Madurai

Created Date: 13 December 2015
Best of Madurai Recommended by Indian travellers

Madurai Temple...
We arrived at this airport
from Hyderabad. As our flight
Kasi ve was delayed by three and a half
hours at Hyderabad, we were
nkoba
rather tired. We came out of...
127 travel stories about Madurai by Indian travellers
Guide includes:About destination | Top things to do | Best accommodations | Travelling tips | Best time to visit
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About Madurai
Madurai, also called the Temple City, is located in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is also one of the
oldest inhabited cities of India. Apart from the Temple City, a few other names for the city are
the City of Four Junctions, City of Festivals, Athens of the East and Sleepless City, all
pointing to one or other aspect of Madurai.
The name Madurai is supposed to have originated from the word Madhura in Sanskrit, which
means sweetness. The history of Madurai dates as far back as the 3rd century BC. The city
finds mention in the works of Megasthenese as well as Arthashastra by Kautilya. Madurai was
ruled by the Kalabhras until the 6th century, after which, it was subsequently ruled by many
other dynasties, viz. the Pandyas, Cholas and Nayaks.
The British took control of Madurai in 1801, and it was then that it was made a part of the
Madras Presidency. Madurai holds significance in Indias independence struggle as well. The
city was home to leaders like NMR Subaraman, Mohammad Ismail Sahib and Meer Ibrahim
Sahib. It was Madurai where Mahatma Gandhi decided to wear the loin cloth and shunned
trousers as he was inspired by the agricultural labourers here.
Madurai is known to have a mix of cultures and religion, which is evident from the presence of
many religious structures belonging Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. Some of the important
religious structures of Madurai, which also serve as tourist places, are Goripalayam Dargah,
Meenakshi-Sundreswar Temple and St. Marys Cathedral Church. Gandhi Museum is another
tourist attraction of Madurai.
The Chithirai Festival, which will be celebrated in Madurai from April 22 to May 4, 2012, is a
major tourist attraction. Organised every year at the Meenakshi Temple, the important facets of
the celebrations include the coronation of Goddess Meenakshi; a wedding marked by rituals
between the deities and the Chariot Festival. According to mythology, Lord Vishnu came to
Madurai to attend the wedding of his sister, Goddess Meenakshi. But as he was late, he missed
the wedding and became extremely angry, which is why he went back home. This legend has
resulted in a grand procession that marks the end of the festivities where Lord Kallazhaga, an
avatar of Lord Vishnu, is carried back to the temple.
Madurai has come to be called the sleepless city because of its 24x7 work culture. There are
plenty of food joints here, which remain open 24 hours, along with the transport, which is
operational late at night.
The city is well connected to other parts of the country. It has an airport, a railway station and a
reliable public transport system, which commuters can use for intercity as well as intracity travel.
Being a major city, Madurai is well connected domestically by air, road and rail transport. The
Madurai airport is at a distance of 10 km from the city centre. Taxis are available from the
airport. The nearest international airport is in Chennai.
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It is also well connected by rail including major cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Mysore, Coimbatore,
Chennai and others. By bus, it is connected to several cities within the state as well as
neighbouring states. Frequent services are available to Chennai, Coimbatore, Bangalore,
Thiruvananthapuram etc. Services are provided by the TSRTC as well as private operators.
Lying at an elevation of 101 m above sea level, Madurai experiences a hot and dry weather
throughout the year. The day temperature during the summer months hovers at about 40
Celsius while the same during the winters is between 20-25 Celsius. It is best to avoid visiting
Madurai during the rainy season from June to August when the south-west monsoon hits the
city. The best time to visit Madurai is from October to March.
Information
State:
Tamil Nadu
Famous for/as: Heritage
Altitude:
8M
Pincode:
625001
District:
Madurai
Language:
Tamil
STD code:
0452
Weather:
Summer 26 To 41C, Winter 18 To 32C
Featured review about Madurai

Heartening city with Fabulous temples
"We must travel this place to experience divine presence of Lord Siva, Parvathi and Lord
Vishnu. We have visited world famous Meenakshi devi temple with exquisitely carved
sculptures every where. The temple is in the heart of the city and we entered through West gate
and had great darshan of Godess Meenakshi devi and Lord Sundareswara(Siva). It is an
architectural wonder and we can not miss even an inch of the premises. It is filled with not only
sculptures but also excellent paintings on the roofs.
We have visited temple in the wee hours and had an excellent feelings that are imprint on the
minds. Beautiful temple tanks and the sun lit gopurams and structures that appear golden are
memorable. Entrance gopuram itself is a huge structure with innumerable number of sculptures
throughout. One should not miss the museum inside the temple premise which accommodates
huge to small statues it is very much worth seeing.
About 10 km from the city There is a Vishnu temple called Alagar temple which is equally
wonderful temple. It is he who performed the divine marriage of Meenakshi and Sundareswar.
Hence we should visit it. Very near to this temple there is Lord Subhramnyeswar temple on a
small hill. We have Divya darshan of Lord Muruga's procession on a golden chariot around the
temple inside the temple is an eye feast. There is also very famous Lord Murugan's temple in
near by place in Mdhurai known as Tiruppara kundram." - Ramasastry Patnala,
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Hyderabad, 1 month ago

Read 127 Madurai reviews on HolidayIQ.com
Top attractions in Madurai recommended by HolidayIQ.com travellers

1
Meenakshi Temple
Type:
Temple
Entry: Free
Ranked: 1 Of 13
Ratings: 6.52/7 (128 Reviews)
Timings: Monday - Friday - 05:00 To 22:00 , Saturday - 05:00 To 22:00 , Sunday - 05:00 To
22:00 , Public Holidays - 05:00 To 22:00
"I visited this Temple on 22nd November 2015 in connection with a marriage of my Nephew.
Earlier I had visited the temple many times, roughly about 6 times so far. This temple is always
attractive and Divine irrespective of number of times one may..." - Kasi venkoba Rao,
Chennai, 1 week ago
2
Alagar Koil
Type:
Temple
Entry: Free
Ranked: 2 Of 13
"The Alagar Temple is another very prominent temple located about 20-25 kms away from
Madurai and the drive to get to the place is awesome. Nice place to worship the lord. A pleasant
drive early in the morning or in the evening is most preferred to..." - Vs Karthik,
Secunderabad, 2 weeks ago
Tirupparankundram Murugan Temple
Type:
Temple
Entry: Free
Ranked: 3 Of 13
"Thirupparangunram ( Holy hill place) Murugan temple is also said to be pre-historic. Lord
Muruga was born here as' six babies' then combined to one single body with six heads. hence
he is also called a s"Arumugan' (man with sis face; and married..." - Gowri Sa, Chennai, Jul
24, 2015
3
Thirumalai Nayak Palace
Type:
Entry:
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Palace
Entry: Paid
Ranked: 4 Of 13
"Visited the Mahal around 7 pm. There was light and sound show demonstrating the old Nayak
king's court scenes, thier conversation etc. The huge pillars are marvellous; made of lime and
stone -at that time no cement or concrete or iron rods etc. It..." - Gowri Sa, Chennai, Jul 24,
2015
5
Gandhi Museum
Type:
Museum
Entry: Free
Ranked: 5 Of 13
"The Museum displayed the actual photos of freedom war of india . The place having original
letter written by BAPU. The Museum having original DHOTI, CHAPPAL, CHASMA and THALI of
bapu. Rare photos of Gandhiji life are displayed here.when..." - Purshottam Maheshwari,
Aurangabad, Jul 17, 2015
Pazhamudhir Solai
Type:
Temple
Entry: Free
Ranked: 6 Of 13
"Lord Murugan Temple just before the Alagar Koil is located about 20-30 in the out skirts of
Madurai. A very peaceful, devine and spiritual experience. Best time to visit is during the day for
about 1-2 hours, preferably by own transportation (two..." - Vs Karthik, Secunderabad, 2
weeks ago
6
Vaigai Dam
Type:
Dam
Entry: Free
Ranked: 7 Of 13
"It is the beautiful and natural sightseeing. It is the dam which is seen like the natural
environment. Which will provide a water to village at any time. Sightseen make the fresh with
who see that senary. Which will provide you the best most..." - Rakesh Ghadi, Dombivli, Feb
26, 2015
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Koodal Azhagar Temple
Type:
Temple
Entry: Free
Ranked: 8 Of 13
"Its Lord Vishnu's avathara sthalam, wonderful place to see in the middle of the city and easily
accessible. Very Beautiful temple, must see temple in lifetime for hindus. Its not a picnic place
but a great pilgrimage place with lots of crafty..." - Srinath Orn, Bangalore, Apr 7, 2015
9
Adhisyam
Type:
Theme Park
Entry: Paid
Ranked: 9 Of 13
"Most of the rides are decent and free but few are charged. Water rides are not much more like
black thunder, some times the maintenance of water is not good." - Karthik R, Chennai, Aug
13, 2014
10 Vandiyur
Mariamman Teppakulam
Type:
Place Of Worship
Entry: Free
Ranked: 10 Of 13
"for the place for the friends to mingle with them .and like semi beach too. and some tamil
movies shooted in theppakulam..and nice with food and drink is also there" - Jayakumar ,
Chandigarh, Aug 22, 2014
Popular hotels in Madurai recommended by HolidayIQ.com travellers

1
The Gateway Hotel, Pasumalai

Price:
Rs. 6,000 - 8,000
Ranked: 1 Of 147
Address: Pasumalai Hill
No. 40 TPK Road
Madurai
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Phone: 4522371601
Website: Www.thegatewayhotels.com
"We were here at this Hotel for two nights on 20th and 21st Novenber 2015 in
connection with a marriage.of my cousin. We stayed at Room No. 15.Other
family members occupied Room Nos. 14,16,31 and 2. The rooms are clean and
spacious. All rooms are..." - Kasi venkoba Rao, Chennai, 1 week ago
Read 39 hotel reviews on HolidayIQ.com
2
Kadambavanam Resort
Price:
Rs. Upto 3,500
Ranked: 2 Of 147
Address: Madurai - Natham Road
Parali, Dindigul District
Phone: 04544-220322
Website: Www.kadambavanam.in
"The front looking and the locality is very nice. As well as the interior design and
room size and arrangements are very good. The extra facilities like swimming
pool is also very nice. The only thing of unsatisfactory issue is , no
responsible..." - Vijayarajan ., Theni, 3 weeks ago
JC Residency
Price:
Rs. 4,047 - 7,200
Ranked: 3 Of 147
Address: 14, Lady Doak College Road
Madurai
Phone: 452-4200399
Website: Www.jcresidency.com
"Excellent hotel to stay, less hassle and more better stay. Breakfast and food
were excellent with very less or nothing to complain. Very co-operative staff and
good service, I would stay once again in the same place if I were to visit
Madurai..." - Shree ram dk , , Yesterday
Heritage Madurai
Price:
Rs. 4,000 - 8,700
Ranked: 4 Of 147
Address: 11, Melakkal Main Road
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Kochadai
Madurai
Phone: 452-2385455
Website: Www.heritagemadurai.com
"Rooms are very good, separate swimming pool to each room. and one big pool
also. Front office people more friendly. Good ambience, and safe place to stay
with children. Good food. nice play area for kids. Nice relaxing room. Everything
is..." - Somisetty naveen kumar , Karnal, 2 days ago
5
GRT Regency
Price:
Rs. 4,800 - 5,800
Ranked: 5 Of 147
Address: 38, Madakulam Main Road
Palanganatham Signal Junction
TPK Road, NH7, Madurai
Phone: 4512371155
Website: Www.grtregency.com
"Stay though very short was good and enjoyable. Complimentary breakfast was
excellent and enjoyable with a wide variety. Room stay was comfortable. We
specially liked the concept of keeping the locally made sweets in the room. It
brought local..." - Mohan sh , , 2 weeks ago
Germanus Hotel
Price:
Rs. 3,800 - 6,500
Ranked: 6 Of 147
Address: 28, By-Pass Road
Madurai
Phone: 452-4356999
Website: Www.hotelgermanus.com
"Hotel is slightly costlier. It is near to both railway station and bus stand. Pick up
and drop facility is good. USP of this hotel is that there is a sweeeming pool at
the top. Complementary break fast is good. Rooms are neat and clean.
Mostly..." - Nitin Nandurdikar, Nashik, 2 weeks ago
Poppys Hotel
Price:
Rs. 3,200 - 8,500
Ranked:
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Ranked: 7 Of 147
Address: No-172- SKS Nagar
Near Ist Toll Gate
Uttangudi
Phone: 4514210411
Website: Www.poppyshotel.com
"Good hotel infrastructure wise but the service was bad. Rather the service was
limited due to the language barrier. Nobody except the front desk understood
english, made it challenging to get anything done. Wifi never worked. But
nevertheless a..." - Harsh dhaka , , 2 weeks ago
8
Fortune Pandiyan Hotel

Price:
Rs. 4,600 - 8,500
Ranked: 8 Of 147
Address: Race Course
Alagar Koil Road
Madurai
Phone: 4512537090
Website: Www.fortunehotels.in
"hotel Staff was very polite and they amazing hospitality, But due to work at
terrace room is noisy. Food is good. hotel is not value for money as room is
quite expensive.hotel location is 3 km from temple and they not have hotel
pickup and..." - Nitesh kumar , , 1 month ago
Star Residency Hotel

Price:
Rs. 2,600 - 4,900
Ranked: 9 Of 147
Address: 43 & 44, Collector Office Road
Aravind Eye Hospital
Madurai
Phone: 0452-4343999
Website: Www.starresidencyhotels.com
"The hotel is well located within a reasonable reach from the Meenakshiamman
temple, which is 2-3 kms from it. Neat and clean rooms with good support staff.
The front desk was not flexible on the check out timing, specifically since we
were an..." - Gopalakrishnan s , , 5 days ago
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10 Madurai
Residency
Price:
Rs. 1,500 - 1,900
Ranked: 10 Of 147
Address: 15, West Marret Street
Madurai
Phone: 452-4380000
Website: Www.madurairesidency.com
"though we had a very short stay at Hotel Madurai Residency, still we remained
very comfortable. Room was bit small but completely furnished with lot of
toiletries provided. Food with limited choices was good. Overall we had a
fantastic stay, would..." - Narinder tripathi , , 3 days ago
View all Madurai hotels
Best way to travel from Chennai to Madurai

Madurai is located at a distance of 502 km from Chennai. It is the second largest city in Tamil
Nadu and is well-connected to Chennai by rail, road and air. However, the best way to travel
from Chennai to Madurai is by train a journey of over 10 hours. Some of the important places
covered on the way are Chennai - 82km -> Maduranthakam - 79km -> Villupuram - 112km ->
Perambalur - 62km -> Tiruchirapalli - 102km -> Dindigul - 65km -> Madurai. There are several
facilities like rest-rooms, drinking water and snack corners available at railway stations.
Transport options from Chennai to Madurai

Chennai to Madurai By Train: Madurai Junction railway station is well connected to Chennai.
Take a direct train from Chennai to Madurai, which takes approximately 10 hours. Ideal for
senior citizens and families.
Chennai to Madurai By Car: Hire a cab from Chennai to Madurai, which takes around 10 hours.
Approximate cost of cab per kilometre ranges between INR 9 and INR 24, depending upon the
type of car. Ideal for families and group travellers.
Chennai to Madurai By Bus: Take a direct bus from Chennai to Madurai that takes about 7
hours. State operated buses, private A/C and non A/C buses are available from Chennai.
Madurai bus stand is situated at a distance of around 4 km from the city centre. You can take
an auto or bus to reach the city centre that takes about 10 minutes. Ideal for individuals,
youngsters and backpackers.
Chennai to Madurai By Flight: Take a direct flight from Chennai to Madurai which takes over an
hour. Madurai airport is situated at around 12 km from the city centre. From the airport, you can
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take a taxi to reach the city cente, which charges around INR14 per kilometre.
Read more Travel options on HolidayIQ.com

Chennai To Madurai
(420Km)
Bangalore To Madurai
(344Km)
Mumbai To Madurai
(1158Km)
Hyderabad To Madurai
(834Km)
Delhi To Madurai
(2090Km)
Coimbatore To Madurai
(175Km)
Thiruvananthapuram To Madurai
(203Km)
Kolkata To Madurai
(1778Km)
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Madurai weather
Best Season / Best Time to Visit Madurai
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Best Time to Visit Madurai

The best time to visit Madurai is from October to March. Located on the banks of River Vaigai,
Madurai experiences summer, monsoon and winter.
Summer in Madurai
Summer season lasts from March to June and the temperature ranges from 26 C to 41 C.
This is not a good time for tourists to visit Madurai as the city experiences intense heat,
especially in May and June.
Monsoon in Madurai
Monsoons hit the city in the months of July and August. The season brings medium to heavy
rainfall and occasional thunderstorms.
Winter in Madurai
Winters carry on from December through February and the minimum and maximum
temperatures during this season are close to 18 C and 32 C respectively.
Things to Do During Summer
Travellers visiting the city in April or May must attend the popular Chitirai Festival. For
sightseeing, tourists can visit the numerous popular temples in the region. Some of these are
Meenakshi Sundareshwar Temple, the thousand pillar hall of Ayirankkal Mandapam and
Maraimman Thepukullam Temple built back in 1636.
Things to Do During Winter
This is the time when tourist activities are maximum. At a distance of only 120 km lies the hill
station of Kodaikanal where you can spend a peaceful evening away from city life. The Periyar
Tiger Reserve is situated just 155 km away where travellers can spot elephants, deer and a
variety of birds.
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Madurai

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Created Date: 13 December 2015

Best of Madurai Recommended by Indian travellers

127 travel stories about Madurai by Indian travellers

Featured review about Madurai

Hyderabad, 1 month ago

Top attractions in Madurai recommended by HolidayIQ.com travellers

Thirumalai Nayak Palace

Koodal Azhagar Temple

Popular hotels in Madurai recommended by HolidayIQ.com travellers

The Gateway Hotel, Pasumalai

Fortune Pandiyan Hotel

Star Residency Hotel

Read 341 hotel reviews on HolidayIQ.com

Best way to travel from Chennai to Madurai

Transport options from Chennai to Madurai

Read more Travel options on HolidayIQ.com

Best Time to Visit Madurai

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