subject: Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal - The Seat Of Power In Madurai [print this page] In a city that is considered to be the cultural heart of the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu, it is no wonder that there are countless numbers of attractions for a visiting tourist. The city of Madurai is one of the oldest cities in the world and has been continuously inhabited since the third century BC. The city has been the seat of power for successive South Indian dynasties who at one time were ruling almost the entire Indian peninsula, even extending into the island nation of Sri Lanka.
The Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal is a palace that built by a powerful South Indian ruler by the name of Thirumalai Nayakkar during the 17th century. The Nayaks ruled the kingdom of Madurai during an especially turbulent time, as European colonialists from Portugal, Netherlands and Great Britain were jostling to occupy the territory for commercial gain. Continental influence can be seen in the architecture of the palace and it is said that the King recruited the services of an Italian architect to design the building which was intended to be the grandest royal home in the whole of South India.
The palace sports a unique blend of Islamic, Dravidian and Saracen architectural styles and stands far superior to many other buildings from its age due to its architectural style and attention to detail. At the centre of the palace is an expansive circular courtyard surrounded by tall pillars, which area is lit up in a grand lighting display at night. Surrounding the courtyard are the various rooms of the palace such as the shrines, armory, the royal residence and various other apartments.
The palace was declared a national monument following the Independence of India and its beautiful architecture definitely warrants a visit. Located just a few minutes away from the city centre, Madurai hotels such as The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai Madurai are within close proximity. Many other attractions in the city can also be seen close to the Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal, as it used to be the historic heart of Madurai.
