The highpoint of visits to temple cities is Madurai. It is famous for its Meenakshi Temple. Also famed for its many carved and painted halls, this magnificent temple of goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundaram (Shiva) has the tallest Gopuram (temple gateway) in the world. It has been the center for learning and the heart for South Indian culture and tradition for the last 2,500 years. It had also been the political capital of the Pandyan and the Nayakan dynasties. The illustrious past of the city can still be witnessed in the architectural splendor of the temples and the palaces.
History :
According to legend, Madurai derives its name from the madhuram (nectar) that fell from Shiva's locks on this place. The ancient city had links with Greece and Rome and traded primarily in spices. It was also the site of the Tamil Literary Society popularly known as the Sangam. Madurai was taken over by the Chola emperors in the 10th century AD. The Pandyas regained control in the 12th century AD. The reign under the Tirumalai Nayak was the most prosperous period of Madurai. In 1840, the company razed the fort that had previously surrounded the city and filled it with moat. They constructed four broad streets-the Veli streets-on the top of this fill defining the limits of the old city.
Cities of Andhra Pradesh
Chennai, Trichy, Madurai, Ooty, Thanjavur, Coimbatore, Kodaikanal, Thanjavur more...
Tourist Attraction of Madurai :
Meenakshi Temple, Tirumalai Nayak Mahal, The Gandhi Museum, Government Museum, The Art Gallery, Sunderashwer Temple
How to get there :
By Air :
Madurai has its own airport and there are flights, which connect the city with Chennai, Tiruchirappalli. The airline services have at least one flight daily from Madurai to Chennai. From there one can take flight to anywhere in India.
By Rail:
Madurai has one of the major railway junctions of South India. It is connected with the all the major tourist as well as religious places in Tamil Nadu.
By Road :
There are good motorable roads, which connect this, second largest city of Tamil Nadu with other parts of the state as well as other places in India. Madurai has five bus stands, which cater to the needs of the people.
