Madurai travel

General info

More than 2500 years old ancient city, situated on the banks of the river Vaigai Madurai is believed to have been built by the Pandyan King Kulasekara. Legend has it that drops of Maduram (nectar) fell from Lord Shiva's locks when he came to bless its people for constructing a temple for him. Madurai's history can be divided into four periods, beginning over 2000 years ago, when it was the capital of the Pandyan Kings. Apart from a brief period it fell to the Cholas, Madurai remain with Pandyan till the decline of the empire. The 200year old reign of the Natakas marked the golden era when art, architecture and learning scaled new heights.

Travel info Getting there & nearer places

Places to Eat Vegetarian Foods
New College House : It has a popular dinning hall and the thalis are good value.

Aryan Bhawan : On the corner of west Masi St. and Dindigul Rd, does astoundingly large dosa.

Surya Restaurant : On the roof of the Hotel Supreme, has a superb view and catches any breeze. It serves Indian, Chinese and continental vegetarian food in the evening only ( 5 pm to midnight ). It's also open for breakfast from 6 to 11 am.

Non-Vegetarian Foods
Ruby Resataurant:Next to Ruby lodge on the west Perumal Maisury St, is the only garden restaurant in Madurai. Delicious non-veg food is served and the menu makes good reading. You could choose a mutton bullet, a mutton lever or a chicken lollipop but the tandoori items are the best. It's a popular place for a drink and stays open until after midnight.
Temple View Roof Top Restaurant

In the Hotel Park Plaza, serves non-veg dishes with the same view as the Surya, a few doors down. Chicken garlic fry and several other good value vegetarian dishes are also there.

Taj Garden Retreat : It is the place to go for a splurge. There are excellent a la Carte meals in the multi-cuisine restaurant. On Saturday and Sunday evenings there's special buffet.

Excursions Thirumohur

It is just 10 km away from Madurai. It has its legendry origin in the distant mythological past when Devas and Asuras churned the ocean to get Amritham (nectar), a sip of which ensure immortality . When the pot of nectar emerged Lord Vishnu, in the form of beautiful Mohini , took it away and while the Asuras mesmerized by her beauty, Vishnu distributed the nectar among the Devas.

Azhgar Koil

21 km away from Madurai, it has a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu . On the festive day, the image of Azhgar is taken in a procession to the river Vaiga to participate in the marriage of Meenakshi and Sundareswara.

Kodaikanal

(120 km) Situated at an altitude of over 700 feet on the Palani hills of the western ghats, Ko- daikanal is a beautiful and unspoilt hill station of Tamil Nadu. Kodai has more sunshine than any other Indian hill station . STAR SHAPED 24 hectare lake is set amidst the sylvan serenity of wooded slopes. The BYRANT park lies near the lake and has 325 species of trees and shrubs. Green Valley view offers some unforgettable spectacles of the hill resort and a beautiful view of the Vaigai Dam. PILLAR ROCKS is a panoramic spot with vertical rock boulders towering over 121 meters. The SHENBAGANUR museum has an splendid collection of Orchids. One of the world's oldest solar observatories built in 1899 is situated in Kodai.

Courtallam

(160 km) Courtallam is situated at an elevation of about 16.7 meters on western ghats. Some of the most important falls in Courtallam are Peraruvi ( main fall), Chitraruvi ( small fall), Shenbaga Devi falls, Thenaryvi ( Honey falls), Aintharuvi ( five falls), Puli Aruvi ( Tiger fall) Pazhaya Courtallam (old fall), Puthu Aruvi( new falls) and the Pazhathotta Aruvi ( fruit garden fall) .These water falls are said to have medicinal properties as they run through a herbs forest . A bath in them has a soothing tonic effect on the entire physical system . The main fall is formed by a sharp three stage drop of about 91 meters high and is flood - lit for bathing at night.

Sightseeing Meenakshi Temple, Tirumalai Nayak Mahal, Gandhi Museum, Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam & more....

Shopping

What to buy & specialities of Madurai.

More Information of Tamil Nadu

Festivals Pongal

The four-day Harvest festival is celebrated all over the state in January. The festival begins on the last day of the Tamil month with Bhogi Pongal followed by Surya Pongal on the next day. It is on this day that Chakkara Pongal, a delicacy of harvest rice cooked with jaggery, ghee and cashew nuts is offered to the Sun God. The third day, Mattu Pongal is dedicated to the Cattle when cows are bathed and adomed with colourful beads and flowers. Jallikattu, the bullfight is held on the last day known as Kannum Pongal.

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