Madurai Temple Tour, Temples in Madurai,Temple around Madurai

Madurai:
Madurai,a city in the southern part of India, in the state of Tamil Nadu is also a city in existence from the pre christian era.In 3rd B.C Megasthanese visited Madurai.It wasfollowed by visits of many Romans and Greeks.

godess They established flourishing trades withthe then Pandya Kings of Madurai.

So it will only be apt to call Madurai, the Athens of East.Madurai is situated on the right banks of river vaigai.

The city is surrounded by three small hills.

A hill having resemblance to an elephant is called the elephant hill (Anamalai in Tamil) The other two hills resemble a cow and snake . They are known as cow hill (Pasu malai in Tamil ) and snake hill (naga malai in Tamil).

MEENAKSHI TEMPLE:
Madurai is a city in TamilNadu known as the "Athens of the East" and most widely "City of Temples". In madurai temple tour,There are lots and lots of temples in and around Madurai. Of those the most important is the Meenakshi Amman Temple. The temple was built by the ruler Thirumalai Nayakar in 17th century. The area the temple covers is about 17acres. The entire Madurai city was beleived to be built around this temple. The temple has four "Rajagopurams". Of those the "South Gopuram" is the tallest one measuring a height of 160.9 feet and its base area is about 108 feet by 67 feet. There are 14 other towers each consisting of different tiers and different sculptures and stories inscribed on them. Don't miss to see it. There is a order in which those gods have to be visited. To know the procedure for worship visit procedure for worship

The Thousand Pillar Mandapam
The name came from the count of pillars in this mandapam.In madurai temple tour,it consist of 1000 pillars and each pillar has sculptures on them. Here you can see photographs, icons, drawings showing 1200 years history.

Musical Pillars
The musical pillars are near the north tower. These pillars when tapped produce different sounds. These pillars were craved out of a single stone.

Pottramarai Kulam
Dont forget to spend some time near the Pottramarai Kulam. To know the history of The Golden Lotus Pond click Pottramarai Kulam.There are 18 guides authorised by the temple administration to guide devotees from other States and foreign countries.

Azhagar Kovil:
Azhagar Kovil (Temple of Alagar)one of the temples in madurai is situated on a hill, and hence, the place is also known as Alagar Hill. The statues of Lord Kallalagar can be found in seated, standing and reclining postures in this temple. Azhagar is popularly known as Soundara Rajan, meaning 'very beautiful king'. This temple is also famous for its shrine of Karuppa Swamy, the guardian deity.The Temple of Pazhamudircholai is also situated in a hillock nearby.The Tamil literary work Silapadikaram a work that belongs to 300 C.E. mentions this Vishnu temple.
Palamudhirsolai temples in madurai is one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya is on the same hill, about 4 kms. above. A natural spring called Nuburagangai where pilgrims bath, is located here.

Thirumalai Nayakar Palace:

naicker mahal The palace is situated 2kms south east of Meenakshi Temple. The palace was built in 1636 by Thirumalai Nayakar. This is one of the temple around madurai,A classic example of the Indo-Saracenic style, the piece deresistance of this mahal is its carved dome outsoars without the support of girders or rafters.pilgrimage in madurai,The stucco work on its domes and arches is remarkable. The gigantic pillars and structures represents the amazing architectural mastery of Nayak Kings. The courtyard and the dancing hall are being the center of attractions. There are around 248 pillars of each 58 feet toll and 5 feet diameter.Furniture and utensils used by the kings have been exhibited inside the palace. The palace is equipped to perform Light & Sound shows depicting the story of Silappathikaram in both Tamil and English languages.

Koodal Azhagar Temple:
The Koodal Alagar Temple is one of the temple around madurai,devoted to Lord Vishnu, one God of the Divine Trinity in the Hindu Mythology. The pilgrimage in madurai,A unique feature of this temple is the three different postures of the same God residing in three different alter. The three figures of Vishnu are in standing, sitting and reclining postures. These three figures of the deity are known by three different names. The most venerated of the three figures is Lord Vishnu in the seated posture. The seated Lord Vishnu is locally known as Lord Koodal Alagar from whom the temple derives its name. The reclining idol is more popu-larly known acknowledged as Sri Ranganatha. Sri Surya Narayan Perumal is the name for the standing image of Lord Vishnu.

The decorative windows are among the other remarkable feature of the Koodal Alagar Temple. These wonderfully engraved windows added with the delicately designed wooden panes create a spectacular sight.

churches:
St.George Church:
St.Georges Church is Madurai's first church .This was constructed by the society for propogation of christain knowledge(s.p.c.k) in 1800 .In 1822 Mr.Daniel Burby a writer in the collector's office puchased land for expansion of the church and in 1824 handed it over to the Tanjore Missionary for constructing the Church.In 1827 the chapel was built.In 1868 s.p.c.k handed over the bulding to the bishop of Chennai. The foundationstone for the new Church was laid on 1875.The church was consecrated in 1898.Further extension of the Church was started in 1968 and completed in 1970.In the new church the altar was shifted from east to west.

St. Mary's Cathedral:
St. Mary's Cathedral, built around 150 years back is an architectural marvel which is a blend of various forms of European and continental style. It is located near to the Tirumala Nayak Mahal, in the old Koyavar Palayam Road. Founded in 1840, the church dedicated to Viagulamatha, was originally known as Viagulamatha Koil. The new church was constructed during 1916. When Madurai Diocese was created in 1938, St. Mary'sChurch was raised to the status of a pro-Cathedral and the Bishop's throne was installed. The church was elevated to the status of Cathedral on 1969. The notable feature of the church is the two tall elegant bell towers constructed in Roman style which is at a height of 42 meters.

First Baptist Church Of Madurai:
The First Baptist Church in Madurai located in Mahabupalayam was started by 8 devotees in 1974 . The worship service is held on every Sunday's morning from 9:30 to 11:30 and evening from 6:15 to 7:30 and on Tuesday evening from 6:45 to 8:00. The church conducts women’s meeting, youth Boys and girls meetings separately and Children class on Sundays, vocation Bible classes and some other special meeting on special occasions. It is three branches in Aruppukottai, Madurai East and in Madurai North.

Mosques:
The Kazmir Mosque:

mosque The Kazimar big mosque is the oldest mosque in Madurai.This mosque is said to be almost 700 years old.This mosque is located with in one kilometer from the Meenakshi temple.

The holiness Hazrat Kazi Seyed Tajuddin from Oman, was given this land by the then king Kulasekara pandiyan as a gift.Kazi seyed Tajuddin then constructed the mosque which is the first ever muslim place of worship in madurai.

Even now his descendants are living in the same kazimar street since 700 years and are appointed as Kazis by the government of Tamil nadu.They follow the sufi order.

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Temples in Madurai|Temple around Madurai