Home :: South India Travel Destinations :: Madurai India

» Location : Tamil Nadu
» Historical Significance : Remained The Capital Of Pandayan Empire Till 14th Century.
» Main Attractions : Meenakshi Temple, Koodal Azhagar Temple, Thirumalai Nayak Mahal
» Festive Attractions : Meenakshi Kalyanam In April-May And The Teppam Festival

Planning for a vacation? How about the mystical destination of Madurai? Madurai happens to the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu besides being the second largest city in the state. The city derives its name from the divine nectar (Madhu) that was showered from the locks of Lord Shiva according to a popular belief. The temple city of Madurai is situated on the banks of the River Vaigai.

Madurai's Pilgrimage - Meenakshi Temple
Located at the heart of the city, the Meenakshi-Sundareswarar temple has long been the focus of both Indian and international tourist attraction as well as one of the most important places of Hindu pilgrimage. The temple is dedicated to both of Meenakshi of the limpid fish-shaped eyes, the lovely consort of Lord Siva: and to Lord Siva himself (Sundareswarar). For the people of Madurai, the temple is the very centre of their cultural and religious life.

Prime Attractions of Madurai
Meenakshi Amman Temple: An excellent example of Dravidian Architecture, the Meenakshi Temple attracts devotees from all over India and Tourist from all over the world. One can climb to the southern Gopuram of the temple to get a great view of the city.

Vandiyur Kanmoy Tourist Complex: Located 6km from the Periyar bus stand, Vandiyur Kanmoy (Tank) is an ideal picnic spot . TTDC operates a Children's train and boating service. There is also a restuarant in the Tourist Complex

Vanditur Mariamman Teppakulam: This enormous temple tank is fed by the water brought from the Vaigai through an ingenious system of underground channels. The tank has a mandapam at the centre enshrining Lord Vigneshwara.

Thirumalai Nayak Mahal: This Indo-Saracenic building was constructed in 1523 and was originally four times large are today. Sound and light show on the life of the Tirumalai Nayak and the story of the Silapathikaram are conduced daily.

Koodal Azhaar Temple: This ancient shrine has Vishnu in sitting, standing and reclining postures one above the other. It has elegantly carved ornamental windows described as "miracles of the stone mason's art". There are also intricate wood carvings, including a panel of Lord Rama's Pattabhishekham (coronation).

Azhagar Koil: Located 21 kms northwest of Madurai is a Vishnu Temple on a picturesque wooded hill. Here Vishnu presides as Meenakshi's brother "Azhagar'.

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

The Gandhi Museum: The institution housed in a 300-year old palace is dedicated to Gandhiji and promotes study and appreciation of the Mahatma's teachings. There is picture gallery, personal memorabilia of the Mahatma, a library and an exhibition of South India handicrafts and village industries. The government Museum is also in this comlex.

Timings: 10.00-13.00 hrs. and 14.00-17,30 hrs. Ph : 531060

Thirupparankundram: south of Madurai junction, the temple here is one of the abodes of Lord Sundareshwara, Its innermost shrine is cut out of a solid rock cut temple carved out of a mountain, just 8-km from the city.

Excursions of Madurai
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary: The forests of this beautiful sanctuary slope down to a man-made lake. On motor launches from this lake , one can view wildlife in its natural habitat. Elephant, gaur, sambhar and even tigers which come to the lake.

Kodaikkanal: If you want to escape to some cooler place, travel 120 km out of Madurai to the hill station of Kodai or Kodaikkanal. It is situated in the Western Ghats at a height of 2,130 m above sea level. You can take pleasant strolls among the wooded hills, picturesque waterfalls or simply sit by the magnificent lake at this beautiful hill station of the South.

Megamalai: Megamalai, 130kms from Madurai, lies 1500 m above sea level. One has to climb up from Chinnamanur side. There are many caradamon estates and tea plantations in the hills. Wild animals like Sambhar, Elephant, Tiger, Cheetah, Gaur and Spotted Deer are found amidst thick vegetation.

Vaigai Dam: At a distance of 70 km, on the way to Thekkady, you will come across the Vaigai Dam. It is a beautiful picnic spot and is very popular with the tourists and locals alike. You can laze around in the well laid out gardens. The dam offers a breath-taking sight on weekends when it is illuminated.

Courtallam: Courtallam is situated at an elevation of about 16.7 meters on western ghats. Some of the most important falls in Courtallam are Peraruvi ( main fall), Chitraruvi ( small fall), Shenbaga Devi falls, Thenaryvi ( Honey falls), Aintharuvi ( five falls), Puli Aruvi ( Tiger fall) Pazhaya Courtallam (old fall), Puthu Aruvi( new falls) and the Pazhathotta Aruvi ( fruit garden fall) .These water falls are said to have medicinal properties as they run through a herbs forest . A bath in them has a soothing tonic effect on the entire physical system . The main fall is formed by a sharp three stage drop of about 91 meters high and is flood - lit for bathing at night.

Suruli Falls: Suruli waterfalls lies 123 kms from Madurai on the way to Thekkadi via Uthamapalayam. The location of the falls, in a salubrious setting makes it a good picnic spot for domestic tourists.

Kumbakkarai Water Falls: It is 105 kms from Madurai and 6 kms from Periyakulam, Kumbakkarai water falls is an ideal picnic spot..

Viraganur Dam: Viraganur Dam with a picturesque garden lies 8 km from Madurai adn far from Vandiyur Mariamman tank. This is a nice picnic spot.

Fairs & Festival in Madurai
Most important festival of Madurai is the sacred wedding ceremony of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareshwar. This festival is held during March -April. During this festival the city displays a colourful and joyous mood. Images of the divine couple are taken around the city in a tastefully decorated chariot, amidst the presence of a huge gathering of devotees. The notes of Nadaswaram and drums further aggravate the festive ambience.

The annual float festival marks the images of Meenakshi and her consort floating on the Mariamman tank on an illuminated raft bedecked with flowers. As such there are festivals throughout the year in Madurai. All most 11 big annual festivals are celebrated in Madurai, which are spread through the year with exception of the monsoon months.

Shopping in Madurai
Madurai has been a textile center since ages. The streets and lanes are lines with shops and tailors offering readymade as well as fabric material manufactured in Madurai. The Puthu Mandapam, an old pillared hall along the entrance to Meenakshi temple is popular among the visitors and locals for the cotton fabric and the Batiks. The lovely Sungundi Sarees are in great demand among Indian women. Collectors are delighted to have the Brass lamps from Madurai.

Premier shopping areas are Chithirai, Avanimoola, Puthumandapam and Thevangu Chetty Choultry. The handicrafts Emporiums of the states are also here, which offer a varied range of handicrafts from all over the India.

Climate in Madurai
The climate of Madurai is warm. The temperature seldom comes below 20° C even during the winters. The rainfall is very frequent and spread throughout the year, just like the flow of pilgrims and tourists is the same during the year.

Places to stay in Madurai
Madurai has got a wide range of accommodation, varying from reasonable ones to luxurious that cater for the flocks of pilgrims and tourists. Most of the reasonable places to stay are located at Town Hall Road and West Perumal Maistry Street, not far from the railway station.

How to Get There
By Air: Madurai has its own airport and there are flights, which connect the city with Chennai, Tiruchirappalli. The airline services have at least one flight daily from Madurai to Chennai. From there one can take flight to anywhere in India.

By Rail: Madurai has one of the major railway junctions of South India. It is connected with the all the major tourist as well as religious places in Tamil Nadu. Though there are not many trains, which connect the city with major cities of India such as, Madurai is easily accessible from any part of the nation.

By Road: There are good motorable roads, which connect this, second largest city of Tamil Nadu with other parts of the state as well as other places in India. Madurai has five bus stands, which cater to the needs of the people.

Nearby Cities of Madurai
» Coimbatore - 227 km
» Rameshwaram - 173 km
» Kanyakumari - 253 km
» Tekkadi - 137 km
» Courtalam - 160 km
» Kodaikanal - 121 km

Tourist Information Centres about Madurai
» Tourist Office, Government of Tamil Nadu - Hotel Tamil Nadu Complex, West Veli Street (Near Periyar Bus Stand) Madurai, Tamil Nadu
» Tourist Information Center, Government Of Tamil Nadu - Railway Junction, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
» Department of Tourism, Government of India (DOTGOI) - 154, Anna Salai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
» Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) - 143, Anna Salai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu