Madurai is a Hindu Epic in three dimensions.

One of South India’s great temple towns, constructed in the form of a lotus, Madurai is famous for the awe-inspiring Sri Meenakshi Temple complex. It is an animated city packed with pilgrims, business-people, bullock carts and underemployed rickshaw drivers. It’s one of South India’s oldest cities and has been a center of learning and pilgrimage for centuries. A textile centre from way back, the city was also the setting for Mahatma Gandhi’s decision, in 1921, to wear nothing but khadi (homespun cloth), and tailors’ shops are everywhere in town.

History and Culture

Madurai has been inhabited since at least the 3rd century BCE. Megasthenes may have visited Madurai during the 3rd century BCE, with the city referred as "Methora" in his accounts.  The city evolved as a political and industrial complex through the 19th and 20th centuries to become a district headquarters of a larger Madurai district.

Madurai is an example of cultural diversity. Owing to its glorious past, the richness of its culture is visible in everything. This includes its architectural majesty, customs and traditions, religious sanctity, magnificent art work, handicrafts, ballads, folk dances, dramas, songs, festivals and ceremonies.

Interesting Facts

  • Madurai’s fish market functions all night.

  • Gandhi museum in Madurai has Gandhiji’s clothes he wore on the last day of his life.

  • Madurai is one of the best producers of lovely Indian Jasmine flower.

  • Jallikattu is a bull taming sport which takes place during the Pongal celebrations.

Source: https://en.climate-data.org

Climate

The climate here is tropical. October to March is the best time to visit Madurai. With a hot and dry climate for most of the year, Madurai is best visited during the winter season.

Best Time
  • October - March

Suggested trips for Madurai

Handcrafted tours by experts.
Mahabalipuram The Shore Temple

Tamilnadu Trail with Kerala Backwater Cruise

18 Days
  • Visit the Government Museum Chennai, one of the oldest museums in the world
  • Explore the UNESCO World heritage site in Mahabalipuram and visit famous city of Kanchipuram
  • Visit the World famous Meenakshi Temple and a special evening ritual ceremony
  • Enjoy the nature walk and Bamboo Rafting in Periyar
  • Guided walking tour of Fort Kochi
  • Witness the Kalaripaiyattu, the ancient martial art of Kerala
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Food trail

Madurai

Madurai is seriously ancient. Its recorded history goes back as far as the 3rd century BC. And from then to now, it seems to have been populated by gourmands. There are written recipes dating back to the time when Jesus walked on earth, and which are followed till date.

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Meenakshi Temple

Madurai
The Sri Meenakshi Temple is the abode of the fish-eyed Goddess Meenakshi Amman (‘fish-eyed’ is an adjective for perfect eyes in classical Tamil poetry), and is considered by many to be the height of South Indian temple architecture, as vital to the aesthetic heritage of this region...
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