BEST PLACES IN MADURAI
Meenakshi Amman Temple
Over 2500 years old, the Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Meenakshi, an incarnation of Goddess Parvati. The most striking feature of this shrine is its 14 majestic towers or Gopurams, displaying intricate carvings. Another captivating part of this Dravidian-style temple is The Hall of Thousand Pillars, yet another example of architectural excellence. You must visit the museum within the temple complex which offers a glimpse of the cultural and historical past of Madurai. The temple is visited by thousands of pilgrims every day, who come here to seek blessings and admire its overwhelming beauty.
Azhagar Kovil, Madurai
Azhagar Kovil, sometimes also referred to as Alagar Koil, is situated a few kilometers away from Madurai at the foot of Alagar Hills. The temple is surrounded by the ruins of an ancient fort that add to the beautiful natural setting of the place. Paramaswamy is the main deity at this temple. The processional deity is Kallazhagar or Sundararaja Perumal, who is believed to be the brother of Goddess Meenakshi and an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Tucked away in the hills, this shrine is a quiet, serene abode of faith that you must visit when in Madurai.
Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal
Under the care of the Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department, the Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal is a fine example of splendid architecture and rich history. Built in 1636 by King Thirumalai Nayak, this palace is a blend of Dravidian and Islamic architectural styles featuring majestic pillars and brilliant stucco work done on its domes and arches. Divided into two sections – Swarga Vilasam and Ranga Vilasam, a tour of the palace will let you into the royal residence, workers’ quarters, ponds and gardens, religious places, the throne room and other areas of importance.
Koodal Azhagar Temple
One of the oldest and most popular temples in the city, Koodal Azhagar Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Sri Koodal Azhagar. The five-tiered gopuram and the three statues of Lord Vishnu in sitting, standing and lying down postures are the most attractive features of this shrine. One of the 108 Divya Desams, this temple remains crowded all year round, especially at the time of the 10-day float festival celebrated in the months of February-March.
Gandhi Memorial Museum
The Gandhi Memorial Museum in Madurai is built inside the historic Tamukkam Palace, which was once the residence of Rani Mangammal of the Nayak dynasty. Dating back to 1670 AD, the palace was converted into a museum detailing the life of one of India’s most admired freedom fighters and opened for public in 1959. The exhibits at the museum take you through Gandhi’s pre-independence struggle and include photos, manuscripts, quotations, photocopies of letters and other significant articles from the time. It also displays a part of the blood-stained dhoti of Mahatma Gandhi from the day of his assassination.
Thirupparankundram Murugan Temple
The Thirupparankundram Murugan Temple is one of the six temples in India dedicated to Lord Murugan, the son of Lord Shiva. According to legends, Lord Murugan married the daughter of Lord Indra at this site, which is why the temple is considered a sacred place for marriages even today. The shrine is located at a place from where the sun and the moon can be seen together at different times of the day. Carved out of a rock, this 8th-century temple is a kaleidoscope of colors and makes for a gorgeous sight.
Kazimar Big Mosque
Considered to be the oldest mosque in Madurai, the Kazimar Big Mosque holds both historical and cultural significance. The mosque got its name owing to its capacity to include 2500 people at one time. Visited by devotees throughout the year, the mosque is known for its spellbinding architecture and intricate artwork depicted on the walls. It was established in the 13th century by Hazrat Kazi Syed Tajuddin, a direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad.
Yanaimalai
Far from the chaos of Madurai city, Yanaimalai is a welcome break from packed schedules and crowd of devotees. Known as Elephant Hill owing to its shape, the hill is home to a number of Shaivite and Vaishnavite temples as well as Jain sculptures. The temples are located at the base of the hill while the Jain sculptures are at the top. The lush greenery on the backdrop of harsh rocks, the remnants of rich history and the serenity at this place are reasons enough to include this beauty in your itinerary.
Vaigai Dam
Built on Vaigai River, Vaigai Dam is one of the best places to visit in Madurai for nature-lovers. Although the dam is located about 70 km from the city, it is a popular attraction among the locals and tourists. Apart from admiring the beauty of this magnificent manmade structure and the lush green surroundings, you can spend quality time in the Little Brindavan garden here. This lovely garden situated on one side of Vaigai Dam houses a musical fountain, a play area and a variety of exotic plants and flowers. The unpolluted air and verdant surroundings make Vaigai Dam an ideal spot for kids, picnickers and peace seekers.
Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam
Associated with Vandiyur Mariamman Temple, Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam is a popular temple pond complex in Madurai. This temple tank, which is the largest in South India, is spread over an area of about 16 acres. It is at a distance of 4 km from Meenakshi Amman Temple and is frequented by devotees from across the country.
The temple pond complex features a small manmade island in the middle with Maiya Mandapam/Central Mandampan and a temple of Lord Vigneshwara/Lord Vinayaka. Elegant granite stairs surround this massive pond on all 4 sides. The best time to visit Madurai’s temple pond is in the month of January or February when the colourful and vibrant “Float Festival” is celebrated on a full moon night. Thousands of lamps illuminate the temple pond complex and lend a mesmerising look to the entire place. You can also pay your respects to the idols of Lord Sundareswarar and Goddess Meenakshi that are brought here during the festival.
Samanar Hills
