Madurai is a historical Indian city and is about 2000 years old. Situated on the banks of the river Vaigai, the city is believed to be built by the Pandayan king Kulasekra. Madurai is most commonly referred to as ' The Temple City'. The temple architecture here exhibits a seamless synergy of the distinctive aesthetics of its rulers. The entire aura of the city compels us to go holy and thank God for bestowing all the blessings on us in the form of prayers.

See & Do

Meenakshi Temple - Is Meenakshi Madurai or is Madurai Meenakshi? Confused! Such is the bond of both which each other. Since time immemorial this temple has been the focus of both the Indian and international tourists.It is difficult to grasp the dimensions of this great temple. There are about 12 gopurams in this temple. The temple complex and the surrounding areas are spread over 60,000 sq m. Madurai is also revered as one of the five Cosmic Dance Halls Of Shiva.

Tirumalai Nayak Palace - Just 1.5 km from the Meenalshi temple lies the Tirumalai Nayak Palace. Built in 1636, this palace is a fine synthesis of Indo-Islamic architecture.

Gandhi Museum - This museum is located in the old palace of Rani Mangammal. This musesum gives a droll account of the independence struggle.

Koodal Azhagar Temple - This ancient shrine has Vishnu in sitting, standing and reclining postures one above the other.

Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam - The tank has a mandapam at the centre enshrining Lord Vigneshwara. -The Teppakulam float festival is conducted in Jan-Feb.

Azhagar Koil: (21 kms/15 mile.) - A Vishnu temple on a picturesque wooded hill. During the Chithirai Festival in April/May, Azhagar travels to Madurai for the Celestial marriage.

Shopping

Madurai is famous for its bright tie- and -dyed cotton Sungudi sarees. The Co-optex ( West Chithirai street) and Khadi Emporium(Town Hall Road) have dusty shelves that occasionally throw up some kind of surprise. For handicrafts the Poompuhar Sales Emporium ( East Avani Moola Street) is very much preferred. A great place to buy locally manufactured cottons as well as the batiks loved by many travellers is Puthu Mandapam, an old, stone-pillared hall just along from the eastern entrance to Sri Meenakshi Temple. Here you'll find lines of textile stalls opposite rows of tailors, each busily treading away and capable of whipping up a good replica of whatever you're wearing in an hour or two.

Appetite's Delight

• Murugan Idli Kadai - Located at the Melamaasi Veedhi serves the best idlis in town together with ultra-spicy chutney.
• New college House
• Modern Restaurants
• Gujrati Bhojanalayas
• Supreme Hotel
• Mahal Hotel
• Aryan Bhawan
• Ruby Restaurant
• Temple View Roof Top Restaurant
• Taj Garden Retreat

Climate

The weather is normally dry and hot during summers, with rains during October-December and the winters are slightly less hot than the summers.