35 Places to Visit in Madurai

OTHER TOURIST PLACES IN INDIA

TOURIST PLACES IN THE WORLD

Are you planning to go on pilgrimage tour? Then MADURAI City in the State of Tamil Nadu, India is one of the best choices. You can see temples in almost every street in this City and hence it is also referred as The Temple City. Those who are interested in knowing about ancient history and architecture should never miss to visit this place. Situated on the banks of River Vaigai, The Temple City is the second largest city in Tamil Nadu also known as "The City of Festivals". This City was the capital of great Pandya Kings. Hundreds of Thousands of tourists visits this city every year from all parts of the world. 

How to Reach Madurai? 

Madurai is well connected by Air and Road. Madurai Airport is just 12 kilometers away from the city railway station. Air India, Air India Express, Alliance Air, IndiGo, Jet Airways and Spice Jet operates domestic flights from major cities of India. Apart from domestic service Spice Jet operates flight to Temple City from Dubai and Colombo. Srilankan Airways operates flights from Colombo to the City of Festivals. There are plenty of trains available to reach the holiday destination from several places of Tamil Nadu State. City Bus Service as well as Mofussil Bus service are the other transport alternatives that can be availed to reach the destination. For sight seeing, there are plenty of options available like local buses, auto and cabs. Alternatively you can avail the facility of tour operators from the hotel you are staying which comes either with or without guide. 

35 Interesting Sight Seeing Places in Madurai :

Tourist attractions in Madurai are Meenakshi Amman Temple, Alagar Kovil, Koodal Azhagar Temple, Gandhi Memorial Museum, Athisayam Park, Thirupparamkunram Murugan Temple, Kazimar Big Mosque, Sri Meenakshi Temple, Rajaji Park, Nandi Statue Pudumandapam, Arulmigu Paramanainar Kovil, St Mary's Cathedral, Thyagi Vaidyanadayar Statue, Pandi Kovil Temple, Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam, Yanaimalai, Simakkal Mandapam, Thirumalai Nayakar Palace, Yanaikkal Statue, Kaliamman Temple, Lochart Gap Point, Maruthupandi Brothers Statue, V.O. Chidambaram PIllai, thenoor Mandapam,  K.K. Nagar Arch, Pandiya Mannar Kottai, Maharani Amusement Parks, World Tamil Sangam, Teppakkulam, Villaku Thoon, Madurai Corporation Eco Park, Kovalan Pottal, Thirumohoor Kalamegaperumal Temple, Rock Cut Cave Temple and Archana Nursery Garden.

MEENAKSHI AMMAN TEMPLE is a Hindu Historic Temple. Sundareswarar (Lord Shiva) and Meenakshi (Goddess Parvathi) are the main deities of this temple. Sundareswar means "The Beautiful Lord" and Meenakshi means "The Fish Eyed Goddess". It is believed that the main sanctum is more than 3500 years old. The temple spreads around 45 acres of land. Devotees visiting this holy place first visit the holy tank before getting the blessings of main deities. It is believed that Lord Shiva appeared and blessed the tank so that no marine life would grow in that place. The divine marriage of Meenakshi (In local it is mentioned as Meenakshi Thirukalyanam) is the main festival being celebrated during the month of April every year. Thousands of devotees from all over the world visit during this time to get their blessings. There are 14 Gopurams in this divine place. The Gopuram on the southern tower is 172 feet and it the tallest of all. Entire temple walls are carved with thousands of Animals, Gods and Demons. The shrine of Lord Sundareswarar is in the center of the temple. 

THE ALAGAR KOVIL is constructed in the Dravidian Style of architecture. It is believed that this temple has been built by Pandayan Kings on an extensive area of 2 acres of land. It is one of the 108  Divyadesams (Divine Places) of Lord Vishnu. There are 11 halls and they are Car Mandapam, Elephant Vehicle Mandapam, Sixteen Pillar Mandapam, Kondappa Naicker Mandapam, Thirukkalya Mandapam, Kodaithirunal Mandapam, Ponveintha Perumal Mandapam, Aryan Mandapam, Maha Mandapam, Vasantha Mandapam and Madhavi Mandapam. It is firmly believed that the water in the temple tank is supposed to have descended from Heaven. Taking holy bath here will fulfill all the desires of the devotee. The water is full of minerals like Copper and Iron which can cure any diseases. Pooja's performed here are Vishva Rupam, Pongal Kalam, Ucchik Kalam, Sayarakchai, Nithiyana Santhanam and Sampakkalam. Main festivals are "Chithirai Grand Festival" in the tamil month of Chithirai, "Vasandha Festival" in the tamil month of Vaikashi, "Muppala Festival" in the tamil month of Aani, "Aadi Grand Festival" in the tamil month of Aadi, "Thiru Pouthira Festival" in the tamil month of Aavani, "Navarathiri Festival" in the tamil month of Purattasi, "Thailakkappu" in the tamil month of Iyppasi, "Karthikai Deepa Festival" in the tamil month of Karthigai, "Thiruvadhyayana Festival" in the tamil month of Margazhi, "Kanu Festival" in the tamil month of Thai, "Gajendra Motcham Festival" & "Float Festival" in the tamil month of Masi and "Thirukalyana Festival" in the tamil month of Pankuni.

GANDHI MEMORIAL MUSEUM was established in the year 1959 and organized by "Gandhi Samarak Nidhi". Collections like "India Fights for Freedom", Visual Biography of Gandhiji and Relics & Replicas are seen inside the museum. Activities of the museums includes Gandhi Birthday Celebrations, Gandhi Memorial Lectures, Freedom Fighters Day and Observance of Gandhiji Martyrdom Day. In the huge library inside the museum, photocopies of around 270,000 letters of Gandhiji are preserved. 

ATHISAYAM WATER AMUSEMENT PARK is the best spot for fun lovers and is famous for its water rides. There are plenty of Land Rides as well as Water Rides available to enjoy our holiday. It is known as "Queen of Indian Theme Park". More than 50 rides are available in this theme park. Rides are available for any ages, hence whoever visits enjoy their stay. The main attractions in this amusement park are Columbus, Mini Columbus, Swing Chair, Super Trooper, Toro Toro, Rock & Roll, Cup & Saucer, Jumping Frog, Baby Train, Baby Crazy River, Science Park, Air Forts, Dashing Cars, Kids Car, Roller Coaster, Giant Wheel, Octopus, Caterpillar, Boating, Space Walk, Sun & Moon, Water Merry Go Around and Children Merry Go Around. 

One of the six pilgrimage sites of Lord Murugan, the "THIRUPPARANKUNDRAM MURUGAN TEMPLE" is located in this divine city. Architecture resembles 6th century Pandya Period and 16th century Nayaka Period. One of the mandapams, "Aasthaana Mandapa" is of 150 feet tall found near the entrance. Other mandapams are Kambathadi Mandapam, Ardha Mandapam and Maha Mandapam. There are 8 Kaala Poojas (8 times a day) performed daily for Lord Murugan in this temple. They are Thiruvananthal, Vizha Poojai, Kalasanthi, Thirukaka Santhi, Uchikalam, Sayaratchai, Artha Jamam and Palliyarai. Every year 25 festivals are celebrated in this temple and they are Tamil New Year Day, Chitra Festival, Vaikasi Visakam, Mottaiarasu Vizha, Ani Voonjal, Ani Muppzha Poojai, Aadi Pooram, Adikarthigai, Vinayagar Chathurthi, Avani Moolam, Navarathiri, Saraswathi Poojai, Vijayadasami Poojai, Iypasi Pooram, Sri Skantha Sashti, Karthigai Somavaram, Thirukarthigai, Marghazi Poojai, Arudra Darisanam, Vaikunda Ekadasi, Theppam, Thai Poosam, Masi Maha Sivarathiri, Sri Veyilukanthamman Festival and Panguni Peru Vizha.


KAZIMAR BIG MOSQUE also know as "KAZIMAR PERIYA MOSQUE" was founded by Kazi Syed Tajuddin, a descendant of Prophet Mohammad. This mosque can accommodate around 2500 people at a time. Students learn Arabic in Kazi Syed Tajuddin Madrasah which is located inside the mosque. 

RAJAJI PARK which is popularly known as RAJAJI CHILDREN'S PARK is owned and maintained by Madurai Corporation. This park is open to public daily from 10 in the morning till 8 in the evening. This park is one of the popular spots for families with kids. There are few play equipment's available to entertain kids, along with few collections of birds. Eateries and Hotels are there too inside the park. 

VILAKKUTHOON was installed by Late Blackburn in 1840. It was used as street light during early times and now is preserved by architectural department as one of the ancient monuments of India. It is a historic lamp post and now is also a meeting spot for local residents to spend their evenings with friends. 

MARIAMMAN THEPPAKULAM is as big as Meenakshi Amman Temple. Most of the days the tank is empty without even a single drop of water and mostly used by local children to play cricket or any other outdoor games. This was built by Shri Thirumalai Nayak in the year 1646 and it is well connected to the River Vaigai by underground channels. 

KOVALAN POTTAL is an historical place where tradition says that Kovalan, who is the hero of famous epic Silapathigaram, decapitation took place. According to archaeological excavation three large urns were found in the year 1980. In one of the Urns archaeological department found the skulls and bones of humans and olden days potteries. 

THIRUMALAI NAYAK PALACE is located around 1.5 kilometers from Meenakshi Temple. Thirumalai Nayak Palace was built in the year 1636 AD by King Thirumalai Nayak of erstwhile Nayaka Dynasty and it is open for visitors every day from 9.00 AM till 1.00 PM and again from 2.00 PM to 5.00 PM. This palace was built in Indo - Saracenic Dravidian Architectural Style. 

THIRUMOHOOR KALAMEGAPERUMAL TEMPLE, also known as THIRUMOHOOR or TIRUMOGOOR TEMPLE, is located in Melur. Lord Vishnu is the main deity here. This religious place is the perfect location to know about typical Dravidian Architectural Style. Thirumogoor is one of the 108 abodes of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that this Kovil was built by Pandyas. Every day six rituals takes place here. 

ST MARY'S CATHEDRAL is one of the Oldest Roman Catholic Churches in India. Never miss to visit this church as you will get a chance to know about the architectural beauty of the Roman Style towers that stands at an height of 140 feet. 

ST GEORGE CHURCH is located at Main Guard Square. It was first built in the year 1800 and renovation work took place in the year 1881. St George Church is also known as Stone Church, since it was built using Black Stones. Rouse Peter and George Fisher's graves are located here. 

ECO PARK is also known as ECOLOGICAL PARK, is located at Annamaligai. This park was developed by Madurai Corporation. Best place to spend a holiday in this attractive trees and flowers filled park. Boating facility is available inside Eco Park to entertain visitors. An artificial 110 feet fountain with beautiful lights is one of the main attraction here. Other attractions are Artificial Lighting Coconut Tree and Artificial Lighting Palm Tree. 

THE GOVERNMENT MUSEUM was established in the year 1980. It is located in National Gandhi Museum Complex. Collections found inside include Bronzes, Musical Instruments, Sculptures, Botanical Specimens, Geological Specimens and Zoological Specimens. Several training camps takes place here regularly like Bharathanatyam, Yoga, Painting, Doll Making, Photography and Fabric Painting. Sri Aravindar Annai Trust and Relics Meditation Centre located here is dedicated to Sri Aurobindo and Mother. It is one of the best place to relax yourselves in the serene atmosphere. 

Few Interesting Facts about Madurai : 

For more than hundreds of years, fish market functions at night. Gandhi Museum has the dress worn by Father of Indian Nation Shri. Mahatma Gandhiji on his final day. "Ayiram Kaal Mandapam" which has thousand pillars are found in Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal. Malligai Flower (Jasmine) is very famous in this place. "Madurai Malli", known Worldwide for its fragrance, was granted the Geographical Indication (GI) tag by the Registrar of Geographical Indications in the year 2013, in accordance with GI Act of 1999.  "3 Tamil Sangams" held here. Only here we can find Lord Nataraja standing on his left leg. Madras High Court bench is situated here. This city is also known as "The Athens of East". 

The city is also famous for "Sungudi Sarees", a type of cotton saree. There are several green land in this city and for many villagers here, agriculture is the main profession. In Tamil Nadu, The Temple City is the least populated out of all cities. This city is well known for its Jallikattu also known as Bull Fight. This city is one of the least polluted city in Tamil Nadu State. It is the centre for Dravidian Art and Culture in South India. Chithirai Thiruvizha is the longest festival celebrated in the world. Other nearby picnic locations are Srivilliputtur which is situated at a distance of nearly 80 kilometers, Palani is around 120 kilometers, Kodaikanal is around 80 kilometers distance and Surili Water Falls at around 120 kilometers distance. 

OTHER TOURIST PLACES IN INDIA

TOURIST PLACES IN THE WORLD