MADURAI CITY GUIDE
Madurai
is the second largest city in Tamil Nadu, after Chennai and is one of the
oldest cities in India, over 2,500 years old. Madurai is situated on the banks
of the Vaigai River. The city evokes the glory of a bygone era. A land so
soaked in history that every sculpture in every temple tells a story. A city
with marvellous monuments, places of worship and a fine blend of tradition and
modernity. Come to Madurai to travel down the stream of time. Reference to
Madurai is made in the Indian epic Ramayana and Kautilya's, Arthasastra, making
it one of the oldest cities in the country. Like many other places in Tamil
Nadu, Madurai has a legend. It is said that the Pandya king Kulasekara built a
great temple in a big city for Lord Shiva.
On the day when the lotus city built by the king, was to be named, Lord Shiva
himself, happy with his devotee's gesture, made his divine appearance and
showered the nectar from his matted locks and all over the city. This gave the
city the name Madhurapuri (Madhura means nectar) which became the capital of
the Pandya Kingdom.
The city's visitors list include Marco Polo, who visited this city in 1293 AD.
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.
It is estimated that there are 33 million carvings in the temple. This temple
has some of the best architecture in India. About 10,000 people visit the temple
every day. Around 25,000 people come on Fridays, which is the day sacred to
the Goddess.
The Temple is open daily from 5.00 am to 12.30 pm and from 4.00 pm to 9.30 pm.
Koodal Alagar Temple
This is a very rare kind of Lord Vishnu temple located about 2 km west of
the city. You can see three altars in the temple, one on top of the other, in
which Lord Vishnu is in three different poses: sitting, standing, and reclining.
The main deity of the temple is Koodal Alagar, who is in a sitting posture.
Above the shrine are the altars of Sri Ranganatha, in a reclining pose, and
Sri Surya-Narayan Perumal, in a standing pose. Some of the handiwork especially
the carvings of Lord Rama's coronation is spectacular.
Mariamman Teppakkulam Tank
This huge tank is about 300 m (1000 feet) by 285 m (950 feet) and is located
5 km east of the Meenakshi Temple. The famous Teppam Float Festival takes place
here, during which the deities are taken out on decorated boats in January /
February.
Thirumalai Nayak Palace
This palace is located about one km. south-east of the Sri Meenakshi Temple.
The palace was constructed in a Indo-Saracenic style by Thirumalai Naicker.
A sound and light programme, depicting the story of Thirumalai Nayak and of
Silappathikaram is organised here daily at 6.45 pm.
Azhagarkovil Temple or Alagar Koil
Since the presiding deity is of the temple is Alagar (the beautiful), the
temple is called Alagar Koil. This is an important Vishnu temple, about 18 km
northeast of Madurai, at Alagar Hill. This is one of the most ancient temples
in India and round the temple are ruins of an ancient fortified town. The recently
renovated gopurams of this temple look resplendent.
The Mahabharata says that this temple was visited by both Yudhisthira and Arjuna.
It is said that Koorattalwar, the chief disciple of Ramanuja, regained his eyesight
by worshipping the deity here. Don't miss the 2,000 years old Sudarsana-chakra
in this temple.
Thirupparankunram
This famous Temple is one of Subrahmanya's six sacred abodes. The temple,
which is carved out of a mountain is dedicated to Lord Muruga (Subramanya).
This temple celebrates the God's marriage to Indra's daughter, Devayanai.
Uramellaneyan Temple
The Uramellaneyan Temple is in Tirukkottiyur, about 10 km south of Tirupattur
and 50 km east of Madurai. There are two Deities of Lord Narasimha here. One
shows him chasing Hiranyakasipu, who is trying to elude his grasp and the other
shows him tearing the body of Hiranyakasipu to shreds.