Madurai is a place where spirituality embraces the visitors. The city is full of iconic temples that are popular for their spiritual essence. These temples are a testament to the spiritual devotion of the city, which attracts tourists and spiritual seekers from all over the country. If you are looking to immerse yourself in the spiritual essence of the city, you must visit this place once. However, the city is not only worth exploring for spiritual seekers but for tourists as well. If you are a tourist, you will find many tranquil hilly regions here.
Top Tourist Attractions in Madurai
Meenakshi Amman Temple
Situated on the Vaigai River, the Meenakshi Amman temple was constructed between 1623 and 1655. The temple is quite popular for its spellbinding architecture. It is dedicated to Parvati and her spouse, Lord Shiva. One of the most striking features of the temple is its beautiful façade. This structure is built according to the Shilpa Shastra. It has 14 gateway towers, holy shrines, and sanctums that are dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi. Every day, devotees in large numbers visit this temple to explore its beauty and wonderful architecture.
Meenakshi Amman Temple is the perfect example of Dravidian architecture, which is known for its large gopurams. The 14 towers of the temple have many colorful stone statues that depict gods, demons, and animals on the walls of the temple. These towers are repaired every twelve years.
Vaigai Dam
This is a famous man-made dam in Madurai, which is built over the River Vaigai. Constructed in the year 1959, the dam provides water to the people for drinking and irrigation. This site is full of visitors who come here to enjoy their time with their friends and family members. You can spend your full day here, as the view of the surroundings is mesmerizing. Enjoying the beautiful sunrises here will make your day. In the evening, the dam is illuminated, which lends it a beautiful look. There is also a beautiful garden on the other side of the dam known as Little Brindavan. It houses a variety of plants and flowers. You can also find a play area where your children can enjoy themselves.
Alagar Koil
Azhagar Kovil is a famous temple near Madurai, located at the foothills of the Alagar Hills. It is a key stop on many Madurai tours and draws both pilgrims and tourists. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, known here as Lord Kallazhagar. Its ancient architecture and scenic surroundings make it one of the top attractions in Madurai. Visitors come for its calm atmosphere and rich heritage. During festivals, the temple becomes even more lively. Azhagar Kovil offers a peaceful escape just outside the busy city.
Samanar Hills
Situated in Keelakuyilkudi, the Samanar hills are a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of big cities. The Archaeological Survey of India has declared them as protected monuments. The hills offer you an opportunity to learn about the rich history of South India. They are related to Jainism, as you will find many inscriptions that are related to this religion. The ancient inscriptions on the hills are approximately 200 years old.
Gandhi Memorial Museum
Constructed in the year 1959, the Gandhi Memorial Museum houses different mementos related to Indian history. It is among the five Gandhi museums in India that depict the life of Gandhi and the Indian Freedom Struggle. The premise of this museum was inaugurated by Jawaharlal Nehru on April 15, 1959. If you have an interest in history, this place is the best for you. In the museum, you will find many galleries where the pre-independent era is displayed. You will also find special collections here, such as the historical stamps of the British and the letters written to Mahatma Gandhi. The letters to Subramania Bharati and Adolf Hitler are also preserved here. However, the most striking feature of the museum is the 124 rare photographs of Gandhi’s personal life.
Mariamman Teppakulam
This temple pond was constructed in the memory of Lord Vigneshwara. It was built in the year 1645 under the reign of Thirumalai Nayaka. Granite steps surround the temple pond on all four sides. It is believed to be the largest tank in the Tamil Nadu region. The tank is full of water throughout the year. According to the legend, the temple’s idol was found at the bottom of the tank during its digging process. Since then, the tank has become popular.
This place comes alive in January and February. This is the time when a temple festival named Teppotsavam is celebrated. This festival used to be celebrated under the reign of Thirumalai Nayak. Teppotsavam is held to celebrate the birthday of King Nayak. On this day, the devotees lit the temple with unlimited lamps. They also bring the idols of Lord Sundareswarar and Meenakshi to the festival.
Pazhamudhir Solai
This temple was built as a reminder of Lord Subramaniya, who is worshipped in southern India. It houses beautiful sculptures of Lord Subramaniya carved in marble and wood. Devotees walk around the temple several times and make a wish in front of God. People believe that their wishes will be fulfilled by doing this. Pazhamudhir Solai is one of the largest temples of Lord Subramanya in the southern part of India. The temple is situated at Azhagar Kovil and is a must-visit place for tourists and spiritual seekers.
Thirupparankundram Murugan
This is another important site to visit during your Madurai tour. The temple is devoted to Mother Earth and is a holy place for marriage. Most marriages in the neighborhood take place in this temple. It is a divine destination for the Hindu devotees. It is believed that Lord Subramanya got married here. Since then, the marriage ceremonies have been organized here.
St. Mary’s Cathedral
This church is one of the most visited places for Christian people. Christian devotees visit the church in large numbers from all over the country. Also known as the ‘Church of Our Lady of Dolours,’ St. Mary’s Cathedral is one of the immensely popular churches not only in Madurai but also in the state of Tamil Nadu. The architectural beauty of this structure is the reason why people visit this place again and again. Constructed in the year 1841, St. Mary’s Cathedral Church is approximately 150 years old. It first started as a chapel by Fr. Garnier. The current structure of the church was constructed in the year 1916.
ISKCON Madurai
The ISKCON temple in Madurai is dedicated to 3 deities—Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha. You will find serenity everywhere once you visit it. There is a kind of calming ambiance in the temple that you will never forget in your lifetime. The devotional songs and the mantras fill this place with a divinity that you can easily experience when you are here.
Devotees who seek mental peace will love the spiritual ambiance of this place. If you are an ardent follower of Lord Krishna, you must not forget to visit the ISKCON temple in Madurai. Take part in the morning and evening aartis if you have ample time. This is a great place to meditate for the devotees. Thus, if you are a devotee and want to get spiritually energized, the ISKCON temple is the best place to be.
Kazimar Big Mosque
This is the first place of worship in Madurai city for the Muslims. This mosque is an ancient structure and is believed to have been established by Prophet Mohammad’s descendant, Hazrat Kazi Syed Tajuddin. He visited Madurai in the 13th century. Tajuddin got this land from the then-king named Kulasekara. This mosque is so big that it can accommodate approx. 2500 people. It is also known for its maqbara, which adds value to its religious significance. Many people visit this place during their Madurai tour. The mosque has the dargah of the famous Hazrats of Madurai. Some of these Hazrats are Hazrat Syed Abdus Salaam Ibrahim Rahmatullahi Alaihim, Hazrat Meer Amjad Ibrahim, and Hazrat Meer Ahmad Ibrahim. They are called the descendants of Muhammad.
Best Time to Visit Madurai
Winter (October to March)
The best time to visit Madurai is from October to March. During this time, the weather is pleasant, which makes it easy to explore Madurai without any inconvenience. If you are planning to visit Madurai with your family, you must choose the winter season. The average temperature during this season is from 20 to 29 degrees Celsius. This is the best time to visit the best places in Madurai, such as Thirumalai Nayakar Palace, Meenakshi Amman Temple, Gandhi Memorial Museum, etc. The winter season is a peak season, as there is a heavy influx of visitors in Madurai during this time. However, if you are coming to Madurai during winter, you will need to shell out an extra amount from your pocket.
Summer (April to June)
The summer season in Madurai is quite hot. It starts in April and ends in June. The temperature rises to 40 degrees Celsius, which makes it unbearable to go outside. Thus, it is not a good time to visit this city. Due to the scorching heat, very few people choose this time for their visit. However, if you are comfortable with the hot weather, you can visit this place. Choosing the summer season will be highly advantageous as you will get great discounts from several hotels.
Monsoon (July to September)
Monsoon in Madurai is between July and September. You will experience moderate rainfall during this season. The temperature during this season ranges from 25 to 35 degrees Celsius. The rains give Madurai city a new look. The accommodation rates are low during this time. Thus, it is a great time to explore this city.
Getting Around in Madurai
It is easy to get around Madurai, as there are many transport options available for visitors. This provides ease to them as they can use any of the transportation options to get around the city. Some of these transportation options are as follows:
Buses
The people of Madurai rely on buses to travel to any location within the city. During peak hours, the buses are overcrowded. You will experience a heavy rush in the buses during the time of festivals. The other options that are available for you include suburban and town buses. These buses take you to all places within the city.
Taxis
You can also hire a taxi to reach any place within Madurai. People prefer taxis as they offer them the required comfort. However, they are costly as compared to the buses.
Auto Rickshaws
Auto rickshaws are also the best transportation medium through which you can explore the city. The auto drivers do not charge from the meter. Thus, you must fix the fare beforehand to avoid any problems.
How to Reach Madurai?
By Air
The distance between Madurai Airport and the main city is approximately 10 km. The city is connected to all the major cities of the country. The nearest airport is Chennai. There are regular flights between the major cities and Madurai. Flights are the fastest mode of transport. Thus, the ones who are short of time can book a flight to Madurai. This will save them time and offer them a comfortable journey.
By Train
Direct train service is available from most major cities of the country to Madurai. Some of the cities that are well connected to Madurai are Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Trivandrum, etc. The trains provide the visitors with a comfortable journey.
By Road
If you love road trips, traveling by bus is a great option. TNSTC runs a good bus service to Madurai. Madurai city is connected to major cities by road. Thus, you can catch a bus to Madurai irrespective of the city you are coming from. The bus stand is approx. 6 km away from the city. You can either book the non-AC buses or the AC buses as per your requirements.
