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Hindu Pilgrimages in India
Madurai
Madurai or the "city of nectar" is the oldest and second
largest city of Tamil Nadu. This city is located on Vaigai River
and was the capital of Pandyan rulers till the 14th century. The
Pandyan king, Kulasekhara had built a gorgeous temple around which
he created a lotus shaped city. Mythology says when city was being
named; Lord Shiva blessed the city and its people. On the auspicious
occasion some Divine nectar ("Madhu") fell from the matted
locks of Shiva and hence the city was named "Madhurapuri".
This sacred town of south attracts thousands of pilgrims and visitors
from India as well as abroad.
Madurai's Pilgrimage - Meenakshi Temple
The life of Madurai revolves around the Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar
temple. This magnificently carved temple is the main attraction
of Madurai and its huge Gopurams towers over the city. Meenakshi
temple has a thousand pillared 'Mandapam'. Precisely there are 985
pillars and each of them is delicately and exquisitely carved. Among
these are the musical pillars, which produce music when tapped.
Surprisingly, these musical pillars are carved out of a single granite
rock. The temple has been a hub of Tamil culture and has been sponsoring
literature, art, music, and dance in the region for a long time.
The temple also has an art museum. The city apart from temple is
crammed with shops, street markets and temples, pilgrims choultries,
hotels and restaurants. Though Madurai is considered as pilgrimage
but it has also developed as a business centre and is famed for
its traditional handicrafts in bronze and brass.
History of Madurai
Madurai's history dates back to over 2000 years ago, when it was
the capital of the Pandyan kings. In the 10th century AD, Madurai
was captured by the Chola emperors. It remained in their hands,
until the Pandyans regained their independence in the 12th century,
only to lose it to the Muslim invaders under Malik Kafur, a general
in the service of the Delhi Sultanate. Malik Kafur's dynasty was
overthrown by the Hindu Vijaynagar kings of Hampi. After the fall
of Vijayanagar, in 1565, the Nayaks ruled Madurai until 1781 AD.
During the rule of the Nayaks, the bulk of the Meenakshi temple
was built, the main attraction for visitors, today. Madurai also
became the cultural centre of the Tamil people. Madurai passed
on to the East India Company in 1781, and in 1840, the Company
razed the fort which had previously surrounded the city, and filled
in the moat. Four streets, the Veli streets, which were constructed
on top of the fill, till today, define the limits of the old city.
Prime Attrcations
Meenakshi Amman Temple
An excellent example of Dravidian Architecture, the Meenakshi
Temple attracts devotees from all over India and Tourist from
all over the world. One can climb to the southern Gopuram of the
temple to get a great view of the city.
Koodal Azhaar Temple
One of the most ancient temples in Madurai, Koodal Azhagar temple
is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. In this temple he is seen in various
postures sitting, standing, reclining one over the other. There
are intricate woodcarvings in here, including one of Lord Rama's
coronation.
Thirumalai Nayak Mahal
This palace is an excellent example of Indo-Sarcenic architecture.
It was built in 1523 AD and originally was four times larger than
what it is today. The gardens, the defensive wall all have gone
and what remains are the main entrance gate, the dancing hall
and the main hall. Lord Napier renovated the palace in 1866-72
and later further restoration works were carried on. Today, the
main attraction of the palace is light and sound show, which is
based on the life of "Tirumalai Nayak" and "Silapathikaram".
Vanditur Mariamman Teppakulam
This huge tank is covers an area equal to the six of Meenakshi
temple. Tirumalai Nayak built it in 1646. It is said that channels
from the Vaigai River connect the tank. Today, this tank remains
empty for most of the year except during the Teppam Festival.
Thirupparankundram
This is one of the abodes of Lord Sundareshwara, a rock cut temple
carved out of a mountain, just 8-km from the city.
Azhagar Koil
This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located 18-km northeast
of Madurai on a picturesque hilltop. The gold image of Azhagar
travels for the Celestial marriage during the Chithirai festival.
Pazhamudhirsolai
On the same hills of Azhagar Koilthis is again one of the six
abodes of Lord Subramanya.
Excursions
Vaigai Dam
Vaigai dam is surrounded by well-manicured gardens and has come
up as a popular picnic spots, just 70-km from Madurai.
Megamalai
The tea estates on the slopes of the Western Ghats nestles Megamalai.
This lovely place is bound to capture your imagination. Good place
to stay and enjoy a lovely surrounding. One can also watch the
animals roaming in the forest, which are close to Megamalai, Just
130-km from Madurai.
Suruli Falls
123-km from Madurai city is Suruli falls, which are located in
a picturesque area. It is an ideal spot and an excellent picnic
spot to spend one day.
Courtallam
Courtallam is located about 167-km on the Western Ghats and is
an excellent health resort in this part of the country. This place
is also known as the 'Spa of the South'. Courtallam is located
just 160-km from Madurai. This place has got nine splendid waterfalls,
which attracts a large number of visitors. TTDC offers here a
boathouse accommodation apart from the restaurant.
Palani
118-km from Madurai is the temple dedicated to Lord Subramanyam.
The temple is located on top of a hill 180 meter high. The temple
attracts many devotees and people coming to Madurai do not miss
visiting Palani. From the hill top one gets an excellent view
of the nearby area.
Viraganur Dam
This ideal picnic spot is located just 8-km from Madurai.
Kumbakkarai Water Falls
This place serves as the base camp for the trekkers who venture
in the hills of Kodai. Kumbakkarai Water Falls are 105-km from
Madurai and form an excellent picnic spot. Waterfall surrounded
by forests combined with the pristine beauty of the hills creates
a very soothing atmosphere.
Suggested Itinerary for Madurai
Chennai-Tirupathy-Chennai-Mamallapuram-'Tiruvannamalai-Pondicherry-Chidambaram-Thanjavur-Trichy-Madurai-Rameshwaram-Madurai (10 DAYS)
Day 01:Arrive Chennai
Arrive
Chennai - the gateway to southern India, established in 1639 by
the East India Company, is one of the oldest cities of the country.
Assistance and transfer to Hotel Ambassador or similar. After
lunch at hotel, half-day sight-seeing tour, visiting Gandhi Memorial,
Kala Kshetra, Mylapore Temple and Marina Beach. Dinner and overnight
at hotel.
Day 02:Chennai/Tirupathy (154 kms/3.5 hrs)
After breakfast, proceed by AC car/coach to Tirupathy.
lunch at local restaurant. Tirupathy is a temple town known for
the famous ancient temple of lord Venkateshwara (lord of the seven
hills or Balaji, as he is affectionately known) on top of the
860m high Tirumata Hills. The temple of lord Venkateshwara is
not only believed to be amongst the oldest temples in the country,
but also the richest of them all. Legend has it that lord Venkateshwara
borrowed money from the divine treasurer 'Kubera' for his wedding
expenses. He is still paying back this debt, which is why the
pilgrims donate generously to the temple funds. In the evening,
return to Chennai for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 03:Chennai/Mamallapuram (64kms/2hrs)
After breakfast, drive to Mammallapuram by car/coach. Check-in
and lunch at Hotel Temple Bay or similar. Built in 7th century,
earlier called Mahabalipuram, this ancient Pallava port, is today
the sight of several antique sculptural mar-vets. In this ancient
seaside town, shrines and huge sculptures cut-out of rocks more
than 1200 years back during the reign of Poltava Kings in the
region can be seen. The rock carvings depicting mythological episodes
- of demons, Gods and animals in battle and others - are truly
poems in stone. The only shore temple which remains here is the
spectacular two-spired shrine, unique because it houses both lord
Vishnu and lord Shiva in its sanctum-sanctorum. Dinner and overnight
at hotel.
Day 04:Mammallapuram/Tiruvannamalai/Pondicherry
After breakfast, drive by car/coach to visit Tiruvannamalai
(112kms/3hrs) - a pilgrim centre with an ancient temple of lord
Shiva. After lunch at local restaurant, proceed to Pondicherry
(131 kms/3.5hrs) which carries a strong whiff of the French presence
in India. This erstwhile French colony on the east-coast of South
India merged with the rest of the country in 1954. Legend says
that Pondicherry is the place where St. Agasthya settled down.
Check-in, dinner and overnight at Hotel Ashok or similar.
Day 05:Pondicherry
After breakfast, drive by car/coach to visit Aurobindo
Ashram, the city of dawn, which is 10kms north of Pondicherry.
This ashram promotes Aurobindo's ideas in bringing about a synthesis
of Yoga and modern science, so as to unite the spirit and matter.
After lunch, at hotel, visit Auroville - a unique experiment in
international living and in creating a new environment where men
and women of all nationalities live together In harmony. Dinner
and overnight at hotel.
Day 06:Pondicherry /Chidambaram/Thanjavur
After breakfast, drive by car/coach to Chidambaram (65kms/1.5hrs)
also called as Thillai, which has the famous Nataraja Temple with
the roof of the sanctum-sanctorum covered with golden plates,
is located in the centre of the town covering an area of 40 acres.
In this temple, postures from the Bharatnatyam form of dance are
depicted in sculpture. Nataraja is Lord Shiva as a cosmic dancer.
After lunch at local restaurant, drive to Thanjavur (104kms/3hrs),
enroute visiting the Brass Factory at Kumbakonam. Thanjavur, once
the capital of Chola kings, has the Brahadeshwara Temple (or the
big temple of God). The temple tower rises to a height of 15m
from a square base of 29m and then topers off, making a total
of 66m. Check-in, dinner and overnight at Hotel Parisutham or
similar.
Day 07: Thanjavur/Trichy (54kms/2hrs)
After breakfast, leave by car/coach for Trichy, short name
for Tiruchirapalli, situated on the banks of Kaveri River is a
blend of history and tradition as well as a pilgrim centre, It
is famous for Ranganoth Temple at Srirangam. Check-in at Hotel
Jenny's Residency or similar. After lunch, city tour visiting
Rock Fort and its temple at a height of over 23m. Also visit Srirangam
and Jambukeshwar Temple. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day08: Trichy/Madurai(133kms/3.5
hrs)
After breakfast, proceed by car/coach to Madurai and
check-in at Hotel Ashok or similar. The ancient city of Madurai,
some 2600 years old, is laid out on the banks of the River Vaigai
as a lotus flower with the Meenakshi Temple in the centre. After
lunch, city tour visiting - Meenakshi Temple. King Tirumalai's
Palace, Great Tank and Gandhi Museum. Dinner and overnight at
hotel.
Day 09: Madurai/Rameshwaram (154kms/4hrs)
After early breakfast, proceed by car/coach for Rameshwaram
- the most sacred temple town of India is an island hallowed by
the epic Ramayana, where Lord Rama is said to have visited before
going into battle at Sri Lanka. Legend has it that Lord Rama sent
Hanuman to Mount Kailash to bring a 'Lingam' for worship when
he set foot here after defeating Ravana. As Hanuman did not return
when the auspicious hour was approaching, Sita made a sand 'Lingam'
so that worship could be performed in time, which is where the
present day Ramanatha Swamy Temple stands close to the sea on
the eastern side of the island. One of the twelve 'Jyotirlingam'
shrines is also well known for its magnificent corridors and the
massive sculptured pillars lining them. Lunch at local restaurant.
Return to Madurai for an dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Day 10: Madurai/Back Home
After
breakfast, transfer to airport for flight to onward journey/back
home.
