Madurai 

Madurai — the seventh largest city in Tamil Nadu situated on the banks of Vaigai river — is known for heritage temples, particularly the renowned Meenakshi Temple, and its historical Tamil Academy

The beauty of Madurai is described by Ibn Batuta, the Arab travelogue writer of 14th century, as having a layout and scheme that was centred round the Vaigai in the midst of destruction. It is the seventh largest city of Tamil Nadu in southern India, an animated city, packed with pilgrims and businesspeople and bullock carts. It has attained the 26th place in the list of top nominees for the New Seven Wonders of the World and is well known for its jasmine flowers, sugandhi sarees and for folk dances, dramas and ballads.

Madurai is also called the Athens of the East where Meenakshi Sundareswarar and Azhagar Koil temples, every day, attract around tens of thousands of pilgrims. The magnetic pull of city gets further enhanced during the days of Teppam and Chittrai festivals, the most splendid religious pageants. Madurai has been a centre of learning and pilgrimage for centuries. Legend has it that the divine nectar falling from Lord Shiva’s locks gave the city its name Madhurapuri, now known as Madurai.

Madurai, over 2000 years ago, was been the capital of the Pandyan kings. In the 10th century, it was captured by the Chola emperors. It was also ruled by Vijayanagar kings (Hampi) and the Nayaks. During the rule of the Nayaks, the bulk of the Meenakshi temple was built and Madurai became the cultural centre of the Tamil people. The city came under the sway of the East India Company in 1781.

The Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, named after the daughter of a Pandyan king and her husband Lord Sundereswara (Lord Shiva), is excellent example of Dravidian architecture. The museum, called the Temple Art Gallery, is located within the temple and contains beautiful stone and brass images, examples of South Indian scripts on friezes that explain Hindu pantheism and legends associated with it.

Located at 21-km northwest from Madurai is Azhagar Koil Temple, a Vishnu temple, on a picturesque wooded hill where Lord Vishnu presides as Meenakshi’s brother Azhagar. The tower consists of three tiers depicting Lord Vishnu in three postures — sitting, standing and reclining. At entrance of temple, there is a life-size sculpture of the deity Kalazhagar.

Other attractions in Madurai include the Tirumalai Nayak Palace, Gandhi Museum and Mariamman Teppakkulam Tank. The famous festivals held at Madurai include the Teppam festival, the annual Float Festival wherein the images of Shree Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswara are mounted on floats and taken to Mariamman Teppakkulam Tank.

The Chittrai festival held during March-April, celebrates the marriage of Shree Meenakshi to Lord Sundereswara. On the occasion, an elaborately decorated chariot bearing the images of the divine couple is taken around the city. The resounding notes of the nadaswaram and the drums create a vibrant ambience. The Avnimoola festival is held in late August-early September, when temple cars are drawn around the streets of Madurai.

One can reach Madurai via daily flights from Tiruchirapalli, Chennai and Bangalore and train connections from Madras and Rameshwaram. There is also good service from Madurai to the major cities of Tamil Nadu.

Madurai is closely associated with the growth of Tamil literature. According to ancient Tamil poet Nakeerar there were three Tamil Sangams (Academies) — Mutharchangam, Idaichangam and Kadaichangam — the last belonging to Madurai.

Highlight: Madurai, the seventh largest city of Tamil Nadu in southern India, is an animated city, packed with pilgrims and businesspeople. It ranks 26th in the list of top nominees for the New Seven Wonders of the World and is well known for its jasmine flowers, sugandhi sarees and for folk dances, dramas and ballads.