Madurai

Being mentioned in all holy books, scriptures and folklore, this temple town is one of the most ancient human settlements of India. It has been a centre of learning and pilgrimage, for centuries. Legend has it, that the divine nectar falling from Lord Shiva's locks, gave the city its name - Madhurapuri, now known as Madurai.

Madurai's history dates back to over 2000 years ago, when it was the capital of the Pandyan kings. In the 10th century AD, Madurai was captured by the Chola emperors. It remained in their hands, until the Pandyans regained their independence in the 12th century, only to lose it to the Muslim invaders under Malik Kafur, a general in the service of the Delhi Sultanate. Malik Kafur's dynasty was overthrown by the Hindu Vijaynagar kings of Hampi. After the fall of Vijayanagar, in 1565, the Nayaks ruled Madurai until 1781 AD.

The Nayaks were great patrons of Tamil learning, art and architecture. They not only preserved the work of the earlier kings but also enriched their tradition. During the rule of the Nayaks, the bulk of the Meenakshi temple was built, the main attraction for visitors, today. Madurai passed on to the East India Company in 1781, and in 1840, the Company razed the fort which had previously surrounded the city, and filled in the moat. Four streets, the Veli streets, which were constructed on top of the fill, till today, define the limits of the old city.

Places of tourist interest

Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple
This is a twin temple. The temple in the southern side is dedicated to Sri Meenakshi the consort of lord Sundareswarar (Shiva) and the other to lord Sundareswarar. This is one of the biggest temple complexes of India. The temple is about 258 meters in length and about 241.4 meters in breadth. Of the five Gopuras (towers) that surround the 48.8 meters high southern tower is the tallest. The towers are noted for stueccowork.

The temple art museum
This museum located in the 1,000-pillar hall contains a good collection of objects of interest relating to the temple art and architecture.

Puthu Mandapam
This Mandapam built by Thirumalai Nayak stands between the eastern tower and the unfinished raya Gopuram. This hall is noted for beautiful sculptures.

Raya Gopuram
The base of an unfinished Gopuram may still be seen to the east wing of Puthu Mandapam. Had it been completed it would have been completed it would have been the tallest man-made structure ever created in Africa, Asia or Europe