Madurai,tamil Nadu,india
Legends of warrior princesses, the gods falling in love and
divine promises abound. Always an important city politically, it is now among the most important pilgrimages for Hindus. Madurai is a renowned pilgrim destination with its chief attraction being the imposing Meenakshi temple, which was built mainly by the Nayaks. Madurai was important to all the major south-Indian empires. From seesawing between the Cholas and the Pandyas, to being captured by Muslim invaders, and then being regained by the Vijayanagar kings to finally being taken by the Nayaks in 1565. In 1781, Madurai passed into the hands of the East India Company. Madurai has had a rich and exciting past.
The pillars in Ayirankkal Mandapam and in North Adi Street near the Mottai Gopuram are masterpieces of stonework. Slender columns chiselled from the same material surround each granite column. When struck, the pillars resound and produce different musical notes. Priests at the Meenakshi Temple
teach parrots to chant the name of the goddess. Kept in cages in the Kilikoondu Mandapam, they parrot away all day long! Photography is permitted at the temple but subject to payment of a token fee for the camera.
Shopping
Sari shops, tailor-stalls and handicraft stores vie with each other for the potential buyers attention. You can pick up smooth silks, woodcarvings, statuettes, and hand spun khadi cottons from Madurai.
Events
Interesting festivals in Madurai include the Chitirai Festival in April/May sees the idols being taken around on their chariots in celebration of the divine marriage. The zestful thumping of drums or nadeswarams accompanies the procession. The Float festival is on in January/February
and the Annamalai Festival in August/September.
Night Out
You will only find strictly vegetarian cuisine around the temple complex. No liquor allowed either! A few restaurants do serve non-vegetarian food for the die-hards. Its traditional South Indian rice based thali meals at lunch/dinner time. Dosas, idlis, upmas, vadas- hot favourites from the Tamil
kitchen served only at tiffin time, for breakfast and at tea. Udipi restaurants offer the cheapest food and the tastiest! Coffee lovers can drink South Indias special filter kapi to keep up caffeine levels! Bottled water is safest for drinking, so stay with it. By way of entertainment, you can choose from English, Hindi and Tamil cinema. Cultural programmes are presented at the Tamil Isai Sangam and Lakshmi Sundaram Hall. The Gandhi Museum Library and District Library offer information on various subjects. There is also an excellent Sound & Light show at the palace, done in English and Tamil.
Activities
You can lounge at the Mamallapuram beach if you want to take a break from all the sightseeing. However keep in mind that the sea here is pretty rough and swimming is not recommended.
Sights
The grand gopurams of the Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple tower over the city at the heart of which they stand. The temple complex covers 6 hectares right in the middle of the city and is flush with visitors from all over, each and everyday. The towers that loom overhead are famous for detailed
carvings of the gods and goddesses, mythological figures and running depictions of legendary tales. The huge southern gopuram has over 1500 sculptures! The temple is dedicated to Shiva and Meenakshi, an earthly incarnation of his wife Parvati, who was born to the childless ruler after many prayers. The Pandyas originally built the Meenakshi Temple but little had survived when Tirumalai Nayak restored it to its old glory. Entry into the sanctum sanctorum of the Shiva temple is restricted to Hindus, and in the Meenakshi temple to Hindu women. The thousand pillar hall, Ayirankkal Mandapam with its exquisitely carved 985 pillars is definitely the highlight of the Meenakshi Temple. It is believed the Nayaka kings set up a factory to produce the pillars, but these are certainly off no production line. Each pillar is a work of art depicting images of gods and goddesses as well as humbler men and women. Elaborate and intricate in design, the pillars also serve a more useful purpose. They support the roof over a 5548sq mt hallway. The mandapam houses the Temple Art Museum with a fine collection of images, drawings and photographs showing the 1200 year old history of temple architecture in South India. The Maraimman Thepukullam Temple Tank built in 1636, the 1000X 950ft tank with its temple is barely 5km from the Meenakshi Temple. Fed by underground channels connected to the Vaigai River, the tank is the venue of the annual Float Festival (Jan-Feb.). The temple is dedicated to Lord Vigneshwera (Ganesha), whose statue was unearthed when construction began at the site of the Tirumalai Nayakkar Palace. Tirumalai Nayakkar Palace (1636) is ten minutes walk from the Meenakshi Temple. Built in the classic Indo- Saracenic style, its highlights include a open air courtyard and dance hall with 58ft tall pillars, a free standing dome and stuccowork on the arches and on the impressive dome. A good Sound & Light Show at the palace provides an interesting break from temples and does offer an insight into the history of the city and its rulers. The Gandhi Museum is a great place for anybody who wants to discover the Mahatma. Several little known facts are displayed, as is his bloodstained dhoti from his assassination. The ancient temple of Koodal Azhagar has idols of Vishnu sitting, standing and in repose one above the other.
How to get there by Air
Madurai is connected by air to Bangalore, Kochi and Chennai with daily connections from Chennai, Trichy and Bangalore. The airport is 10km away from Madurai City. Taxis are exorbitant; alternatively take a bus, which plies once every hour.
How to get there by Rail
A major junction of Southern Railways, Madurai has daily train services to Bangalore, Coimbatore, Kollam, Chennai (8 hrs), Rameshwaram (6 hrs), Thanjavur and Tiruchirappalli. Many Madurai bound trains cross Trichy Jn, approximately 2.5hrs away. The best journeys are those from Kerala, which take
you over the Eastern Ghats.
How to get there by Bus
National Highways NH7 and NH 45 connect Madurai to other parts of South India. Government and private bus companies operate services to various small and big towns of Tamil Nadu and to towns and cities in the neighbouring states of Karnataka and Kerala. There are five bus terminals in Madurai, Periyar
Bus Stand in the centre of the city, Anna Bus Stand (city buses), Matthuthavani (north and east bound buses), Palanganatham (south bound buses) and Arapalayam (west bound buses).
Best time to Visit
All year round, except the peak summer months from end March to early June.
Hotels in MaduraiThere are plenty of hotels in Madurai, from ordinary to deluxe and superior to suit every budget. Air-conditioned rooms are available in the better hotels, and worth the extra cost because Madurai can be very hot. The Taj Garden Retreat is a great hotel, other good options are Classic Residency
and Hotel Madurai Ashok.
What to Pack
Carry light cotton clothes, plenty of sunscreen and dress with decorum especially when visiting temples. Bare legs and bare shoulders are usually frowned upon and skimpy clothes should definitely be avoided when visiting temples. Visitors are not allowed to wear shoes inside the temple complex,
so if bare feet bother your carry socks.
Nearby Places
Kodaikanal is a lovely hill station is only 120 km. away. Its natural beauty is mostly intact and it isnt plagued by hordes of rampaging tourists. Good for a peaceful getaway. Periyar Tiger Reserve (155km) in Thekkadi (Kerala) is actually more famous for its wild elephants.
The Asiatic elephant is smaller and otherwise different from its African counterpart but great to see in the wild anyway. There are several species of deer in Periyar and though tigers are difficult to spot, they do visit the 100yr. old reservoir at Thekkadi. The season is from October to June when one can see a wide variety of birds and animals. Kerala Tourism has a range of places to stay in Thekkadi. Vaigai Dam (70 km) is a popular picnic spot.
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