Incredible India

MADURAI

The oldest city existing in the Indian peninsula and one of the continuously inhabited cities in the world, Madurai is richly steeped in cultural heritage. It is called as Thoonga Nagaram that means a ‘city that never sleeps’. The city, earlier known as Madhurapuri, grew around a huge temple built by Pandian King Kulasekhara 2,500 years ago. Madurai became famous during the Sangam period through the third and last conglomeration of Tamil scholars, which existed for more than 100 years. Historically it is also called as the Athens of the East. Megasthanes visited Madurai as early as 3rd BC. Later Romans and Greeks started visiting this erstwhile Pandya Kingdom and there were serious trade connections between them that flourished till the 10th century. The city was the magnificent capital of Pandya kings and visited by travellers such as Pliny (77 AD), Ptolemy (140 AD), Marco Polo (1203 AD) and IbuBatuta (1333 AD). Today, Madurai is synonymous with the awe-inspiring Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple.The oldest city existing in the Indian peninsula and one of the continuously inhabited cities in the world, Madurai is richly steeped in cultural heritage. It is called as Thoonga Nagaram that means a ‘city that never sleeps’. The city, earlier known as Madhurapuri, grew around a huge temple built by Pandian King Kulasekhara 2,500 years ago. Madurai became famous during the Sangam period through the third and last conglomeration of Tamil scholars, which existed for more than 100 years. Historically it is also called as the Athens of the East. Megasthanes visited Madurai as early as 3rd BC. Later Romans and Greeks started visiting this erstwhile Pandya Kingdom and there were serious trade connections between them that flourished till the 10th century. The city was the magnificent capital of Pandya kings and visited by travellers such as Pliny (77 AD), Ptolemy (140 AD), Marco Polo (1203 AD) and IbuBatuta (1333 AD). Today, Madurai is synonymous with the awe-inspiring Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple.

MAJOR ATTRACTIONS

Probably amongst the oldest cities in the world, Madurai has been continuously inhabited since the 3rd century BCE. Mahatma Gandhi is said to have adopted his loin cloth attire here after seeing the locals wearing it. The Meenakshi Amman Temple is central to the town and the quadrangular streets around it form the outer precincts of the temple. The city is a must visit place to enjoy Tamil culture.

Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple

Synonymous with Madurai is the Meenakshi-Sundareswarar twin temple, the pivot around which the city has evolved.

Thirumalai Nayak Palace

Visit to see the 'Sorgavilasam' (celestial pavilion) constructed entirely of brick and mortar without the support of a single rafter or girder, is a marvel of Indo-Saracenic architectural style.