Madurai

Meenakshi Amman Temple, also known as the Meenakshi-Sundershwara Temple, is a famous tourist attraction in Madurai and is one of the oldest temples in India. This temple holds great importance to the Indian people due to its mythological and historical significance. It is believed to be the site where Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati (Meenakshi), in the form of Sundareswarar (meaning the handsome one). The temple is known for its astonishing architecture and is thronged by thousands of devotees every single day. The marvellous architecture of the temple surely makes it one of the Wonder of India. The Thirukalyanam Festival, which is quite famous in South India is celebrated over a span of 10 days and attracts over a million devotees. Temple visiting time: 5:00 am to 12:30 pm and 4:00 pm to 10:00 pmTime spent in temple: 1 - 2 hoursBest time to visit: Early morning or evening, for the aartiBest months to visit: October to March Things to remember: As it is a place of worship, visitors should dress respectfully and conservatively

Meghamalai, locally known as the ‘High Wavy Mountains’, is a picturesque mountain range and amongst the most beautiful places to visit in Madurai. Nestled amidst lush and fragrant tea, cinnamon, pepper, and cardamom plantations and dotted with green meadows, waterfalls, and wildflower patches, this is the perfect place to escape into the remarkable raw beauty of nature. Meghamalai has beautiful and rugged nature trails that take one deep into the forests at the local wildlife sanctuary that house hundreds of species of exotic birds like spotted doves, blue robins, and the Great Indian hornbill. Some parts of the forests also provide habitat to leopards, Indian gaurs, elephants, and tigers.  Don’t miss to see the beautiful Suruli and Meghamalai waterfalls and visit dams like Manalar, Thekkady, Vanniar, etc. that are stunningly lush enclaves of nature. There are ancient temples like the hilltop Murugan and Mangala Devi Temples that are not only visited by thousands to pray but are also great viewpoints for people to soak in panoramic views of the place. 

One of the most popular tourist places in Madurai, the Thirumalai Nayak Palace was originally the residence of the then king Thirumalai Nayak. This palace is a testimony to the perfect blend of Dravidian and Islamic style of architecture. Erected in the year 1635, the palace was a magnificent vision by the king for his royal stay. If you’re a history lover and appreciate the marvels of architecture then this is the place to be. The light and sound show here, every evening, makes the visit even more memorable. Visiting time of the palace: 9:00 am to 5:00 pmTime spent in the palace: About 2 hours to explore all the accessible areasEntry fee: Rs 5 for children                Rs 10 for adults                Rs 50 for foreign nationalsBest time to visit: Mid-afternoon to explore all the accessible areas of the palace and catch the light and sound show.

Located about 70 km away from Madurai, Vaigai is a magnificent dam that graces the beautiful Vaigai river. A blessing for the natives of Madurai, Theni and Dindigul, Vaigai Dam has provided for and been a source of employment for several families since its inauguration in 1959. The dam neighbours a lovely little garden known as the ‘Little Brindavan’, a favourite amongst picnickers and kids. It also harbours a musical fountain that operates on weekends and public holidays.Monsoon is the ideal time to enjoy the beauty of Vaigai, when it is at its peak. The water level rises significantly, and there’s lush greenery for as far as the eyes can see. If you’re seeking some solitude and peace, Vaigai is the place to be.Timings: 06:00 AM to 06:00 PMEntry Fee: No entry feeLocation: Guest House Rd, Melmangalam, Tamil Nadu 625562

This ancient dargah, one of the most intriguing places to visit in Madurai, dates back to the 13th-century and is dedicated to two famous saints Khwaja Alauddin Badusha and Khwaja Shamsuddin Badusha who came from Oman to spread the knowledge of Islam. The dargah, the largest in Madurai, houses the shrines of both these saints that are visited by people from all over Tamil Nadu to seek blessings and peace. There is an interesting inscription here that details how the dargah came into being during the ancient Pandiyan regime when Madurai was mostly under Islamic rule and influence. The dargah, in shades of pristine white, is easy to spot amidst the surrounding winding alleys due to its tall minarets and its huge dome. It has a beautiful Islamic-Dravidian architecture that includes ornate arches, stone pillars, and cool marble floors. It even houses a shelter where people of all faiths stay for days and months to seek divine blessings amidst the serene ambience of Quran recitals and the holy azaan.Timings: Every day from 7:00 am - 7:00 pm.

Sitting about 21 km away from Madurai, Alagar Koyil, alternatively known as Azhagar Kovil, is one of the most visited temples of Madurai. Besides the religious significance that the temple holds, it is also an architectural marvel. Depicting the forms and styles of the early Sangam age, the era that it belongs to, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple walls are embellished with fine, captivating carvings, while several mandapams warehoused within.The presiding deity here is Lord Sundararajan, the brother of Goddess Meenakshi. There are a few shrines dedicated to deities like Andal, Sudarshana and Yoga Narasimha in the temple.Timings: 09:00 AM to 07:00 PMEntry Fee: No entry feeLocation: Alagar Koyil main road, Tamil Nadu

The beautiful views from the Samanar Hills make them among the top tourist attractions in Madurai. The hill complex is located in the Keelakuilkudi village, about 15 km away from the main city of Madurai. The significance of this spot is deep-rooted in the presence of Tamil Jain monks who resided here around 2000 years ago. The carvings on the walls give an account of the way of living and the rules that monks followed. There is also a beautiful lotus temple situated on the premise.Visiting time of the hills: Sunrise to sunsetTime spent in the temple: Around 2 hoursBest time to visit: Early morning, to beat the sun during the hike to the topThings to remember: The trek to reach the top of the hill can take up to 2 hours

For the worshippers of Lord Vishnu, the Koodal Azhagar Temple is surely one of the finest places to visit in Madurai. Originally built by the Pandyas, the temple is situated right in the middle of the city of Madurai. Koodal is another name for Madurai whereas, Azhagar means “beautiful one” in Tamil. The temple is surrounded by a granite wall, enclosing all the shrines. Constructed in the Dravidian architecture style, the temple is beautifully sculpted and carved by adding hues of different colours.  Visiting time of the temple: 5:30 am to 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 9:00 pmTime spent in the temple: 1 - 2 hoursEntry fee: Rs 10 for children                Rs 20 for adultsBest time to visit: Early morning or evening, to attend the aartiBest months to visit: Mid February to mid March to attend the festivalsThings to remember: As it is a place of worship, visitors should dress respectfully and conservatively