Travel to India : Fascinating South India : Madurai Tour

Madurai

Madurai, famous for temples and jasmine flowers, is a culturally rich city of Tamil Nadu with a history of more than 2500 years. In fact, as early as 550 AD Madurai was a thriving cultural and commercial centre. In the ancient times, it was the capital of the Pandya Kings and the seat of Tamil Sangam, Academy of Leraning.

Located on the banks of Vaigai River, Madurai has the world renowned Meenakshi Temple around which actually the city is built. Built by Kulasekara Pandya, Meenakshi Temple--which has 12 beautifully sculptured and painted gopurams--is one of the architectural wonders of the world. Though not included in the list of the modern Seven Wonders of the World, the temple is in no way less magnificent than the Taj Mahal.

Meenakshi Temple is located in a high enclosed enclosure. The inner sanctorum of the 254X 237 monolithic temple dates back to 3500 years.

Madurai has two more magnificent temples—Addiyar Koyal Tevara Stalma and Kallazhagar Divya Dasma Temple--that throw much light on the culture and history of the city.