The Puthu Mandapam Was it always a bustling area of commerce with traders and customers alike thronging the shops, From the memory of any Maduraiite, the Puthu Mandapam is always remembered and used for a big shopping experience, as the entire place is stocked with various stalls of merchandise. But, the place holds some of the most important portions of Madurai history.
Puthu Mandapam was built during 1628-1635, by the King Thirumalai Nayak who was an ardent worshipper of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar. This hall was originally built as a summer abode of Goddess and the Lord. Scenes from various ancient Hindu texts have been carved on the pillars such as wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar.
Built by the king Thirumalai Nayak, Pudhu Mandapam presents an architectural brilliance. Initially it was used as venue for annual festivals of the temple such as, Avani Moolam, float festival, etc. This mandapam was also during Chithirai festival for the organising divine wedding of Lord Sundareswarar and his consort Goddess Meenakshi. This mandapam captivates everyone with its structural excellence too. With a height of 25 feet, length of 330 feet and breadth of 105 feet, this mandapam is built on a pedestal.
Sulaiman, the ex-Assistant Director of the Art and Culture Department, points out the significance of Puthu Mandapam that is engraved in the pages of history. He says, “It was always used as a spot to witness the cultural programs. Also, the royal women used to halt at the mandapam during their visit to the Meenakshi Amman temple and during the Chithirai festival. There was a canal that always had a consistent water flow. This particular canal is now drained and hosts the book shops on one side and the utensil shops on the other side. The mandapam was constructed with the water canal so as to keep a pleasant temperature inside it. The most attractive fact of Puthu Mandapam is that it was constructed during the King Thirumalai Nayakkar as a part of his service to the city.”
The shops inside Puthu Mandpam have their own require from the Maduraiites. But, it has to be made clear that the memorial is losing its glamour. The place is used just like any other commercial street. Karthiga, a college student says, “Lot of people make a living out of these shops in the mandapam. It is reasonable that they are striving for existence. But, it was the same case when there were hundreds of shops around the Meenakshi Amman Temple. The government did take necessary actions to clear up the place. Now, the entire perimeter of the temple appears to be clean and pleasant. Likewise, the mandapam also should be maintained in a proper way. The statues and the artistic works on the walls and ceilings are not noticed at all.”
There are prominent talks among the Maduraiites that the mandapam would be soon facing towards another personality as a museum. “It will always be a wonderful sight to visualize the Puthu Mandapam as a museum and it will be another major tourist attraction in the city. But, certain measures should also be taken in order to prevent such misuse of heritage structures,” adds Karthiga.
Puthu Mandapam still hosts some of the important proceedings of Chithirai festival, Theppam festival, Avanimoolam festival and Navarathiri. The shops are closed at those particular hours to ensure that the festival takes place without any interruptions. The place that was once allotted only for cultural dances and katcheris turned into a lively market with the emergence of shops one by one. But for now, the Puthu Mandapam waits with bated breath to know what its uncertain future holds.
