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MADURAI
Situated on the banks of river Vaigai, Madurai has a rich cultural heritage passed on from the great Tamil era more than 2500 years old. Madurai was an important cultural and commercial centre even as early as 550 AD. Synonymous with Madurai is the Meenakshi Sundareswarar twin Temple, the pivot around which the city has evolved.
Madurai never sleeps. The 63 Thiruvilayadals have taken place here. Tamil language grew and blossomed through the Thamizh Sangams. Madurai can be called the south capital of Tamil culture, where the traditional arts grow and flourish. The people of Madurai are incredibly friendly with the brotherly way of talking.
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Meenakshi Temple
The Meenakshi-Sundareswarar temple has long been the focus of both Indian and international tourist attraction as well as one of the most important places of Hindu pilgrimage. It is the hub of the religious and cultural life of the city. The Meenakshi temple is an excellent example of Dravidian architecture, with gopurams (large gateways) and Mandapams (multi-pillared halls) covered from top to bottom in a profusion of multi-coloured images of gods, goddesses, animals and mythical figures. Spread over six hectares, the temple has four entrances to it. |
The Temple Art Gallery is located within the temple and contains beautiful stone and brass images, examples of South Indian scripts, friezes and attempts to explain the Hindu pantheon and many other legends associated with it.
A striking feature of the temple is the astonishing structure know as "Ayiramkaal Mandapam" or the Hall of Thousand Pillars and each pillar features high, ornate, bold sculptures that look life like. View from any angle these pillars appear to be in a straight line; an architectural masterpiece indeed in the outermost corridors are situated the matchless musical pillars carved out of stones.
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Tirumalai-Nayak-Mahal
The palace of Tirumalai Nayaka is about 1 km from the temple. This Indo-Saracenic building was constructed in 1523 and was originally four times as large as it is today. The palace displays the architectural style of the Nayaks.
The Swarga Vilasam (the audience hall) is one of the most remarkable features of the palace. Its dome rises up to a height of 20 m without any support and is an engineering marvel in itself. You can watch the sound and light shows on the life of Tirumalai Nayaka and the story of Silappathikaram (a Tamil classic). These shows are held here every evening in both English and Tamil.
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The Gandhi Museum
Housed in the old palace of the Rani Mangammal, the Gandhi Museum provides a historical account of India's struggle for independence. |
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Thirupparankunram
At a distance of 8 km south of Madurai is Tirupparankundram. You can find the Pandyan rock-cut shrines dating back to the 8th century and the later Nayaka Hindu temple here. The temple has a wide range of Hindu gods carved on the walls. The Subramanya cave temple has a shrine dedicated to Durga, with the figures of Ganesh and Subramanya on either side. Located atop a hill, the temple is believed to be one of six abodes of Lord Subramanya. |
Azhagar Koil
Azhagar Koil (also, Alagarkoil temple), 21 km north of Madurai, is dedicated to one aspect of Lord Vishnu. This ancient temple is placed atop a picturesque wooded hill called Alagarmalai and has many beautiful sculptures of Vishnu. Measuring 254m by 238m, the temple was founded in Pandya times but completely rebuilt by the Nayakas. Most of the present structures date from the 17th - 18th centuries.
Koodal Alagar Temple
Koodal Alagar Temple is an ancient Vaishnavite temple is located 2 km to the west of Madurai. The temple has many beautiful sculptures depicting Vishnu in three poses sitting, standing and reclining-one above the other.
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