There are a number of places of interest in Madurai, India. Tourists from different parts of India visit Madurai throughout the year. Some of the well-known tourist attractions of Madurai are Mariamman Teppakulam, Thirupparankundram Temple, Thirumalai Nayak Palace and Sri Meenakshi Temple.
HOW TO REACH
By Air:-
Madurai airport is located at a distance of around 10 km from the heart of the city. It connects all the major cities of the country and solves a lot of problems of the visitors. You can always get flights from Madurai to Bangalore , Ahmedabad, Agra and other major domestic as well as international locations.
By Road:-
State as well as private buses connect the city with various cities of the country. Madurai is connected by well laid road network to places including Coimbatore (221km), Kochi (234km), Trivandrum ( 258km) and Bangalore (449km). One can book A/C buses as well as Non A/C buses.
By Train:-
The Madurai railway station has very good connectivity with all the major cities of India. It solves each and every problem of the visitors about how to reach Madurai. You can get easy transport facility from the railhead to reach a particular destination.
WHAT TO SEE
Meenakshi Temple:-
Meenakshi Temple is also known as Meenakshi Amman Temple and attracts tourists and pilgrims alike. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple is named after the deity and goddess Parvati. Sundareswarar means beautiful Lord Shiva and goddess Parvati is called Meenakshi. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva visited Madurai to marry Parvati since Madurai has been her abode.
Alagar Koil:-
Alagar Koil is a temple situated in the nearby hills, around 20 km towards the north of Madurai. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and comprises three sanctuaries of diminishing size holding the idol of Lord Vishnu. The temple is known for its intricate stone carvings and sculptures. It is believed that Lord Vishnu resides in this temple as Meenakshi’s brother Azhagar.
Mariamman Teppakulam temple:-
The Mariamman Teppakulam temple is dedicated to Lord Vigneshwara and is located just 5 km from the famous Meenakshi temple. The most unique feature of the temple is that the main idol was found in the tank within the complex. The perennial tank is full of water and is one of the largest tanks in Tamil Nadu. The tank is considered sacred and the temple was constructed on the same spot. Numerous rituals and festivities are celebrated with thousands of devotes coming in from far and wide.
Vaigai Dam:-
The giant Vaigai Dam on the river Vaigai is located close to Andipatti and is the source of water of irrigation to the farms in and around the region. The Agriculture Research Institute is close by the dam so that comprehensive research can be carried out on pulses, cereals and grains. Lush greenery flourishes in and around the dam while the reservoir is perfect for boating.
Thirumalai Nayak Palace:-
Thirumalai Nayak Palace was built in 16th century by Nayak ruler Thirumalai Nayak. This palace depicts beautiful Indo-Sarcenic architecture. The main highlight of the palace is the light and sound show which is based on the life of Silapathikaram and Tirumalai Nayak.
SHOPPING:-
The city is famous for its textile industry since long. So, the best items to purchase here are readymade garments, fabrics and sarees. You will also find a number of tailors, along with the garment shops in the market. The city also has handicraft shops where people can buy some good art pieces for their house. The shopping places in Madurai are usually packed with people, especially during weekends and festivals.
FOOD:-
Madurai’s own cuisine however comprises of the well known and world famous dishes- dosai, idli, pongal, vadai, sambar, chutney, poriyal etc. Apart from this Madurai also has its own version dishes that originally come from other parts of India i.e. parota-kurma, aloo/channa poori, upma etc. People here are mostly rice eaters. The food in Madurai is normally cooked in standard edible oil, using good amounts of spices and condiments. In fact, Madurai food is famous world over for its uniqueness and taste. The very famous idli shop- Murugan idli which now has branches even outside india, originatd in Madurai. It is said that the popular chicken 65 also originated in Madurai. Some of the common ingredients used in the food are lettuce leaves, carrots, brinjal,onions, tomatoes, potatoes, okra, tomato and cauliflower. Spices include turmeric, cloves, mint powder/ leaves, garlic, fenugreek, curry leaves, dried red chillies, mustard seeds etc.