Madurai is Tamil Nadu’s culturally most active city. It is also a very popular travel destination for visitors to India. Situated on the banks of River Vaigai. Madurai has a rich cultural heritage passed on from the great Tamil era more than 2500 years old. Madurai was an important cultural and commercial centre even as early as 530 AD. It was the capital city for the great Pandya kings.
Alagarkoil : About 21 kms north east of Madurai, stands a celebrated Vishnu Temple dedicated to Lord Alagar. The temple is situated on a hill amidst panoramic surroundings. The shrine is known as Alagarkoil and the hill, Solaimalai. The temple also contains some beautiful carvings and makes the visit rewarding. Pazhamudhirsolai, one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya is located atop the hill. Ph: 0452 – 2468228.
Athisayam Theme Park: A water Theme Park situated at Madurai – Dindigul Road at PARAVAI, matter of 15 kms from from Madurai. Entrance Free: Rs.200/- for Adults and For Children: Rs150/- Contact: 0452 – 2463848 – 51.
Gandhi Museum: Housed in the old Palace of Rani Mangammal, the Gandhi Museum depicts the highlights of the freedom struggle and contains a picture gallery of the Gandhian movement. Also can be seen are a gallrey of relics, khadi and village industries section and South Indian Handicrafts section. Visiting Hours: 10a.m to 1 p.m & 2 p.m to 5.45 p.m (Open all days) Ph: 0542 – 2531060
Govt. Museum: The Govt. Museum, situated within the premises of the Gandhi Museum Complex, was established durning the 5th World Tamil Conference (1981). Visiting Hours: 10 a.m . to 1 p.m & 2 p.m to 6 p.m Every Friday and 2nd Saturday of each month are Holidays. Ph: 0452 – 2652822.
Koodal Azhagar Temple: This ancient and acclaimed Vaishnavite Temple is noted for its remarkable architectural and sculputal mangnificence. The Lord here is in the sitting (Asana), standing (Sthanaka) and reclining (Sayana) postures – all enshrined in one vertical plane. Ph: 0452 – 2338542.
Kochadai Village Deity Temple: It is located 5kms from Periyar Bus Stand. This temple village deity “Ayyanar” attract thousands of devotees from all over Madurai District. It is believed that those who proxy to this deity receive blessing of health and wealth.
Kutladampatti waterfalls: It is located 36 KMs from Periyar bus stand on the way to Kodaikanal. An amusement park lies in a hill called “Sirumalai “with a natural beauty 7 KMs away from K utladampattai near Vadipatti village. The heights of the falls 87 feets. During holidays and festive days 1000 of domestic tourists take bath and enjoy the natural beauty. Near this falls a 500-year –old temple dedicated to Goddess Thadagai n Nachiamman is there.
Meenakshi Temple: Just one Kilometer distance from Bus Stand. The Temple is dedicated to Meenakshi. The lovely consort of Lond Shiva. The original temple was built by Kulasekara Pandya, but the entire credit for making. The temple as splendid as it is today goes to the Nayaks. The Nayaks ruled Madurai from the 16th to the 18th century and left a majestic imprint of their rule in theMeenakshi- Sundareswarar Temple. Temple Towers There is 12 temple towers (Gopurams). The outer towers are the landmarks of Madurai.
Pazhamudhir Cholai: Pazhamudhir Cholai is situated 2 Kilometers away from Alagar Koil on a small hillock. This is one of the six abodes of Lord Muruga.
Rajaji Park: A recreation park owned and maintained by the Corporation of Madurai, located near Corporation office (Anna Maaligai). Timings 10.00 a.m to 08.00 p.m. open all days, Entrance fee: Rs.1/-per head. No tickets for children below 3 years. Ph: 0452-2531012.
Ramakrishna Math: Ramakrishna Math, Madurai is a branch of the world renowned Ramakrishna math and Ramakrishna Mission with its Head Quarters at Belur and Howrah. Ph: 2530521
Sri Aravindar Annual Trust Meditation Center: It is 10 KMs south of Madurai Junction at Thirunagar 6th stop. It is dedicated to realize the ideal of Sri Aravindar and Sri Annai. It is one of the oldest places of meditaion. Visting and Meditation Hours at 4:30g and Meditation Hours at 4:30p.m to 08.30p.m daily. Ph 0452 – 2300556, 2484341.
Thirumohur Temple: A Vishu temple located 20 kms from Madurai and 3 KMs from Othakkadai. The Main deity of this temple is “Kalamega Perumal” and Sembagavalli Sudharsana or Chakramis powerful deity in this temple. ph: 0452 – 2423227.
Thiruvathavur : A Siva Temple located 25KMs from Madurai and 5KMs from Othakkadai. The presiding deity of this temple is Siva and Parvathi. This is the birth place of Saivit Saint Manikka Vasagar.
Thirumalai Nayak Mahal :This Palace was built in 1636 by king Thirumali Nayak with the help of an Italian Archietct. The building we seen today is the main Palace where king lived. The orginal Palace Complex was four times bigger than the structure. This palace consisted of mainly two parts, namely Swargavilasa and Rangavilasa .He conducted daily dance and music performances in the palace. This palace was destroyed by his grandson Chokkanatha Nayakand valuables were transferred to other places. It can be visited from 9am to5pm on payment. Ph: 0452-2332945.
Thiruparamkundram: 8 Kms from Madurai. The temple here is dedicated to Lord Subrmanya and is one of six abodes of the Lord. Its inner –most shrines is cut out of a solid rock.Ph:0452-2482248.
Vandiyur Mariamman Temple: This is a huge temple tank about 5 km cast of the Meenakshi temple. The mandapam in the centre has an idol of Vigneshwara (Vinayaka). It is said to have been found when the earth was being dug out from here to build the Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal. So, the place attained sancity and was converted into a teppkulam (tank), Ph: 0452 – 2312256.