5 Best Places Madurai You Certainly Need to Visit

Hymns of devotional songs and temples galore, that’s Madurai for you! The gorgeous city located in the southern parts of Tamil Nadu state is often also regarded as the cultural capital. The city beautifully encapsulates a juxtaposed view of the green Western Ghats on one side and the bustling city on the other. Madurai is undoubtedly one of the best cities to visit in the state. Did you know, the illustrious city is not just adorned with lovely locales and temples to visit but is also gifted in terms of history and culture? It is, in fact, the birthplace of the Tamil language. Dating back to 2500 years, the Tamil language was born in Madurai so you can imagine how old the city is.

Madurai beautifully amalgamates the rich religious and cultural prowess of Tamil Nadu in its verdant green city. Well-endowed with some of the finest temples and complexes, there are many famous places to visit in Madurai. To better understand the city’s cultural beauty and prowess, you can indulge in some interesting tourist places in Madurai. You would be spoilt for choices in terms of places to visit for sightseeing in Madurai. To make your life easier, we have listed out the top tourist attractions in Madurai that would leave you spellbound.

Best places to visit in Madurai for sightseeing

Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple

The popular Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple is perched on the southern banks of the sparkling Vaigai River. Dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, the temple is one of the largest temples in Tamil Nadu and the most famous place to visit in Madurai. Often the main shrine of a god and a goddess is located in separate parts of a temple vicinity. However, at the Meenakshi Amman Temple, you will find Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva's idols worshipped together. It is believed that women seeking a fruitful marriage and a dedicated husband will have their prayers answered at the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple. Due to its popularity, the temple does have strong security at the entrance. People are not allowed to carry cameras or other devices to take pictures of the idols and the temple premises. Interesting fact for travel bugs here, the Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple was even considered as one of the entries for the seven wonders of the world.

Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal

Constructed back in the 17th century, Thirumalai Nayak Mahal is a cluster of buildings and temples built by King Thirumalai Nayak. The palace is a gorgeous depiction of the Dravidian and Rajput style of architecture, reflecting the cultural significance of Madurai. Located in proximity to the Meenakshi Amman Temple, the Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal is one excellent tourist sightseeing place in Madurai that you cannot miss. What gives the Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal an edge is the exquisite depiction of the Madurai Nayak Dynasty.

Vaigai Dam

If the city bustle and temple tours are taking a toll on your travel plans, you can always transition to visiting some of the nearby tourist attractions in Madurai. Vaigai Dam is one such lovely locale that should definitely be on your list of places to visit in Madurai. Located about 60 km from the main city, Vaigai Dam is a human-made dam constructed over River Vaigai. The tourist attraction in Madurai is nestled on the way to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and is located in Andipatti, Theni District. Booking a cab or a rental to reach the Vaigai Dam near Madurai is the best way to reach the place. Rest assured, the enriching expanse of green lands and flooding waters from the dam would leave you in a refreshed mood! Best way to make the most of Vaigai Dam would be to pack a nice picnic basket and whisk your family to the alluring sights of the dam.

Alagar Koil

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the alluring temple of Alagar Koil, located in the northeastern part of Madurai is quite exquisite. Encompassing the Dravidian-style architecture with idols decked up on the gopurams, Alagar Koil does make for one of the best places to visit in Madurai. Alagar Koil, a prominent tourist sightseeing place in Madurai, is sacred for devotees of Lord Vishnu. Let the excellent architecture which comes with depictions of mythological tales of the lord leave you spellbound. Take your own sweet time to relish the beauty of the temple as you learn about its significance, located about four km from the city centre of Madurai.

Meghamalai

Popularly known as the High Wavy Mountains, Meghamalai is easily one of the most picturesque places to visit in Madurai. Surrounded by the Western Ghats, Meghamalai hills are at a distance of about 85 km from Madurai. But don’t let the distance be an issue not to visit the place. The travel is every bit rewarding, courtesy the gorgeous greenery and trekking expeditions that you can take up here. As the city is predominantly hot, taking a break from the hustle-bustle and heat to experience the refreshing cold breeze is a great way to make the most of Madurai. The alluring expanses of Meghamalai Hills in Madurai is sure to leave you in a state of happy trance. Take this time to enjoy the scintillating vibe of Meghamalai.

Visiting Madurai is truly a culturally enriching experience. Best time to visit the city is in winters between October to January as the pleasant weather would be quite refreshing. Owing to its location near the Western Ghats, Madurai is dotted by some of the most fascinating places to visit. You would be in for a treat as you travel to some of the finest sightseeing places to visit in Madurai.

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