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Heritage Places in India |
| Madurai Tour Information |
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| Location: |
 The city of Madurai is located in the district of Madurai in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. Located at the bank of Vaigai river in Madurai, the city has a civilization and culture that can be traced back to thousands of years. The second largest city in Tamil Nadu, Madurai has been an eminent center for trade and commerce in the state.
Nearest Airport / Railway Station:
Madurai Airport is the nearest airport to Madurai, located at the distance of 10 kilometers from the main city. It is connected to rest of the country by several airlines operating in the region.
Madurai Junction is the nearest railway station to the city of Madurai connected to all the major cities of South India and other cities of the country by several trains.
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Highlights:
Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Koodalalagar Temple, Vandiyur Kanmoy Tourist Complex, Thirumalai Nayak Mahal, Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam, Gandhi Museum, Thirupparankundram.Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit Madurai is during the months of September to March when the weather remains pleasant and clear. |
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| History of Madurai: |
| As per the legend, Madurai was a dense forest in the yesteryears known by the name of Kadambavanam. It was King Kulasekara Pandya who came to know from a farmer that Lord Indra had been meditating under a kadamba tree and constructed a temple at the spot. Eventually the city started growing surrounding the temple. It is said that while naming the city, Lord Shiva appeared and few drops of nectar fell from his hair in the city and thus, the city came to be known by the name of Madurai that means sweetness in Tamil.
It was an important center for international trade and commerce during the regime of the Pandya kings.
The city was ruled by several dynasties including the Pandyas, Vijayanagar and the Cholas and was invaded several times for the wealth and the treasure that the city had.
Later on the city was taken over by the British rulers as they appointed their officers and representatives to look after the administration of Madurai.
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| Places to see in Madurai: |
 Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple: the major temple of the city and one of the famous in the country, the Meenakshi temple of Madurai is well known all over the world for its brilliant architecture and art. It worships the Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Shiva. The thousand pillars and the sculptures of the temple have attracted tourists from all over the world since ages.
Koodalalagar Temple: it is a temple that worships Lord Vishnu. The temple if famous all over for its magnificent architecture and ornamental windows that have been constructed with much expertise and artistry. The carvings and artifacts in the temple are famous all over the country.
Vandiyur Kanmoy Tourist Complex: ideal for picnics and outings, the Vandiyur Kanmoy Tourist Complex provide various activities for the tourists to indulge into. It includes boating and toy train rides. The restaurant within the complex serve delicious traditional cuisines to the guests.
Thirumalai Nayak Mahal: it is a palace that belonged to Thirumalai Nayak. The light and sound show is the major attraction of the palace that draws tourists from all over the country.
Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam: it is a large tank surrounding the temple of Lord Vigneshwara. The tank is served by waters from the Vaigai river. It is famous for the float festival that takes place every year.
Gandhi Museum: this museum deals with the study and researches related to Mahatma Gandhi. A library, photo gallery and the exhibition hall comprise the major section of the museum.
Thirupparankundram: located at the distance of 8 kilometers from the city, it is a temple that worships the deity of Lord Subramanya. The image of the Lord has been carved out of solid rock.
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| Things to do in Madurai: |
| Offer prayers at the temples, visit to the parks and lakes of the city, watching the light and sound show at the Thirumalai Nayak Mahal, shopping at various stores in the city.
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| Shopping in Madurai: |
| Textile and fabrics, Madurai silk and handloom saris, memorabilia made of wood and metal, various handicraft items and ornaments made of gold and silver are the things to look for in the markets and shops of Madurai. There are numerous tailoring shops located outside the Meenakshi temple from where the tourists can get their garments tailored in a short span of time. |
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