One of South India's great temple towns, 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.

Madurai is situated on the banks of Vaigai River in Tamil Nadu, a southern Indian state. It is the second largest city of Tamil Nadu and has a population in excess of 1.1 million. It is well known for the Meenakshi temple situated at the heart of the town which attracts tourists as well as pilgrims. Madurai has a rich cultural heritage passed on from the great Tamil era more than 2500 years old, and has been an important commercial centre even as early as 550 AD. Madurai was the capital city of the Pandya kings of South India.
One of South India's great temple towns, 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.

Map of Madurai

Places you can see in Madurai

Meenakshi Temple
The life of Madurai revolves around the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple. This magnificently carved temple is the main attraction of Madurai and its huge Gopurams towers over the city. Meenakshi temple has a thousand pillared 'Mandapam'. Precisely there are 985 pillars and each of them is delicately and exquisitely carved. Among these are the musical pillars, which produce music when tapped. Surprisingly, these musical pillars are carved out of a single granite rock. The temple has been a hub of Tamil culture and has been sponsoring literature, art, music, and dance in the region for a long time. The temple also has an art museum. The city apart from temple is crammed with shops, street markets and temples, pilgrims choultries, hotels and restaurants. Though Madurai is considered as pilgrimage but it has also developed as a business centre and is famed for its traditional handicrafts in bronze and brass.

Koodal Azhagar Koil
Located 21 km. northwest of Madurai is a Vishnu temple located on a picturesque wooded hill. Here Lord Vishnu presides as Meenakshi's brother 'Azhagar'. It is one of the few temples in the country built in tiers. The tower consists of 3 tiers depicting Lord Vishnu in 3 postures, sitting, standing and reclining. The shadow of the Vimanam never falls on the ground.
On entering the temple, one can see the life-size sculptures carved in the stone Mandapam built by Tirumalai Naicken. These are similar to those found in Madurai temple. The deity is known as "Kalazhagar" as he is the household deity of the Kallas, a low caste people.

Thirumalai Nayak Mahal
This palace is an excellent example of Indo-Sarcenic architecture. It was built in 1523 AD and originally was four times larger than what it is today. The gardens, the defensive wall all have gone and what remains are the main entrance gate, the dancing hall and the main hall. Lord Napier renovated the palace in 1866-72 and later further restoration works were carried on. Today, the main attraction of the palace is light and sound show, which is based on the life of "Tirumalai Nayak" and "Silapathikaram".

Vanditur Mariamman Teppakulam
Azhagar Koil, Madurai, Tamil Nadu This huge tank is covers an area equal to the six of Meenakshi temple. Tirumalai Nayak built it in 1646. It is said that channels from the Vaigai River connect the tank. Today, this tank remains empty for most of the year except during the Teppam Festival.

The Gandhi Museum
The museum was initially the palace of Rani Mangammal. It gives a clear account of the history of Independence movement of India. This museum also tells some little known facts about Gandhiji but the real piece of Gandhi Memorabilia is the blood stained Dhoti, which he was wearing at the time of his assassination. The local government museum is also situated over here. The small bookshop offers plenty of reading material from Gandhiji's works.

Thirupparankundram
This is one of the abodes of Lord Sundareshwara, a rock cut temple carved out of a mountain, just 8-km from the city.

Pazhamudhirsolai
On the same hills of Azhagar Koilthis is again one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya.

Vaigai Dam
Vaigai dam is surrounded by well-manicured gardens and has come up as a popular picnic spots, just 70-km from Madurai.

Kodaikkanal
One of the best hill stations in India and one of the few in South India, Kodaikkanal or Kodai is a very beautiful place near Madurai. It takes just 121-km of travel to reach Kodai. Kodai is located 2,130 m above the sea level in the Western Ghats.

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
One of the well-known wildlife sanctuaries in the south, Periyar sanctuary attracts a large number of nature lovers every year. Also called the Tekkadi wildlife sanctuary, this place is appropriate to watch and observe the animals in their natural habitat. The forest of this sanctuary slope into the man made lake at the bottom of the hill

Megamalai
The tea estates on the slopes of the Western Ghats nestles Megamalai. This lovely place is bound to capture your imagination. Good place to stay and enjoy a lovely surrounding. One can also watch the animals roaming in the forest, which are close to Megamalai, Just 130-km from Madurai.

Suruli Falls
123-km from Madurai city is Suruli falls, which are located in a picturesque area. It is an ideal spot and an excellent picnic spot to spend one day.

Courtallam
Courtallam is located about 167-km on the Western Ghats and is an excellent health resort in this part of the country. This place is also known as the 'Spa of the South'. Courtallam is located just 160-km from Madurai. This place has got nine splendid waterfalls, which attracts a large number of visitors. TTDC offers here a boathouse accommodation apart from the restaurant.

Palani
118-km from Madurai is the temple dedicated to Lord Subramanyam. The temple is located on top of a hill 180 meter high. The temple attracts many devotees and people coming to Madurai do not miss visiting Palani. From the hill top one gets an excellent view of the nearby area.

Viraganur Dam
Pillayaarpatti Madurai, Tamil Nadu
This ideal picnic spot is located just 8-km from Madurai.

Kumbakkarai Water Falls
This place serves as the base camp for the trekkers who venture in the hills of Kodai. Kumbakkarai Water Falls are 105-km from Madurai and form an excellent picnic spot. Waterfall surrounded by forests combined with the pristine beauty of the hills creates a very soothing atmosphere.

Thirumohur
It is just 10 km away from Madurai. It has its legendry origin in the distant mythological past when Devas and Asuras churned the ocean to get Amritham (nectar), a sip of which ensure immortality . When the pot of nectar emerged Lord Vishnu, in the form of beautiful Mohini , took it away and while the Asuras mesmerized by her beauty, Vishnu distributed the nectar among the Devas.

Kodaikanal
(120 km) Situated at an altitude of over 700 feet on the Palani hills of the western ghats, Ko- daikanal is a beautiful and unspoilt hill station of Tamil Nadu. Kodai has more sunshine than any other Indian hill station . STAR SHAPED 24 hectare lake is set amidst the sylvan serenity of wooded slopes. The BYRANT park lies near the lake and has 325 species of trees and shrubs. Green Valley view offers some unforgettable spectacles of the hill resort and a beautiful view of the Vaigai Dam. PILLAR ROCKS is a panoramic spot with vertical rock boulders towering over 121 meters. The SHENBAGANUR museum has an splendid collection of Orchids. One of the world's oldest solar observatories built in 1899 is situated in Kodai.

Kutladampatti Waterfalls 
Located 36 kms from the Periyar City Bus Stand on the way to Kodaikanal. It is 7 Kms away from Kutladampatti near Vadipatti village. The waters of this fall drops from a height of 87 feet. During holidays and festival days tourists enjoy the natural beauty of this scenic spot and bathe in the waters of the fall. Near the falls is located a 500 years old temple dedicated to Goddes Thadagai Nachiamman.

Events and Festivals of  Madurai

Festivals

Pongal ( Harvest festival around 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.
The second day is Pongal, the main festival. Sugarcanes, Pongal (a sweet variety of rice) and festoons of mango leaves mark this auspicious day. Mattu Pongal is celebrated the third day. On this day people pay tribute to the cattle for bringing in prosperity.

Jallikattu (Taming the Bull)January
The most popular sport in Tamil Nadu is part of the pongal celebrations. This gave of valour is held in the villages with great pomp and splendor though only as a popular sport. People from the neighbouring villages throng the open grounds to watch man and beast pitting their strength against each other.

The Float Festival at Mariamman Teppakulam    (January/February)
Mariamman Teppakulam is a beautiful square tank spread over an area of almost 16acres. It is located about 5 kms east of Madurai. This tank is the scene of the colorful float festival held in January/February to celebrate the birth anniversary of king Thirumalai Nayak, who built this tank. 
The deities Meenakshi and Sundareswarar are placed in a float, called the "teppam" which is decorated with flowers and illuminated with hundreds of lights. This float is taken around the tank to the sound of traditional music. On the northern side of the tank a temple is dedicated to Mariamman, the village deity of Tamil Nadu.

Chithirai Festival
Held in the famous Madurai Temple, this festival goes on for 10 days in the Tamil month of Chitrai. The highlight is the procession of Lord Kallazhagar (Lord Vishnu), from Azhagarmalai, to give away his sister Goddess Meenakshi, in marriage to Lord Sundareswar
April/May
It is celebrated every year on the Full moon day of the Tamil Month Chithirai. (April/May). Legend says that Lord Vishnu, as Alagar, rode on a golden horse to Madurai to attend the celestial wedding of Goddes Meenakshi with Lord Sundareswarar (Lord Siva). This festival is marked by solemnity and serenity.

Avanimoolam Festival (August/September)
This festival during September celebrates the coronation of Lord Sundareswarar (Lord Siva). A “Lila” or play is performed where the temple priest recite the stories

Navarathri ( Nine nights) festival
This festival is held in honour of Goddess Meenakshi in all her forms, which embody fury, compassion and wisdom. During this nine day festival, Goddess Meenakshi is offered nine varieties of rice meals and nine varieties of flowers.

Festival of the Cradle
During the festival the deities - Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar (Lord Siva) are taken in procession to a mirror chamber. For nine days they are on a swing, which rocks gently.

Events
Dance Festival
January/ March/ November/ 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.

Hotels
While there are Plenty of Budget hotels around Madurai.

Weather:  Summer (Mar. to Jun.):  Around 40°C
 Winter ( Nov. To Feb.): Around  20°C

Best Time to Visit:   Throughout the year

Languages Spoken: Tamil, English and Sourashtra
STD Code: 0452