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Madurai |
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ABOUT
MADURAI
Known as the Athens of the East,
Madurai, the second largest city in Tamil Nadu is situated on the banks of the
river Vaigai. An ancient city, more than 2,500 years old, Madurai is believed to
have been built by the Pandyan King Kulasekara in the 6th century BC.
Area 22 sq. kms.
Altitude 101 meters above sea level
Rainfall 85 cms average
PLACES TO SEE
Meenakshi Temple
This temple is the city's main attraction. This temple is nearly 2000 years old
placed in the heart of the old town- a splendid example of Dravidian
architecture.
The present temple was designed in 1560 by Vishwanatha Nayak and subsequently
built during the reign of Tirumalai Nayak. There are four entrances to the
temple with an area of six hectares.Each of its 12 towers has the height of 45
to 50 metres. The Potrama Raikulam or the Golden Lotus Tank is the place where
the Tamil literacy society, called Sangam used to meet to decide the merits of
the work presented to them. The temple museum has 985 richly carved pillars and
each one surpasses the other in beauty.
Thirumalai Nayak palace
This Palace was built in 1636 by King Thirumalai Nayak with the help of an
Italian Architect. The building we see today was the main Palace where the King
lived. The original Palace Complex was four times bigger than the present
structure. This palace consisted mainly of two parts, namely Swargavilasa and
Rangavilasa.
In these two parts, there are royal residence, theatre, shrine, apartments,
armoury, palanquin place, royal bandstand, quarters, pond and garden.
Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam
This is a huge temple tank about 5 km east of the Meenakshi temple. The mandapam
in the centre has an idol of Vigneshwara (Vinayaka). It is said to have been
found when the earth was being dug out from here to build the Thirumalai
Nayakkar Mahal. So, the place attained sanctity and was converted into a
teppakulam (tank). This enormous temple tank is fed by water brought from the
Vagai through an ingenious system of underground Channels.
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 Gandhi ji but the real
piece of Gandhi Memorabilia is the blood stained Dhoti which he was wearing at
the time of his assasination. The local government museum is also here. The
small book shop offers plenty of reading material from Gandhiji's works.
Thirupparamkundram
Thirupparamkundram , 10 km south of Madurai, is one of the six abodes of Lord
Subramaniya. It is a cave temple . Here Lord Muruga was wedded to Devayanai,
daughter of Indra, after annihilating Surapadman. In the temple there are
separate shrines dedicated to Shiva, Ganapathy, Durgai, Vishnu and other
deities. At the entrance to the temple there are 48 pillars with artistic
carvings. The rock-cut temple of Subramaniya here is thronged with pilgrims on
all days of special worship. Its innermost shrine is cut out of a solid rock.
Thirumohur
It is just 10 km away from Madurai. It has its legendry origin in the distant
mythological past when Devas and Asuras churned the ocean to get Amritham
(nectar), a sip of which ensure immortality . When the pot of nectar emerged
Lord Vishnu, in the form of beautiful Mohini , took it away and while the Asuras
mesmerized by her beauty, Vishnu distributed the nectar among the Devas
Azhagar Kovil
Located 21 kms. northwest of Madurai is a Vishnu Temple on a picturesque wooded
hill. Here 'Vishnu' presides as Meenakshi's brother 'Azhgar'. During the Chitrai
festival in April/May, when the celestial marriage of Meenakshi to Sundareswarar
is celebrated, Azhagar travels to Madurai. A gold processional icon called the
Sundararajar is carried by devotees in procession from Azhagar Kovil to Madurai
for wedding ritual.
Palamudhirsolai, one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya is on the same hill,
about 4 kms. above. A natural spring called Nuburagangai where pilgrims bath, is
located here.
EXCURSION
Vaigai Dam : (70 kms.) A
popular picnic spot with beautiful gardens.
Kodaikkanal : (120 kms.) Kodai is a hill station 2130 m above sea level
in the Western Ghats. Wooded hills, pleasant walks, picturesque waterfalls and a
magnificent lake make Kodai one of the most beautiful hill stations in India.
Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary (Thekkadi) : (155 kms.) One
can view wildlife in its natural habitat. The forests of this beautiful
sanctuary slope down to a man-made lake where one can see elephant, gaur,
sambhar and even tigers which come to the lake. Season : Oct. to June.
TRAVEL INFO
Air Madurai Airport is connected with Chennai, Mumbai
Rail: Madurai is a major Railway junction connected with important cities
of Tamil Nadu.
Road: Madurai is connected with all the important cities of South India
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