Madurai, probably over 2500 years old, is the oldest city in Tamil Nadu. Its origin and name emerge from a misty and lovely legend. In a forest near a lotus pond, Indra, King of Gods, Worshipped Lord Siva as a Swayambu Lingam. At this hallowed spot, the Pandyan monarch Kulasekhara built a great temple and clearing the forest, he created a lotus- shaped city around the temple. On the day the city was to be named, Lord Siva appeared at the ceremony. As he blessed the land and its people, divine nectar (Mathuram) was showered on the city from his matted locks.
Today Madurai is of foremost importance as a Hindu pilgrimage destination with the ever imposing temples with grand architecture attracting thousand’s of devotees. The Meenakshi temple built by the Nayaks can be cited for example. Once, Madurai was the seat of power of all the major South Indian Empires. Beginning from the Cholas to the Pandyas and finally regained by the Vijayanagar Kings and the Nayaks.
Tourist’s attractions in Madurai are Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple, Tirumalai Nayakkar Palace, Gandhi Museum, Tiruparamkundram, Palamudir Cholai and Vandiyur Mari Amman Teppakulam
How to reach:
By Air: Madurai airport has daily flights to Chennai & Mumbai
By Road: Well connected with all major cities in South India
By Rail: Madurai railway station has daily trains to Chennai, Trivandrum, Bangalore, Mumbai and all other parts of India
