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India Destinations Holidays

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Madurai Travel Guide

Madurai's origin and name emerge from a misty and lovely legend. In a forest near a lotus pond, Indra, King of Gods, Worshipped Lord Siva as a Swayambu Lingam. At this hallowed spot, the Pandyan monarch Kulasekhara built a great temple and clearing the forest, he created a lotus- shaped city around the temple.

On the day the city was to be named, Lord Siva appeared at the ceremony. As he blessed the land and its people, divine nectar (Mathuram) was showered on the city from his matted locks. The city was henceforth known as Madhurapuri.

Madhurapuri grew and prospered to become the capital of the Pandyan Kingdom. It is referred to in the Ramayana and Kautily's Arthashastra. Megasthenes (302 BC), pliny (77AD) and Ptolemy (140 AD) wrote of "Madura, the kingdom of the Pandian". Macro polo visited Madurai in 1293 AD and lbn Batuta in 1333 AD.

Madurai lies on the banks of the River Vaigai. The temple and the old city are on the southern bank, while modern Madurai with its textile mills, engineering industries and large university sprawls around.


Places of Interest in Madurai

MEENAKSHI SUNDARESWARAR TEMPLE
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). It is one of the holiest places of worship in South India, drawing thousands of devotees everyday.


KOODAL ALAGAR 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 masons art". There are also intricate wood carvings including a panel of lord Rama's Pattabishekam (coronation).


VANDIYUR KANMOY TOURIST COMPLEX
Located 6kms from the Periyar Bus stand, Vandiyur Kanmoy (tank) is an ideal picnic spot. T.T.D.C. operates a children's Train and boating service. There is also a restaurant in the tourist complex.


THIRUMALAI NAYAK MAHAL
The Thirumalai Nayak's palace is open to the public from 9.00a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and 2.00p.m. to 5.00 p.m. The most imposing remnant is a huge Audience hall opening into a countryard with elaborately ornamented arches. A sound and light show depicting the story of Thirumalai Nayak and Silappathikaram (a Tamil Epic) can be seen here daily. Timings: English: 6.45 p.m. Tamil: 8.15 p.m.


VANDIYUR MARIAMMAN TEPPAKULAM
This enormous temple tank is fed by water brought from the Vaigai through an ingenious system of underground channels. The tank has a Mandapam at the centre enshrining Lord Vigneshwara. In January -February the Teppakulam is the venue of a float festival which attracts thousands of tourists.


How to Reach Madurai

By Air: Indian Airlines connect Madurai with Madras, Calicut and Bombay. Vayudoot Services also connect Madurai with Madras & Pondicherry. East West Airlines also connect Madurai with Bombay.

By Rail: Madurai is Connected by rail via Madras with all the main places in India.

By Road: Madurai is connected by good motorable roads to Madras (472 kms), Trichy (142 kms), Rameshwarm (139 kms), Kanyakumari (232 kms), Tirunelveli (151 kms), Kodaikanal (120 kms), Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (136 kms), Palani (122 kms), Thanjavur (223 kms), Bangalore (446 kms), Bombay (1454 kms).

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