More than 2500 years old ancient city, situated on the banks of the river Vaigai. Madurai is believed to have b Loeen built by the Pandyan King Kulasekara. Legend has it that drops of Maduram (nectar) fell fromrd 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 200 year old reign of the Nayakas marked the golden era when art, architecture and learning scaled new heights.
The Pandiyan rulers made Madurai their capital and ruled from here for 4 centuries till the 10 th century AD when the Cholas took over briefly before handing it back to the Pandiyans who late lost it to the invading Muslims led by Malik Kaufer.In the 14 th century the Hindu Vijayanagar kings of Hampi captured Madurai.In the 16 th century, the Nayaks took over and it was during the glorious reign of Tirumalai Nayak (1623-1655) that Madurai become the cultural centreof the Tamils, playing a pivotal role in the development of the Tamil language.
The Meenakshi Temple in the heart of the old town is the supreme attraction here. A rightfully flamboyant example of Dravidian architecture it has gopurams covered from top to bottom with vibrant images of deities, animals and mythical figures. Its magnetism lures pilgrims and tourists here in hundred of thousands, and it is estimated that on an average not less than 10,000 visit here every day. Today Madurai is a lively bustling city and an important commercial hub of Tamil Nadu popular with travels too.
South Indian tour package Itinerary
Chennai – Kanchipuram – Mahabalipuram – Thanjavur – Madurai – Periyar – Backwaters – Cochin