MADURAI- the Temple City

MADURAI also known as Temple City is the second largest city of Tamil Nadu, situated on the banks of River Vaigai.

Madurai was the capital of PANDYA Kings. Its cultural heritage goes back 2500 years. In legend, the original Madurai was destroyed by tsunami in the ancient LEMURIA (continent). The available city was constructed by Pandyas after the tsunami.

Meenakshi Tempe, which stands today as one of the India's greatest cultural and architectural land marks. It attracts thousands of torurists and devotees from all part of the world. The city is living saround this Temple, constructed saround the Temple. In olden days Tamil Sangam (court of intelectual) was operated from here by the Pandian Kings.

This palace complex was constructed in the Indo-Saracan style by THIRUMALAI NAICKER in the year 1636. This mahall is a national monument and is now under the care of the Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department. This Palace Complex is also a main tourist attraction, thousands of international visitors arriving here daily and admiring the construction.

Azhahar Koil (Temple) located about 25km from the city, is a vaishnavite shrine. the location is surrounded by hills. The LORD KALLALAGAR is said to visit the Temple on the eve of Chitrai Festival. During this time, he visits Vandiyur, near the Vaigai River, on the eastern side of Madurai. It is believed that he realizes he is too late for his sister's wedding, so refused to cross the River Vaigai and returned disappointed to Azhahar Koil. This celebaration is one of the famouse festivals in Tamil Nadu.

On the top of the hill, is a shrine of Lord Muruga, Popularly known as PAZHAMUDHIR SOLAI..

This museum displays information about Mahatma Gandhi and most importantly it showcases the original blood strained garments of Gandhi when he was assassinated by a cruel Naduram Godse.

This Temple has become a symbol of the religious harmony as of the people of Madurai. The LORD MURUGA married DEIVANAI at this temple.

At the top of the mount, a famous Muslim Dargah also located.

St. Mary's Cathedral in Madurai is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madurai, one of the old catholic Church is Just 2 km from the Periyar Bus Stand and very near to Naicker Mahall.

Madurai Kamaraj University is situated in Madurai. Madurai also has a Medical college and many Engineering Colleges, Art and Science Colleges. Apart from this a agricultural College and a Law college also available here.

Madurai is well connected by road and rail transportation. It has a own Airport facility. Thousands of luxury, budget hotels available here for your comfortable stay. So chose this destination for your next Tour Plan.

More than one hundred thousand devotees witnessed the Maha Kumbabishekam on the April 8, 2009, held after 13 years. It was an ocean of humans in and around the Temple and the spiritual fervor marked the occasion. With priests chanting hymns and slokas, the consecration of the nine principal Gopurams (Towers) was performed between 9am and 10am. About 400 Sivacharyas were brought from all over the state for this occasion, besides 45 Oduvars who chanted ‘Thirumarai' to the accompaniment of Nagaswaram played by 16 Vidwans. While the devotees who possessed entry passes witnessed the ceremony from the terraces of the Temple, scores of others thronged the Chitrai and Masi streets to witness the consecration ceremony.