Meenakshi (Madurai) Shakti Peetha
మీనాక్షి - మదురై
Devi Meenakshi (fish-eyed) with Sundareshwarar (Shiva) · Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Meenakshi (Madurai) Shakti Peetha is one of the sacred sites where parts of Sati Devi's body fell when Lord Vishnu cut them with the Sudarshana Chakra. Body part: Hand (per some traditions, but primary association is independent). Among the largest temple complexes in India — 14 gopurams (towers). Annual Chithirai Festival (April-May) reenacts Meenakshi-Sundareshwarar wedding. Architectural masterpiece of Dravidian style.
About the Shakti Peethas
When Sati Devi self-immolated at her father Daksha's yajna (in response to his insult of Shiva), Shiva carried her corpse in inconsolable grief, performing the cosmic Rudra Tandava that threatened to destroy the universe. Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshana Chakra to cut Sati's body into pieces, which fell at 51 (per Devi Bhagavatam) or 108 (per other traditions) locations across India and surrounding regions. Each location became a Shakti Peetha — sacred Devi shrine. The 18 most important are called the Maha Shakti Peethas.