Given the Sobriquet 'The City of Nectar', Madurai is a major commercial and religious city of Tamil Nadu. This city has made its presence felt in epics like the Ramayana and The Mahabharata. It's believed that Madurai was a rich source of gemstones, pearls and spices which were much sought by traders around the world. Its name is also mentioned in book 'Indika' written by renowned traveler Megasthenes.
Madurai has always been a great centre and source of education and art. The Third Sangam (meeting of poets with their creations)
was held here which went for nearly 1800 years. It holds a special place for Tamil Literature.
The architectural beauty of Madurai is quiet outstanding. The Minakshi Temple is full of artistic stone carvings of animals,
men, Hindu gods and divine dramas of gods. There is a large lotus pond inside the temple for the devoteesto wash their
feet before entering the temple. There are many halls and many pillars within halls inside the temple.Every pillar has some
type of picture symbolising God's different forms depicted on it. Madurai has some very delicate structure which still stand tall showing their glorious past.
Other tourist spots such as Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam (a huge tank), Thirumalai Nayak Mahal (the palace) Tirumalai Nayak, the Gandhi Museum, Annamalai and Nagamalai, two striking rock formations etc are worth visiting. Another major attraction of Madurai is Chittarai festival. Madurai has a rich tradition of music too as Karnatic music evolved from here during 16th century.
