A Report On Madurai
Madurai
Madurai is a temple city located in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu and is one of the most ancient cities in India. Madurai is said to have existed from the pre Christian era.
Madurai, according to scriptures and religious texts, is said to have been established in the Sangam age – the golden age of Tamil literature.
Significance
History records the visit of the Greek philosopher, Megasthanes in the third century BC and was followed by visits by scholars and traders from ancient Greece and Rome. Madurai was the seat of learning during the Sangam era and flourished under the reign of the Pandya dynasty. However, the creation of temples to make Madurai the city of temples as it is known today can be attributed to Thirumalai Nayak who initiated the construction of many magnificient temples around the 15th century.
Attractions
The Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple: This temple dominates the skyline of the city center and Madurai city is built around the Meenakshi Sundareshwar temple which is surrounded by concentric streets believed to symbolize the structure of the cosmos. It is one of the greatest Shiva temples in Tamil Nadu and was built by Kulasekhara, a Pandya king. The temple was built to commemorate the love of Goddess Meenakshi and her groom Sundareshwar.
Thiruparankundram Temple: Located 25 km away from the city, this temple is said to have built to celebrate the wedding of Lord Murugan, the resident deity of Tamil Nadu in many ways, to Devainai. The Thiruparankundram temple is older than the Meenakshi Sundareshwar temple.
Goripalyam Dargah: Built the spot where two famous saints of Islam are buried, Goripalyam Dargah, literally translated, means built on a grave (gor = grave in Persian). Located off the Vaigai river, this dargah is an architectural marvel and boasts of a 70 ft circular dome carved of a single block of stone.
Kazimar Mosque: One of the most ancient mosques that was built by Hazrat Kazi Syed Tajuddin in the 13th century. The Kazimar mosque is situated in the heart of the city.
St. Mary’s Cathedral Church: This is the seat of the archbishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese in Madurai. St. Mary’s Cathedral church is one of the oldest Roman Catholic church in India. The church is situated very close to Thirumalai Nayak Bhavan, another popular tourist attraction.
Azhagar Temple: Located about 25 km from the city the Azhagar temple is a shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The enshrined deity however, is Lord Kallazhagar.
How to Reach
Catch a plane and land at the Madurai airport which is a mere 9 km from the city centre. Madurai station is a major junction on the southern line and is also one of the busiest. The city is well connected by road with Chennai and all other major cities in India.
