Madurai
The temple town of Madurai is an ancient heritage site of India. It is in the state of Tamil Nadu situated on the banks of River Vaigai in the Madurai district. Madurai is well known as a temple city, city of four junctions, cultural capital of Tamil Nadu, City of Jasmine, Athens of the East and sleepless city.
The city of Madurai is an important commercial center and is known to have trade relations with Rome and Greece since 550 BC. Megasthanes visited Madurai in 3rd century BC. Madurai is build around the Meenakshi temple or the Sundareswarar temple. The concentric rectangular streets around the temple are symbol of cosmos. The city is laid in the shape of a lotus flower. The streets in the city are having interesting names. They are named after the Tamil months.
Madurai is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage sites in India. Large numbers of tourists visit this place, as it is a popular tourist place in the country. Meenakshi temple in Madurai is an architectural marvel. It was built by Pandya King Kulasekara and rebuilt by Thirumalai Nayak. The most striking feature of this temple is the Ayiramkaal Mandapam or the hall of thousand pillars. Each pillar has beautiful life size sculptures. The pillars appear to be in a straight line from any angle and there are some musical pillars in the outermost corridors. These pillars are carved out of stones and produce different musical note when tapped. This temple has patronized literature, art, music and dance since early days. Madurai Meenakshi temple attracts around six thousand visitors a day and the annual revenues of the temple are around sixty millions. It has scored the 26th place in the top nominees for the Seven Wonders of the World.
Thirumalai Nayak Palace has indo - Saracen style. It is a national monument at present. It is divided into Swargavilas and Rangavilas and was used as royal residence. There is a theater, shrines, apartments, armory, palanquin place, royal bandstand, quarters, pond and a garden. The ceilings have large paintings and the stuccowork on the domes and arches is remarkable. The gigantic pillars are an architectural marvel and the entire octagon arcade is constructed of bricks and mortar without any rafter or girder. The exhibition has a number of interesting things on display, like the furniture, utensils, etc used by the royal family.
Thirupparankundram temple is one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya. The shrine is cut of solid rock.
Alagar Koli is a popular Vishnu temple in Madurai and dedicated to Lord Alagar. The temple has panoramic surroundings and the temple is situated on a beautiful hill. The temple of Alagar Koli has some very beautiful carvings.
Gandhi Museum is housed in an old Palace of Rani Mangammal. It has some rare pictures of freedom struggle and has a gallery of Gandhian movement. There are also some interesting things like the gallery of relics, khadi and village industries section and a section dedicated to South Indian Handicrafts.
Other important tourist places are the Mariamman Teppakulam, Kazimar Mosque, Goripalayam Dargah, St. Mary's church, Athisayam Water Park, Eco park, Hava valley, etc.