Overview
Like any traditional Hindu temple, the Meenakshi temple opens at dawn with a custom of awakening God and Goddess from their celestial rest by traditional music with an opening prayer. Around evening time, during the last supplication of the day, God Siva, spouse of Meenakshi is regularly taken in a palanquin from his temple and accompanied to his living spot, where Goddess Meenakshi waits in her shrine for her husband to come home. This ceremony is accompanied by music along with a gathering of devotees. When the God Siva arrives at his home, they rest in their bed chamber which is made of pure silver. The entire experience is very evocative and a nice opportunity to witness first-hand a traditional religious ceremony and interact with locals.