Madurai
Area : 46.99 sq. km
Main Languages : Tamil, English, Telugu and Malayalam
Population : 9,22,913
Location : Madurai is situated in the state of Tamil Nadu. The temple city is located on the banks of Vaigai river.
Climate : Madurai has the typical climate of the Deccan plateau, which remains hot and humid most of the year. During the summer months of April June , temperature varies between 27ºC and 40ºC, in winters (December February), the temperature ranges between 20ºC and 30ºC. The city receives maximum rainfall between July and October.
Best Time to Visit : Madurai can be visited any time of the year, but The best time to visit the city is from October to March.
Main Languages : Tamil, English, Telugu and Malayalam
Population : 9,22,913 Location : Madurai is situated in the state of Tamil Nadu. The temple city is located on the banks of Vaigai river.
Climate : Madurai has the typical climate of the Deccan plateau, which remains hot and humid most of the year. During the summer months of April June , temperature varies between 27ºC and 40ºC, in winters (December February), the temperature ranges between 20ºC and 30ºC. The city receives maximum rainfall between July and October.
Best Time to Visit : Madurai can be visited any time of the year, but The best time to visit the city is from October to March.
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Madurai - The Heart Of Spirituality
Madurai, one of the ancient cities in Tamil Nadu, is now a bustling city and a major commercial centre. The 4000 years old city is the second largest city of Tamil Nadu and very much modern and progressive. Maudrai was founded by the Pandya King Kulasekara, in the 6th century B.C and remained a major centre of Tamil culture and learning. In fact, the culture of Tamil Nadu is woven with the history of Madurai in various aspects such as religion, art, legend, polity etc. Madurai was ruled by the Nayaks for more than 200 years, and their period is regarded as the Golden age in the history of Madurai. During their reign, Madurai was at its height in art, architecture and learning. The Nayaks embellished the city with many magnificent temples and majestic buildings. The older part of the town built by Nayaks is contained within the square enclosure and narrow winding lanes are laid out in the pattern of a lotus. Madurai is a major tourist destination, which remains packed with tourists and pilgrims throughout the year.
Major Attractions
Shree
Meenakshi Temple : Situated in the centre of the city, this temple is
dedicated to the Goddess Meenakshi and her consort Lord Sundareswarar. It
attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over India and the world. Designed
by Vishwanatha Nayala in 1560, the temple was built during the reign of
Thirumalai Nayak. The temple has a number of Mandapas, which are nicely
decorated with beautiful sculptures. It has 11 exquisite gopurams that are
adorned with figures of gods and goddesses and mythical animals. The temple
also has thousand-pillared mandapam, which is a museum and displays temple
artefacts.
Thirumalai Nayak Palace : The palace is located just one kilometre away from the Meenakshi temple. This palace was built by Thirumalai Nayak in 1523 A.D. The Indo-Saracenic styled palace has granite pillars cased with mortar and supporting arches that present a fascinating view. Major attraction of this palace is the Swarga Vilasam or the audience hall, which has 70 ft high dome.
Gandhi Museum : The old palace of Rani Mangammal, now contains memorabilia of Mahatama Gandhi. The museum houses a picture gallery, a library and an exhibit of South Indian handicrafts and village industries. Gandhi museum is open on all weekdays except Wednesdays.
Mariamaman Teppakkulam Tank : Built in 1646 by Thirumalai Nayak, the tank is also known as Theppakula Tank. This tank is connected to the river Vagai by underground channels. A mandapam enshrining Lord Vigneshwara stands at the centre of the tank. The popular float festival of the Meenakshi Amman Temple is held here during January/ February on a full moon night.
Koodal Azhagar Temple : This is the temple of Lord Vishnu who is called as Koodal Azhagar in Madurai. Tall gopurams of this temple are absent, but the base has excellent carvings. There are three sanctums in the temple where the deities can be seen in sitting, standing and recumbent postures one above the other.
Excursions
Thiruparankundram : Located at a distance of 8 km from Madurai, Thiruparankundram is one of the six abodes of Lord Subrmanya. The six abodes are known as Arupadai Veedu.
Thiruvadhavur
: Situated 9 kms away from Madurai, this is the place where one of the
Shaivaite saints Manickavasagar was born.
Alagarkoil : 18 km away from Madurai, the beautiful temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Kallazhagar Kiol : The Vishnu temple is situated at a distance of 21 km from Madurai. Paramaswami is the main deity of the temple and itinerant idol is Kallazhagar which is made of pure gold.
Vaigai Dam :The dam across the river Vaigai is located at a distance of 69 km from Madurai. The dam has a beautifully laid out garden, which makes it a popular picnic spot.
How To Reach
By Air : Maudrai Airport is located at a distance of 6 km from the city centre. There are connecting flights to Chennai, Bangalore, Cochin and Trichy.
By Rail : Madurai junction is a major railhead. The city is connected by rail with many important cities and towns in India.
By Road : Madurai is connected by good networks of road with other places of Tamil Nadu and the rest of the India.
Madurai, one of the ancient cities in Tamil Nadu, is now a bustling city and a major commercial centre. The 4000 years old city is the second largest city of Tamil Nadu and very much modern and progressive. Maudrai was founded by the Pandya King Kulasekara, in the 6th century B.C and remained a major centre of Tamil culture and learning. In fact, the culture of Tamil Nadu is woven with the history of Madurai in various aspects such as religion, art, legend, polity etc. Madurai was ruled by the Nayaks for more than 200 years, and their period is regarded as the Golden age in the history of Madurai. During their reign, Madurai was at its height in art, architecture and learning. The Nayaks embellished the city with many magnificent temples and majestic buildings. The older part of the town built by Nayaks is contained within the square enclosure and narrow winding lanes are laid out in the pattern of a lotus. Madurai is a major tourist destination, which remains packed with tourists and pilgrims throughout the year.
Major Attractions
Shree
Meenakshi Temple : Situated in the centre of the city, this temple is
dedicated to the Goddess Meenakshi and her consort Lord Sundareswarar. It
attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over India and the world. Designed
by Vishwanatha Nayala in 1560, the temple was built during the reign of
Thirumalai Nayak. The temple has a number of Mandapas, which are nicely
decorated with beautiful sculptures. It has 11 exquisite gopurams that are
adorned with figures of gods and goddesses and mythical animals. The temple
also has thousand-pillared mandapam, which is a museum and displays temple
artefacts. Thirumalai Nayak Palace : The palace is located just one kilometre away from the Meenakshi temple. This palace was built by Thirumalai Nayak in 1523 A.D. The Indo-Saracenic styled palace has granite pillars cased with mortar and supporting arches that present a fascinating view. Major attraction of this palace is the Swarga Vilasam or the audience hall, which has 70 ft high dome.
Gandhi Museum : The old palace of Rani Mangammal, now contains memorabilia of Mahatama Gandhi. The museum houses a picture gallery, a library and an exhibit of South Indian handicrafts and village industries. Gandhi museum is open on all weekdays except Wednesdays.
Mariamaman Teppakkulam Tank : Built in 1646 by Thirumalai Nayak, the tank is also known as Theppakula Tank. This tank is connected to the river Vagai by underground channels. A mandapam enshrining Lord Vigneshwara stands at the centre of the tank. The popular float festival of the Meenakshi Amman Temple is held here during January/ February on a full moon night.
Koodal Azhagar Temple : This is the temple of Lord Vishnu who is called as Koodal Azhagar in Madurai. Tall gopurams of this temple are absent, but the base has excellent carvings. There are three sanctums in the temple where the deities can be seen in sitting, standing and recumbent postures one above the other.
Excursions
Thiruparankundram : Located at a distance of 8 km from Madurai, Thiruparankundram is one of the six abodes of Lord Subrmanya. The six abodes are known as Arupadai Veedu.
Thiruvadhavur
: Situated 9 kms away from Madurai, this is the place where one of the
Shaivaite saints Manickavasagar was born. Alagarkoil : 18 km away from Madurai, the beautiful temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
Kallazhagar Kiol : The Vishnu temple is situated at a distance of 21 km from Madurai. Paramaswami is the main deity of the temple and itinerant idol is Kallazhagar which is made of pure gold.
Vaigai Dam :The dam across the river Vaigai is located at a distance of 69 km from Madurai. The dam has a beautifully laid out garden, which makes it a popular picnic spot.
How To Reach
By Air : Maudrai Airport is located at a distance of 6 km from the city centre. There are connecting flights to Chennai, Bangalore, Cochin and Trichy.
By Rail : Madurai junction is a major railhead. The city is connected by rail with many important cities and towns in India.
By Road : Madurai is connected by good networks of road with other places of Tamil Nadu and the rest of the India.
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