Known as the "city of nectar", Madurai is the oldest city in
Tamil Nadu and was home to the ancient Tamil Sangam, the literary conclave
that produced the first epic, Silappathikaram. Today, it is known to produce
some of the finest textiles in India and some of the best harvests of
jasmine flowers. One cannot ignore mention of the Meenakshi Temple, which is
as well known for its architectural splendor as also a shelter, which
inspired a thousand arts.
Madurai has found mention in
Megasthenes' Indica, where the ancient Greek diplomat and envoy to India in
the 3rd century BC wrote about this temple-city in the most glowing terms.
Madurai reached its pinnacles of glory during the time of the Cholas and
then during the Pandyas' regime in the 13th century.
Population:
Approx 1.1 million
Climate: Madurai is warm most of the
year with maximum temperatures varying from 37°C in summer to 29°C
in winter. Minimum temperatures in winter hardly ever fall below 20°C.
Rainfall is frequent.
Best time to visit: While it is
true that the cooler months between November and February are far more
pleasant, Madurai can be visited almost anytime through the year - just skip
the summer.
Meenakshi Temple
Your trip to this city would not just be incomplete but pointless without visiting
the Meenakshi Sundareswar temple. Dedicated to Meenakshi, the lovely consort
of Shiva or Sundareswar, as he is known here, the Pandya king Kulasekhara originally
built the temple in the 13th century though it attained its present splendor
only in the hands of the Nayaks, 400 years later.
Legend has it that Meenakshi, the beautiful princess born
to the Pandya king of Madurai had three breasts. This deformity is said to
have vanished when she met her divine consort, Shiva. The temple holds in
thrall visitors from all over the country and world.
The temple
complex with 12 towers, the Thousand-Pillared Mandapam and the
Potramaraikulam (the golden lotus tank) is a perfect example of Dravidian
architecture. The temple tank also played host to the ancient Tamil Sangam
who met here to decide on the merits of literary compositions.
The Thousand-Pillared Mandapam, which actually has 985 pillars, make musical
sounds when struck and houses the Temple Museum. The gopurams are covered
with extensive carvings depicting stories from Hindu mythology, and the one
on the east serves as the principal gateway to the shrine.
Thirumalai Nayak Mahal Muslim armies on the rampage brought an end
to the royal line of the Vijayanagar Empire paving way for the Nayaks, who
assumed royal powers over their principalities, which included Madurai. The
city and the dynasty flourished from the 16th to the 18th century.
Thirumalai Nayak built this palace 1 km Southeast of the temple. Built in
the Indo-Saracenic style, all that remains of this magnificent mansion today
are the principal entrance, the dancing hall and the main hall. The main
attraction now is the light and sound show in the palace, which depicts
events from Thirumalai Nayak's life and also snatches from the ancient Tamil
epic Silappathikaram.
Mariamman Teppakulam Also
built by Thirumalai Nayak in the 17th century, this huge tank in the eastern
part of the city is said to have underground channels connecting it with the
Vaigai River. There is a Mandapam with an idol of Vinayaka or the Elephant
God, right in the middle of the tank, brilliantly illuminated during the
Float Festival celebrated on the full moon day of the Tamil month of Thai,
falling between 15th January and -15th February.
Tirupparankundram
This cave temple is cut out of solid rock. There are myths and legends
surrounding the deity Murugan here. This is one of his six abodes, Murugan
being the second son of Shiva. Situated 10 km south of the city, the place
where the temple is built is supposed to have been the site of his marriage
to Devayani.
Gandhi MuseumThis museum as the name
suggests is dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi, fondly known as the Father of the
Nation. It is housed in what used to be the palace of Rani Mangammal. Among
the collection of Gandhi memorabilia exhibited here is the bloodstained
dhoti that he was wearing on the fateful day of his assassination.
Chithirai Festival: This festival is celebrated
between the months of April and May (Chithirai - according to the Tamil
Calendar), when the celestial marriage of Meenakshi to Sundareswarer is
celebrated , Azhagar travels to Madurai. A gold processional icon called The
Sundararajar is carried by devotees in procession from Azhagar Koil to
Madurai for wedding ritual.
The Float Festival: Held
in January - February, the float festival takes place in the Vandiyur
Mariamman Teppakulam. The night comes alive as the specially constructed
raft carried the deities around the lake. Brightly lit with flowers on all
sides, not to mention the throng of people that gather to watch the fetivalm
there is a sense of peace that this ritual seems to inspire. decorated with
flowers and lights carries the deities around the tank.
HOW
TO GET THERE:By Road: Well connected by road,
Madurai is linked to almost all major cities in Southern India.
By Air: Indian Airlines and Jet Airways connect Madurai with
Chennai
and
Mumbai.
By
Rail: Frequent express trains link Madurai with Chennai.
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India Travel Hotel.
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