ABOUT MADURAI:

• Magnificent Madurai, the ancient city on the banks of river Vaigai with an antiquity of over 2,600 years is often referred as the “Athens if the East”
• It is considered to be the ‘cradle’ of Tamil culture and literature and was an important seat of learning.
• According to legends, a Swaymbhu lingam, found here was once worshipped by Indra, the king of gods.
• The Pandya king Kulasekara built a great shrine at the site of the lingam and a city was built around the temple.
• Lord Shiva made a divine appearance on the day when the city was to be named and blessed it with drops of nectar which fell from his matted locks.
• Thus, it came to be known as Madhurapuri (Madhura – Nectar) and flourished as the capital of Pandyas, who ruled here for over four centuries up to the 10^th century.
• After Pandyas, the city was ruled by the Cholas and then by the kings of Vijayanagar empire.
• The Nayaks came into power during the 16^th century and carried on the great works of the Pandyas.
• Madurai, the city of myriad culture and history is well known for its delectable cuisine and fragrant flowers if jasmine.
• The modern city has also emerged as an important centre of textile and engineering industries.

MODE OF COMMUNICATION:

• Airport: Madurai Airport, Madurai (IXM), 11 kms away from Madurai city centre.
• Rail: Madurai Junction Railway Station, Madurai, 1.5 kms away from Madurai city centre.
• Road: Well connected by road.

SIGHTSEEING AT A GLANCE:

For more information visit  https://madurai.nic.in/
 

ATTRACTIONS OF MADURAI

Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple:

• Magnificent twin temple complex sprawling over an area of about 65,000 sq. mts. in the heart of the old city, dominates the life and landscape of Madurai.
• It was originally built by Kulasekara Pandya and was dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar (Shiva).
• According to a legend, goddess Meenakshi was born as a Pandyan princes and got married to Lord Shiva, who came to her disguised as Sundareswarar.
• During the regin of Tirumalai Nayak (1623-55), major portions of the temple were built and the entire credit for making the temple as splendid as it is today goes to the Nayaks.
• Temple complex within a high-walled enclosure is dominated by four gigantic gopurams (gateways) and eight smaller gopurams, dedicated with multi-coloured images gods, goddesses, animals and mythical figures.
• Southern gopuram is the tallest and affords a fine view of the temple and Madurai city.
• The huge temple complex has several exquisite mandapams and shrines.
• It is customary to pray first at the shrine of Goddess Meenakshi and then Lord Sundareshwar.
• Thus devotees enter through the eastern gopuram.
• Temple bustles with activity from dawn to dusk and attracts pilgrims and tourists from all over the world.
• The Potramaraikulam or Golden Lotus Tank here was once the meeting place of the ‘Tamil Sangam’, the ancient academy of poets.
• Ayiramkal Mandapam or Hall of Thousand Pillars has 985 beautifully carved pillars and is indeed a marvel of architecture.
• Temple Art Museum in the hall exhibits icons, photographs, drawings etc.
• To the west of the mandapam in the outer most corridors are the famous Musical Pillars, carved out of a single black of granite.

Thirumalai Nayak Palace:

• Majestic palace was built by Thirumalai Nayak in 1636, about 1.5 kms south-east of Meenakshi temple.
• Today, only a quarter of the original palace has remained, but it still reflects the grandeur of the bygone era.
• Daily sound and light shows are held here depicting the story of Shilipaddikaram and the history of Nayaks, with special emphasis of King Thirumalai.
• The Palace Museum in the adjacent hall exhibits Pandyan, Jain and Buddhist sculptures and terracotas.

Mariamman Teppakulam:

• Huge temple tank 5 kms east of Meenakshi temple is almost equal in area to that of Meenakshi temple.
• The mandapam in the centre of the tank has an idol of Vinayaka.
• Annual Float Festival celebrated here on the full – moon day of Thai (January – February) attracts a large number of devotees.

ATTRACTIONS AROUND MADURAI

Azhagarkoil:

• 21 kms away from Madurai city.
• Lord Azhagar temple here is said to be the site where Lord Vishnu came down from haven to give away Meenakshi in marriage to Sundareswarar.
• The Chitrai festival of the Meenakshi temple celebrates this journey.

Tiruparankundram:

• 8 kms away from Madurai city.
• Rock cut temple is regarded as one of the six sacred abodes of Lord Subramanaya.
• According to legends, Lord Subramanaya married the daughter of Lord Indra here.

Karaikudi:

• 120 kms away from Madurai city.
• The home of Chettiars, known for their business acumen, prosperity and hospitality is 45 kms from Sivaganga, on the Tiruchchirapalli – Rameswaram High Road.
• Small town is studded with palatial bungalows noted for beautifully carved woodwork, as well as the stone and mortar work.
• It is also famous for Sri Meenakshi – Sundareswarar temple or Sivan temple built during 1872.