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Madurai Tours |
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Madurai
is an animated city packed with pilgrims, beggars,
businesspeople, bullock carts and legions of underemployed
rickshaw- wallahs. It is one of southern India’s
oldest cities, and has been a centre of learning and
pilgrimage for centuries. Madurai’s main attraction
is the famous Sri Meenakshi Temple in the heart of
the old town, a riotously baroque example of Dravidian
architecture with gopurams covered from top to bottom
in a breathless profusion of multicoloured images
of gods, goddesses, animals and mythical figures.
The temple seethes with activity from dawn till dusk,
its many shrines attracting pilgrims from every part
of India and tourists from all over the world. It’s
been estimated that there are 10,000 visitors here
on and one day!
Madurai resembles a huge, continuous bazaar crammed
with shops, street markets, temples, pilgrims, choultries,
hotels, restaurants and small industries. Although
one of the liveliest cities in the south, it’s
small enough not to be overwhelming and is very popular
with travelers.
HISTORY
OF MADURAI
Madurai’s history can be divided into roughly
four periods, beginning over 2000 years ago when it
was the capital of the Pandyan kings. Then, in the
4th century BC, the city was known to the Greeks via
Magasthenes, their ambassador to the court of Chandragupta
Maurya. In the 10th century AD, Madurai was taken
by the Chola emperors. It remained in their hands
until the Pandyas briefly regained their independence
in the 12th century, only to lose it again in the
14th century to Muslim invaders under Malik Kafur,
a general in the service of the Delhi Sultanate. Here,
Malik Kafure established his own dynasty, which, in
turn, was overthrown by the Hindu Vijayanagar kings
of Hampi. After the fall of Vijayanagar in 1565, the
Nayaks ruled Madurai until 1781 AD. During the reign
of Tirumalai Nayak (1623-55), the bulk of the Meenakshi
Temple was built, and Madurai became the cultural
center of the Tamil people, playing an important role
in the development of the Tamil language.
Madurai then passed into the hands of the British
East India Company, which took over the revenues of
the area after the wars of the Carnatic in 1781. In
1840, the company razed the fort, which had previously
surrounded the city, and filled in the moat. Four
broad streets- the Veli streets –were constructed
on top of this fill and define the limits of the old
city to this day.
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::MADURAI'S
PILGRIMAGE- MEENAKSHI TEMPLE::
The life of Madurai revolves around the Sri Meenakshi
Sundareswarar temple. This magnificently carved temple
is the main attraction of Madurai and its huge Gopurams
towers over the city. Meenakshi temple has a thousand
pillared 'Mandapam'. Precisely there are 985 pillars
and each of them is delicately and exquisitely carved.
Among these are the musical pillars, which produce music
when tapped. Surprisingly, these musical pillars are
carved out of a single granite rock. The temple has
been a hub of Tamil culture and has been sponsoring
literature, art, music, and dance in the region for
a long time. The temple also has an art museum. The
city apart from temple is crammed with shops, street
markets and temples, pilgrims choultries, hotels and
restaurants. Though Madurai is considered as pilgrimage
but it has also developed as a business centre and is
famed for its traditional handicrafts in bronze and
brass.
*Fairs
& Festivals*
The most important festival of Madurai is the sacred
wedding ceremony of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareshwar.
This festival is held during March -April. During this
festival the city displays a colourful and joyous mood.
Images of the divine couple are taken around the city
in a tastefully decorated chariot, amidst the presence
of a huge gathering of devotees. The notes of Nadaswaram
and drums further aggravate the festive ambience.
The annual float festival marks the images of Meenakshi
and her consort floating on the Mariamman tank on an
illuminated raft bedecked with flowers. As such there
are festivals throughout the year in Madurai. All most
11 big annual festivals are celebrated in Madurai, which
are spread through the year with exception of the monsoon
months.
::OTHER
ATTRACTIONS::
Meenakshi Amman Temple
An excellent example of Dravidian Architecture, the
Meenakshi Temple attracts devotees from all over India
and Tourist from all over the world. One can climb
to the southern Gopuram of the temple to get a great
view of the city.
Vandiyur Kanmoy Tourist Complex
This is an ideal picnic spot with TTDC providing boathouses
restaurants services.
Vanditur Mariamman Teppakulam
This huge tank is covers an area equal to the six
of Meenakshi temple. Tirumalai Nayak built it in 1646.
It is said that channels from the Vaigai River connect
the tank. Today, this tank remains empty for most
of the year except during the Teppam Festival.
Thirumalai Nayak Mahal
This palace is an excellent example of Indo-Sarcenic
architecture. It was built in 1523 AD and originally
was four times larger than what it is today. The gardens,
the defensive wall all have gone and what remains
are the main entrance gate, the dancing hall and the
main hall. Lord Napier renovated the palace in 1866-72
and later further restoration works were carried on.
Today, the main attraction of the palace is light
and sound show, which is based on the life of "Tirumalai
Nayak" and "Silapathikaram".
Koodal Azhaar Temple
One of the most ancient temples in Madurai, Koodal
Azhagar temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. In this
temple he is seen in various postures sitting, standing,
reclining one over the other. There are intricate
woodcarvings in here, including one of Lord Rama's
coronation.
Azhagar Koil
This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located
18-km northeast of Madurai on a picturesque hilltop.
The gold image of Azhagar travels for the Celestial
marriage during the Chithirai festival.
Pazhamudhirsolai
On the same hills of Azhagar Koilthis is again one
of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya.
The Gandhi Museum
The museum was initially the palace of Rani Mangammal.
It gives a clear account of the history of Independence
movement of India. This museum also tells some little
known facts about Gandhiji but the real piece of Gandhi
Memorabilia is the blood stained Dhoti, which he was
wearing at the time of his assassination. The local
government museum is also situated over here. The
small bookshop offers plenty of reading material from
Gandhiji's works.
Thirupparankundram
This is one of the abodes of Lord Sundareshwara, a
rock cut temple carved out of a mountain, just 8-km
from the city.
::EXCURSIONS
OF MADURAI::
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary
One of the well-known wildlife sanctuaries in the
south, Periyar sanctuary attracts a large number of
nature lovers every year. Also called the Tekkadi
wildlife sanctuary, this place is appropriate to watch
and observe the animals in their natural habitat.
The forest of this sanctuary slope into the man made
lake at the bottom of the hill.
Kodaikkanal
One of the best hill stations in India and one of
the few in South India, Kodaikkanal or Kodai is a
very beautiful place near Madurai. It takes just 121-km
of travel to reach Kodai. Kodai is located 2,130 m
above the sea level in the Western Ghats.
Megamalai
The tea estates on the slopes of the Western Ghats
nestles Megamalai. This lovely place is bound to capture
your imagination. Good place to stay and enjoy a lovely
surrounding. One can also watch the animals roaming
in the forest, which are close to Megamalai, Just
130-km from Madurai.
Vaigai Dam
Vaigai dam is surrounded by well-manicured gardens
and has come up as a popular picnic spots, just 70-km
from Madurai.
Courtallam
Courtallam is located about 167-km on the Western
Ghats and is an excellent health resort in this part
of the country. This place is also known as the 'Spa
of the South'. Courtallam is located just 160-km from
Madurai. This place has got nine splendid waterfalls,
which attracts a large number of visitors. TTDC offers
here a boathouse accommodation apart from the restaurant.
Palani
118-km from Madurai is the temple dedicated to Lord
Subramanyam. The temple is located on top of a hill
180 meter high. The temple attracts many devotees
and people coming to Madurai do not miss visiting
Palani. From the hill top one gets an excellent view
of the nearby area.
Suruli Falls
123-km from Madurai city is Suruli falls, which are
located in a picturesque area. It is an ideal spot
and an excellent picnic spot to spend one day.
Kumbakkarai Water Falls
This place serves as the base camp for the trekkers
who venture in the hills of Kodai. Kumbakkarai Water
Falls are 105-km from Madurai and form an excellent
picnic spot. Waterfall surrounded by forests combined
with the pristine beauty of the hills creates a very
soothing atmosphere.
Viraganur Dam
This ideal picnic spot is located just 8-km from Madurai.
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MADURAI
- IMPORTANT INFORMATION
CLIMATE
The climate of Madurai is warm. The temperature
seldom comes below 20° C even during the
winters. The rainfall is very frequent and spread
throughout the year, just like the flow of pilgrims
and tourists is the same during the year.
ACCOMODATION
Madurai
has got a wide range of accommodation, varying
from reasonable ones to luxurious that cater
for the flocks of pilgrims and tourists. Most
of the reasonable places to stay are located
at Town Hall Road and West Perumal Maistry Street,
not far from the railway station.
TOURIST
INFORMATION
Tourist Office, Government of Tamil Nadu - Hotel
Tamil Nadu Complex, West Veli Street (Near Periyar
Bus Stand) Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Tourist Information Center, Government Of Tamil
Nadu - Railway Junction, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Department of Tourism, Government of India (DOTGOI)
- 154, Anna Salai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC)
- 143, Anna Salai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
SHOPPING
Madurai has been a textile center
since ages. The streets and lanes are lines
with shops and tailors offering readymade as
well as fabric material manufactured in Madurai.
The Puthu Mandapam, an old pillared hall along
the entrance to Meenakshi temple is popular
among the visitors and locals for the cotton
fabric and the Batiks. The lovely Sungundi Sarees
are in great demand among Indian women. Collectors
are delighted to have the Brass lamps from Madurai.
Premier
shopping areas are Chithirai, Avanimoola, Puthumandapam
and Thevangu Chetty Choultry. The handicrafts
Emporiums of the states are also here, which
offer a varied range of handicrafts from all
over the India.
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HOW
TO GET THERE
Air
Madurai has its own airport and there are flights, which connect
the city with Chennai, Tiruchirappalli. The airline services
have at least one flight daily from Madurai to Chennai. From
there one can take flight to anywhere in India.
Rail
Madurai has one of the major railway junctions of South India.
It is connected with the all the major tourist as well as
religious places in Tamil Nadu. Though there are not many
trains, which connect the city with major cities of India
such as, Madurai is easily accessible from any part of the
nation.
Road
There are good motorable roads, which connect this, second
largest city of Tamil Nadu with other parts of the state as
well as other places in India. Madurai has five bus stands,
which cater to the needs of the people.
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