| Madurai City |
| About: |
| It is situated at a distance of 427 km from Bangalore and is one of the must visit tourist destinations in South India. Often known as the Athens of the East, the city comprises of a number of temples and historical monuments. Thousands of pilgrims and tourists visit Madurai every year in search of spiritual peace. Apart from temples, tourists can also visit other such examples of Tamilian architecture in British and Islamic styles. There are also a number of mosques and cathedrals in the city, where people can receive divine sermons.Madurai is a beautiful city on the banks of the Vaigai river is celebrated as the seat of Tamil learning and culture since time immemorial. The last of the three Tamil Sangams (Academies) flourised here nearly 2,000 years ago. The renowned temple of Devi Meenakshi and Lord Sunareshwarar is an epitome of Dravindian art and architecture and has been a great source of attraction to every tourist who visits South India over the centuries. The vast multitudes of tourists thronging the south consider their pilgrimage incomplete without a visit to this hallowed shrine.Madurai is also a centre of learning and people from all over the country come here to attain knowledge. Madurai Kamraj University is a pioneer educational institution. Established in 1966, the university offers different courses in different varsities. There are also a number of other institutions which are imparting knowledge and churning out professionals in diverse sectors. The city is also a host to a number of textile industries and produces one of the best harvests of Jasmine flowers in the country.Madurai is, thus, a hub of activity, and a city that never sleeps. People can entertain themselves completely through various cultural activities, parks, museums, clubs, yoga and cinema. After traveling, people can enjoy south Indian delicacies at their best here, as the city is famous for its reasonable and delicious food. Apart from this, the local people are very friendly, helpful and cheerful so one can be relaxed and eased out.Madurai has something for everybody. The famous Float Festival is of great religious importance and attracts pilgrims from across the country. The adventurous lot of tourists can visit Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Megamalai tea estates, while the nature lovers can go to Kodaikanal, Suruli and Kumbakkarai Water Falls. Thus, Madurai presents a beautiful blend of art, culture, spirituality, technology and entertainment, thus making it a popular tourist destination.Saivite saints Appar, Sundarar, Manickavachakar, Gnanasambandar, and other erudite scholars like Paranjothi Munivar, Kumara Guruparar and Neelakanta Dikshitar have all immortalised the glory of Meenakshi and Sundareshwarar in their hymns. These works include Thirivilayadal Puranam by Paranjothi Munivar, Ananda Sagarastvam and Siva Leelarnavam by Neelakanta Dikshitar and Meenakshi Ammai Pillaithamizh by Kumara Guruparar. |
| According to sacred texts, Madurai was earlier known by names like Halasyam, Kadamba Vanam, Thiru Aalavai and J eevan Mukti Nagaram. The history of this city dates back to the 6th century BC. It was the capital of the Pandyan empire till the fourteenth century AD. Nayak rulers reigned from Madurai for about 200 years (1529 to 1736 AD). The popular among them was Thirumalai Nayak, who lavished his skills and resources on the architecture of this temple. |
| Location info: |
| Madurai City,Tamil Nadu,India |
| Climate/Weather of Madurai City: |
| Summer- Max: 37.5″C Min: 26.3″ CWinter- Max: 29.6″C Min: 20.9″ |
| History of Madurai City: |
| Madurai is the second largest city in Tamil Nadu, after Chennai and is one of the oldest cities in India, over 2,500 years old. Madurai is situated on the banks of the Vaigai River. The city evokes the glory of a bygone era. A land so soaked in history that every sculpture in every temple tells a story. A city with marvellous monuments, places of worship and a fine blend of tradition and modernity. Come to Madurai to travel down the stream of time. Reference to Madurai is made in the Indian epic Ramayana and Kautilya’s, Arthasastra, making it one of the oldest cities in the country. Like many other places in Tamil Nadu, Madurai has a legend. It is said that the Pandya king Kulasekara built a great temple in a big city for Lord Shiva. On the day when the lotus city built by the king, was to be named, Lord Shiva himself, happy with his devotee’s gesture, made his divine appearance and showered the nectar from his matted locks and all over the city. This gave the city the name Madhurapuri (Madhura means nectar) which became the capital of the Pandya Kingdom. The city’s visitors list include Marco Polo, who visited this city in 1293 AD. |
| Educational Institutions of Madurai City: |
| Arts & Science:Sourashtra College, Madurai Sourashtra College for Women, Madurai The American College (Autonomous), Madurai C.P.A. College, Theni E.M.G. Yadava Women’s College, Madurai Govt. Arts College, Melur, Madurai H.K.R.H. College, Theni M.S.S. Wakf Board College, Madurai Madurai Institute of Social Sciences, Madurai Madurai Kamaraj University College, Aundipatti, Theni Madurai Kamaraj University Evening College, Madurai Madurai Kamaraj University Evening College, Periyakulam Madurai Kamaraj University Evening College, Theni Mannar Tirumalai Naicker College, Madurai N.M.S.S. Vellachami Nadar College, Madurai Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar College, Madurai Saraswathy Narayanan College, Madurai Senthamil College, Madurai Sri Meenakshi Govt. College for Women (Autonomous), Madurai Yadava College, Madurai Ambiga College of Arts and Science, Madurai Annai Fathima College of Arts and Science, Tirumangalam Arul Anandar College (Autonomous), Madurai C.S.I. Darling Selvabai Thavaraj David College of Arts and Science for Women, Madurai Devasagayam Annathaiyammal Arts and Science Women College, Madurai Fatima College (Autonomous), Madurai Jayaraj Annapackiam College for Women (Autonomous), Periyakulam Jeyaraj Chelladurai College of Arts and Science, Theni Lady Doak College (Autonomous), Madurai M.A.V.M.M. Ayira Vysiar College, Madurai M.K. University College, Madurai, Madurai Madura College (Autonomous), Madurai Mangayarkarasi Arts and Science College for Women, Madurai N.M.S. Sermathai Vasan College for Women, Madurai Nadar Saraswathy College of Arts and Science, Theni P.K.N. Arts and Science College, Madurai S.P. College of Science and Arts, Madurai Sri Adi Chunchanagiri Women’s College, Theni Sri Nagalakshmi Ammal Arts and Science College, Madurai St. George’s Jayaraj Chelladurai College for Women, Madurai Subbalakshmi Lakshmipathi College of Science, Madurai Theni College of Arts and Science, Theni Thiagarajar College (Autonomous), Madurai Vivekanandha College (Autonomous), Madurai |
| Langauge |
| Tamil, Telegu, Sourashtra, English, Hindi |
| Culture: |
| Tamil Nadu finds a prime position on the cultural map of the country. The state’s contribution to literature, music, arts of Indian classical culture is praiseworthy. Dance, music, art and crafts and celebration of various festivals form important parts of Tamil culture. The various fairs and festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm. Tamil people have their own living style which is reflected in their food, costumes, language and folk art and culture. Let’s find more about the cultural heritages of the state. |
| How to reach? |
| Nearest Railway Station:Madurai has its own airport, located 12 km from the city center. There are daily flights to Chennai and twice a day flights to Mumbai. |
| Nearest Airport:Regular trains connect Madurai to Coimbatore, Chennai, Rameswaram, Kanyakumari and other towns of South India. The Madurai Railway Station is within the city center. |
| Road Transport: Madurai has a well maintained network of roads connected with all major towns of Tamil Nadu and its neighboring states. |
| Tourist Attraction of Madurai City: |
| Meenakshi Temple: Meenakshi Temple is the holy temple of hindus located in the city of Madurai in southern India. It is a vast temple of Lord Shiva and Goddess parvati. It is . Meenakshi Temple is the holy temple of hindus located in the city of Madurai in southern India. It is a vast temple of Lord Shiva and Goddess parvati. It is the best temple in which both God and Goddess are worshipped together. It is the life line of the country, especially southern India as Lord shiva is the highly worshiped god of the country. It has its foundation way back in the 2500 AD.According to the mythology, Lord shiva visited Madurai to marry Parvati and it has been the sacred abode of Goddess Parvarti since her birth. The wonderful architecture of the place is amongst the seven wonders of the world and the construction is highly minute with great art piece incorporated the walls and pillars of the temple.Thirumalai Nayak Mahal: Thirumalai Nayak Mahal was constructed way back in the 17th century. Several buildings and temples had been constructed by him in the region and they have been splendid piece of .Thirumalai Nayak Mahal was constructed way back in the 17th century. Several buildings and temples had been constructed by him in the region and they have been splendid piece of construction. It was constructed by kings of muslim dynasty which covered several regions of coimbatore, Madurai City and other few places in southern Tamil Nadu. It is a great piece of art and all of the sculptures are encarved in the Madurai style.Several old temples too have been renovated in this new style and the whole city seems to have the construction of the similar make, which is a good feature of the place.Gandhi Museum: Gandhi museum is a great master piece in Southern India and it has great historical background and mythology in its background. There are several Gandhi museums across the nation and Gandhi museum is a great master piece in Southern India and it has great historical background and mythology in its background. There are several Gandhi museums across the nation and the Gandhi museum of the southen India is basically a Tamukkam bungalow which means summer house in Tamil, which is the local language of the place.The museum is square in share and created at the height of 5 metres from the ground level and it has a wonderful dome in the centre which is about 7 metres diagonally. It was constructed by Nayak Queen Rani in the earlier 1700 AD. Great cost was incurred in establishing the museum and it was all invested by the government of India, in memory of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation. Mariamman Teppakulam: This is a temple made in the memory of Lord Vigneshwara. It is situated about 5 kms from the meenakshi temple. It has a huge tank in the compound of .This is a temple made in the memory of Lord Vigneshwara. It is situated about 5 kms from the meenakshi temple. It has a huge tank in the compound of the temple and is the biggest tank in the region of Tamil Nadu. The tank is filled with water all year long and the idol of the temple too was obtained from the bottom of the tank, while it was dug in the olden times and hence the temple was constructed at that place itself. So the tank gained its popularity since then and the temple too was constructed in its memory.Several different kinds of festivals are celebrated in the temple and all rituals are done with great pomp and pleasure and the people have a wonderful time while they are in the temple. Alagar Koil: Alagar Koil is a beautiful temple situated in the north east of Madurai. The temple is the abode of Lord Vishnu and is the sacred place for several followers of . Alagar Koil is a beautiful temple situated in the north east of Madurai. The temple is the abode of Lord Vishnu and is the sacred place for several followers of Lord Vishnu in the region. It is situated in the Alagar hills and is also known as Azhagarkovil. The statue of the lord is made of stone and is a great masterpiece created from kallalgar. Several different statues in different postures of the Lord are all kept in the temple under the same roof and is the best form of distinct temples in southern India.The people of the region consider Lord Vishnu to be a wonderful king or ruler of the earth and offer holy prayers from the bottom of the heart. The temple has wonderful halls and other facilities to perform different rituals with sacred mantras in the holy environment. Tirupparankundram Murugan Temple: Tirupparankundram Murugan temple is one of the pilgrimage places in the southern India. The temple is an excellent master piece of art and is devoted to mother earth for all .Tirupparankundram Murugan temple is one of the pilgrimage places in the southern India. The temple is an excellent master piece of art and is devoted to mother earth for all the benedictions it has bestowed on the holy earth. The region is hilly and is also known as southern Himalayas of India. It is a beautiful place where the sun and moon can be seen together at several instances of the day.It is considered to be the holy place for marriages and most of the marriages in the suburbs take place in this temple itself. The marriage of Lord Subhrahmanya was celebrated in this temple and since then several people have been bound in the marital bonds in front of the god in this temple. Vaigai Dam: Vaigai dam is a giant dam constructed on the river Vaigai and is situated near Andipatti in southern India. The dam has been the life line of the agricultural lands . Vaigai dam is a giant dam constructed on the river Vaigai and is situated near Andipatti in southern India. The dam has been the life line of the agricultural lands in the neighbourhood and because of it the areas have flourished in leaps and bounds. It provides clean and fresh drinking water to whole of the region of Madurai and Andipatti. Agricultural research institution too has been developed near the dam so as to research on a wide variety of crops including cereals and pulses.Several issues about the water supply in the dry seasons have been curbed down after the construction of the dam and it has provided life to the region of southern India. Koodal Azhagar Temple: The temple is situated in the city of Azhaghar, the beautiful city of southern India. It is the temple of lord Vishnu with great monument of lord Vishnu encarved in . The temple is situated in the city of Azhaghar, the beautiful city of southern India. It is the temple of lord Vishnu with great monument of lord Vishnu encarved in front of the temple. Koodal is the second name for the city of Madurai and Koodal temple indicates the temple of Madurai as suggested by its name. It is one of the oldest temples in southern India and is one of the 108 temples of lord Vishnu constructed all over India.The temple is very close to the main bus stop of Madurai and it becomes easy for the people to visit the temple once they are in the city of madurai in Tamil Nadu. Several different lodging and boarding facilities is provided in the place and hence it becomes convenient to the travelers, who would love to visit the place and take the sacred blessings of Lord Vishnu. Pazhamudhir Solai: Pazhamudhir Solai is a beautiful temple created in the memory of Lord Subramaniya who is worshipped by several people in southern India. It has great sculptures of lord subramaniya encarved . Pazhamudhir Solai is a beautiful temple created in the memory of Lord Subramaniya who is worshipped by several people in southern India. It has great sculptures of lord subramaniya encarved in wood and marble and is a wonderful temple with giant steps in the front of it.People worship the temple by moving across the periphery of the temple a several number of times, with the hope that their wish would come true. It is the giant temple of Lord subhramaniya in southern India and one of the most beautiful too. Its located on the hills of Azharar koil and falls in Madurai in Tamil nadu. |
| Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation in Madurai City: |
| Hotel Vijay:122, Tirupparankunram Rd, Vasantha Nagar,Madurai, Tamil Nadu,Ph:045 22336321Taj Garden Retreat:Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu,Ph:0452 2371601Royal Court India:Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu,Ph:045 2435 6666The Madurai Residency:15, west Marret Street,Madurai, Tamil Nadu,Ph:0452 4380000Grt Regency:38 Madakulam Road, TPK Road, NH7, Palangana, Madurai,Tamil Nadu,Ph:0452 2371155Hotel Supreme:110, West Perumal Maistry Street, Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu,Ph:0452 2343151Hotel Park Plaza:Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu,Ph:0452 3011111Hotel Germanus:28, Madurai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu – 0452 4356999 |
| Links: |
| www.madurai.org.ukwww.tripadvisor.com/ |
Image Gallery of Madurai City
