Hello Sunil, very pretty photograph and quite original and also diverting for the glance thus tallied one is following the reading of your note amazed by the size at the?uvre and the number impressing of statuette for this wonder architectural good exposed while accurately returning clearness and the colourful thousand of details for this superb returned enjolor, sincerely

ramesh_lalwani (3209) 2006-05-21 12:59

Hi Sunil
Very nicely framed temple.You have excellently brought out colors of temple.Informative note.TFS
Ramesh

sathiyan (206) 2006-05-22 6:35

Wow.. Beautiful.
Love your POV.nice colours.
Sathiyan S

AiresSantos (42120) 2006-05-25 3:27

Hi Sunil,
Great capture with lovely colors and good details. I like the symmetrical enquadrement and the frame.
Well seen and composed.
TFS and have a nice day, Aires

alainh (35367) 2006-05-26 0:08

hello Sunil
astonishing and beautiful picture with the perfect frame. the symmetry is a must here.
have a good day Sunil
alain

elitsa (459) 2009-11-08 4:33

Hi Sunil

Very nice image.. You have nicely used the frame of the door as a frame to capture the temple. And thank you for the story :) I would like to visit this beautiful place some day..

Congrats!
Elitsa