Madurai
Tamil Nadu's cultural arena

About
Today, Madurai is the thriving pulse of Tamil Nadu industrial growth . Truly, we believe that the Gods are here to stay! Situated on the banks of river Vaigai, Madurai is the second largest city of Tamil Nadu, a southern state in India. Madurai is more than 2,500 years old and has a rich cultural heritage and history. Madurai was an important cultural and commercial centre even as early as 550 AD. Madurai was the capital city for the great Pandya kings.

Sree Meenakshi Temple

Just one Kilometer distance from Bus stand. The Temple is dedicated to Meenakshi, the lovely consort of Lord Shiva. The original temple was built by Kulasekara Pandya, but the entire credit for making the temple as splendid as it is today goes to the Nayaks. The Nayaks ruled Madurai from the 16th to the 18th century and left a majestic imprint of their rule in the Meenakshi - Sundareswarar Temple.

Thirumalai Nayak Palace

This Palace was built in 1636 by King Thirumalai Nayak with the help of an Italian Architect. The building we see today was the main Palace where the King lived. The original Palace Complex was four times bigger than the present structure. This palace consisted mainly of two parts, namely Swargavilasa and Rangavilasa.

In these two parts, there are royal residence, theatre, shrine, apartments, armoury, palanquin place, royal bandstand, quarters, pond and garden. King Thirumalai Nayak celebrated festivals like Sceptre festival, Navarathri, Chithirai festival, Masi festival and the Float festival.

He conducted daily dance and music performances in the palace. This palace was destroyed by his grandson Chokkanatha Nayak and the valuables were transferred to other places.

During the British rule, in 1822, Lord Nepier made several renovation works. Then the palace was utilized to house some officials of the judiciary and district administration. After independance, this palace was declared as a national monument and is now under the care of the Tamilnadu Archaeological Department.

It can be visited from 9a.m to 5 p.m on payment of the entrance fee.

Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam

This is a huge temple tank about 5 km east of the Meenakshi temple. The mandapam in the centre has an idol of Vigneshwara (Vinayaka). It is said to have been found when the earth was being dug out from here to build the Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal. So, the place attained sanctity and was converted into a teppakulam (tank).

This enormous temple tank is fed by water brought from the Vagai through an ingenious system of underground Channels.

King Thirumalai Nayak born in 'Poosa' Star. so in commemorating the birth of the king , Float festival is conducted in Tamil Month 'Thai' (Jan/Feb) in the tank in a colourful way, which attracts thousands of tourists.

Gandhi Museum

The Gandhi Memorial Museum is meant to be a living Institutions and not merely a building preserving and showing exhibits, however precious. It seeks to help an ever increasing number of people particularly the youth of the country to understand and to value the life, work and teachings of Gandhiji.

Azhagar Kovil

Located 21 kms. northwest of Madurai is a Vishnu Temple on a picturesque wooded hill.

Here 'Vishnu' presides as Meenakshi's brother 'Azhgar'. During the Chitrai festival in April/May, when the celestial marriage of Meenakshi to Sundareswarar is celebrated, Azhagar travels to Madurai. A gold processional icon called the Sundararajar is carried by devotees in procession from Azhagar Kovil to Madurai for wedding ritual.

Palamudhirsolai, one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya is on the same hill, about 4 kms. above. A natural spring called Nuburagangai where pilgrims bath, is located here.

Thirupparamkundram

Thirupparankundram, 10 km south of Madurai, is one of the six abodes of Lord Subramaniya.

It is a cave temple . Here Lord Muruga was wedded to Devayanai, daughter of Indra, after annihilating Surapadman.

In the temple there are separate shrines dedicated to Shiva, Ganapathy, Durgai, Vishnu and other deities.

At the entrance to the temple there are 48 pillars with artistic carvings. The Rock-cut Temple of Subramaniya here is thronged with pilgrims on all days of special worship.

Its innermost shrine is cut out of a solid rock.

Places of interest around and nearby Madurai
Narasingam	North East	20 kms
Thirumohoor	North East	15 kms
Thiruvathavoor	North East	35 kms
Nagamalai	West	15 kms

Roport by Rakkesh Gopal H.V.