Tamil Nadu News

Restoration of Veera Vasantharayar Mandapam

September 7 , 2026 15 hrs 0 min 29 0

The Veera Vasantharayar Mandapam at the Meenakshi Amman Temple, Madurai, was formally inaugurated on August 30, 2026, after being reconstructed.
The mandapam was built in 1611 CE by Muthu Veerappa Nayak, brother of King Thirumalai Nayak, and is located near the temple’s eastern tower (Kizhakku Gopuram).
Of the 136 pillars, 79 monoliths were completely carved anew by around 150 sculptors led by sthapathi V.P. Velmurugan.
Each new pillar had an 18.6-foot shaft and reached about 29 feet after adding the capital elements, including lion motifs.
A Nandi facing the Sundareswarar shrine is located inside a stone cistern in the mandapam; the Nandi dates back to the Early Pandya period.