Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal-An overview

Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal is situated 2 kms south east from the heart of the city- SriMeenakshi Amman Temple. The palace was built in 1636 by Thirumalai Nayakar. A classic example of the Indo-Saracenic style, the peak dragging feature of this mahal is its carved dome outsoars without the support of girders or rafters.
 

Know basics about Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal

The palace is well equipped to perform Light & Sound and displays a show depicting the story of Silappathikaram and the same is done both in Tamil & English languages everyday. After independence, the Palace was declared as a national monument and is now under the protection of the Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department. This palace is open for the visitors from 9am to 5pm.
 

Masterpiece of art- Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal

The stucco work on domes and arches of Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal is remarkable.The gigantic pillars and structures represent the amazing architectural mastery of Nayak Kings. The courtyard and the dancing hall are the centers of attractions. There are around 248 pillars, each 58 feet tall and 5 feet in diameter. The building we see today was the main Palace where the King lived. The original Palace complex was four times bigger than the present structure.
 

Give feast to your eyes visiting Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal

Stay at an exotic hotel and explore the streets of Madurai

Madurai Culture – Madurai is proud of their cultural heritage

There is rapid westernization but the people are not done away with their age old custom and traditions. The value system of the people of Madurai has a strong foundation. The people of Madurai are hospitable, friendly and honest. In Madurai women usually wear Dhavani or Thavani (half Sari), and Sarees. Salwar Kameez, a North-Indian ethnic wear for women, has also made inroads into the city’s populace. In the recent times, people have also started preferring western wear, but they are not brand conscious. This also stresses on the fact that the people prefer simplicity.

What to wear in Madurai – Madurai Culture – Madurai Dresses

The people of Madurai are amicable, hospitable, and deeply respect and value their traditions. Though Salwar Kameez, a North-Indian ethnic wear for women, has made deep inroads into the city’s populace, many prefer the traditional Indian wear of Thavani or Dhavani, also called Half Sarees, and Sarees. Recently too, the preference for Western wear has increased. Madurai is also well known for its fragrant Jasmine flowers. Jasmine is known as Malli or Malligai in Tamil. Madurai Malli is an important horticultural produce. The buds are transported every day to major cities in India.

About Madurai City

Madurai City is a fascinating town located in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu and occupies an important place on the itinerary of a tourist on a pilgrimage tour. Madurai City is home to a large number of splendid temples that belong to the ancient and medieval era, and are recognized for their architectural grandeur. There are interesting stories about Madurai City that enchant the visitors to this exquisite town even today. A trip to Madurai City is highly recommended for tourists to South India, since there are many things to watch out for the tourists.
 

Madurai City Culture & Tourism

Madurai City is, thus, a hub of activity, and a city that never sleeps. People can entertain themselves completely through various cultural activities, parks, museums, clubs, yoga and cinema. After travelling, people can enjoy south Indian delicacies at their best here, as the Madurai City is famous for its reasonable and delicious food. Apart from this, the local people are very friendly, helpful and cheerful so one can be relaxed and eased out.

Place of sanctity-Tiruparankundram Temple

Other than the phenominal Meenakshi temple there are several other temples in and around Madurai that are worth a visit. One of them is the Thiruparankundram Temple, Madurai. Located at a distance of about 8 km to the south of Madurai, the Thiruparankundram Temple is a rock cut temple that is dedicated to Lord Subramanya.
 

Legendary significance of Tirupuramkundram Temple

Tiruparankundram is one of the six main pilgrimage sites for the devotion of the son of Shiva – Muruga (also known as Subramanya),Tamil Hindu god of war and patron of Tamil Nadu. According to legend, the Lord married Deivyani, the daughter of Lord Indra at this place.The Tirupuramkundram Temple, Madurai dates back to the sixth century. The antiquity of Tirupuramkundram Temple can very well be gauged from the fact that it finds mention even in the Sangam Literature.
 

Catchy features in the Tirupuramkundram Temple

Best captivating feature of Thiruparankundram Temple are the 48 pillars with elegant carvings! Assurance is given that sculptural dexterity revealed in the seven tier gopuram leaves a mark on your mind. Each of the five cells within the sanctum of the temple is dedicated to a particular deity. Worshipped in the shrines of the Thiruparankundram Temple are Lord- Muruga, Durga, Vinayaka, Vishnu and Shiva. The images of Brahma, Indra, Surya, Chandra, Sri Devi and Bhoodevi carved on the walls adorn the interiors of the Thiruparankundram Temple.

Framework of Madurai Teppakulam

Infrastructure of Madurai Teppakulam is a huge 16-acre water tank situated at about 5 km distance from the Meenakshi Amman Temple. Located in the region of Vandiyur, the tank has a Vinayaka temple at the center, which can be accessed only by water. Near the tank is a temple dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Mariamman and hence the name is ‘Mariamman Teppakulam’!
 

Madurai Teppakulam and its significance

Mariamman Teppakulam is declared the largest water tank in South India and is surrounded by well laid out roads on all four sides. A man-made tank, it is fed by water from an ingenious system of channels from the Vaigai river. King Thirumalai Nayakkar constructed the teppakulam and initiated Float festival every year on the occasion of his birthday.
 

Float festival at Madurai Teppakulam

The enormous tank is filled with water all year round. But the best time to visit would be during the Float festival (in the month of January or February) on the day of Thai Poosam. About 1 lakh visitors come to Teppakulam during the Float festival to see Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar taken in a procession in a grand float (raft) around the tank.
 

Get exposed to Madurai Teppakulam and its specialities!

Madurai Meenakshi Temple

The ancient city of Madurai, more than 2,500 years old, was built by the Pandyan king, Kulashekarar, in the 6th century B.C. But the reign of the Nayaks marks the golden period of Madurai when art, architecture and learning flourished expansively. The most beautiful buildings in the city including its most famous landmark, the Meenakshi temple, were built during the Nayak rule.
 

The Gopuram! Meenakshi Temple Tamilnadu

This magnificent temple complex sprawls over an area of 6 hectares. It also has 12 gopurams or gateways, ranging in height from 45 to 50 m, the tallest being the southern one. The southern gateway is beautifully proportioned and is nine stories high. Like the other gopurams, it is also crowded with the images of gods, goddesses, gargoyles, and gryphons. Like the statues of classical Greece, the people who follow the ancient Dravidian culture of South India also paint their gods in brilliant colors. Thus, one can experience a myriad of colors atop these gateways.

Aesthetic touch of Madurai Tourist spots

Madurai is reputed around the world for the various artistic places situated within the city. Outstanding architectural works can be witnessed at the Madurai Tourist spots which remind the visitors about the excellent skillset of artistry that prevailed in olden days. Madurai always remain the region that showcases ancestoral talents!
 

Madurai Tourist spots-an overview

Madurai being  the “Temple City” manifests the the various illustrations at places like Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple, Azhagar temple, Vandiyur Mariamman Theppakulam, Thirumalai Nayakar palace, Gandhi museum and Thiruparankundram. All these temples remain as the living demonstrations for the craftsmanship!!
 

Madurai’s Tourist spots remain in your minds forever!

Madurai poeple are generally considered to be filled with ample affection and friendliness. No exception at The Madurai Residency. We make your stay at our place a peaceful one to cherish about your visits to Madurai’s Tourist spots which definitely will carve a niche for itself in your memory. You will feel astounded about the feel you get after reachin the abode of art-Madurai!!!

Description about Madurai

Madurai is the ancient southern Indian city that has earned the sobriquet, ‘Athens of the East’, is a place of great historical importance.  Madurai the oldest city in South India, it stands on the banks of the sacred river Vaigai, eternalized in Lord Shiva’s exploits in the ‘Halasya Purana’. Madurai entirely famous for the temples dedicated to goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswar.

History about Madurai

The history about Madurai can be traced back to the 3rd century BC. According to historical evidences, Megasthenes of Greece visited Madurai during that period. Historical records of Madurai prove that the city was under the reign of Pandiya rulers till 920 AD, when the Cholas defeated them. Cholas ruled Madurai for more than 300 years and were overthrown by the Pandiyas in 1223 AD. In 1311, Madurai was attacked by Malik Kafur, general of Alauddin Khilji. Madurai easily fell to the invading army and became a part of the Delhi Empire in 1323.

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Railway Sation in Madurai, Tamilnadu.

Madurai has well-developed transport facilities. Modes of transport in Madurai include road, rail and air. Madurai Junction railway station is a railway station in South India and the primary railway station serving the city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu. The station is the headquarters of the Madurai railway division. It is well connected with all major cities in India. Madurai division is the second largest by revenue in Southern Railway. It is one of the A1 graded stations in the Southern Railway .

Qucik Information about Madurai Railway station

Madurai railway station code:  MDU

Address: Junction Overpass, Southern Railway Colony, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625016, India

Phone :  +91 73877 91917

Enquiry about Train current status: http://etrain.info/in?STATION=MDU

Book trains starting from Madurai Jn (MDU), Madurai. Get more detials from below

https://www.irctc.co.in/

 There are direct trains from Madurai connecting important cities in India like Chennai, Mumbai, New Delhi, Banglore, Hyderabad, Trivandrum, Coimbatore, Kollam, Kanyakumari, Trichy, Tirunelveli, Rameswaram, Thanjavur, Mayiladuthurai, Vijaywada, Calcutta, Nagpur, and Bhopal.
There are number of trains from Madurai Jn like Mumbai Cst Nagarcoil Express, Mysore Exp, Chennai Express, Chennai Express, Chennai Exp, Pothigai Exp, Chennai Express, Tirunelveli Jammu Express, Pothigai Exp, Nagercoil Exp.You can choose among different trains out of which some are ending at Madurai Jn station like Madurai Express, Ddn Mdu Sf Exp, T N Smprk Krnti, Punalur Madurai Passenger, Vaigai Exp, Madurai Express, Pandian Exp, Chennai Egmore Madurai Express, Chandigarh Madurai Superfast Express etc or some trains that departs. There are trains which originates from Madurai Jn like Pandian Exp, Vaigai Exp, Madurai punalur Passenger, Lokamanya Tt Ex, Dehradun Exp, Sampark Kranti, Chennai Express, Madurai chennai Express etc or some trains like Nagercoil mumbai Express, Ms Sct Exp, Rameswaram Exp, Tcn Chennai Exp, Rmm Cape Exp, Ten Jammu Exp, Cape Howrah Exp, Pandian Exp, Tirunelveli Jammu Express, Guruvayur Chennai Express etc which arrive at Madurai Jn station .Trains Tirunelveli Exp, Chalukya Exp, Okha Vivek Express, Mysore Express, Pothigai Exp, Rameswaram Tirupati Express, Rameswaram Okha Express, Guruvayur Chennai Express, Kannyakumari Ex, Tirukkural Exp respectively. Out of these 25 trains run daily and are Mysore Exp, Coimbatore nagercoil Express, Tuticorin Exp, Nagercoil coimbatore Express, Tcn Chennai Exp, Chennai Egmore Anantapuri Express, Guruvayur Chennai Express, Madurai punalur Passenger, Nellai Express, Pandian Exp etc and 76 run on weekly basis like Chennai Egmore Madurai Express, Chennai Exp, Sampark Kranti, Dehradun Exp, Ddn Mdu Sf Exp, Bangalore Exp, Tirukkural Exp, Rameswaram Kanyakumari Express, Rameswaram Tirupati Express, Tuticorin Vivek Express etc.

Madurai Railway Station to Madurai Mattuthavani Bus Stand: 7.2 KM

Madurai Railway Station to Madurai Periyari Bus Stand: 1.9 KM

Madurai railway station to MADURI Airport distance: 11 KM

Hotel Near Railwaystaion Madurai- Madurai Junction (MDU)

Meenakshi Amman Temple is a historic Tamil Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in the temple city , Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is dedicated to Parvati, known as Meenakshi, and her consort, Shiva, here named Sundareswarar. The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2,500-year-old city of Madurai. It is said that the temple was originally built in the 6th century BC by survivors of the Kumari Kandam. The original temple was built by Kulasekara Pandya, but the entire credit for making the temple as splendid as it is today goes to the Nayaks. The Nayaks ruled Madurai from the 16th to the 18th century and left a majestic imprint of their rule in the Meenakshi – Sundareswarar Temple.

Temple Towers

There are 12 temple  gateway towers(Gopurams). The outer towers are the landmarks of Madurai. They are:

East Tower (Nine Storeys). Height 161’3″. This Gopura has 1011 sudhai figures
South Tower (Nine Storeys). Height 170’6″. This Tower has 1511 sudhai figures
West Tower (Nine Storeys). Height 163’3″. This Tower has 1124 sudhai figures
North Tower (Nine Storeys). Height 160’6″. This Tower has lesser figures of sudhai than other outer towers

Worship Procedures

Worshipping Arulmighu Meenakshi Amman at first had been the manner of prayer traditionally.

Devotees should enter the temple through East Gopuram, pass along Ashtasakthi Mandapam, Meenakshi Nayakar Mandapam and Mudali Mandapam, take a bath in the Golden Lotus pond and wear clean clothes. Foremost, they must worship the Viboothi Vinayakar on the south of the sacred pond. From the southern bank, devotees could worship the golden pinnacles of Swamy and Amman temples. They can see the 64 miracles of Lord Shiva on the walls surrounding the pond.

After worshipping Sithi Vinayakar, Kumaran and other deities in the parrot cage mandapam, must go round the altar at the Amman Sannidhi, and then enter the sanctum through the main entrance. Men and women should stand in separate rows and worship the deity. Devotees should meditate the five holy alphabets, recite the sacred names of the Lord, sing divine songs and go round the shrine..

Under the auspices of the Temple administration, a girls higher secondary school called Arulmighu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Girls Higher Secondary School is being run near Teppakulam, Madurai.

While going round the first corridor, Airavatha Vinayakar on the south east, Valla Vinayakar on the south west, Nirutha Ganapathy and Muthukumaraswamy and Chandikeswarar on the northwest must be worshipped. While going round the second corridor, the devotees could see a statue of Thirumalai Naicker in the east, kolu mandapam and Koodalkumarar sannidhi in the west.After worshipping Kumarar, the devotees should proceed to the second corridor of Swamy shrine. It is the normal practice toseek the permission of Nandiam Perumal to grant permission to enter the temple.

After that the Anukgnai Vinayakar and the Nandi at the main entrance to the Swamy temple. After that the devotees should proceed along the six pillared pedestal and worship Chandrasekarar and other deities and the Natarajar who danced changing his legs at the Velliyambalam and then worship the Lord at the sanctum. While going round the first corridor of the Swamy temple, Vandhiyammai, Sivalingam, Sun, Kalaimagal, the Saints, Somaskander, various Lingams, Pitchadanar, Kasiviswanathar, Ellam Valla Siddhar, Durgai Amman, Kadamba tree, Kanagasabai Natarajar, Chandikeswarar, Atcharalingam, Mahalakshmi, Rathnasabai Natarajar, Vanniyum well, Lingam and Bhairavar should be worshipped in that order before coming out.

On the north of the main entrance is the shrine of Arulmighu Palani Andavar. Having worshipped the deities including Sadayappar between the Nandhi Mandapam and coming round the hundred pillar hall, Agni Veeraputhirar, Ahora Veerapathirar, Ooothuva Thandava Moorthy and Badrakali, devotees should proceed to the Thirugnanasambandar mandapam and there offer worship to the four deities, Mangayarkarasiyar, Kulachirayar and Nedumaranayar and then after paying obeisance to the flag pole, they should sit down for a while. Later the idols of Hanumar, Krishnar and other deities on the pillars at the back and then enter the middle way and leave through Amman Sannidhi.

Devotees proceeding the temple should bathe and wear Saiva symbols such as holy ash, Uthiraksham, and carry with them coconut, fruits, incense and other items of offering to the extent possible. It is the practice to meditate the holy scriptures, and recite the saced names of the deities while in the sacred premises.

On the first day of every Tamil month, special prayers with abhishekarm are offered at the shrine of Sangam poets on the second corridor of the Swami Sannidhi. Special prayers are also conducted on the birth star days of the temple Adiyars and 63 Saints.

Ashta Shakthi Mandapam

A visitor who enters the temple through the eastern gateway, first enters this Mandapam(Hall). It was built by Thirumalai Nayakar’s wives Rudrapathi Ammal and Tholimamai. In this hall food was once distributed to the devotees who came from far off places. The sculptures on the pillars here relate some of Lord Shiva’s Thiruvilayadals (miracles) and also the story of Meenakshi’s birth and her life as the princess of Madurai.

Meenakshi Nayakkar Mandapam

This big hall is adjacent to Ashta Shakthi Mandapam, consisting of 110 pillars carrying the figures of a peculiar animal with a lion’s body , and an elephant’s head called Yalli.

Potramaraikulam (golden lotus tank)

This temple tank is an ancient tank where devotees take bath in the holy water. The area around this tank was the meeting place of the Tamil Sangam – the ancient academy of poets. The history of the sangam goes back to the days when gods dallied with men. This academy judged the worth of any work of literature presented before it by throwing it into the tank. Only those that did not sink were considered worthy of attention. The tank is surrounded by a pillared corridor. Steps lead down to the tank, enabling worshippers to take bathe in it.
Oonjal Mandapam 
The Oonjal (swing) Mandapam and Killikoontu (parrot cage) Mandapam are on the western side of the tank. Every Friday, the golden idols of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar are seated on the swing in the Oonjal Mandapam and hymns are sung as the deities gaily swing to and fro. The parrots in the Kilikoontu Mandapam have been trained to repeat Meenakshi’s name. But more interesting are the 28 pillars of the mandapam which exhibit some excellent Sculptures of figures from Hindu mythology.

Swami Sundareswarar Shrine

Lord Sundareswarar (Shiva) the consort of Goddess Meenakshi is to the north of Kilikoontu Mandapam. On your way you can worship a gigantic idol of Sri Ganesh called Mukkurini Pillaiyar. When the king Thirumalai Nayakar excavated a temple tank 3 km from Meenakshi temple he unearthed this idol of Vinayaka and erected the same here.
In the outer pragaram (corridor outside the main shrine) there is stump of the kadamba tree, which is said to be a part of the same tree under which Indra worshipped Shiva linga. Also in the outer corridor there are the Kadambathadi Mandapam and big hall called ‘Velli Ambalam’. Here, An idol of Nataraja (Shiva as the Lord of Dance) is seen. This idol of Nataraja is covered with silver leaves. Hence this hall is named as Velli Ambalam (Silver Hall).

The Thousand Pillar Mandapam

It is the ‘wonder of the place’, Actually the number of pillars count to 985. Each pillar is sculptured and is a monument of the Dravidan sculpture. There is a Temple Art Museum in this 1000 pillars hall where you can see icons, photographs, drawings, etc., exhibiting the 1200 years old history. There are so many other smaller and bigger mandapams in the temple. Just outside this mandapam ,towards the west, are the Musical Pillars. Each pillar when stuck, Produces a different musical notes.

Vasantha Mandapam
This mandapam was built by Thirumalai Nayakkar. Vasanthosavam – the Spring festival-is celebrated in this mandapam in Vaikasi (April / May). Its pillars contain elaborate sculptures of Shiva, Meenakshi, scenes from their wedding as well as the figures of ten of the Nayak Kings and their consorts. This is also called Pudhu Mandapam.

Pooja Time 

1    Thiruvanandal pooja    05 : 00 AM – 06 : 00 AM

2    Vizha pooja    06:30 AM – 07 : 15 AM
3    Kalasandhi pooja    06:30 AM – 07 : 15 AM
4    Thrukalasandhi pooja    10:30 AM – 11:15 AM
5    Uchikkala Pooja (Noon Pooja)    10:30 AM – 11:15 AM
6    Maalai pooja    04:30 AM – 05:15 AM
7    Ardhajama Pooja (Night Pooja)    07 : 30 PM – 08 : 15 PM
8    Palliarai pooja    09 : 30 PM – 10 : 00 PM