Madurai

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Overview		Tourist Attraction		How to Reach

Introduction Originally built around the Meenakshi temple, Madurai derives its name from the divine nectar (Madhu) that was showered from the locks of Lord Shiva according to a popular legend. Endowed with a rich cultural heritage, which it has inherited from the great Tamil era, Madurai is more than 2500 years old. Madurai finds mention in Megasthenes' Indica. The Greek diplomat and envoy who visited India in the 3rd century BC and praised the architectural grandeur of this temple city. Madurai's glory reached its peak, during the reign of the Cholas and then during the Pandyas' regime in the 13th century. King Thirumali Nayak of the Nayak dynasty who ruled Madurai made some priceless contributions to the city's architectural heritage, this included the building up of the Raja Gopuram (The Main Tower) of the Meenakshi temple, Puthu Mandapam (The New Mansion) and the Thirumalai Nayak Palace. Meenakshi Amman Temple The city of Madurai is originally built around the Meenakshi temple. Though there are many temples in the city, Meenakshi temple outdoes all with its sheer magnificence and splendor of architecture. You can marvel the temple's flawless Dravidian Architecture and be a part of devotees who throng the temple from all over India. Thirumalai Nayak Mahal Built in 1523 AD by the Nayak ruler Thirumalai Nayak, the palace is an excellent example of Indo-Sarcenic architecture. Once four times larger than what is left of it today, the palace is only left with the main entrance gate, the dancing hall and the main hall. You can enjoy the main attraction of the palace which is light and sound show based on the life of "Tirumalai Nayak" and "Silapathikaram". Koodal Azhaar Temple Built in 1523 AD by the Nayak ruler Thirumalai Nayak, the palace is an excellent example of Indo-Sarcenic architecture. Once four times larger than what is left of it today, the palace is only left with the main entrance gate, the dancing hall and the main hall. You can enjoy the main attraction of the palace which is light and sound show based on the life of "Tirumalai Nayak" and "Silapathikaram". Vanditur Mariamman Teppakulam Built by Thirulmalai Nayak in 1646, this huge tank covers an area equal to the six of Meenakshi temple. Thirupparankundram As one of the abodes of Lord Sundareshwara, it is a rock cut temple carved out of a mountain, just 8-km from the city. Azhagar Koil Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple is located 18-km northeast of Madurai on a picturesque hilltop. You can attend Chithirai festival when the gold image of Azhagar travels for the Celestial marriage. Introduction Originally built around the Meenakshi temple, Madurai derives its name from the divine nectar (Madhu) that was showered from the locks of Lord Shiva according to a popular legend. Endowed with a rich cultural heritage, which it has inherited from the great Tamil era, Madurai is more than 2500 years old. Madurai finds mention in Megasthenes' Indica. The Greek diplomat and envoy who visited India in the 3rd century BC and praised the architectural grandeur of this temple city. Madurai's glory reached its peak, during the reign of the Cholas and then during the Pandyas' regime in the 13th century. King Thirumali Nayak of the Nayak dynasty who ruled Madurai made some priceless contributions to the city's architectural heritage, this included the building up of the Raja Gopuram (The Main Tower) of the Meenakshi temple, Puthu Mandapam (The New Mansion) and the Thirumalai Nayak Palace. How To Reach Air Madurai houses its own airport, which is situated 10 kms away from the city. There are daily flights to Madurai from Chennai, Bangalore, Tiruchi & Coimbatore. Road There are excellent roads connecting Madurai to all parts of South India. With as many as 5 Major bus stands, the city offers comfortable travel by road. Rail Madurai is an important railway junction of the Southern Railway. It is directly connected to Chennai and Tirunelveli. Madurai is on the Madurai-Tiruchirappalli-Dindigul-Quilon route.