The temple dates back 2000 years, and between 1623 and 1655 AD, under Thirumalai Nayak's rule, it saw significant expansion. This twin temple is the resting place of Lord Siva in his incarnation as Sundareswarar, along with his fish-eyed consort, Meenakshi. These two shrines are enclosed by five enormous gateways.Hindu mythology states that the god Shiva traveled to Madurai in the guise of Sundareswarar in order to wed Meenakshi, the Pandya ruler's daughter and a manifestation of the goddess Parvati. Their marriage is commemorated in the Meenakshi Amman Temple.The goddess temple is referenced in documents from the sixth century CE, and the temple is located in the heart of the ancient temple city of Madurai that is described in Tamil Sangam literature.[6] This temple is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams, or Shiva temples, that are exalted in the poetry of the Tamil Saiva Nayanars, who lived in the sixth and ninth centuries CE.

Texts from the Sangam era reference the ancient town of Madurai.These are dated to the first through fourth centuries CE.38 Madurai is referred to as Koodal in certain ancient Tamil literature, which describe it as a capital and a town of temples with streets branching off of the temple. The heavenly ruler is identified as Goddess Meenakshi, who, with Shiva, was the principal deity worshipped by the southern Tamil kingdoms, including the Pandya dynasty.[3] It is implied by the early literature that Madurai had a temple by the middle of the sixth century.[26] It is sometimes called Kadambavanam (literally, "forest of Kadamba") or Velliambalam (literally, "silver hall" where Shiva danced) in medieval literature and inscriptions. It was referred to as the scholars' Sangam.

Hindus pray at the Meenakshi Amman temple, which is open for business. Puja rituals are carried out by priests both on a daily and festive basis.[106] Daily rituals that involve volunteers and temple employees include the symbolic nightly movement of an icon of Sundaresvara in a palanquin to Meenakshi's chamber for their mutual presence, followed by waking the two and Sundaresvara's return to his shrine each morning.[16] Occasionally, there are ratha (chariot) processions in which a metal replica of the goddess is removed from the temple and placed in a lavish car shrine adorned with vibrant clothing and flowers. Volunteers drive the car through Madurai's streets and around the temple complex on one of the old city's concentric roads.