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Important Tourist Places in MaduraiSri Meenakshi - Sundareswarar Temple

Thirumalai Nayak Palace

Thirupparankundram Temple

Alagar koil

Gandhi MuseumMariamman Teppakulam

Sri Meenakshi - Sundareswarar Temple

Timings : The temple is usually open between 0500hrsand 1230hrs and again between 1600 hrs and 21.30hrs.Synonymous with Madurai is the Meenakshi

Sundareswarar twin Temple, the pivot around whichthe city has evolved. The Meenakshi Temple complexis literally a city - one of the largest of its kind in Indiaand undoubtedly one of the oldest too. The templegrew with the contribution of each dynasty andvictorious monarchs, into an enormous complexextending over an area of 65000 Sq m. The temple firstcame in to being 2000 years ago and was substantiallyexpanded during the regime of Thirumalai Nayak(1623-55 AD).Lord Siva in his incarnation as Sundareswarar and hisfish-eyed spouse, Meenakshi, are enshrined in this twin

temple. There are four massive gateways enclosingthese two shrines. Even a casual visitor is fascinatedby the many paintings and sculptures. A striking feature of the temple is the astonishingstructure know asAyiramkaal Mandapamor theHall of Thousand Pillars and each pillar features high,ornate, bold sculptures that look life like. View from anyangle these pillars appear to be in a straight line, anarchitectural masterpiece indeed In the outermostcorridors are situated the matchless musical pillarscarved out of stones. When it is tapped, each pillarproduces different musical note.

Thirumalai Nayak PalaceTimings : The Palace is open for visitors between0900hrs and 1300 hrs and again between 1400 hrsand 1700 hrs. Entrance Fee. Rs.1/-About 1.5 Kms from the Meenakshi temple, thispalace was built in 1636 by the ruler whose name itbears. The imposing edifice is famous for theStuccowork on its domes and impressive arches.The Sorgavilasam (Celestial Pavilion), measuring75m x 52m, constructed entirely of brick and mortarwithout the support of a single rafter or girder, is amarvel of indo-Saracenic architectural style. Among

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other striking features of the palace are the massivewhite pillars, several of which line the corridor thatruns along the courtyard. Connected by highdecorated arches, these pillars measure 20m inheight and have a circumference of 4m. Elsewhere,there are polished black stone pillars of varyingheights. It was King Thirumalai Nayaks grandsonwho demolished much of the fine structure andremoved most of the jewels and woodcarvings inorder to build his own palace in Tiruchirapalli. (His

dream never came true).

Thanks to Lord Napier, the then Governor of Madras,who partially restored the palace in 1866-72, and thesubsequent restoration works carried out severalyears ago, today, we get to see the Entrance Gate,The Main Hall and the Dance Hall. Theres dailysound and light show in English at 1845 hrs and inTamil at 2015 hrs. This half an hour show extols thevirtues of King Thirumalai, particularly his passion forarts, his victories in battle and his love for hissubjects.

Tickets for the show: Adults Rs.10/-- Children Rs.5/-Top|Home

Thirupparankundram TempleIt is located 8 Kms South of Madurai Railway Junction.The temple here is one of the six abodes of LordSubramanya. Its innermost shrine is cut out of a solidrock.

Alagar koilAbout 21 Kms North East of Madurai, stands acelebrated Vishnu Temple dedicated to Lord Alagar.The temple is situated on a hill amidst panoramicsurroundings. The shrine is know as Alagarkoil and thehill , Solaimalai. The temple also contain some beautifulcarvings and makes the visit rewarding. Palamudirsolai,one of the six abodes of Lord Subramaniya is locatedatop the Hill.

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Gandhi MuseumTimings: 1000hrs to 1300 hrs and 1400 hrs to 1730 hrs.(Open all days)Housed in the old Palace of Rani Mangammal, theGandhi Museum depicts the highlights of the freedomstruggle and contains a picture gallery of the Gandhianmovement. Also can be seen are a gallery of relics,Khadi and village industries section and South IndianHandicrafts section.

Top|HomeMariamman Teppakulam

Mariamman Teppakulam is a beautiful square tankspread over a huge area of almost 16 acres, locatedabout 5Kms East of Meenakshi Temple. The tank isthe scene of the colourful float festival held inJanuary/February to celebrate the birth anniversaryof King Thirumalai Nayak, who built this tank. Thedeities of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar are placed

in a float, called Teppam, decorated with flowersand illuminated with hundred of lights. This float istaken around the tank to the sound of traditionalmusic. On the Northern side of the tank a temple isdedicated to Mariamman , a famous village deity ofTamil Nadu.

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