Madurai

During our last vacation to India, we visited Madurai.  We have never been to Madurai before.  So it was fascinating.  Some facts about Madurai.

 

Madurai is more than 2500 years old.

 

It is the 2nd largest city in Tamil Nadu, next only to Chennai. (Sorry Coimbatore. You may be the 2^nd largest metropolitan city.)

 

It is said that once it was the seat of Tamil learning.

This city was planned and built in shape of a lotus. (BJP influence? No no. Not 2500 years ago.)

 

There are so many tourist attractions.  Since we stayed only for 2 days, we could visit only 4 places. 

 

Meenakshiamman Temple.  It is believed Lord Indra constructed this temple.  This temple was destroyed by Malik Kafur.  It was rebuilt by the second Nayak King, Thirumalai Nayak, in 1623.  It was in the list of top 30 nominees for the “new 7 wonders of the world”.

 

Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal.  This palace was built around 1626 AD by King Thirumalai Nayak. Architecture is a combination of Dravidian and Islamic styles.  There is a light and sound show in the evening narrating the story of Silappathikaram, both in Tamil and English languages.  We were kind of disappointed because we had too much expectations.  We somehow thought it would be something similar to Musical Fountain show in Akshardham in New Delhi.

 

Aayiram Kaal Mandapam (1000 Pillar Hall).  This was built in 1569. An engineering marvel.  It is said each pillar, when struck, produced different musical notes.  Over the years it has lost that ability.

 

Murugan Temple in Thiruparamkundram.  This is the first and foremost temple for Lord Muruga in India.  This is the first veedu (camp) of Lord Muruga’s Aarupadaiveedu   Aarupadaiveedu means six battle camps for Lord Muruga.

Finally, how can you leave Madurai without drinking Jigarthanda.  I am told it means cooling of heart.  Very famous in Madurai.  It is supposed to cool your body and heart during summer.  So we ordered not one but 2 large glasses for each of us.  Tasted good. I don’t know if it cooled our body and heart.  But it sure did raise our sugar level.

 

Here are a few photos.  (I could not take any photo inside Meenakhamman Temple and Aayiram Kaal Mandapam because the week before our visit, there was some bomb blast in Hyderabad.  Therefore, they prohibited any camera temporarily for 10 days.  If they banned cameras permanently I can live with it.  I do not understand the logic of temporarily banning cameras in Madurai for 10 days as a result of a bomb blast in Hyderabad.)

There is a saying in Tamil “Kumbakonathil idi idithaal Kutralathil mazhai peyyum”.  In my English translation, I will change the names of the cities for betting understanding.  Here goes: If there is a thunder in Ahmedabad, it will rain in Allahabad.  Same way – Bomb blast in Hyderabad, ban cameras for just 10 days in Madurai.  That too, only during our visit.

King Thirumalai Nayak

 

Meenakshiamman Temple 

 

 

Entrance to the Mahal (Palace)

 

 

 

King's Throne

 

Palace Museum Central Hall 

 

Tools used 100,000 years ago 

 

10th Century Thematic Sculpture

 

Palm Leaf Manuscripts

 

Evening Light & Sound Show

 

Aayiram Kaal Mandapam (1000 Pillar Hall)

Kind Courtesy of www.photostrophe.com 

 

Murugan Temple -  Thiruparamkundram

 

 

Our Jigarthanda 

 

PS: I want to thank Mr. Ragu Lakshminaarayanan of www.photostrophe.com for allowing me to use his photo of Aayiram Kaal Mandapam.