One of the oldest cities in south India, Madurai has been a centre of learning and pilgrimage for centuries. It is known as “The Temple city.” The old city has the great Meenakshi Temple at its centre. Shops and stalls surround the temple and there are religious processions almost daily. Religion and Tamil culture are a vibrant part of daily life. The city buzzes with life, full of pilgrims, sometimes up to 10,000 on special days in its main temple. It lies 309 miles SW of Chennai but does have a domestic airport 7 miles from city centre. Trains link Madurai with cities of Chennai, Coimbatore and Pondicherry.
Places of Interest:
SRI MEENAKSHI TEMPLE
This is an outstanding example of Vijayanagar temple architecture. It is also called the Great Temple and has two sanctuaries, one to Meenakshi (“ fish-eyed” goddess) and the other is to Lord Sundareswara (Shiva.)
One of the highlights is the Hall of a Thousand Pillars, built around 1560, featuring 985 (!) exquisitely carved pillars.
Every night in the main temple, around 9.30pm, Shiva is carried to Meenakshi’s bedroom. Non Hindus are not allowed into the inner sanctum and video cameras are NOT allowed at all. The temple is a hub of activity with flower sellers and musicians and a temple elephant who “blesses” visitors with its trunk for a small fee, naturally.
GANDHI MUSEUM
This informative and interesting museum is free. It contains the dhoti (loose loincloth) Gandhi was wearing when he was shot. It records the history of the Independence Struggle and the Quit India movement.
MARIAMMAN TEPPAKKULAM TANK
This vast tank is 3 miles outside of the city and is the home to the Teppam (Float) Festival held in January/ February. Images of Meenakshi and Sundareswara, are mounted on floats and taken to the tank, where for several days they are pulled back and forth across the water. The floats are decorated with flowers and hundreds of oil lamps. When the tank is empty it becomes the local cricket ground for local kids.
TIRUMALAI NAYAK PALACE
Situated just outside the city there is a nightly sound and light show which is worth seeing.
