The temple is in the center of 2,500-year-old city of Madurai and is a significant symbol for the Tamil people. Though most of the present structure was built between 1623 and 1655 CE. It is said that the temple was originally built in the 6th century BC by survivors of the Kumari Kandam. In the 14th century, the Sultanate Muslim Commander Malik Kafur plundered the temple and looted it of its valuables. It was rebuilt by the Nayak ruler Vishwanatha Nayakar around the 16th century. It houses 14 "gopurams" (gateway towers), ranging from 45–50m in height. The tallest is the southern tower, high, and two golden sculptured "vimanas", the shrines over the "garbhagrihas" (sanctums) of the main deities.