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Madurai
Madurai is synonymous with the celebrated Meenakshi Temple. Situated on the banks of river Vaigai, Madurai has a rich cultural heritage passed on from the great Tamil era more than 2500 years old. Madurai was an important cultural and commercial centre even as early as 550 AD. It was the capital city for the great Pandya kings.
The Pandyan King Kulasekarar built a great temple and created a lotus shaped city around the temple. On the day the city was to be named, as Lord shiva blessed the land and its people, divine nectar (Madhu) was showered on the city from his matted locks. This city was henceforth known as Madhurapuri. Madurai is famous for Jasmine Flowers.
The Pandyan King Kulasekarar built a great temple and created a lotus shaped city around the temple. On the day the city was to be named, as Lord shiva blessed the land and its people, divine nectar (Madhu) was showered on the city from his matted locks. This city was henceforth known as Madhurapuri. Madurai is famous for Jasmine Flowers.
| State | : | Tamil Nadu |
| Location | : | Madurai district, Tamil Nadu |
| District Area | : | 109 km square |
| Altitude | : | 101 meters (330 ft) above sea level |
| Population | : | approx. 9,28,869 (as per 1991 Census) |
| Literacy | : | 79% |
| STD Code | : | 0452 |
| Best time to visit | : | Throughout the year |
| Temperature | : | Summer: Max. 40°C, Min. 26.3°C Winter: Max. 29.6°C, Min. 18°C |
| Climate | : | Dry and Hot |
| Clothing | : | Tropical |
| Religion | : | Hinduism, Buddhism, Christian, Muslim |
| Local Languages | : | Tamil, English, Sourashtra |
Meenakshi Temple
Meenakshi-Sundareswarar temple is located at the heart of the city and is the hub of the religious and cultural life of the city. Built by Kulasekara Pandya in the pre-Christian era, the temple was in ruins before it was rebuilt by Tirumalai Nayak. Spread over six hectares, the temple is an outstanding example of Vijayanagar temple architecture. The temple has four entrances to it and its gopurams (large gateways) and mandapams (multi-pillared halls) are covered from top to bottom in a profusion of multi-coloured images of gods, goddesses, animals and mythical figures. The southern gopuram, which is about 48.4-metre-high is the most spectacular of all gopurams, and has over 1,500 sculptures. You can even climb the gopuram to get a panoramic view of the city.
Tirumalai Nayak Mahal
About 1 km from the Meenakshi Temple lies the palace of Tirumalai Nayak. Constructed in 1523, this Indo-Saracenic building was originally four times as large as it is today. Swarga Vilasam, which served as the audience hall, is the most remarkable part of this palace. Its dome, which lies beyond a huge courtyard and rises to a height of 20 metres without any support, is a magnificent example of the engineering skills of its builders. You can also watch the sound and light shows on the life of Tirumalai Nayak and the story of Silappathikaram (a Tamil classic) here.
The Gandhi Museum
Housed in the old palace of the Rani Mangammal and dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, the museum provides a historical account of India’s struggle for independence. A bookshop in the premises of the museum offers a good collection of books on Gandhi.
Koodal Azhagar Temple
Two kilometres to the west of Madurai is located the Koodal Azhagar Temple, an ancient Vaishnavite temple. The temple has a statue that depicts Lord Vishnu in three poses—sitting, standing and reclining—one above the other.
Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam
Five kilometres east of the Meenakshi temple is a tank called Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam. At the centre of the tank is an idol of Lord Vinayaka or Vigneshwara installed on a platform. The tank was built by Tirumalai Nayak in 1646 and is connected to the Vaigai River by underground channels. The tank is also the site of the annual Teppakulam float festival conducted in the month of January-February.
Pazhamudhirsolai
Located on a picturesque wooded hill, Pazhamudhirsolai is one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya.
Festivals
Madurai Meenakshi temple has festivals in all twelve Tamil months. Some of the popular festivals are
Chithirai Festival (April - May)
Avanimool Festival (Sep - Oct)
Navarathri Festival
Float Festival (January- February)
Meenakshi-Sundareswarar temple is located at the heart of the city and is the hub of the religious and cultural life of the city. Built by Kulasekara Pandya in the pre-Christian era, the temple was in ruins before it was rebuilt by Tirumalai Nayak. Spread over six hectares, the temple is an outstanding example of Vijayanagar temple architecture. The temple has four entrances to it and its gopurams (large gateways) and mandapams (multi-pillared halls) are covered from top to bottom in a profusion of multi-coloured images of gods, goddesses, animals and mythical figures. The southern gopuram, which is about 48.4-metre-high is the most spectacular of all gopurams, and has over 1,500 sculptures. You can even climb the gopuram to get a panoramic view of the city.
Tirumalai Nayak Mahal
About 1 km from the Meenakshi Temple lies the palace of Tirumalai Nayak. Constructed in 1523, this Indo-Saracenic building was originally four times as large as it is today. Swarga Vilasam, which served as the audience hall, is the most remarkable part of this palace. Its dome, which lies beyond a huge courtyard and rises to a height of 20 metres without any support, is a magnificent example of the engineering skills of its builders. You can also watch the sound and light shows on the life of Tirumalai Nayak and the story of Silappathikaram (a Tamil classic) here.
The Gandhi Museum
Housed in the old palace of the Rani Mangammal and dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, the museum provides a historical account of India’s struggle for independence. A bookshop in the premises of the museum offers a good collection of books on Gandhi.
Koodal Azhagar Temple
Two kilometres to the west of Madurai is located the Koodal Azhagar Temple, an ancient Vaishnavite temple. The temple has a statue that depicts Lord Vishnu in three poses—sitting, standing and reclining—one above the other.
Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam
Five kilometres east of the Meenakshi temple is a tank called Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam. At the centre of the tank is an idol of Lord Vinayaka or Vigneshwara installed on a platform. The tank was built by Tirumalai Nayak in 1646 and is connected to the Vaigai River by underground channels. The tank is also the site of the annual Teppakulam float festival conducted in the month of January-February.
Pazhamudhirsolai
Located on a picturesque wooded hill, Pazhamudhirsolai is one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya.
Festivals
Madurai Meenakshi temple has festivals in all twelve Tamil months. Some of the popular festivals are
Chithirai Festival (April - May)
Avanimool Festival (Sep - Oct)
Navarathri Festival
Float Festival (January- February)
Summers (March - June) are exceedingly hot with temperature hovering around 26°C to 40°C. Winters are pleasant during December to February within the temperature band of 18°C to 29°C. South west monsoon crosses the city during June to August and medium to heavy annual rainfall is noted.
Important festivals celebrated here with much enthusiasm, pomp and show are pongal during January, chithirai festival during April - May months.
Important festivals celebrated here with much enthusiasm, pomp and show are pongal during January, chithirai festival during April - May months.
By Air:
Madurai Airport is located about 10 km from the heart of the city. Taxi charges about Rs 150 to cover this distance. Madurai is connected to Chennai by air. Chennai is the nearest international airport, which is connected to most of the Indian cities and international destinations.
By Railway:
Direct train services from Madurai to many cities in India are available. Many trains are running between Madurai and Chennai daily.
By Road:
Many private operators are providing deluxe AC and non-AC luxury coach buses from Madurai to many cities in the South India, including Chennai, Trivandrum, Coimbatore, Trichy etc. Tamil Nadu State Road Transport Corporation buses connect Madurai with other local cities in and around. Super fast buses of TSRTC runs between Madurai and Chennai.
Madurai Airport is located about 10 km from the heart of the city. Taxi charges about Rs 150 to cover this distance. Madurai is connected to Chennai by air. Chennai is the nearest international airport, which is connected to most of the Indian cities and international destinations.
By Railway:
Direct train services from Madurai to many cities in India are available. Many trains are running between Madurai and Chennai daily.
By Road:
Many private operators are providing deluxe AC and non-AC luxury coach buses from Madurai to many cities in the South India, including Chennai, Trivandrum, Coimbatore, Trichy etc. Tamil Nadu State Road Transport Corporation buses connect Madurai with other local cities in and around. Super fast buses of TSRTC runs between Madurai and Chennai.
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