Madurai is a vibrant city located on the banks of the River Vaigai in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Known as the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu, With a rich history dating back over 2,500 years, Madurai is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Madurai is an ideal example of unity in diversity. With people following different religions and no clash amongst communities. It’s also closely associated with the Tamil language and has been an important centre for Tamil culture and learning, hosting the third Tamil Sangam, a major congregation of Tamil scholars. The city is famous for its historical monuments & architectural marvels are a testament to the city’s glorious past and are major attractions for both pilgrims and tourists. Madurai’s culture is rich and diverse, with numerous festivals celebrated throughout the year like Chithirai Festival (April/May), Kallazhagar Festival, Float Festival (Theppa Thiruvizha), Jallikattu (Taming the Bull) & more throughout the year, adding to the city’s charm and attracting visitors from all over the world. Madurai is often referred to as “Thoonga Nagaram,” which means “the city that never sleeps,” highlighting its bustling nature and vibrant nightlife. The city’s economy is diverse, ranging from agriculture and textile industries to software services and hospitality. The city’s cuisine is also well-known, offering a variety of delicious traditional Tamil dishes that reflect its cultural heritage. To sum up, Madurai is a city that beautifully blends its historical significance with modern vibrancy, making it a unique and fascinating destination in India.

Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple is a historic temple that lies near the Vaigai River in the heart of Madurai city, in Tamil Nadu . The temple is dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi and her husband, Sundareshwar. This temple is a theologically and culturally significant temple for Hindus. The goddess Meenakshi is the principal deity of the temple, unlike most Shiva temples in South India where Shiva is the principal deity. Situated on the southern bank of the Vaigai River, the temple forms the lifeline of the 2500-year-old city of Madurai. The temple is renowned for its stunning Dravidian architecture, featuring towering gopurams (gateway towers) adorned with thousands of colorful and intricate carvings. Sri Meenakshi shrine, Swami Sundareswarar Shrine, Golden Lotus Tank, Kambathadi Mandapam, Thousand Pillared Hall are all inside the temple to visit. The temple is famous for its vibrant festivals, especially the Chithirai Thiruvizha, which celebrates the divine marriage of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar. The temple’s history is deeply intertwined with the city’s culture and it continues to be a central part of the people in the city.

Arulmigu Murugan Temple, Thiruparankundram is a Tamil temple, dedicated to the god Murugan (also known as Kartikeya and Murugan) is located 8 km from Madurai railway station. It is regarded as one of the “six Abodes of Murugan”. The temple is built in rock-cut architecture and believed to have been built by the Pandyas during the 6th century & the life sized sculptures in the mandapas of the Nayaka period during the 16th century. One of the best times to visit this temple is during the the Kantha Sashti festival during the Tamil month of Aippasi (October – November) is the most prominent.

Sri Kall Azhagar temple, one of the Divyadesams, is in Azhagar kovil at the foot of Azhagar malai, 21 km northeast of Madurai. Known as Dakshina Tirupati, this ancient temple, with the mountains in the backdrop, is in picturesque surroundings. Azhar koil gets its name from the presiding deity, Azhagar (the handsome), an aspect of Lord Vishnu is regarded as the brother of Sri Meenakshi, an incarnation of Sri Parvati. The moolavar, Azhagar, or Kallazhagar, is in the standing posture, Azhagar koil is famous for its nine-day festival during Chitra Pournami (April/May) which is associated along with celestial wedding of Sri Meenakshi with Sri Sundareswarar in Madurai chithirai festival. The shrine is know as Alagarkoil and the hill, Solaimalai. The temple also contain some beautiful carvings and makes the visit rewarding. Palamuthirsolai, one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya is located atop the Hill. Pazhamudir Solai is a most sacred temples of Lord Muruga – also known as Arumugam, Karthikeya, Skanda and Kumara and is the sixth Aarupadai Veedu. Saint poet Nakkeerar, in his songs in praise of Lord Senthil Andavar, places Pazhamudir -cholai in the sixth place amongst the six battle places( Arupadaiveedu ) that Lord Muruga has fought to win over evil. This shrine is located on a hill adjacent to the Kallazhagar Temple the outskirts of Madurai.

Thirumalai Nayak Palace is a 17th-century palace erected in 1636 CE by King Tirumala Nayaka, a king of Madurai’s Nayak dynasty who ruled city of Madurai, India from 1623 to 1659, The palace was divided into two major parts, namely Swarga Vilasam (Celestial Pavilion) and Ranga Vilasam. Among other striking features of the palace are the massive white pillars, several of which line the corridor that runs along the courtyard. Connected by high decorated arches, these pillars measure 20 m in height and have a circumference of 4m.

Gandhi Memorial Museum, established in 1959, Years  after the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi in 1948 located in the city of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the five Gandhi Sangrahalaya (Gandhi Museums) in the country. This museum was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on 15 April 1959. The palace of Rani  Mangammal was renovated and converted into the Museum. The museum  has a part of Blood –Stained garment worn by Gandhi when he was assassinated by Nathuram Godse & an Original letter written personally by Gandhi to Narayanan Satsangi of Devakottai. Another  interesting letter is the one which is written by Gandhi  to Adolf Hitler addressing  him as “Dear Friend” was here too.There are 124 rare photographs depicting various phases of Gandhi  from his childhood days until being taken to the crematorium. will be open during 10 AM to 1 PM again 2 PM to 5.45 PM except friday.

Vandiyur Mariamman temple an ancient temple is located close to river Vaigai, in the east of Madurai, at a distance of 3 kms from the World-fame Meenakshi temple. Although Mariamman Shrine is the prime shrine, the temple has also goddess Pechi Amman and Lord Ganesh beside a Peepul tree. The moolavar here is Mari Amman and the sacred water is the theppakulam. Built in 1645 AD during  the rule of thirumalai nayak, this temple pond is surrounded by granite steps on all the four sides while  in the middle a Vigneshwara temple is located, which is dedicated to lord Ganesha. Mariamman Teppakulam is famous for the celebrations of the Float festival called “Theppotsavam”, which is celebrated in the Tamil month of Thai (Jan/Feb). In commemorating the birth of the King Thirumalai Nayak, float festival is celebrated. The celebrations take place on a full moon night and the pristine water turns colourful due to the lightings. The idols of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar, the deities of the Meenakshi temple, come down to the tank in colourful floats, presenting a mesmerizing sight. Pilgrims across India come to Madurai to participate in the festival.

Arulmigu Koodal alagar Temple is the 47th Divya Desam among the 108 Divya Desams of Vaishnavism dedicated to Vishnu, who is worshipped as Viyooga Sundarrajan,and his consort Lakshmi as Madhuravalli. In this temple the Lord can be seen in three levels (Sitting, standing and lying postures) and also possesses the rarest of the rare Ashtanga Vimana (eight storied tower). The temple  is originally  believed  to be built by the Pandyas, with later additions by the Vijayanagara empire and Madurai Nayaks kings who commissioned pillared halls  and major shrines of the temple during the 16^th century.

Immailum Nanmai  Tharuvar  thirukovil  is located in the central part of the Madurai city, at the intersection of south masi road – Mela masi road. This is one of the very few rare Shiva temples where lord Shiva and Ambal are seen in the inner karbhagraha of the temple. The lord here was Suyambu one, means created by Lord Shiva himself.

Thirumohoor Kalamegaperumal Temple is one of the 108 divya desams. In this temple Lord Vishnu is worshipped as Neelamega Perumal with his divine consort Goddess Lakshmi as Thirukannapuram Nayagi. Located only 12 km from Madurai city. The present structure of this temple with various additions was built during the rule of Madurai Nayaks. The most attractive feature of this shrine is the Sudarshan Chakra of the Lord Chakrathazhwar in front with 16 hands, each with a different weapon.

Samanar Hills is a rocky stretch of  hills located near keelakuyilkudi village, 10 kilometers west of Madurai city, Tamil Nadu, India. These rocky hills are home to many Jain and Hindu Monuments. The hills has been declared as a protected monument by the Archaeological  Survey of India. Sculptures  of Gomateshwara, Mahavira, Yakshi and Yaksha, Settipodavu and Pechipallam are the major  attractions of this hill. As per archaeologists, these caves have more than 2000 year old Tamil Brahmin  inscriptions as well as Vatteluttu  writings.