These parrots provide delight to the children. The kids talk something to the parrots. Those creatures repeat the sounds. This gives pleasure to the younger genereation. The parrot is a sacred bird and is often shown in company with other gods and goodesses. Particularly, Goddesses are always seen with a parrot in their left hand. Obviously it means presence of peace and happiness.

               There are 28 pillars in this Mandapam. Each one of these excels in artistic beauty. On these pillars we see the statues of the Pandavas, Vali, Sugreevan and other deities, Yali is engraved in another pillar. A stone ball revolves in its mouth. This is indeed an admirable creation.

               Opposite the Amman Sannadhi, on the side of the Balipeedam (Sacrificing alter) is the pillar having the figure of Bheema (the Hercules among the Pandavas). One the pillar of the otherside is the figure of a semi-human animal. There two figures are posed in fighting attitute that is very realistic.

               A reason is attributed, for having kept these pillars at the centre of the temple people, should not swerve from justice. Put uphold it with prejudice just as the pointer of a ‘scale is at’ the centre when the centre when the weights of the pans are equal.

               A legend has been woven about the magnanimity and justmindenss of Dharamaputra, the eldest of the Pandava brothers.

               There was a forest ruled by a human-animal. The human animal imposed a condition that anyone caught in the forest would becomes its prey. The human-animal began to chase Bhima. Luckily, Bhima ran fasr and reached the border. But the human-animal caught him when one of his legs was in the boundary of the forest. So it claimed that bhima should become its slave, But Bhima argued that he need not be its above as he had come out of the forest. At last they agreed to abide by the decision of the just Dharama, the eldest of the Pandavas.

               Dharama heard their case and decided that half of Bhima’s body should go toe the human-animal as one of his legs was in its territory when he was caught. The human animal wondered at the just decision of Dharama though Bhima was his brother, he was perfect impartial. The human-animal became humane and did not press its claim.

               The miraculous deeds of Lord Siva are porayed on the black place of rock on these pillars. Though the figures are tinly they excel in artistic beauty. The deties of the Hindu pantheon are depcited in the paintings on the canopy of this Mandapam. The scene of Sree Meenakshi’s wedding appearing in front of Her Sannadhi attracts everyone’s eyes.

               Non- Hindus are not allowed to go beyond the tower entrance.

               Passing this entrance, we-can see a flag-post, covered with golden leaves. At the south –eastern corner of this outer prakaram (path around the shrine), there are the statues of Triumalai Naick and his two wifes.

               The kolu mandapam is the western corner. During the Navarathri (Nine Nights) Festival in the Tamil month of Purattasi, (September – October) an idol of Sree Meenakshi is adorned nine forms and kept in this marble mandapam.

               On the western side, there is the gate of a tower. This five-storeyed tower can be seen from the West Adi Veedhi also. This Amman Tower is 54 feet high. Its base is 50 feet long and 28 feet broad. There are 228 sculptures on this tower.

               On the north-east junction is the idol of ‘koodal kumarar’. Songs from Tiruppuggal, sung by saint Arunagirinathar are engraved on stones in this Sannadhi at its eastern end there is an entrance to Swami Sannadhi.

               After completing the round of the other prakaram, we can go into the inner prakaram through a platform with six pillars. There are two beautiful copper statues of Dwara balakas (Gate – Keepers) at the entrance. Some songs of Meenakshi Ammai Pillai sung by Sri Kumaraguruparar are engraved on the walls behind these gatekeepers.

               Passing the entrance, we come to the Maha-Mandapam (Great Hall). The pillars and ceiling of this Mandapam have exquisite pieces of architecture. A bell whooly made of stone is hanging from the top.

               On the western side of this Maha Mandapam, we find Sree Meenakshi’s sanctum sanctorum. This fish-eyed idol, shines in all its glory. Her benign eyes shows in deep prayer.

               At the south-western corner of inner prakaram is Lord Vinayagar’s temple and at the north-eastern corner is that of Muthukumarar.

               The marble bedroom (Palli Arai) of Sree Meenakshi is also situated in this prakaram. East of this , there is a gateway leading to the second prakaram of Lord Sundareswarar. This prakaram can also be reached by coming back to the parrot Cage Mandapam and entering through the tower gate at the north. (Generally , in all temples of Lord Siva the idol of Lord is workshipped first and then that of the Amman. However, in Sree Meenakshi Temple, the Amman, is workshipped first perhaps to bring out the preference to ladies).

               This five-storyed tower was built in 1559 by sevvandhi moorthy chettiar of siramalai. It 69 feet high with a base of 44 feet by 63 feet. There are 112 fine sculptures in this tower. Passing this entrace, we are faced with a gigantic idol of Lord Vinayaga. This idol is said to have been discovered when the Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam (tank) at the eastern end of the city was dug.

               On the day Vinayaga Chadhurthi (workship of Lord Vinayaga), a big kozukkattai (boiled rice cake) made out of there ‘kurunies’ equal to 18 measures, is offered to this Vinayagar. Hence this Vinayagar is called Mukkurini Pillayar. This idol can also be seen from the southern outer tower of the temple.

               The outer wall of this prakaram (pathway) is 420 feet length-wise and 310 feet breadthwise. The inner wall is 250 feet long and 158 feet broad.

               There is a five-stroyed tower on the western side to this prakaram. This was built in 1374 by one Mallappan. It is 72 feet high with a base of 48 feet by 31 feet.There are 40 sculptures in this tower.

               Passing this tower, we come to the corner where the figures of the forty-nine poets of the ‘kadai sangam’ (Last Society) of Madurai.

               Once the norther side, there is a mandapam where weekly mass prayers are held. Adjoining this mandapam is a five-storeyed tower. This tower was built by sevan thivelappa chettiar in 1560. It is 71 feet high with a base of 45 feet long and 34 feet broad. There are 18 sculptures in this tower. This is the emblem of the Ridabam’ ( the Lord’s Bull) on the top of this tower. A legend say that Lord Sundara opened the door of this tower for a chola king affixed his (Ridaba) emblem.

               At the north-eastern corner, we find the Maqndapa Nayagam’ (Main Mandapam) supported by a hundred pillars. This is called the main mandapam because of the exquisite pieces of architecture found in it. A fine idol of Sree Nataraja (Lord Siva in a dancing pose) installed here. This mandapam was built by Chinnappa Naicker in 1526.

               Opposite this mandapam, at the south eastern corner, there is the Gnanasambandar Temple. Here we find the statues of Mangayarkarasi, Kulachirayar, Koonpandyan, Sambandar, Appar, Sundara and Manickavasagar. This mandapam was built by Krishnaveerappa Naicker.