Madurai
Popularly known as "Athens of East", Madurai is the second largest city of Tamil Nadu. It is also one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in India. Madurai is situated at the banks of River Vaigai in Madurai district. This city has numerous other names such as City of Four Junctions (Koodal Maanagar), Cultural Center of Tamil Nadu (Kalaachaara Thalainagar), City of Jasmine (Malligai Maanagar), Sleepless City (Thoonga Nagaram) and The City of Festivals (Thiruvizha nagaram). The city got its name from Sanskrit word "Mathura", which means "sweetness". Madurai has had a long and impressive history. Megasthenes referred this city in his book called Indica. After his visit in 3rd century B.C., many other Roman and Greek travelers visited Madurai and established trade with the Pandya Kings. Madurai remained the capital of Pandyas till 10th century when it is captured by the Cholas. Pandyas regained control of the city in 13th century, after which the city became prosperous again. Madurai played a significant role in the Indian independence movement. Post independence, the city expanded radically, and became an important city in the state of Tamil Nadu.
Madurai city is spread in an area of 109 square kilometers, with the average elevation being at 101 meters above sea level. The climate of Madurai is mostly hot and dry, with rainfall in the month of October, November and December. Topographically, Meenakshi Sundareswar Temple lies in the center of the city, with the whole city being built in shape of a lotus around it. The streets of Madurai are rectangular in shape and are named after Tamil months. The streets of Madurai are always bustling with people, day and night. Many small and big dining establishments like the small tea shops and roadside restaurants remain open well past midnight. What's more, the transport system is also unique In Madurai as it remains functional 24 hours. This rightly proves as to why Madurai is popularly tagged as the 'Sleepless City'. Automobiles, rubber, granite, IT, retail and electronics are important economic sectors in Madurai. Madurai is also the learning center of the region; the famous Madurai Kamraj University being situated here.
Madurai is also known as the 'City of Temples'. The prestigious temples include Meenakshi-Sundareswar Temple, Thirupparankundram Temple, Koodal Azhagar Perumal Temple, Madhana Gopala Swamy Temple and Vandiyur Mariyamman temple. Meenakshi-Sundareswar Temple is one of the greatest Shiva temples in south and also one of the greatest cultural landmarks in the country. Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal is another famous tourist attraction in Madurai. It was built in year 1636 and is now a national monument. Gandhi Museum is another noteworthy place. Earlier popular as Rani Mangamma's Palace, it was later renewed and converted into a museum. This museum holds the original blood stained garment wore by Mahatma Gandhi on the day of his assassination. There are many other famous tourist attractions and landmarks in Madurai. This list includes Kazimar Big Mosque (Periya pallivasal) and Maqbara, Thiruparankundram, Goripalayam Dargah, St. Mary's Cathedral Church and Koodal Azhagar Koil. Madurai also has a water theme park, Athisayam, located at the outskirts of the city. Other places that are worth a visit in the city are the Rajaji Children Park, Eco Park and Hawa Valley.
Best Time To Visit Madurai: Southern India's oldest city and home to the mind-blowing Sri Meenakshi Temple, Madurai remains crowded with travelers, tradesman and tramps all throughout. This animated town, bustling with baroque temples and commercial activities, has been rightly conferred the tag of "Athens of the East." Located right in the heart of the city is the awe-inspiring Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple.
Southern India's oldest city and home to the mind-blowing Sri Meenakshi Temple, Madurai remains crowded with travelers, tradesman and tramps all throughout. This animated town, bustling with baroque temples and commercial activities, has been rightly conferred the tag of "Athens of the East." Located right in the heart of the city is the awe-inspiring Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, whose beauty and architecture just promises to leave the spectators spellbound. Besides its wonderful shrines, Madurai is also a great place for foodies and shopaholics. Some of the hard-to-miss-out gastronomical delights of the place are steaming idlis served with pure coconut chutney, appams and other scrumptious South Indian dishes. Travelers can commute within the city either by local buses, taxis or auto rickshaws. The overall weather experienced by Madurai is warm. However, the summers here are exceptionally hot and humid. If you are planning a trip to Madurai, then knowing all about the seasons here and the best time to visit Madurai would make some sense to you. Read on to know more on this.
When To Go To Madurai
Summer: Visiting Madurai during the summers is a strict no-no since the temperature tends to get extremely sweltry and muggy during this time of the year. Those traveling to Madurai during this period should stall their travel plans or shun from going out on day excursion trips to avoid being scorched down by the blazing sun. During the summers, the mercury hits a high of 380 C, making the weather hugely intolerable. March marks the onset of summer that usually ends by June. Among all the months, May undoubtedly remains the hottest month of the year.
Monsoon: The months of September, October and November offers a welcoming respite from the scorching summers. Being located in the central part of India, Madurai receives meager downpours. However, moderate rainfalls and occasional cloudbursts are good enough to shoot down the temperature levels to great degrees. The average rainfall received by the city is approximately 85 cm. According to the recorded statistics, the city receives an average of 316 cm of rainfall from the Northeast monsoon and 239 cm of rainfall from the Southwest monsoon.
Winter: Winters in Madurai are indisputably the best time to make a quick jaunt. During the winter months of December, January and February, the conditions are mildly pleasant with temperature hovering somewhere between 180 C - 300 C. The humidity level during this time is certainly low, making it the perfect time to explore the city. Unlike rest of India, the winter nights here remain warm and never get too nippy.
Opting For Your Favorite Season: The ideal time to visit the temple city is anytime between October to March. On your visit to Madurai, don't miss out on the opportunity to witness the festivals and other cultural programs that are religiously conducted here. While in the month of April/May, the colorful 'Chitirai Festival' is solemnized for 10 long days, the much-awaited float festival is usually observed in the month of January. If you travel in the month of December, you can city streets filled with myriad artistic patterns drawn by women. Some of the temples also hold cultural programs and Carnatic music sessions. The people of Madurai are traditional and friendly in their outlook. Hence, visiting the city should be an exhilarating experience for you.
Things To Do: There is no dearth of things to do in Madurai. Right from delving deep into the grandiosity of Dravidian architecture to exploring the breathtaking beauty of its kaleidoscopic temples, a trip to Madurai definitely proves to be a lesson in mind-boggling Indian mythos. Apart from hitting the Meenakshi Ammam Temple, one can also check out other hotspots like the Naikar Palace and the Azhagar Kovil, which are the star attractions of this city. You can also dig into some outdoor fun sport, hike down the offbeat paths or just sit back and savor the dainty delicacies of the land.
History Of Madurai: With centuries old history attached to its name, the ancient city of Madurai throbs with many interesting legacies, some of them dating back to the 3rd century Sangam era. Erstwhile home to the mighty Pandyan kings, Madurai has been the political and cultural seat to several Indian dynasties. Most of the exquisite structural designs.
With centuries old history attached to its name, the ancient city of Madurai throbs with many interesting legacies, some of them dating back to the 3rd century Sangam era. Erstwhile home to the mighty Pandyan kings, Madurai has been the political and cultural seat to several Indian dynasties. Most of the exquisite structural designs, notable arts, literary works and Tamil culture that we find in this region bears the stamp of Pandyan influence. Post Pandyan rule, the bridle of Madurai was passed into the hands of the Delhi Sultanate, the Vijayanagar Empire and the Nayaks, who contributed in shaping Madurai and conferred the city with its own unique historical standing. Amidst the power play, and rise and fall of various kingdoms, Madurai throve to become one of the important cities in Tamil Nadu. During the 18th century, the ancient city slipped into the hands of the British East India Company and remained under English supremacy until the Indian Mutiny. The consequences of the Indian Mutiny were strongly felt in this region with several political leaders taking active initiatives to campaign against the British Raj. Read the article below to know more interesting facts about Madurai's history.
Madurai History
Ancient Period: Legend has it that a farmer once caught a glimpse of Lord Indra idolizing a 'lingam' in a deep forest and reported the incident to King Kulasekara Pandya. The Pandyan emperor, being as religious as he was, cleared up the entire forest and erected a Shiva temple there. It is believed that Lord Shiva graced the opening ceremony and left behind honey drops on the shrine. After this incident, the place came to be known as 'Madhurapuri,' which translates to nectar or sweetness in Tamil. Later, the place surrounding the shrine came to be known as Madurai.
Medieval Period: During the medieval period, the Pandyan kings stamped their authority all over the land and held their supremacy until 9th century, before the Cholas usurped their power. During the Pandyan rule, Madurai was seized by the Kalabhras dynasty for a brief period before Pandyan retrieved their dominance over the land. After the fall of the Pandyan dynasty, the city of Madurai was passed into the hands of the Chola kingdom. The Cholas ruled the city until the early period of the 13th century. During their rule, the Cholas patronized art and culture in the region. By mid 13th century, the Pandyans recaptured the land and contributed significantly towards the wealth and glory of Madurai. The descendents of the Pandyan rulers brought about prosperity in the field of economics, arts and literature. The Pandyan kings supported and encouraged literary works. 'Silapathikaram' is a popular literary work of the time. Maravarman Kulasekara Pandyan I was the last Pandyan ruler who took the kingdom to great heights. The demise of Kulasekara Pandyan in 1308 CE led to a civil war over the throne. Taking advantage of Madurai's instable political rule, the Delhi Sultan Alauddin Khilji made his mind to usurp the throne of Madurai.
Muslim And Vijayanagar Rule: After Madurai yielded to the Muslim rulers, the city was plundered and ravaged several times. Much of its wealth was looted and many temples were destroyed in the process. The Delhi Sultanate seized Madurai and by the year 1323, the entire Pandyan territory fell into the hands of the Muslim rulers. However, it was not until 1371 that the Vijayanagar dynasty of Hampi annexed the city of Madurai and made it a part of its province. Since the boundaries were extremely vast, the territories were divided and placed under Nayaks, who were the appointed administrators of the land. The Nayaks had absolute say over the management of their districts. After the death of Krishna Deva Raya in 1530 AD, the Nayaks became an autonomous dynasty and ruled the place until the British captured the region.
British Raj: During the Mughal period, the city did not see the dominance of any particular monarch as the town changed hands to many rulers. Madurai remained in the clutches of the Nawab of Arcot until 1801. In 1801, the British East Indian company made Madurai a part of the Madras Presidency. By 1837, the province of Madurai expanded and came to be governed by an administrative head. During the freedom struggle, Madurai took active part in revolting against the British rule. N. M. R. Subbaraman, Mohammad Ismail Sahib and Meer Niyamatullah Ibrahim Sahib were some of the popular leaders of Madurai who campaigned against the British dominance in India.
Post-Independence: After 1947, Madurai extended its boundaries towards the north of River Vaigai. New housing localities were established and areas like Anna Nagar and K.K Nagar came into existence. In 1971, Madurai Municipal Corporation made further developments to improve the existing conditions of the city.
How To Reach Madurai: This holiday, skip the beaches and the hills and make your way to Madurai, an all-time favorite destination for the historians and even the itinerants, willing to spend a few days exploring the grandeur of South India. If you are traveling to Tamil Nadu, then a stopover at Madurai is highly recommended. This old town has won quite a distinction for its slew of temples and is chiefly feted for its Sri Meenakshi Temple.
This holiday, skip the beaches and the hills and make your way to Madurai, an all-time favorite destination for the historians and even the itinerants, willing to spend a few days exploring the grandeur of South India. If you are traveling to Tamil Nadu, then a stopover at Madurai is highly recommended. This old town has won quite a distinction for its slew of temples and is chiefly feted for its Sri Meenakshi Temple. With a history of nearly 2500 years to its name, Madurai is one of the oldest cities in the country. A walk through the city narrates its own story and importance through its glorious architecture. If you think that the place is only for devotees and religious people, then you couldn't be more wrong as the city attracts tons of tourists from around the world by its pristine beauty and history alone. Since it is an important stopover at Tamil Nadu, the place is well connected by air, rail and road transport. Thus, reaching Madurai is very convenient. To know more about how to reach Madurai, go through the article below.
Traveling To Madurai
By Air: Madurai airport, located 12 km away from the city, is well connected to all the major cities in the country including Chennai, Calicut, Mumbai, Bangalore, Coimbatore and Trichy. Although the airport is located at some distance, regular taxi services and other public transportations make the route easy to access. Some of the major airlines operating back and forth from Madurai are East West Airlines, Vayudoot Services, Air India, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines and SpiceJet. During the festive seasons, the airbuses flying to Madurai remains crowded. Thus, it is best to book your tickets in advance. The international terminal provides flights to the cities of Singapore, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur. However, for any other international destinations, you need to depend on Chennai International Airport, which is situated at a distance of 500 km from Madurai.
By Rail: Madurai, being a major pilgrimage center of South India, is endowed with a good railway network. In fact, the railway station of the city serves as an important railway junction of Southern Railway and is well connected to the cities of Chennai, Bangalore, Palakkad, Trichy and Tirunelveli. Vaigai Express, a superfast train, connects Chennai, Egmore and Madurai in just 7 hours. During the vacations and Hindu festivals, the train remains crowded by devotees and visitors. Thus, if you plan your visit during this time it is always best to book your tickets ahead of time to avoid those last minute worries.
By Road: The excellent roads leading to Madurai connects it to almost all the major cities in South India. With nearly five bus stands to its name, Madurai provides comfortable travel through its wide number of regular buses. You can choose from AC, non-AC, deluxe and sleeper coach buses depending on your comfort and pocket. The state buses of Tamil Nadu connect Madurai to almost every town in the state. Apart from the public transportations of Tamil Nadu, buses from Karnataka and Kerala also ply from here regularly. In case you plan to reach the city via car, then you can opt for national highways for safe and comfortable journey. You can take the route NH45 to reach Madurai via Tindivanam, Trichy and Dindigul. Within the city, you can explore the city by using auto rickshaws.
Places To Visit Madurai: If you want to delve deep into the religious and cultural cornucopia of India, then Madurai is your one-stop destination. One of the oldest existing Indian cities, Madurai is wadded with several awe-inspiring structures that overruns with rich historical legacy.
If you want to delve deep into the religious and cultural cornucopia of India, then Madurai is your one-stop destination. One of the oldest existing Indian cities, Madurai is wadded with several awe-inspiring structures that overruns with rich historical legacy. Almost every lane in this temple city is dotted with age-old shrines that forever bustle with localites and devotees. Although there are tons of temples to espy here, the first thing that catches your attention is the beauty and the divinity of the Meenakshi Temple. In fact, the city is almost synonymous to this temple, which is deemed as its most coveted heritage. Besides this, there are other must-see attractions like the Gandhi Museum, Athisayam and Thirumalai Nayak Palace. Other than sightseeing, a tourist can also explore the traditional Madurai cuisine, gulp down the famous Jigarthanda drink and finally buy some authentic cotton Sungidi Sarees and Tanjore paintings. Never mind if you are an ardent Hindu or not, there are lots to explore and do in Madurai if you are only game for it. To know more about Madurai and its noted tourist attractions, go through the writing below
Tourist Attractions In Madurai
Sri Meenakshi Temple: Madurai's pride, Sri Meenakshi Temple is one of the most revered sites in India. This magnificent temple constructed in the 17th century is spread across a total area of 6 hectares. Although the complex has many attractions, the most fascinating features are its 12 decorative 'gopurams' and the 1000-pillared hall. Dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareshvara, the Meenakshi temple is a must-visit on every traveler's itinerary list. Allot a complete day to explore the pilgrimage site that is remarkable for its structure and architecture. Since the place tends to be packed with devotees all the while, the ideal time to visit it is probably either in early mornings or late evenings.
Gandhi Museum: Gandhi Museum is another important landmark in Madurai. Set up by Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, the museum gives tourists a deep insight into the life led by the legendary national leader, Mahatma Gandhi. While in the museum, check out the personal belongings of Gandhi including the dhoti smeared with blood, which he wore during the time of his assassination in Delhi. Besides that, you can also check out the picture gallery, which houses paintings, photographs and some photostat copies of Gandhiji's letters. There is an open-air theatre nearby the museum that conducts cultural programs and meetings during special occasions. Visitors are allowed to take pictures and videos but need to shell out extra Rs. 50/-.
Thirumalai Nayak Palace: Thirumalai Nayak Palace that is thrown open to the visitors from 9 am to 5 pm is located about 1.5 km away from the famous Meenakshi temple. Swarga Vilasam, a rectangular courtyard surrounded by pillars is spectacular and visually appealing. Don't forget to check out the dance hall and the main hall that has an impressive structural system. In Every evening, the brilliant sound and light show draws scores of local people and tourists. The shows are available in both Tamil and English versions.
Mariamman Teppakulam: Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam, situated 5 km off Meenakshi Amman Temple, is one of the popular attractions in Madurai. The tourism spot comprises of a huge tank and a Vinayaka temple right in the middle of the reservoir. Though visitors throng the place all through the year, it is especially in the month of Thai (Jan/ Feb) when the religious pilgrims from all over India pour out in huge numbers. During Thai, the renowned float festival is organized to mark the birthday of King Thirumalai Nayak, the man who built Mariamman Teppakulam.
Thirupparankundram Temple: Thirupparankundram temple holds a special significance among the Hindus. Set atop the hill, the walls of the temple are inscribed with images of Hindu deities. There are innumerable shrines within the temple and outside the entrance. Located 8 km off Madurai, Thirupparankundram temple is definitely worth a visit. On Fridays, if you stop over here, you can find women decorating the ground with rangoli patterns and placing candles in front of deities.
Athisayam: If you are tired of visiting the shrines in Madurai, then hitting Athisayam is the best option. This water themed park, located 15 km off the main city, is an ideal getaway destination and a good place to hang around with family and friends. Here, you can enjoy a wide range of water rides and play other fun games.
Shopping In Madurai: Madurai, an ancient Indian city firmly rooted in heritage and age-old customs, is every tourist's delight. Dotted with several ancient temples, the place boasts of many star attractions. Busy markets and streets stocked up with readymade garments, brassware, handicrafts and stone carvings offers a riveting shopping experience to the people here.
Madurai, an ancient Indian city firmly rooted in heritage and age-old customs, is every tourist's delight. Dotted with several ancient temples, the place boasts of many star attractions. Busy markets and streets stocked up with readymade garments, brassware, handicrafts and stone carvings offers a riveting shopping experience to the people here. Some of the lanes boast of handicraft showrooms and emporiums that offer an array of local artifacts and handloom products. Madurai teems with energetic crowd and busy shopping lanes. A tourist can rely on auto rickshaws, local buses to move in and around the city. While shopping, do indulge in the act of haggling since vendors may try to fool some tourists by charging exorbitantly. The tourism destination is also equally famous for its fragrant jasmine flowers and if you can take time off your busy travel schedule, do make a visit to the colorful Madurai flower market where you can see a wide variety of flowers including the famous Madurai Jasmine. Scroll down the write-up to find out which are the top shopping spots in Madurai.
Shopping Places In Madurai
Puthu Mandapam: Situated on the Eastern side of the renowned Meenakshi temple is the Puthu Mandapa, meaning 'New Hall'. Here you can find rows of souvenir shops selling brass, bronze, and aluminum vessels besides hordes of tailors completely engrossed in stitching the clothes. Puthu Mandapam remains crowded most of the times and is worth visiting and capturing all the action here.
Cottage Arts Emporium: To buy some authentic and gorgeous looking handcraft items, step inside this beautiful emporium. Besides brass works, wonderful figurines and object d' arts, you can also see paintings depicting scenes from mythological works. Jamavars and pure Kashmir shawls are also on display. Though the price tag of these above products is a bit on the expensive side, they are absolutely worth splurging on since the quality is unparalleled.
Hajeemosa: Hajeemosa, the famous shopping landmark in Madurai, has a valuable range of apparels. Both men and women flock in huge numbers to check out and purchase lovely fabrics available in different attractive designs and colors. Local inhabitants and even foreigners stop over at this center to pick up their favorite stuffs. Set up in the year 1874, Hajeemosa is particularly very popular for Banaras silks and Kanchipuram saris.
ThangaMayil Jewellery: Madurai, besides being renowned for silks and shrines is also popular for jewelries. One of the biggest jewelry shops in the city - Thangamayil Jewellery is nestled in Nethaji Road. Impressive collection of gold, diamond and silver jewelry in attractive shapes and designs are on sale here. Besides this, exotic wall hangings, platinum rings and lucky gemstones can also be purchased from ThangaMayil Jewellery.
Rajmahal Silks: Rajmahal Silks being a leading textile house of the city has an assortment of pure silk saris, shirts, dhotis, blouse materials, party wears and casual collection. The other textile shops well-known in Madurai are Madurai Silks, Nalli Silks, Gandhi Silks and Bhagyalakshmi Silks. During the time of auspicious occasions and festivals, the store offers huge discount on its products.
Poompuhar Sales Showroom: Poompuhar Sales Showroom located opposite Railway Junction near West Veli Street has an impressive lineup of handloom products. Browse through the various products such as brass lamps, stone carvings, woodcarvings, Thanjavur paintings, papier mache items, jute letter holders, sandalwood keychains, etc. The prices of the souvenirs can range anywhere between Rs 400/- to Rs 400,000/-. The other similar showrooms you can probably make a visit to are Cottage Industries Exposition Ltd (Nethaji Road,) Surabi Handicrafts (West Veli Street), Khadi Gramayog Bhavan (Town Hall Road) and All India Handicrafts Emporium (Town Hall Road ).