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Madurai
Madurai or the "city of
nectar" is the oldest and second largest city of Tamil Nadu.
This city is located on Vaigai River and was the capital of
Pandyan rulers till the 14th century. The Pandyan king,
Kulasekhara had built a gorgeous temple around which he created
a lotus shaped city. Mythology says when city was being named;
Lord Shiva blessed the city and its people. On the auspicious
occasion some Divine nectar ("Madhu") fell from the matted
locks of Shiva and hence the city was named "Madhurapuri". This
sacred town of south attracts thousands of pilgrims and
visitors from India as well as abroad.
Fairs
& Festival in Madurai
Most important festival of Madurai is the sacred wedding
ceremony of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareshwar. This
festival is held during March -April. During this festival the
city displays a colourful and joyous mood. Images of the divine
couple are taken around the city in a tastefully decorated
chariot, amidst the presence of a huge gathering of devotees.
The notes of Nadaswaram and drums further aggravate the festive
ambience.
The annual float festival marks the images of Meenakshi and her
consort floating on the Mariamman tank on an illuminated raft
bedecked with flowers. As such there are festivals throughout
the year in Madurai. All most 11 big annual festivals are
celebrated in Madurai, which are spread through the year with
exception of the monsoon months.
Shopping in Madurai
Madurai has been a textile center since ages. The streets and
lanes are lines with shops and tailors offering readymade as
well as fabric material manufactured in Madurai. The Puthu
Mandapam, an old pillared hall along the entrance to Meenakshi
temple is popular among the visitors and locals for the cotton
fabric and the Batiks. The lovely Sungundi Sarees are in great
demand among Indian women. Collectors are delighted to have the
Brass lamps from Madurai.
Premier shopping areas are Chithirai, Avanimoola, Puthumandapam
and Thevangu Chetty Choultry. The handicrafts Emporiums of the
states are also here, which offer a varied range of handicrafts
from all over the India.
Climate in Madurai
The climate of Madurai is warm. The temperature seldom comes
below 20° C even during the winters. The rainfall is very
frequent and spread throughout the year, just like the flow of
pilgrims and tourists is the same during the year.
How to Get There
- 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.
- 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. Though there are not many
trains, which connect the city with major cities of India
such as, Madurai is easily accessible from any part of the
nation.
- 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.
Nearby Cities of Madurai
- Coimbatore - 227 km
- Rameshwaram - 173 km
- Kanyakumari - 253 km
- Tekkadi - 137 km
- Courtalam - 160 km
- Kodaikanal - 121 km
Tourist Information Centres about Madurai
- Tourist Office, Government of
Tamil Nadu - Hotel Tamil Nadu Complex, West Veli Street (Near
Periyar Bus Stand) Madurai, Tamil Nadu
- Tourist Information Center,
Government Of Tamil Nadu - Railway Junction, Madurai, Tamil
Nadu
- Department of Tourism,
Government of India (DOTGOI) - 154, Anna Salai, Chennai,
Tamil Nadu
- Tamil Nadu Tourism
Development Corporation (TTDC) - 143, Anna Salai, Chennai,
Tamil Nadu
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