Madurai, Ancient Historical Temple City, Major Pilgrimage Center of Tamil Nadu, Meenakshi AmmanTemple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

History, Best Places to Visit and Travel Guide of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

Madurai, one of the oldest and historical city of India, located on bank of river Vaigai, headquarter of Madurai district, Tamil Nadu, center of Tamil Culture, literature, art, music and dance from centuries is also known as City of Junctions or City of Jasmine or Temple city or City that never sleeps or Athens of East. Madurai is the third-largest city of Tamil Nadu and also one of the oldest continuously populous cities across the world. Madurai holds highly spiritual and cultural values which makes it as one of the best place to visit in Tamil Nadu and major pilgrimage center of India. There are several temples, churches and palaces located in Madurai which includes the world famous Meenakshi Amman Temple, Thirumalai Nayakar Palace, Idaikattur Church, Pudhu Mandapam etc. Meenakshi Amman Temple located in center of city is highly sacred, best in architecture, visited by thousands of devotee and tourist on daily basis and prime attraction of Madurai.

As per the legend and historical record, Madurai region details found dated back to 3rd century BCE and it is closely associated with Tamil language and Tamil Sangam – the major congregation of Tamil scholars. The city was ruled by various ruler including the the Pandyas, Cholas, Madurai Sultanate, Vijayanagar Empire, Madurai Nayaks, Carnatic kingdom, and finally British East India Company. Madurai holds various names like Koodal - congregation of scholarly people, Malligai Maanagar, Naanmadakoodal – refers to four major temples and "Thirualavai". The meaning of word Madurai is Madhura - sweetness which was arise out of the celestial nectar sprinkled on the city by the Lord Siva from his hair.

From 3rd century, Madurai is popular for its mythical, vivacious and soulful along with traditional, contemporary and its historical Dravidian architecture style and modern towering temples.

Winter is the best time to visit here at Madurai due to pleasant weather and certain major festival of Tamil Nadu like Pongal, Christmas, Jallikattu.

Apart from this, Madurai witness the several other festivals, like Meenakshi Tirukkalyanam, the Chittirai Festival and the Car Festival. 10-day annual Meenakshi Tirukalyanam festival also called Chittirai festival, is celebrated during April–May every year and attracts one millions of devotee and visitors across the world. Madurai is also hub of shopping where tourist can purchase unique handmade products, exquisite sarees, wooden toys and sculptures.

How to Reach Madurai, Tamil Nadu

As Madurai is major pilgrimage and tourist attraction of Tamil Nadu and India, it is very well connected with road, rail and air network. The National Highways 7, 45B, 208 and 49 and various state highway 33, 72, 72A, 73 and 73A passing via Madurai thus tourist can easily reach through private and public transport. Madurai has major railway station which connect major cities of India. Madurai Airport is located at Avaniyapuram at 12 kilometres from the city which has domestic flights and international flights.

Nearby Cities from Madurai, Tamilnadu

Nearby cities from Madurai Tamil Nadu are Sivaganga at 45 km, Pattukkottai at 199 km, Tiruchirappalli at 130 km, Thoothukudi, 151 km, Tirunelveli at 162 km, Tiruppur at 175 km, Thanjavur at 190 km, Coimbatore at 210 km, Salem at 234 km, Chidambaram at 300 km, Cochin at 260 km, Kanniyakumari at 240 KM, Kodaikanal at 116 km, Rameswaram at 170, Thekkady at 136 km and Thiruvananthapuram at 311 km India.

Taluka / Tehsil: Madurai, District: Madurai, State: tamil-nadu, Country: india.

Religious Importance: Hindu

How to Reach Madurai

Key Contact of Madurai