Madurai
 Madurai
or the "city of nectar" is the
oldest and second largest city of Tamil Nadu. This city is
located on Vaigai River and was the capital of Pandyan rulers
till the 14th century. The Pandyan king, Kulasekhara had built
a gorgeous temple around which he created a lotus shaped city.
Mythology says when city was being named; Lord Shiva blessed
the city and its people. On the auspicious occasion some Divine
nectar ("Madhu") fell from the matted locks of Shiva
and hence the city was named "Madhurapuri".
This sacred town of south attracts thousands of pilgrims and
visitors from India as well as abroad.
Madurai's
Pilgrimage - Meenakshi Temple
The life of Madurai revolves around the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar
temple. This magnificently carved temple is the main attraction
of Madurai and its huge Gopurams towers over the city. Meenakshi
temple has a thousand pillared 'Mandapam'. Precisely there
are 985 pillars and each of them is delicately and exquisitely
carved. Among these are the musical pillars, which produce
music when tapped. Surprisingly, these musical pillars are
carved out of a single granite rock. The temple has been a
hub of Tamil culture and has been sponsoring literature, art,
music, and dance in the region for a long time. The temple
also has an art museum. The city apart from temple is crammed
with shops, street markets and temples, pilgrims choultries,
hotels and restaurants. Though Madurai is considered as pilgrimage
but it has also developed as a business centre and is famed
for its traditional handicrafts in bronze and brass.
Places To See:
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.
Koodal
Azhaar Temple:
One of the most ancient temples in Madurai, Koodal Azhagar
temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. In this temple he is seen
in various postures sitting, standing, reclining one over
the other. There are intricate woodcarvings in here, including
one of Lord Rama's coronation.
Thirumalai
Nayak Mahal:
This palace is an excellent example of Indo-Sarcenic architecture.
It was built in 1523 AD and originally was four times larger
than what it is today. The gardens, the defensive wall all
have gone and what remains are the main entrance gate, the
dancing hall and the main hall. Lord Napier renovated the
palace in 1866-72 and later further restoration works were
carried on. Today, the main attraction of the palace is light
and sound show, which is based on the life of "Tirumalai
Nayak" and "Silapathikaram".
Vanditur
Mariamman Teppakulam:
This huge tank is covers an area equal to the six of Meenakshi
temple. Tirumalai Nayak built it in 1646. It is said that
channels from the Vaigai River connect the tank. Today, this
tank remains empty for most of the year except during the
Teppam Festival.
Thirupparankundram:
This is one of the abodes of Lord Sundareshwara, a rock cut
temple carved out of a mountain, just 8-km from the city.
Azhagar
Koil:
This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located 18-km
northeast of Madurai on a picturesque hilltop. The gold image
of Azhagar travels for the Celestial marriage during the Chithirai
festival.
Pazhamudhirsolai:
On the same hills of Azhagar Koilthis is again one of the
six abodes of Lord Subramanya.
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