As I approached the temple town of Madurai, the lofty gopuras of the Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple loomed into view in the distance. The temple is best seen at twilight when its lamp-lit halls and corridors acquire an air of quiet sanctity. I spent endless hours gazing at the tall towers with gold-plated vimanam, the musical pillars, the 1,000-pillared hall, yali sculptures with stone balls rolling in their gaping mouths, the 470-carat diamond crown of the goddess and the priceless exhibits in the Temple Museum. . .
