MADURAI

The entrance to the shrine of Meenakshi is guarded by two Dwarapalakas (watchmen) on either side, with fearful and expressive eyes. The doors which are always kept open, to admit pilgrims, require careful study on them will be found some of the most important dancing poses described in the Natyasastra. It may here be observed that these poses, along with those represented on the niches of the Jayandeswar temple, those on the doorways leading to the Mukkuruni Pillayar and to the eastern tower,  again those on the stone pillars under the southern tower, exhaust  all the types of classical Hindu dancing.

The Madura temple is almost an encyclo- paedia of the dancing poses depicted both in stone and wood." (Ibid). The Mukkuruni Pillayar referred to above be at the entrance to the Sundareswara temple. It is a huge figure of elephant-headed
Ganapati, awe-inspiring indeed! There is a mandapa in front of Sundareswara with the flag-staff and bull, known as Kambattadi. On festival occasions a flag with the picture of a bull, the emblem of Siva, is flown at the top of the staff.

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