Meenakshi Temple (also referred to as Meenakshi Amman Temple or Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple also spelled as Meenaatchi Temple)[3] is a historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River[4] in the temple city[5] of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to Thirukamakottam udaya aaludaiya nachiyar (திருக்காமக்கோட்டம் உடைய ஆளுடைய நாச்சியார்) Meenakshi, a form of Parvati, and her consort, Sundareshwar, a form of Shiva.[6][7] The temple is at the center of the ancient temple city of Madurai mentioned in the Tamil Sangam literature, with the goddess temple mentioned in 6th century CE texts.[8] This temple is one of the Paadal Petra Sthalam. The Paadal Petra sthalam are 275 temples of lord Shiva that are revered in the verses of Tamil Saiva Nayanars of 6th-9th century CE.