Best Places to visit in Madurai

Madurai, also known as the 'Lotus City' of Tamil Nadu for it was designed in the shape of the Lotus flower, is also the cultural capital of the state. It is situated in the Vaigai River in the South Indian State of Tamil Nadu. 

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Madurai was originally a forest known as Kadamvanam. Madurai has a famous Hindu temple Meenakshi Sundarashwarar dedicated to the divine pair of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. This is the oldest temple in Madurai. It was built by Pandayan Emperor Sadayavarmau Kulasekran ( 1190 CE – 1205 CE ).

The megacity of Madurai was constituted on 1 November 1866 as per the Town Improvement Act of 1865.

The Pandvas, Cholas, and Kalabras ruled Madurai. 

Madurai is famous for its temples built by Pandavas and Madurai Nayak kings in the Dravidian Style of architecture. It is also one of India’s most outstanding Hindu Pilgrimage Centres.

There are many nicknames for Madurai, like – Naan Maada Koodal ( city of four junctions ), Athens of the East, Thoonga Nagaram (a city that never sleeps ), Malligai Managar ( city of jasmine ), Kail Nagar ( temple city ).

Madurai is famous for its Jigarthanda, Paruthipal ( cotton seeds milk ), Kari Desai, Appam and etc.

Sungudi saree is famous in Madurai. Madurai is unique in its culture and heritage. It is constructed in the shape of a lotus around the infamous Meenakshi Amman Temple. Dhavani or Thavani ( half sari ) Salwar Kameez is the traditional dress of Madurai. Madurai is famous for producing fine gold. Bordered veshtis, medium-weight cotton sarees with fabric, painting, woollen goods, silk cloth etc.

Madurai is India’s Jasmine city. The famous sweet-scented Malligai has been grown here.

 Since we have multiple locations in a city, so if you want to find a near by car, just search for a car rental in chennai near me on search engines or your map application. 

The main language spoken there is Tamil. Paddy, Cotton, Millet, and Pulses are the major crops cultivated in Madurai. 

There are many roads in Madurai.

• B.T roads is 935.75 kmC.C road is 202.30 km.
• P.B roads is 205.95 km.

Madurai is the second largest pot megacity by area and third largest megacity by population in Tamil Nadu.

There are mainly three religions live in Madurai

• Hindu 90.86%
• Muslims 5.56%
• Christians 3.22%

The total population of Madurai is 18,34,000

Agamudayar, Kallar and Maravar are three top caste in Madurai.

• Here is some best place to visit. 

1. Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple

Meenakshi Amman Temple is situated on the southern bank of the Vaigai River.

It is spread over 13 acres of fascinating shrines and a sacred golden lotus pool.

It opens from 9 AM to 7 PM.

2. Koodal Azhagar Temple

It is situated at Perumal Kail Sannathi Street near the Periyar bus stand. 

It opens in the morning from 7 AM to 12 PM and in the evening from 4 PM to 7:30 PM.

It is made of Dravidian style, a splendid five – tiered and stands over 120 feet tall.

3. Thirupparamkunram Murugan Temple

This is a temple of God Shiva and Vishnu, who face each other. It’s amazing for its rock–cut.

It opens in the morning from 5 AM to 1 PM and in the evening from 4 PM to 9 PM.

4. Alagar Kovil

It is located on Alagar Kovil's main road. 

It opens in the morning from 6 AM to 12 PM and in the evening 3:30 PM to 8:30 PM

It looks like the Kallazhagar temple. It is situated on a lush hill. The temple rises up and attracts tourists.

5. Pudhu Mandapam

It is situated in E Chitrai St. Chinnakadai Area.

It opens in the morning at 9 AM and in the evening at 8:30 PM.

It is situated on huge stone pillars. Most of the sellers sell their wooden toys and fabrics.

6. Gandhi Memorial Museum

It is situated at collector office road Tamukkam.

It opens in the morning from 10 AM to 1 PM and in the evening from 2 PM to 5:45 PM

It is one of the most beautiful museums. It was built in 1959. The museum takes you through Gandhiji’s Pre – Independence struggle and includes photos, photocopies of letters, manuscripts, quotations and other important articles.

7. Kazimar Big Mosque, Madurai

It is a famous mosque because it got it’s name owing to its capacity to include 2500 people. It was built in the 13th century by Hazrat Kazi Syed Tajuddin.

It opens in the morning, from 5 AM to evening, 9 PM.

8. Vaigai Dam, Madurai

It is situated about 70 km from the city. It is a very famous dam. It is built on the Vaigi River. It has a Brindavan garden with a musical fountain. 

It opens in the morning from 6 AM to till evening 6 PM.

9. Athisayam, Madurai

This park is spread over 70 acres. It has around 60 games and water rides, 7D theatres, an aqua bowl, a multi – play system and dry rust etc.

It opens from 10:30 AM to 6 PM

10. Mary’s Cathedral, Madurai

It is one of the best places to see in Madurai. The church was built in 1841. It has two tall bell towers and saree – the clad statue of Mother Mary.

11. Iskcon, Madurai

If you are a devotee of Radha – krishna want peace of mind. It is the best place to remove all your worries and stress. 

It opens in the morning from 4:45 AM to 12:30 PM and in the evening from 4:45 PM to 8:15 PM.

12. Samanar hills, Madurai

It is situated in Keelakuilkudi village. It has hill rocks with caves. 

The caves on the hills belong to Jain monks and Tamil Brahmins. A lotus temple on the premises is a huge attraction.

• Sports in Madurai

Eru Thazhuvuthal, Mancuviratlu and Jallikatlu are the most popular sports in Madurai. Many other games have been played in Madurai like – bullfights, cock fights, kabbaddi, silambattam, rekkla race, kite flying etc.

• There are some popular stadiums in Madurai

      a. Racecourse stadium

It is situated in Arasaradi opposite Solamalai Theatre, Madurai.

      b. Indira Gandhi Indoor Badminton Stadium

• Wedding venues in Madurai

      a. Fortune Pandiyan hotel

Cost - Rs.7503 onwards

       b. Heritage Madurai

Cost – Rs.7998 onwards

       c. The Gateway hotel Pasumalai Madurai

Cost – Rs.8334 onwards

       d. Kadambavanam Ethnic Resort

Cost – Rs.4409 onwards

       e. J C Residency Madurai 

Cost – Rs.4435 onwards

       f. Amika hotel Madurai

Cost – Rs.5350 onwards

      g. Regency Madurai by GRT Hotels

Cost – Rs.5627 onwards

      h. Hotel Royal Court

Cost – Rs.5902 onwards

      i. Poppy’s Hotel Madurai

Cost – Rs.4229 onwards

      j. Moskva Hotel Madurai

Cost – Rs.4596 onwards

• Business and Trades in Madurai

Agriculture is the main business of Madurai. Madurai produces major crops such as paddy, millet, pulses, cotton, oil, seeds and sugarcane.

Madurai is famous for automobiles, rubber, chemicals and granite manufacturing industries.

Jains are experts in the art of pearls and gems trading.

Bangles to silk and cotton sarees with batik are famous things in Madurai. 

The system of transport plays an important role in Madurai.

Madurai district has well-laid-out roads and railway lines connecting all major towns within and outside the state. 

The district has a very good network. Water is essential for industries use 37 bankings are operating in this district. Banks and other financial institutions play an important role in growing the industries. 

Madurai has an academic centre for learning Tamil art, literature, culture, music, and dance for decades. The American college was settled in 1881 by American Christian missionaries. 

The Lady Doak College was settled in 1948, and this college is the oldest women’s college in Madurai. There are 47 confirmed institutions in the city. In Madurai, there are 15 engineering colleges.