Madurai is South India’s great town celebrated for its temples like the Sree Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple. Located in Tamil Nadu, near the banks of Vaigai, Madurai has had an importance place in the Tamil cultural history as the host of the cultural groups called sangams that created many classics of Tamil literature. It was famous for trade and art even from the early 7th century. The present day Madurai is famous for religion as well culture.
Madurai got its name from the Tamil word “mathuram” that means sweetness. This name came from a legend that Lord Shiva appeared here on the day a temple was to be consecrated to him. According to legend, the drops of nectar that dripped from his hair gave Madurai its name. The key attractions for the traveller in Madurai are the Meenakshi temple, The Thirumalai Naicker Palace and The Gandhi Museum.
Sree Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple is one of the oldest temple complexes in India and is more than 2000 years old. The twin temple has Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati as the deities, though here they are known as Sundareswarar and Meenakshi respectively. The two shrines of the deities are surrounded by large gateways, halls and towers. One special feature is the Hall of Thousand Pillars that has ornate and life-like sculptures.
The Palace of the Thirumalai Naicker was built in 1636 by a ruler of that name and later restored by Lord Napier in 1872. This building, designed in the Indo-Saracenic architectural style has massive white pillars and a huge pavilion called the Swarga Vilasam. The light and sound shows held at the Palace narrate the history of King Thirumalai and his love of art and his devotion towards his subjects.
The Gandhi Museum is located in the old palace of Queen Mangammal. It has a gallery of pictures belonging to Gandhi, the freedom struggle and the Gandhian movement as well as a collection of relics and handicrafts.
Madurai got its name from the Tamil word “mathuram” that means sweetness. This name came from a legend that Lord Shiva appeared here on the day a temple was to be consecrated to him. According to legend, the drops of nectar that dripped from his hair gave Madurai its name. The key attractions for the traveller in Madurai are the Meenakshi temple, The Thirumalai Naicker Palace and The Gandhi Museum.
Sree Meenakshi-Sundareswarar Temple is one of the oldest temple complexes in India and is more than 2000 years old. The twin temple has Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati as the deities, though here they are known as Sundareswarar and Meenakshi respectively. The two shrines of the deities are surrounded by large gateways, halls and towers. One special feature is the Hall of Thousand Pillars that has ornate and life-like sculptures.
The Palace of the Thirumalai Naicker was built in 1636 by a ruler of that name and later restored by Lord Napier in 1872. This building, designed in the Indo-Saracenic architectural style has massive white pillars and a huge pavilion called the Swarga Vilasam. The light and sound shows held at the Palace narrate the history of King Thirumalai and his love of art and his devotion towards his subjects.
The Gandhi Museum is located in the old palace of Queen Mangammal. It has a gallery of pictures belonging to Gandhi, the freedom struggle and the Gandhian movement as well as a collection of relics and handicrafts.
