Popular Tourist Attractions in Madurai

You can see Madurai in a day or two, depending on how much you want to see in the second largest city of India. Plan your sightseeing tour to Madurai so that you get to see the most of what the city offers. Famous tourist attractions in Madurai are as follows.

Meenakshi Temple
The cynosure of Madurai, Meenakshi Temple is an ideal destination to begin your excursion in the city. There are no less than 12 Gopurams, and the South Tower is the tallest at 150 ft. The temple surrounding areas are spread over 60, 000 sq.kms. In order to imagine the temple as a whole. Stop by the exquisite model placed in the Thousand pillar halls. The museum is another attraction with lots of paintings, photographs and icons are must-see. The temple itself is an extended art gallery of sorts, with 30 millions pieces of sculptures. Madurai is also revered as one of the five cosmic dance halls of Shiva. [Timings: 5 am-noon, 4-9.30, Still Camera: Rs 25, Video: Not Allowed]

Sundereshwara Shrine
This shrine precedes the Meenakshi in antiquity. It was here that the lord Indra( Hindu god of rain) found a lingam(Shiva's Genital that is reverted by his devotees) by the bank of the lakes , in a forest of Kadamba trees. Today the lake is venerated as Potraamaari Kulam(the Golden Lotus Tank). It presents a lovely sight lines with colonnade of trees. [Note : Give at least two hours to survey this temple.]

Shahnajaf Imambara
Spend time at this place that is just 1.5 kms from Meenakshi Temple. Built ion 1936 the large parts of this palace is an influence of Indo-Islamic architecture with large court yard enduring the rubble of repairs with rare dignity. It is a backdrop for a passable Sound and Light show. [Entry Fee : Rs 10 for moulded Chairs, Rs 5 for folding steel chairs, Timings : English narration 6.45 pm]

Gandhi Museum
The Gandhi Museum, located in the old palace of Rani Mangammal, gives a droll account of the Independence struggle. On view here is also the bloodstained shawl that Gandhi wore when hew as shot dead. [Entry Free : Timings 9 am -1 pm, 2-5, 4.5 pm, Still Camera Rs 5 Video Rs 50.]

Vandiyur Mariamman Teppkulam
About 5 km away from the Meenakshi Temple is the Vandiyur, an artificial reservoir now reduced to a pond built in 17th century. Water is brought from outside and filled in at the time of Teppotsavam, the splendid float festival held in the honour of Meenakshi. The reservoir is the largest construction of its kind in South India.

Popular Shopping Centres In Madurai

Madurai is famous for its bright tie-and-dyed cotton Sungudi saris. The collections at the locally popular Ranee Sarees and Alankar Textiles are fabulous here. Co-optex and Khadi Emporium have dusty shelves and occasionally throw up a surprise. For handicrafts it is the middling Poompuhar Sales Emporiums. At the temple curio shops look for golu dolls -idols of gods and goddesses. Look out for huge mounds of the famous Madurai malli(jasmine).

Eating Out/ Restaurants In Madurai

Murugan Idlis Kadai at the Melamassi Veedhi serves the best idlis in town accompanied by ultra spicy chutney. Avoid their rooftop, the service is abysmal. Arya Bhavan on Melamassi Veedhi is also very popular. It has two eateries which operate and 'By Night'. Modern Restaurant on Old Didigul Road, is the oldest restaurant in Madurai. There are some Gujarati Bhajnalay too. At night, one can catch the gopurams glowing from the Supreme Hotel which is bar and serves a decent a la carte.

How to Reach Madurai (Air/Rail/Road)

Madurai is situated in Tamil Nadu, and is accessible by all means of transport; airway; railways; roadways. Interestingly, the airport and railway station is placed at a comfortable distance of 10 kms and near about. Madurai Junction is connected to all stations except Kolkata. Smooth drive down NH45 and 7 from Chennai leads you to Madurai. To ferry inside the city you can take help of local transport like city buses, taxi, auto-rickshaw and cycle rickshaws.

Madurai Hotel Information

Browse the city only for endless list of accommodation that is offered to suit your needs. If you are after utmost luxury and refinement, you should definitely for hotels run by Fortune Group and the Taj Group of Hotels. Some of the most preferred hotels in Madurai are as follows.
Taj Garden Retreat
» Madura Park Inn
» Pandiyan Hotel
» GRT Regency
» Chettinadu Mansion
» Hotel Sangam
» Hotel Germanus
» Cardamom House