MADURAI
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Madurai is known as Athens of the East, Madurai is a place of great historical and cultural importance. It is the oldest city in Tamil Nadu and Madurai lies on the banks of the River Vaigai. Madurai is one of the liveliest cities in South India. It was originally known as "Kadambavanam" or the "forest of Kadamba".
Legend says that Lord Shiva appeared in the dream of the king Kulasekhara Pandya. The king was amazed to see drops of nectar or madhu falling down of earth from Lord Shiva''s matted hair. The "madhu" was so sweet that the place where it fell came to be known as "Madhurapuri", which in course of time became "Madurai".
Madurai was known to be the centre of learning and pilgrimage for centuries. Today, Madurai is a modern commercial and industrial city, with a vast University campus and is renowned for its weaving mills and dyeing industry. The chungadi cotton sarees are the speciality of this city with its colorful tie and dye motifs. Handicrafts, brassware, bronze items and the famous wooden toys of Madurai are some of the notable artifacts. |
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| Places of Interest |
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| Sri Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple : |
Sri Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple synonymous with Madurai is the Meenakshi Sundareswarar twin-temple. It is the pivot around which the city has evolved. The Meenakshi Temple complex is literally a city on its own. It is one of the largest of its kind in India and undoughtedly one of the oldest too. The temple grew bigger with the contributions of each dynasty and victorious monarchs, into an enormous complex extending over an area of 65000 sq. meters. The temple was first built 2000 years ago and was substantially expanded during the reigion of Thirumalai Nayak between the years (1623-55 AD).
A striking feature of the temple is the astonishing structure known as Ayiramkaal mandapam or the Hall of a thousand pillars in the outermost corridor. The hall has 985 pillars and each pillar features high, ornate, bold sculptures that look life- like. Viewed from any angle these pillars appear to be in a straight line, it is an architectural masterpiece indeed. In the outermost corridors are situated the matchless musical pillars carved out of stone. When tapped, each pillar produces a different musical note and the hall resonates with the sound of this note. |
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| Thirumalai Nayak Mahal : |
| About 1.5kms from the Meenakshi temple is this palace that was built in 1636 by the ruler whose named it bears. The imposing edifice is famous for the stuccowork on its domes and impressive arches. The Sorga Vilasam or the Celestial Pavilion, measuring 75m x 52m, is constructed entirely of brick and mortar without the support of a single rafter or girder. |
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It is a marvel of Indo Saracenic architectural style. Among the other striking features of the palace are the massive white pillars, several of which line the corridor that runs along the courtyard. Connected by well-decorated arches, these pillars measure 20m in height and have a circumference of 4m.
Elsewhere, there are polished black stone pillars of varying heights. It was King Thirumalai Nayak''s grandson who demolished much of the fine structure and removed most of the jewels and woodcarvings in order to build his own palace in Thiruchirapalli. That his dream never came true is another story. Thanks to Lord Napier, the then Governor of Madras, who partially restored the palace in 1866-72, and the subsequent restoration works carried out several years ago, today, we get to see the Entrance Gate, the Main Hall and the Dance Hall. These are worth seeing too. |
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| Alagarkoil : |
| About 21kms north east of Madurai, stands a celebrated Vishnu temple dedicated to Lord Alagar. The temple is situated on a hill amidst panoramic surroundings. The shrine is known as Alagarkoil and the hill is known Solaimalai. The temple also contain some beautiful carvings and makes the visit rewarding. Solai malai Mandapam, one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya is located atop the hill. |
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| Gandhi Museum : |
| Housed in the old Palace of Rani Mangammal, the Gandhi Museum depicts the highlights of the freedom struggle and contains a picture gallery of the Gandhian movement . |
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| Koodal Azhagar Temple : |
| This ancient and acclaimed Vaishnavite temple is noted for its remarkable architectural and sculptural magnificence. The Lord here is in the sitting or asana, standing or sthanaka and reclining or sayana postures, all enshrined in one vertical plane. |
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| Sri Aravindar Annai Trust and Meditation Centre : |
| It is located 9 kms south of Madurai at Thirunagar. It is dedicated to realising the ideal of Sri Aravindar and Sri Annai, that is Sri Aurobindo and mother. It is one of the oldest places of meditation in Madurai. |
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| Thirumohur : |
| There is a Vishnu Temple located here and it is 20 kms from Madurai and 3 kms from Othakkadi. The main deity of this temple is Kalamega Perumal or Thirumal and his consort Sembagavalli. |
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| Thiruvathavur : |
| This Shiva temple is located 25 kms from Madurai and 5 kms. from Othakkadi. The presiding deities of this temple are Shiva and Parvathi. It is the birthplace of the famous poet Manikkavasagar. |
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| Vaigai Dam : |
| This impressive dam on the River Vaigai is 69kms from Madurai on the way to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary near Andipatti. It is and ideal spot for a picnic. |
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| Places Around Madurai |
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| Srivilliputhur : |
| The Nayak kings constructed the Vatapatrasayi Temple at Srivilliputhur, but its story goes a long way back to the Pandya times, when moved by her devotion, Lord Krishna married the poetess-devotee, Andaal. |
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| Palani : |
The temple at Palani is one of the six abodes of lord Subramanya. Dedicated to
Sri Dandyauthapani, and the temple is built atop a hill and can be reached either by climbing the steps or using a winch. During the festivals of Panguni Uthiram (during March-April) and Aadi Krithikai (during July-august), devotees carrying a "kaavadi" dance and walk their way up the hill from far and near to the temple. |
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| Thirupparankundram : |
| Situated on the outskirts, just 8 kms to the south of Madurai Junction. This temple is dedicated to Lord Subramanya, has been a place of pilgrimage through the centuries. This temple is one of the six abodes of the Lord Muruga. Its innermost shrine is carved out of a single solid rock. |
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| Kodaikanal : |
| Kodaikanal or Kodai as this popular hill station is called, is located at an altitude of over 2133 meters (7000 ft.) in the Western Ghats. It is 120 kms from Madurai and 80 kms from Kodai Road Railway Station. Kodaikanal (also known as Kodai) is a city and a taluk division of Dindigul district. Kodaikanal is sometimes referred to as the "Princess of Hill stations" and is a popular tourist destination. |
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| Much of the local economy is hospitality industry based on national and international tourism. Kodaikanal was established by American missionaries around 1845, as a refuge from the high temperatures and tropical diseases of the plains. |
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| Suruli Waterfalls : |
| Suruli Waterfalls is 123 kms from Madurai on the way to Thekkadi where the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is located. This is also a good picnic spot. |
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