Explore the rich heritage of Madurai by visiting the best tourist places in the city. From the famous Meenakshi Amman Temple to the beautiful markets, experience the glamour and history of Madurai.
Madurai, is the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu, Madurai is one of the oldest inhabited cities in India. The city is called as the 'Lotus City' as it was planned and built in the shape of a lotus. Madurai is famous for the Meenakshi Amman Temple which is dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi with a sanctum for her consort, Sundareshwarar.
Madurai has numerous other ancient temples, like the Thiruparankundram. The temple is one of the important old temples dedicated to Lord Muruga (Karthikeya) and is present on a hill just 8 km from the city. The city holds a great cultural heritage, With bustling bazaars and fantastic street food. Madurai is effectively promoting Tamil language and preserving the culture of Tamil Nadu.
The magnificent Meenakshi Amman temple is situated on the southern bank of the Vaigai River, Madurai, Tamil Nadu. Meenakshi Temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati also known as Meenakshi, and her spouse, Shiva. The most beautiful feature of the temple is its facade, which has highly minute details with great art pieces included in the walls and pillars. The temple is a major tourist attraction, with thousands of devotees visiting the temple on a daily basis.
Thirumalai Nayakar Palace was built in 1636 AD by the King Thirumalai Nayak. The palace showcases the perfect mixture of Dravidian and Rajput styles. Later, this palace was declared as a national monument in Southern India. The amazing palace is present in the vicinity of the Meenakshi Amman Temple.
The temple is located in the Alagar hills and is also known as Azhagarkovil. Alagar Koil is a beautiful temple located in the north east of Madurai. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu as it is the rest place of Lord Vishnu and is a important place for the followers of Lord Vishnu. There are many statues in different postures of Lord Vishnu are all kept in the temple under the same roof.
The Koodal Azhagar Temple, is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, present in the centre of Madurai city of Tamil Nadu this is a unique and famous temple of historical importance constructed in the Dravidian style of architecture and built by the Pandyas.
This temple is present just near the famous Meenakshi Amman Temple. The temple complex is huge and is constructed in traditional style with big front Gopuram and beautiful vimanam. Thousands of pilgrims visit every day and mostly during the Tamil month of Vaikasi (May - June) to offer their prayers to Lord Vishnu.
The Gandhi Memorial Museum was developed to pay tribute to the efforts of Mahatma Gandhi. Situated in the heart of Madurai, the museum has a wealth of remarkable mementoes of Indian history such as the bloodstained cloth which Gandhi Ji was wearing at the time of his assassination in 1948. the Museum is of the five Gandhi Museums in the country which showcase the life of the Mahatma Gandhi and India's freedom struggle from 1757 until 1947. The Gandhi Memorial Museum in Madurai is under the Peace Museums Worldwide which is selected by the United Nations Organization (UNO).
Tirupparankundram Murugan temple is an important pilgrimage places in Tamil Nadu. The temple is a magnificent master piece of art and is purely devoted to mother earth for the benedicts it has bequeathed on the holy earth. The place is a blissful place where the sun and moon can be seen together at several instances of the day.
Tamil Nadu is also famous for the Chithirai festival which is one of the longest stretched festivals to be celebrated anywhere in the world. The festival is celebrated in Madurai and is celebrated for over two weeks. About a million people gather for the celebrations from all over the world.
The Chithirai festival is a visit to the legends of the deities of the region, the celebration of which includes a coronation ceremony of goddess Meenakshi and also the celebration of her marriage. The Chithirai festival is a wonderful display to behold, where the devotees relive the legends every year, making the tales of goddess Meenakshi and of Lord Alagar unforgettable for everyone.
The best time to visit Madurai is during the winter from the October to March. During this period the weather is comfortable for the tourists to explore the wonders of Madurai. Summers are usually avoided due to heat which makes travelling uncomfortable for the tourists.
Madurai is a place which filled with history, culture, and spirituality. The magnificent temples and palaces to its vibrant festivals and cuisine, the city provides a unique mixture of tradition and modernity. So, pack your bags and move on a journey to Madurai, to witness the architectural brilliance, experience divine spirituality of this captivating city.
