Madurai is the second largest city in the South Indian state, Tamil Nadu. Much like Varanasi in the north, Madurai is one of the oldest cities to be inhabited in South India. Situated on the banks of Vaigai river in Tamilnadu, the city is not only known for its glorious past by being the erstwhile capital of the Pandyan dynasty but also popular for its present tourist destinations.

Apart from being the cultural hotspot, Madurai is also known for its food, cuisine, architecture, shopping and endearing people. The City of Madurai is known by several names such as Koodal Nagaram (City of Junctions), Malligai Maanagar (City of Jasmine), Koil Maanagar (Temple city) and Thoonga Nagaram(City that never sleeps).It is also an important industrial and educational hub in South Tamil Nadu and it homes various automobile, rubber, chemical, and granite manufacturing industries.

The city finds its mention in the ancient Tamil Classical Epic, “Silappadikaram”. It was also mentioned in other classic scholarly works by Megasthenes and the also in Kautilya’s Arthasastra. The city is believed to be of significant antiquity and has been ruled, at different times, by the Pandyas, the Cholas, the Madurai Sultanate, the Vijayanagara Emporers, the Madurai Nayaks, and finally by the British East India Company.

It has a number of historical monuments, the prominent ones being the Meenakshi Amman Temple and the Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal Palace. Apart from these, we have Alagar Temple, Pazhamudircholai Temple, Thiruparankundram Temple and Samanar Hills that are worth seeing.

Meenakshi Amman Temple

Significance:  

• Lord Nataraja is normally seen dancing with his left leg raised, but in this temple, the sculpture has the right leg raised. It is said that this happened on the request of the King Rajasekara Pandya, who was a sincere devotee of Shiva.

 History:  

• The present structure was built between 1623 and 1655 CE.
• It is said that the temple was actually built in the 6th century BC by survivors of the Kumari Kandam.
• In the 14th century, the Mughal 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 was Vishwanatha Nayak who rebuilt the temple in accordance with Shilpa Shastra.
• It houses 14 gopurams (gateway towers), ranging from 45–50m in height.
• The tallest is the southern tower, 51.9 meters (170 ft.) high, and two golden sculptured vimanas, the shrines over the garbha grihas (sanctums) of the main deities.

 Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal Palace

Significance:  

• This palace is an excellent example of the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, which is an amalgam of Dravidian and Islamic architectures.
• The most notable feature of Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal is stucco work done on the arches and domes of the palace. The daunting structure and the massive pillars are no less than architectural wonders.
• Light Show and Sound Show happening in the mahal from 6.45 PM to 7.35 PM and from 8.00 PM to 8.50 PM.

 History:  

• The palace was constructed by King Thirumalai Nayak, one of the rulers of Nayaka Dynasty of Madurai in 1636 AD.
• The palace originally was four times bigger than what is seen today and was the official residence of the ruler.
• The palace was quite popular for its gigantic pillars with the wideness of around 19 feet and height of 82 feet.

 Kallazhagar Temple, Alagar Koil

 Significance:

• Alagar Temple is one of the 108 Divya Desams.
• It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is known for its intricate sculptures and mandapams. The Alagar Hills also have great importance in the Hindu religion. This hill is called Alagar Hill as the Lord Thirumal here is known by the name of Alagar and so the Hill is named after the name of the Lord.

History:

• Kallazhagar temple is revered in Nalayira Divya Prabhandam, the 7th–9th century Vaishnava canon, by Periazhwar and Peyazhwar.
• During the 18th and 19th centuries, the temple finds mention in several works like 108 Tirupathi Anthathi by Divya Kavi Pillai Perumal Aiyangar.
• The temple is built on an extensive area in a very picturesque spot, surrounded by the ruins of a historic fort. The impressive main tower at the entrance, believed to have been built by the Pandyan Kings, has some beautiful sculptures depicting scenes from the epics.

Pazhamudircholai Murugan temple

Significance:

• The temple is one of the six holy shrines of Murugan called Arupadaiveedu.
• It is also known by the name Solamalai Murugan Temple.
• The Vel made up of stone is of special significance.

 History:

• The idol of Lord Muruga is seen in a standing posture with a single face and four hands with His consorts Valli and Deivayanai on both sides.
• The Goddess Valli here is worshipped as Iccha Shakti and Devayani as Kriya Shakti and the Lord himself is worshiped as Jnana Shakti.
• Also, this is the historical place where Lord played with the ripe Tamil poetess Avvaiyar asking her what fruit she wished, cooked or uncooked – Sutta Pazham or Sudadha Pazham.

 Thiruparankundram Temple

Significance:

• The temple is one of the six holy shrines of Murugan called Arupadaiveedu.
• An interesting feature of this temple is that of deities of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu facing each other in the main shrine.

 History:

• Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple is a cave temple which is 1050 feet above sea level made out of rock in a hillock. The Rajagopuram (Main Tower) of this temple is found with 7 tiered structures, towering 150 feet high at the entrance of the temple.
• The existing temple was built by the Pandya king, Maravarman Sundara Pandiyan during 8th century A.D.
• It is said that Lord Murugan was married to Goddess Deivayanai, daughter of ‘Lord Indhra’ (King of Heaven) as a bounty of gratitude after the victory of Lord Murugan over the Demon king Surapadma.

How to reach Madurai by Air

• Madurai Airport has located around 12 km away from the city center. It is served by domestic flights traveling to and from some major Indian cities.
• International flights from Colombo and Dubai serve the city of Madurai.
• Passengers can take direct or stopover flights and directly land at Madurai city.

How to reach Madurai by Road

• Madurai is connected by state and national highways. Inter-city and inter-state buses ply between Madurai, other major cities of Tamil Nadu and nearby states on a regular and frequent basis. Depending on the choice, passengers can avail either government or private buses. Madurai has 3 bus terminals.
• Madurai Junction Railway Station connects Madurai with rest of India by an extensive rail network. Many direct trains connect Madurai with major cities and towns of the country. Super-fast day trains also ply between Madurai and Chennai regularly.

Visit our Madurai and Rameswaram packages to get more details.