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The highest point of visits to temple cities
is Madurai. You Find here a lot of religious attraction which presents our
unique history. Madurai Spread along the rocky banks of the river Vaigai in
the state of Tamilnadu, the modern industrial city's main claim to fame is
as a temple town. Madurai has a rich historical background in the sense that
Lord Shiva himself performed sixty-four wonders called "Thiruvilaiyadals".
Whether you come by air, train or road, the first glimpse of the city that
greets you are the magnificent gopurams of the Meenakshi Temple. The temple,
spread across six hectares, is at the hub of all the activities in the city.
The festivities, processions and grandeur of the temples attract tourist in
the thousands every year.
There are several places of tourist attractions in Madurai, but it is the
Meenakshi Temple that is the hub of activity. Located at the heart of the
city, the Meenakshi - Sundareswarar temple has long been the focus of both
Indian and international tourist attraction as well as one of the most
important places of Hindu pilgrimage. It is the hub of the religious and
cultural life of the city.
Legends, myths and the reality of thousands of pilgrims swarming to the city
everyday along with its burgeoning industrial set-up have interwoven to give
Madurai its unique character and ambience. Planned in the shape of a lotus,
Madurai is the second largest city in Tamilnadu with a history that goes
back to nearly 2,500 years.
The cultural prominence of Madurai in ancient times has earned it the
epithet of the 'Athens of South India'. It has been the center for learning
and the heart for South Indian culture and tradition for the last 2,500
years. It had also been the political capital of the Pandyan and the Nayakan
dynasties. The illustrious past of the city can still be witnessed in the
architectural splendor of the temples and the palaces.
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HOW
TO REACH
By Air - Madurai itself has airport, located 12 km far away from
the city center. There are daily regular flights to Chennai and twice
a day flights to Mumbai.
By Rail - Regular trains connect Madurai to Coimbatore, Chennai,
Rameswaram, Kanyakumari and other towns of South India. The Madurai
Railway Station is within the city center.
By Road - Madurai is very well connected by a network of roads and road
transport to all major towns of Tamilnadu and surrounding areas.
WHEN TO GO
Madurai can be traveled round the year. but its better to plan your
tour between , October to March, as this is the most ideal time for all
visitors.
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WHAT TO SEE |
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Meenakshi Temple - Situated at the heart of the
city, the Meenakshi-Sundareswarar temple has long been the focus of both
Indian and international tourist attraction as well as one of the most
important places of Hindu Religion. It is the hub of the religious and
cultural life of the city.
The temple is usually open between 0500hrs and 1230hrs and again between
1600 hrs and 21.30 hrs. Synonymous with Madurai is the Meenakshi
Sundareswarar twin Temple, the pivot around which the city has evolved.
The Meenakshi Temple complex is literally a city - one of the largest of
its kind in India and undoubtedly one of the oldest too.
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Tirumalai Nayak Mahal - About 1.5 Kms from the
Meenakshi temple, this palace was built in 1636 by the ruler whose name
it bears. The imposing edifice is famous for the “Stuccowork” on its
domes and impressive arches. The Sorgavilasam (Celestial Pavilion),
measuring 75m x 52m, constructed entirely of brick and mortar without
the support of a single rafter or girder, is a marvel of indo-Saracenic
architectural style.The Swarga Vilasam (the audience hall) is one of the
most remarkable features of the palace. Its dome rises up to a height of
20 m without any support and is an engineering marvel in itself.
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Thirupparankundram Temple - It is located 8 Kms
South of Madurai Railway Junction. The temple here is one of the six
abodes of Lord Subramanya. Its innermost shrine is cut out of a solid
rock. The temple has a wide range of Hindu gods carved on the walls. The
Subramanya cave temple has a shrine dedicated to Durga, with the figures
of Ganesh and Subramanya on either side. Located atop a hill, the temple
is believed to be one of six abodes of Lord Subramanya.
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Alagar koil - About 21 Kms North East of
Madurai, stands a celebrated Vishnu Temple dedicated to Lord Alagar. The
temple is situated on a hill amidst panoramic surroundings. This ancient
temple is placed atop a picturesque wooded hill called Alagarmalai and
has many beautiful sculptures of Vishnu.
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Gandhi Museum - the Gandhi Museum provides a
historical account of India's struggle for independence. There is a shop
in the premises from where you can buy books on Gandhi. Also can be seen
are a gallery of relics, Khadi and village industries section and South
Indian Handicrafts section.
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Koodal Alagar Temple - Koodal Alagar Temple is
an ancient Vaishnavite temple is located 2 km to the west of Madurai.
The temple has many beautiful sculptures depicting Vishnu in three
poses-sitting, standing and reclining-one above the other
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Mariamman Teppakulam - At a distance of 5 km
east of the Meenakshi temple is a tank called the Mariamman Teppakulam.
The tank has an idol of Vinayaka or Vigneshwara installed on a platform
in the centre. It is also the site of the temple's annual Teppakulam
float festival. The deities of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar are placed in
a float, called “Teppam”, decorated with flowers and illuminated with
hundred of lights.
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Pongal festival - This festival is held in the
month of January. Pongal or the Harvest Festival is celebrated by way of
paying tribute to the Sun, Nature and cattle for helping them with a
rich harvest. The 3 day festival is celebrated with great pomp and
splendour. Bogi is celebrated the first day. Homes are given a fresh
lick of paint and old articles are removed.
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Dance Festival - this festival is held in
January, March, November and December. A dance festival is being
organized by the Tourism Department for Fifteen days. Exponents of
various dances forms from all over the country perform in this festival.
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Chittirai Festival - its held in april, may
every year on the full moon day of tamil month Chittirai (April, May).
The Chittirai festival celebrates the marriage of Meenakshi and
Sundareshwara (Shiva). Held in the months of April/May, the festival is
a grand affair. The festivities last for 12 continuous days. An
elaborate wedding ceremony is organised in the Meenakshi temple, and
later the deities are wheeled around the city in massive chariots,
decorated elaborately. The resounding notes of the nadaswaram and the
drums create a vibrant ambience. |
WHERE TO EAT
There are few good restaurants which serves delicious pure vegetarian food.
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