Home of the Sri Meenakshi-Sundareshwarar Temple, a great extravagence visited by over 15,000 people a day

West Tower from the roof of Hotel Devi. 180 rupees per simple double. North Tower and a few smaller ones within the complex Some lovely Tamil women near the South Entrance. A meditation room Photography pass is 50 rupees; not allowed at a few most holy sites Millions of carvings and statutes; on walls, pillars, ceilings One of the fabulous hallways outside a very important shrine A mother bat in hallway. Rosie loved looking for them. North, South, East and West towers are the entrances to the temple Many smaller towers can be seen inside All towers are covered in brightly coloured statues The statues portray figures and stories from the Hindu faith This stuff is way more fun than Disneyland! Exuberant and lively I think Tamil temples the most vital and lively buildings I've seen So wild, and full of energy Who thinks this stuff up? A quiet moment on the street outside Indian guys get to wear cool clothes. And the beards! People dress, paint and put flowers on the idols The entire towers are impressive; the tops are simply... over the top The character on top is staring at me!!! Another tower top A 1,000 year old umbrella stand at a market across from the temple Security concerns unfortunately affect the temple; the guards are nice An idol that I think is coated in butter or ghee plus dye This was one of the most active spots I watched a steady stream of people come to this spot Daubing with colours, or offering garlands are expressions of faith Very cool looking guy She tied the clothes around the pillar and added flowers Hand cranked sugar cane juice stall near our hotel Nice horns Golden dome tops an important shrine within the complex Back up on the roof in different light This is in July 2005, no monsoon here I wish I could get the whole site in one shot; it's amazing The details are pretty nice though I think he needs an orthodontist Another look at the West Tower A metalwares merchant and his booth Billions of bangles in every market Vishnu overlooking the tailors and housewares In the tailor area of the market kathryn bought a lovely blue shalwar kameez here He was in the dress shop At the East entrance; the world's best spot for a banana stand? Give a coin and get a blessing; now there's an old business Rosie is admiring a large pan of barfi (milk fudge). Yum Well, India is changing too.