High Season : Oct - Mar
27 - 40℃
Low Season : Apr - June
20 - 30℃
Nearest Airport -IXM
Madurai Airport
Nearest Train Stations -MDU
Madurai

History

The area's early history is linked to the monarch of Pandia, and Madurai was the location of Pandia's capital (4th to 11th centuries AD). Chora, Vijayanagar, Muslims, Marathas, and British empires afterward captured it. It was dubbed the "Centre of Civil Disobedience" against British authority in the 1940s, and it continues to be an important seat of political leadership. Madurai was once known as Madhurapuri and Thoonga Nagaram, which means "city that never sleeps," and grew up around the 2,500-year-old Meenakshi Amman Temple, which was erected by the Pandian monarch Kulasekhara. It was visited by the Greek explorer Megasthenes in the 3rd century BC and is renowned as the Athens of the East. Pliny in AD 77, Ptolemy in 140, Marco Polo in 1203 b. C. and Ibn Battuta are among the notable explorers who visited this ancient city in South India (1333 AD). According to legend, King Gulasekala had a dream in which Lord Shiva poured delicious madhu (nectar) from his hair. Thus, Madurapuri was the name given to the town where it landed.

Facts & Culture

Madurai is one of the oldest cities in existence. Madurai once traded with ancient Rome and retains its unique characteristics in various arts and textiles. Its magnificent temples are the soul of Tamil Nadu. These temples are some of the most exquisite and dazzling architectural specimens in the country. The most spectacular of them is the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, which is the heart of the city and is visited by thousands of devotees. It is a 16th-century architectural marvel. Very close to the Meenakshi Temple, another major tourist attraction in Madurai is the Koodal Azhagar Temple. Pazhamudhir Solai Temple is another shrine located on the top of the hill and is surrounded by dense forests with rich flora. Azhagar Kovil Temple also known as Alagar Koyil Temple is one of the most prominent temples in Madurai, surrounded by the ruins of a fortress. The Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple here has a striking feature of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu idols facing each other. The ISKCON temple is also known as Radha Mathurapati. This beige and white palatial temple is one of Madurai's most popular attractions. Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal(palace) is an architectural marvel and is an exquisite fusion of Dravidian and European architecture. The Cathedral of Saint Mary dates back to 1840. From picturesque Kodaikanal Hill Station to magnificent waterfalls, Periyar National Park, and Munnar, Madurai is surrounded by the natural beauty that will take your breath away. Madurai is a shopping area where tourists may discover a variety of unique, handcrafted products, ranging from beautiful saris to wooden toys and sculptures. Among the main festivals in the city, the Pongal Festival, the Chithirai Festival, the Jallikattu Festival, the Floating Festival, the Avanimoolam Festival, and the Dance Festival are popular.


Accommodation & Hotels

Restaurants

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