Madurai is the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Madurai district. Situated at a distance of roughly 250 KMs from Kanyakumari, Madurai can be reached swiftly within 4 hours driving at handsome speeds on the fabulous 8 lane NH44. A Madurai day trip has plenty to cover as well - considering Madurai being known as 'Thoonga Nagaram', meaning the 'city that never sleeps'. One of the world's longest-living cities is Madurai. It's easy to feel as though you've gone back in time while strolling through the busy streets of Pudhu Mandapam, as vendors yell out to you and entice you to purchase renowned Madurai cotton sarees and intricately carved brassware.
Itinerary of our South India trip:
When we began our journey, we had close to 1700 KMs to travel over 5 days. Having covered places like Tiruvannamalai, Thanjavur, Rameswaram & Kanyakumari, it was finally time for the return to the comfort of our home in Bangalore. However, we couldn't afford to miss the famous Meenakshi Amman temple located in Madurai - which incidentally was right on the way back. So Madurai formed the last leg of our journey in the epic South India journey.
Day 1: Bangalore to Tiruvannamali & Thanjavur Day 2: Rameshwaram sightseeing Day 3: Kanyakumari sightseeing Day 4: Madurai sightseeing Day 5: Return to Bangalore
Top 4 things to do at Madurai:
1. Visit the Meenakshi Amman Temple
The Meenakshi Amman Temple is over 2,500 years old. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Meenakshi, who is an avatar of Goddess Parvati. The temple is open every day from 9 am to 7 pm and it is at a distance of 1 km from the city’s centre. Normal entry to the temple is free of cost, but special/VIP entry costs ₹50 to ₹100. The temple has fourteen gopurams with exquisite artistry on its walls. The Meenakshi Temple is not only a great place for worshippers but also for tourists to witness the great artistic roots of Madurai. The 17th-century Meenakshi Temple is a must-see South Indian temple and the focal point of Madurai. Apparently, the city was built around the Shiva lingam that's inside the temple's inner sanctum. The temple complex covers an extensive 15 acres, including the Hall of a Thousand Pillars and 14 towers that can be seen from across the city. You could easily spend days in there as it's a "living temple" with a lot going on (including a constant stream of couples waiting to be married in its corridors). It's worth going to the temple once in the morning and again in the evening for the night ceremony. Do account for a minimum of 3-4 hours while visiting to enjoy the entire temple properly.
2.Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal
The Thirumalai Nayakar palace was built in 1636 AD in the city of Madurai by King Thirumalai Nayak. This palace reflects a perfect blend of Italian and Rajput architectural styles. This palace was declared a national monument after independence. The Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal continues to be one of the most spectacular monuments in India. The magnificent palace is located in the vicinity of the Meenakshi Amman Temple. The palace's distinguishing feature is its pillars and there are more than 240 of them. Sadly, only a quarter of the original structure is intact. This consists of the entrance hall, courtyard, dance hall, and audience hall. The palace was even used as a district court during the rule of the British and continued as such until 1970. There's a sound and light show every evening that tells the ancient Tamil love story Silappathikaram, which can be seen in Tamil or in English.
3. Go Shopping at Puthu Mandapam
Opposite Meenakshi Temple's east tower is the cavernous 17th-century pillared entrance hall, Puthu Mandapam. Venture inside to find rows of tailors and stalls selling fabric, scarves, jewelry, fashion accessories, handicrafts, and artwork. You can get good-quality clothes made there including decent replicas of temple garb.
4. Feast on South Indian Food
If you want to taste the best South Indian food in town, renowned Murugan Idli Shop on West Masi Street is the place! This restaurant is simple and unpretentious. with a focus on food rather than decor. Apart from idli and dosa, the highlight is their special blend of spicy chutney powder. It's ordered separately, along with oil to mix it with.
With our hearts full, we started for our hometown Bangalore from Madurai the next day. The last leg of the journey was a pretty eventful ending to the epic South India trip. With memories plenty, we return home content from the architectural brilliance on show in India!
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