• Area 109 km2
• Location 9° 55" 59'N, 78° 7" 0'E
• Languages -Tamil, Sourashtra, English
• Attractions - Meenakshi Temple, Palace etc.

Madurai - The Athens of the East!
The great part of Madurai City is on the right bank of the river Vaigai. The old city is at a height of 330 feet (99.99) metres above sea - level. Its area is about eight and a half squire miles. It has a population of about five lakhs of people. Every day, about ten thousand people from outside Visit this holy city. Madurai is an important railway junction. It is about 305 miles (491 kilometres) south - west of MADRAS.

Madurai is one the oldest cities in South India. all through the centuries, it has withstood many calamities. The Muslim invaders could not destroy the famous Meenakshi Temple and the other monuments of Madurai. From the immemorial, this city has a seat of learning and culture. Dravidian culture and civilization flourished in this great city for more than two thousand years. Many scholars from all over India come to study the Tamil Academy (Sangam) at Madurai. Even today the Tamil Sangam has been doing much useful services. The tamil sangam was the testing ground for the tamil poets. Recognition by the tamil sangam was considered a tribute to one's learning.

The passage of time has not dimmed the glory of Madurai. The city's connections with the past are still preserved. Its link with tradition is not broken. Madurai is a treasure-chest for the foreigner who is keen on knowing about the religious life and traditions of the Hindus. There are few such cities in India.

Tourist Attraction in Madurai

Sree Meenakshi Temple:
It is one of the most prominent among the temples of Madurai. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva who was known here as Sundareshvara and his wife Parvati or Meenakshi. This temple was built by Kulasekara Pandya and the most impressive feature of this temple is the 12 gopurams. It also has soaring towers that stand on the granite bases and have stucco figures of deities, mythical animals and monsters tinted in vibrant colors.

Thirumalai Nayak Palace:
It is a magnificent palace that was built by King Thirumalai Nayak with valuable assistance of an Italian architect in the year 1636. The palace had two parts known as Swargavilasa and Rangavilasa. You will come across theatre, shrine, apartments, armory, palanquin place, royal bandstand, quarters, pond and garden while taking a stroll inside this imposing palace.

Gandhi Museum:
This is the most distinguished among the tourist attractions in Madurai and is a living memorial of Mahatma Gandhi. This museum houses photos, paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, quotations, and some articles that were used by him.

Mariamman Teppakulam:
It is also among one of the many things to watch in Madurai and is located at a distance of 5 km to the east of Meenakshi temple. There is a tank having an idol of Vinayaka which is located on a platform in the centre. It is also a venue of the temple's annual Teppakulam float festival which is celebrated with huge zeal and excitement.

Thirupparankunram:
Tirupparankundram is famous for the Pandyan rock-cut shrines that date back to the 8th century that later came to be known as the Nayaka Hindu temple. You will find a wide range of Hindu deities carved on the walls on your visit to this temple. Located on the top a hill, people believe that it is one of six abodes of Lord Subramanya.

How To Reach Madurai

• By Air
  For the foreign tourists dropping in to Madurai, Chennai is the nearest airport from where Madurai is easily accessible by road as well as air transport. Madurai also has an airport that connects Chennai and Mumbai and other nearby destinations of south India through the efficient services of the flights operated Indian Airlines, Vayudoot and East West Airlines.
  
  
• By Train
  Chennai is the major railway station that connects the important cities of India through the vast rail network. You can get the services of super fast and express trains that make access to Madurai very easy. You can get the regular services of the trains that link the important south Indian towns of Coimbatore, Chennai, Rameswaram and Kanyakumari.