More than 2500 years old ancient city, situated on the banks of the river Vaigai Madurai is believed to have been built by the Pandyan King Kulasekara. Legend has it that drops of Maduram (nectar) fell from Lord Shiva's locks when he came to bless its people for constructing a temple for him. Madurai's history can be divided into four periods, beginning over 2000 years ago, when it was the capital of the Pandyan Kings. Apart from a brief period it fell to the Cholas, Madurai remain with Pandyan till the decline of the empire. The 200year old reign of the Natakas marked the golden era when art, architecture and learning scaled new heights.

Tourist Places Of Madurai

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 meters. 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.

Tirumalai Nayak Mahal
This Indo-Saracenic building was constructed in 1523 and was originally four times large are today. Sound and light show on the life of the Tirumalai Nayak and the story of the Silapathikaram are conduced daily.

Gandhi Museum
The 300-year-old palace now converted into Museum has a picture gallery, a library of personal memorable of the Mahatma Gandhi and an exhibit of South Indian handicrafts and village industries.

Vaniyur Mariamman Teppakulam
This enormous temple tank is fed by water from the Vaigai river. The tank has a mandapam at the center enshrining Lord Vigneshwara. A colorful float festival is held in this tank every year.

How to Reach Madurai?

By Air: Madurai is well connected with Chennai, Bangalore and Tiruchirapalli. Madurai airport is about 15 km from the city center.
By Rail: Madurai is connected to all major centers in the country by express trains.
By Road: Madurai is connected to other parts of south India by road with regular bus services plying to Chennai, Bangalore, Coimbatore, Kanyakumari, Rameshwaram, Pondichery, etc.