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Madurai is a major city of Tamil Nadu in South India and it is known as the cultural capital of the state. Madurai is famous for its temples, most importantly, the Meenakshi Amman Temple. There you can also visit other temples in the Madurai as well. However, apart from visiting the temples, and admiring their impressive architecture- which of course is a must-do activity- there are various other things to explore and experience in this beautiful city. You will be amazed how much this city reveals to you once you go beyond the obvious tourist options. Here are some other things to do in Madurai:
The Murugan Idli Shop has become so famous now that it has several branches in other cities as well. However, the best of the idli can still be found in the main store in Madurai. The idlis here are so soft and fluffy and they feel like they are absolutely homemade. You can try them with a variety of chutneys and their signature sambhar. Apart from idlis, there are dosas, vadas, and uttapams as well. The taste of the food is here very unique because they have their own spice mix. You can come here at any time of the day and from breakfast to dinner, you will get healthy food whenever you want.
If you want to try out something other than idlis and dosas, then this is where you can come to, especially when you want great food at a budget price. One of the most interesting things about this place is that this small eatery is decked with a number of old photographs of the city and by- gone era and you will have a lovely time gazing at them. Sri Sabareesh, is however, purely vegetarian but that does not deter food lovers here who most come to try the South Indian thalis. You will find quite an assortment of unique South Indian food items here and they are very delicious.
The Gandhi Memorial Museum is located inside the Nayak’s Queen Palace, which is itself a splendid example of 17th-century architecture. The museum houses many artifacts and documents related to the Mahatma’s life and you will find a detailed account of the incidents that happened in life, right from his stay in South Africa. From 1757 to 1947, the museum holds account of various incidents related to the struggle for the freedom of India as well and it is a very enlightening and moving experience. There are large displays with English captions and you will find many old and rare photographs as well.
The Tirumalai Nayak Palace is located close to the Meenakshi Amman Temple and although the palace is now almost in ruins, it is still enough to draw one’s attention with its stunning pillars and high ceilings. The palace was said to be very secular and one could find symbols of all religions and cultures here. The design is inspired from various religions and cultural landmarks and that is what makes it so unique. The present palace is said to be only a quarter of what the original was but it is still an integral part of the cultural skyline of Madurai.
The Pudhu Mandapa lies outside the famed Meenakshi Amman Temple and can be easily located opposite the eastern gopuram. The hall is known for its massive pillars and is said to be built in the 16th century. The hall is crammed with all kinds of artwork, sculptures, artifacts, and tailors mostly use the hall to make stunning pieces of embroidery. Visiting this hall is really a treat for the senses and you are sure to be mesmerized by the great ceiling and its carvings.
The Teppam Festival is a twelve day festival that is held on the full moon in the month of Thai, according to the Tamil calendar. During this time, the deities of the Meenakshi Amman Temple are taken out of the temple premises in a grand parade and a huge procession takes place. The deities are then taken to the brightly lit and beautifully decorated small temple a little way off, which floats in the Teppakulam tank in the older part of the city. It is a beautiful celebration and people come from far and wide to take part in the twelve days of revelry. Fairs are set up and there are a number of food stalls as well. People of all caste, creeds and religion can come here and it is a great celebration of humanity. The rituals of the worship are especially noteworthy and have deep significance.
The Temple Art Museum is located in the eastern gopuram of the Meenakshi Amman Temple and there is a great hall here that has a thousand pillars, 985 to be precise. The museum itself contains a shrine of Shiva and also a bronze image of Nataraja. There is a large statue inside and there are deities of various other gods and goddesses. You will be amazed by the stunning temple architecture and the intricate carvings that adorn the wall of this great hall. Some have even tried to count the number of pillars in this great halls but have failed!
Another renowned festival in Madurai, the Chithirai Festival is celebrated to commemorate the wedding of Goddess Meenakshi with Lord Sundareshwar, or Shiva. It is a celebration spanning two weeks and the people all across the suburbs of Madurai, as well as from as far as from Chennai come here. The entire festival is celebrated with lamps and colorful lights and various kinds of offerings are made to the gods. Some also come to pray for their daughter’s marriage at this festival. The deities of the gods are wheeled around the Meenakshi Amman Temple and lots of devotees go around the temple with them and it is considered very sacred.
Considered as one of the best restaurants in entire Madurai, the Banyan Restaurant is located inside the grounds of top- end Heritage Madurai Hotel. The décor and the grounds of the hotel itself is quite interesting as it has a Kerala style of architecture. The gardens around the restaurant are beautifully landscaped and this will surely be one of the best and most aesthetically designed restaurant you would have visited. Food from all parts of the sub- continent is available here and is made with the choicest spices. The lunch time buffet is the most popular as one can taste a wide variety of dishes and the menu is frequently changed, which is why even regular visitors have something new to taste on every visit.
The vast tank is located about 3 km away from the central part of the old city and is the site of the annual Teppam festival, where the deities from the temple are brought to float. The tank remains empty for the majority of the year but right before the festival, the tank is very well taken care of and cleaned. At other times of the year, people sometimes come here on the weekends to enjoy the waterbody and the beautiful scenery around it. A number of birds can be seen and heard here and beautiful flowers grow around the tank in the spring time.
A place of deep reverence for the Catholic community of Madurai, the St. Mary’s Cathedral is a 20th century church that has neo- Gothic architecture. What is most striking about the cathedral is its vaulted orange ceiling that is huge and is offset by simple, stained glass windows. The exterior is done up in blue and white and has twirling spires that can be seen from afar. The interiors are simple and yet quite cozy and the church come alive during the Easter and Christmas Mass. The cathedral was built by the Portuguese and still has some of the older records and documents. It is one of the most important centers of celebrating Christmas in Madurai.
If you want to taste good, delicious food and want to enjoy a certain old world charm during the meal, not caring much about the modern décor but rather the actual feel of the place, then you should head to Kumar Mess. It is one of the best places to enjoy authentic South Indian meat dishes in Madurai and at very reasonable rates. It is not as if vegetarian dishes are not available, but they are few in number. The Mess is in an old building with a really forgettable façade, but once you step in, you will be blown away with the aroma of slow cooked meat and spices, steeped in various broths and curries. The Chicken Dosa is soft and fluffy and it is a trademark signature dish.
If you are in Madurai, be sure to visit these amazing places of Madurai and try out these activities to do in Madurai and you will see a new picture of the city. The trip will end up being a most memorable one.
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April 15, 2024 
