Madurai
This bustling city of over half a million people is one of the oldest cities
of South India and has been a centre of learning and pilgrimage for centuries.
Madurai’s main attraction is the Great Meenakshi Temple, dedicated to the
consort of Lord Shiva with its towering gopurams (rising high above the
surrounding country side) is a fine example of Dravidian architecture covered
from top to bottom with a breathless profusion of multicoloured images of
Gods, Goddesses, animals and mythical figures. The temple’s Hall of Thousand
Pillars is a great feat of structural engineering and the pillars are literally
a great picture-book in stone, featuring the entire gamut of human expression,
from stateliness and grace to lusty humour and ribaldry. Later, visit the
Tirumala Nayak Palace - A gracious building in the Indo saracenic style,
famous for the Stucco work on its domes & arches. Also visit the Alagar
Hills and Tirupara Kundran Rock temple.
Places of Interest
Sri Meenakshi - Sundareswarar Temple
Synonymous with Madurai is the Meenakshi Sundareswarar twin Temple, the
pivot around which the city has evolved. The Meenakshi Temple complex is
literally a city - one of the largest of its kind in India and undoubtedly
one of the oldest too. The temple grew with the contribution of each dynasty
and victorious monarchs, into an enormous complex extending over an area
of 65000 Sq m.
Thirumalai Nayak Palace
About 1.5 Kms from the Meenakshi temple, this palace was built in 1636 by
the ruler whose name it bears. The imposing edifice is famous for the “Stuccowork”
on its domes and impressive arches. The Sorgavilasam (Celestial Pavilion),
measuring 75m x 52m, constructed entirely of brick and mortar without the
support of a single rafter or girder, is a marvel of indo-Saracenic architectural
style. Among other striking features of the palace are the massive white
pillars, several of which line the corridor that runs along the courtyard.
Connected by high decorated arches, these pillars measure 20m in height
and have a circumference of 4m.
Thirupparankundram Temple
It is located 8 Kms South of Madurai Railway Junction. The temple here is
one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya. Its innermost shrine is cut out
of a solid rock.
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