South India Destinations

Welcome to Madurai

The City of Nectar, as Madurai has been nicknamed is the oldest and the second largest city in the state of Tamilnadu in India. Located on the banks of the Vaighar river, Madurai was a city of prime importance and the capital of the Pandyan rulers till the last part of the 14th century in South India. The city dates back to about 2500 years earlier when it flourished as a center of learning.

Madurai is also given the title of the Athens of the East because of the Bloody battle that took place on its soil and the war myths associated with it. During the ancient times it was called as Madhurapuram, as it was considered that honey or madhu have dripped from the long locks of Lord Shiva. Today it is of foremost importance as a Hindu pilgrimage destination with the ever imposing temples with grand architecture attracting thousand's of devotees. The Meenakshi temple built by the Nayaks can be cited for example. Once, Madurai was the seat of power of all the major South Indian Empires. Beginning from the Cholas to the Pandyas and finally regained by the Vijayanagar Kings and the Nayaks.

The Meenakshi temple, major travel attraction of Madurai, premise occupies a vast area and is combination of the architectural style of the Vijayanagara and the Nayaka dynasties. Dedicate to the highly beautiful Devi Meenakshi, the consort of Lord Shiva, the original form of the temple was constructed by Kulasekara Pandya of the Pandya dynasty but the real credit for up liftment and bringing the temple in to the focus of the world goes to the great Tirumalai Nayak of the Nayakas, who brought back the lost glory of the magnificent structure. Placed in the midst of the city, the temple also known as Meenakshi-Sundareshwar temple is today of utmost importance to the Hindu pilgrimage. The whole city wakes up to the chant of the priest and the hymns that are sung in praise of the deities kept in the temple.

Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam Another important travel attraction is the Teppakulam tank, which is a large tank just 5 kms east of the temple of Meenakshi. The tank were earlier created for the pilgrims to rest by its surrounding. Also once in a year the deities are brought to the temple for a holy bath to the tank. The huge tank was discovered during the excavation to built the Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal, a palace but later on the site was sanctified and converted to this tank. The tank waters are brought from the Vagai river through underground channels. The tank liven's up during the float festival.

Tirumalai Nayakkar Palace In the whole of Madurai, The Thirumalai palace best describes the grand architectural style of the Nayakas. The palace of Tirumalai Nayak, one of the rulers of the Nayaks is situated at a distance of 1 km from the Sundeswara temple. The Indo saracenic edifice was given its final shape in the year 1523 and larger by four times than its present size. Divided in to mainly two parts, Swargavilasa and Rangavilasa. The swargavilasa is of special attraction as it has the towering dome which lies beyond the courtyard. It picturises the magnificent skill of the builders of that times. The dome rises to a height of 20 meters without any kind of help and support. The Rangavilasa contains the the royal residence, theatre, shrine, apartments and the armoury. To its outer side is a pond and a beautiful garden.

Accommodation at Madurai
Taj Garden Retreat 5*
Hotel Pandyan 4*
Hotel Germanus 3*

How to Reach
By Air:
There are daily flights available from Madurai Airport to Tiruchirapalli, Chennai and Bangalore.

By Rail:
Well connected by railway network, daily trains to Chennai, Bangalore, Trivandrum and all southern cities of India

By Road:
There are very good road networks from Madurai to most of the major cities in the state.