The highpoint of visits to temple cities is Madurai. Spread along the rocky banks of the river Vaigai in the state of Tamil Nadu, the modern industrial city's main claim to fame is as a temple town.Whether you come by air, train or road, the first glimpse of the city that greets you are the magnificent gopurams of the Meenakshi Temple. The temple, spread across six hectares, is at the hub of all the activities in the city. The festivities, processions and grandeur of the temples attract tourist in the thousands every year.

There are several places of tourist attractions in Madurai, but it is the Meenakshi Temple that is the hub of activity. Located at the heart of the city, the Meenakshi-Sundareswarar temple has long been the focus of both Indian and international tourist attraction as well as one of the most important places of Hindu pilgrimage. It is the hub of the religious and cultural life of the city.

Mariamman Teppakkulam Tank : This enormous tank is around 300 m (1000 feet) by 285 m (950 feet) and is located 5 km east of the Meenakshi Temple. The well known Teppam Float Festival is celebrated here during which the deities are taken out on felicitated boats in January / February.

Thirupparankunram : This renowned temple is one of Subrahmanya's six sacred abodes. The temple has been carved out of a mountain and is dedicated to Lord Muruga (Subramanya). This temple actually celebrates the God's marriage to Indra's daughter, Devayanai.

Meenakshi Temple : The first thing that comes to a person's mind, when you mention the word Madurai is the Meenakshi Temple. The Temple has almost become synonymous with the place. This is Madurai's most famous landmark. This 17th century temple has two sanctum Sanctorums: one dedicated to Lord Shiva as Sundareswar ("Lord of Beauty") and the other to Meenakshi, his wife. Meenakshi holds a parrot and bouquet. Meenakshi in Sanskrit means "one who has eyes like a fish". It is a belief that just as a mother fish has to just look on her spawn to develop life in them, similarly every wish of the Goddess' worshipers will be granted when goddess Meenakshi glances at them.

Thirumalai Nayak Palace : Situated about one km. south-east of the Sri Meenakshi Temple this palace was built in a Indo-Saracenic style by Thirumalai Naicker. A sound and light programme telling the story of Thirumalai Nayak and of Silappathikaram is conducted here daily at 6.45 pm.

How to get there

Air : There are daily flights to Madurai from Chennai, Bangalore,Tiruchi & Coimbatore. Madurai Airport is 10 Kms away from Madurai City.

Rail : Madurai is an important railway junction of the Southern Railway and is directly connected to Chennai and Tirunelveli. Madurai is on the Madurai-Tiruchirappalli-Dindigul-Quilon line.

Road : There are excellent roads connecting Madurai to all parts of South India. Madurai City has 5 Major Bus Stand.