Madurai Places to Visit
Madurai, often called 'Athens of the East', is a beautiful city in Tamil Nadu with a glorious past. There are many marvellous places to visit in Madurai, here's a list of some must-visit places.
Top Attractions in Madurai
Madurai is known for its splendid temples built by Madurai Nayak and Pandyan kings in Dravidian architectural style, making it a popular pilgrimage destination. Shree Meenakshi Amman Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati, is famous for its grandeur and unparalleled beauty and is among the top places to visit in Madurai. Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple, a unique cave shrine dedicated to Lord Subrahmanya is another must-visit attraction. This rock-cut temple adorned with intricately carved sculptures is a sight to behold. The Koodal Azhagar Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi belongs to earliest Age of Sangam period and is sure to mesmerize you with its spectacular stone and wooden carvings. Pazhamudircholai Temple, a hill-top shrine considered to be one of the six abodes of Lord Murugan is another not-to-be-missed attraction. A visit to Goripalayam Dargah, Madurai's most commanding mosque is also highly recommended.
A stunning attraction for nature-lovers and history buffs is Samanar Hills. These hills are home to prehistoric caves dating back to around 1 AD and several Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions, stone beds and sculptures demonstrating strong Jain influence.
Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal, showcasing an amalgamation of Islamic and Dravidian architectural styles, is a spectacular palace ranking high on our 'Madurai places to visit' list. This richly decorated monument is sure to enthral every tourist. Another must-visit place for history enthusiasts is Gandhi Memorial Museum that displays a soul-stirring and comprehensive account of India's struggle for independence from 1757 to 1947.
Best Places to Visit in Madurai
Famous Food Destinations
Madurai has some great restaurants for those who worship South Indian cuisine. Some must-visit places for food-lovers include Hotel Sree Sabarees (one of the oldest restaurants in the city), Murugan Idli Shop and Temple City Restaurant, that serve mouth-watering authentic South-Indian delicacies. Foodies who love eating non-vegetarian food must explore Amma Mess and try their delectable recipes including Kola Urundai, Crab dishes, Chicken Dosa and Prawn Biryani. Another restaurant serving heavenly non-vegetarian food is Heaven's Part Restaurant, famous for its fried chicken, chicken wings, fat-free burgers and zero-oil fish preparations. Those who love Continental, Chinese and North-Indian cuisines cannot miss Surya Roof-Top Restaurant.
Shop till You Drop
A trip to Madurai is incomplete without exploring the beautiful Prithu Mandapam Market located inside eastern entrance of Meenakshi Temple. This market is popular for its wide range of cotton fabrics. Other than that, you can also buy handicrafts, textiles and metallurgical articles from here. A Government handicraft emporium in its premises is must-visit place for buying souvenirs. Another gem for shopaholics is Hajee Moosa Fabrics Pvt. Ltd., a one-stop destination for sarees, veshtis (dhotis), western wear, fabrics, home decor, accessories and cosmetics.
Make sure you don’t miss the best places to visit in Madurai and enjoy your stay in this vibrant city.
