Madurai to Calgary Flights

  About Madurai

Touted to be one of the ancient cities in India, Madurai is especially recognised for its religious significance. The city has a lot of temples of which the Meenakshi Amman Temple is considered as the most important one. The temple also has a shrine for her consort, Sundareswarar. Madurai is also pretty close to hill stations like Kodaikanal, Thekkady, Munnar, Kumily and so on. Madurai is the perfect blend of natural beauty and heritage with a dash of urbanisation. It also plays a crucial role in preserving Tamil culture, Carnatic music and Bharatanatyam. People of Madurai are also known for celebrating all the key festivals with a lot of grandiose.

Best Time to Visit Madurai

Madurai is best visited during winters. The weather in Madurai is pleasant, and the city is buzzing with tourists and pilgrims. You can book a hotel room in Madurai closer to the Meenakshi Amman temple if that is your main purpose of the visit. Commuting in the city is not very difficult.

Winters in Madurai start from December and last till February. The temperature ranges from 20-29 degree Celsius. This is also when Pongal is celebrated across the city for three whole days. The harvest festival, that is celebrated across Tamil Nadu with a lot of grandeur, gets only better. However, since it is peak season, booking a hotel in Madurai can get a tad bit expensive. Do lookout for good flight deals to Madurai online. Since it is peak season, make sure you book your flight tickets to Madurai well in advance.

The city experiences monsoon from June to August and Madurai experiences very heavy rainfall. Though the rains add to all the beauty and charm of the city with the greenery, the climate is gloomy, and the rains stop you from venturing out.

March to May is summer in Madurai, and the temperature can rise up to 34 degree Celsius. Not only does it get hot, but the weather is quite dry, making it a less favourable time to visit the city. Since it is off-season, you will also find it easier to get cheap flight tickets to Madurai.

Places to Visit in Madurai

The Meenakshi Amman temple is one of the major tourist attractions in Madurai. A lot of tourists and pilgrims visit the temple throughout the year. The Amman temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. According to mythology, Lord Shiva came to Madurai to marry Goddess Parvati, who was residing in a human form here and was called Meenakshi. Madurai is considered sacred primarily because it is believed to be the birthplace of the Goddess. Not only is the temple huge, but the architecture will leave you stunned. Adding to this is the divine feeling that you experience in the temple. Do not miss the morning and evening aarti at the temple. You can also embrace your spiritual side at the Saint Mary's Cathedral in Madurai.

Another magnificent place to visit is the Thirumalai Nayak Palace which was built in the 17th century. It was built by King Tirumala Nayaka who was a King then. The Jain Caves is yet another top-rated tourist attraction in Madurai. You can also explore the Thiruparankundram Murugan temple dedicated to Lord Murugan, the eldest son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It's a beautiful temple and a masterpiece in every way. While you are in this part of the city, do also visit the Pazhamudhir Solai. This is easily one of the best places to spend with yourself in solitude.

Meghamalai and Samanar Hills are also two popular locations in the city. You can go hiking to one of these mountains and reach a spot from where the entire city looks absolutely breathtaking. It's the perfect getaway from all the city hustle-bustle. Make sure you go to these places during the right season. You'll even be able to take the best pictures of yourself and nature over here.

Things to do in Madurai

The Meenakshi Amman temple is a must-visit when you are in Madurai. The queue can be pretty long depending on what time you visit the temple. Not to mention, you will also have to adhere to a few rules like wearing traditional clothes and not carrying your phones, cameras or gadgets inside the temple. It is believed that the kumkum you get after offering your prayers here is auspicious and blesses your marital life. After visiting the temple, you can stop by Puthu Mandapam, which is right opposite the temple. It is a popular place to shop for clothes, accessories, handicrafts and different kinds of art work. Go for a hike at the Samanar Hills and make sure you also stop by the Jain Caves. You might come across the Keelakuilkudi village that is famous for its Jain sculptures and painted mud horse collection.

Madurai is pretty close to the Vaigai Dam, and a lot of tourists visit the dam when they go to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary since it is on the way. It is one of the architectural marvels in the city and a very popular picnic spot, too. The sunset here is simply mesmerising. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu is the Alagar Kovil, recognised for its exquisite beauty. It will make you want to spend at least 10 minutes in solitude to just admire it. If you are visiting Madurai during the Chithirai Festival, you must definitely attend it. The locals celebrate the festival for over a month, and you can also be a part of the ceremonies that take place to celebrate the marriage of Goddess Meenakshi to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped at Sundareswara here.

Food and Restaurants in Madurai

Even though Madurai is a city that has a lot of religious importance, you will find restaurants in the city that serve non-vegetarian food, a little away from the temples. Of course, you can blindly trust and have the traditional South Indian food like Idlis and Dosas here. But Madurai is known for delicacies like Paruthi Paal, Jigarthanda, Kuzhi Paniyaram and Appam. Jigarthanda is a very popular beverage here, and you'll find it almost everywhere. You can even try some outside the Meenakshi Amman temple. Just a few streets away from the Amman temple is Murugan Idli Shop. You'll get the fluffiest, most delicious idlis here with four different types of chutneys. You can also order the Onion Uttapam and Sweet Pongal here. You can also head to Kodaikanal from Madurai since it is not very far from here. Ooty is quite far by road, but you can make a trip to Ooty, too, if you have the time and if you are planning the trip during winter. Both the hill stations are worth visiting during the cold season. You'll get buses and taxis to Kodaikanal very easily from Madurai. You might have to negotiate the fare a little bit if you are taking a private taxi from Madurai.

The Burmah Idiyappa Kadai is a local eatery that serves Idiyappam only. There is no seating here, but the outlet sees a lot of customers on a regular basis. The Idiyappams are served with tomato chutney and sweetened coconut milk. Chandran Mess at the Alagar Kovil main road is another popular restaurant that you can visit. Its speciality is Kola Urundai or mutton balls. It is owned by a family that overlooks everything that goes into making the best dishes. Not only do they grind their masalas using a mortar pestle like the olden days, but the members of the family also supervise the kitchen at all times. You will also find a lot of restaurants that serve other Indian dishes, Chinese and Continental cuisines, too.

How to reach Madurai (Transportation)

By Air

The nearest airport is Madurai Airport, which is about 10 km away from the city. The airport connects Madurai to domestic routes in the city like Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai and Delhi. The flight connectivity from Madurai to these cities within the country is excellent. However, the nearest international airports are the Coimbatore International Airport and Tiruchirappalli International Airport. You can either change flights from these airports or take a taxi from outside the airport. You will also get taxis from Madurai airport to your hotel or wherever you wish to go first.

By Rail

Trains run regularly to and from Madurai Junction. Trains run quite frequently from the city, and it is also well-connected to other major cities in the country. It is advisable that you make your ticket bookings done well in advance during summer since it is a holiday season and a lot of people travel to Madurai for the summer vacation with their families and kids. In any case, booking tickets in advance will help you find better coaches.

By Road

There are quite a few buses, both government-run and private, that are connected to Madurai. You will also get buses from Madurai to other major cities of Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states. Getting around the city and to the city by road is also quite convenient. The NH 44 is a popular route to Madurai.

  About Calgary

Founded as a Rocky Mountain outpost, Calgary rose from rags to riches as one of Canada's high-end cities after it discovered oil in the early 1900s. Calgary is the commercial powerhouse of Canada and earned quite a reputation for itself after hosting the Winter Olympics. You will find a lot of conventional cowboys in the locality with the wide-brimmed hats and leather boots. You will get a taste of the cowboy culture here if you visit the city in summer for the annual Calgary Stampede. You will get to witness rodeo shows, music festivals and a lot of other events hosted during the Calgary Stampede. You will be treated to a wonderful scenery and some delicious food. There are museums, parks, zoos, everything you look for on a vacation when you visit Calgary. You can just rent a bike and explore the city on your own. No matter what season it is when you head to Calgary, you will always find something to do. The city is also known for its vibrant breweries, and you can't leave without treating yourself to a glass of beer or more. People here are quite friendly and welcoming. You will certainly leave with one or more new friends.

Best Time to Visit Calgary

Spring season hits Calgary in April and May. It is not the most popular season to visit Calgary since not only is the spring season quite short, but also, the melting snow only leads to an increase in moisture and humidity in the city. The parks and other tourist destinations can be quite muddy and wet. It is best to avoid travelling to Calgary during these months. This season is also when the city starts getting ready to welcome the tourists in summer. If you are still planning to visit the city during the spring season, you can get to attend events and festivals like Calgary Expo, Calgary Dance Stampede, The Electric Highway and Calgary Marathon. You can book a hotel in Calgary of your choice and convenience at the lowest price during this time since the demand is quite low. Do make sure you are carrying your monsoon footwear and an umbrella.

June to August is a high tourist season in Calgary for all the right reasons. The city experiences summer and a lot of events are hosted during this time of the year. You can go hiking up the hill or boating by the river. You can even plan a picnic in the parks here. The weather is just perfect to plan a picnic by the lake. The famous Calgary Stampede also takes place in July, and the city sees a lot of tourists buzzing in to witness it. Make sure you book your hotel in Calgary at least a month in advance since the prices increase and availability can also become an issue. You might also want to book your flight tickets to Calgary in advance. You can attend quite a lot of festivals and events during summer like the Lilac Festival, Calgary Stampede, Calgary Folk Music Festival, Calgary Fringe Festival, Calgary International Blues Festival and Calgary Pride.

September to October is the autumn season in Calgary, and it is a pleasant time to head to the city. You won't find a lot of tourists in the city as compared to summer. You will get a better deal on flights to Calgary and hotels, too. You can enjoy all the tourist attractions without having to wait in queues or amidst a lot of tourists. The evenings get pretty chilly, so make sure you also pack warm clothes. You can attend events like the Calgary International Film Festival, Wordfest: International Writers Festival and Rocky Mountain Wine and Food Festival.

Calgary experiences winter from November to March. This is an ideal time to visit Calgary only if you are a fan of winter sports. The Rocky Mountains are pretty accessible, and this is the best time for you to go skiing. You can attend events like the Calgary Winefest, Calgary Midwinter Bluesfest and Glow Winter Festival. You can easily get cheap flight tickets to Calgary in winter, and the hotel prices are also at their lowest. If you are a winter sports fanatic and on a budget, this is the perfect time for you to head to Calgary.

Places to Visit in Calgary

Calgary Tower is one of the most iconic landmarks and buildings in the city. The observation tower is about 190 meters tall and offers a magnificent view of the city. Prince Island's Park is another beautiful tourist attraction in Calgary that is worth visiting. You can plan a picnic in the park or go on a stroll to explore the park. You can catch the Calgary Folk Festival and Canada Day celebrations in the park here. Calgary Zoo is the best place to go to with your family. The zoo has about 1000 different species of animals including gorillas, pandas, lions and so on. Reaching the zoo is also quite convenient since it is pretty close to Calgary's C-Train. Fort Calgary is one of the historical monuments in Calgary that was built in 1875. This is the perfect place to head to if you are a history buff. You can plan an adventurous trip to the Rocky Mountains to ski, if it's winter, or go on a hike. You can take loads of pictures from up top.

Things to do in Calgary

Skiing at the Rocky Mountains is one of the main reasons why people plan a vacation to Calgary. You can also sign up for a sightseeing tour of the city. There is much more to Calgary than just the skiing slopes. You can head to the Calgary Zoo or visit the museums. You can also sign up for a tour of the Mountain Lakes and Waterfalls trip. Calgary is also known for its craft beers and food. If you don't plan on signing up for a food tour of the city, you can explore restaurants on your own. The Calgary Stampede is a very popular event and something you must witness at least once in your life. You can also try the local food from the stalls here at the event. The city is known for the locals who live their everyday cowboy life. You can also attempt to put on a cowboy outfit and blend in with the crowd during festivals. No matter when you visit the city, you will find some event or another to attend. You must definitely attend music festivals and concerts happening in the city during your holiday.

Food and Restaurants in Calgary

Calgary is known for Alberta beef, and it is the most popularly ordered dish in most restaurants. However, you can also try some of the local favourites like cheese buns from Glamorgan Bakery, mini doughnuts at Calgary Stampede or Calgary Mini Donuts, if you are not in town during the festival. You can also try the deep-fried ginger beef at Silver Inn Restaurant. It was invented here in the 1970s and became an instant favourite among locals. Another invention in Calgary was the Caesar cocktail. It is apparently made with hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, Clamato juice, vodka and spices. Sounds adventurous, doesn't it? You can order the drink at Westin Calgary and other bars in the town. Vero Bistro Moderne and Gaga Pizza are some popular Italian and Canadian restaurants in the city. The Himalayan is the perfect restaurant to head to if you feel  like eating Asian, Tibetan or Nepali food. Santorini Greek Taverna serves the best Mediterranean and Greek food. The restaurant also has a very trendy decor, and you will love your dining experience here. Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant has a unique decor, and the ambience itself makes you want to sit there for some more time. The restaurant is popular for serving delicious Canadian cuisine.

How to reach Calgary (Transportation)

The Calgary International Airport is the fourth-busiest one in Canada. The flight connectivity to Calgary from India is quite good. KLM, Air France, Lufthansa, Air Canada have frequent flights to Calgary with layovers in Paris, Amsterdam, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Zurich and Frankfurt. If you book in advance, you might come across exciting flight deals to Calgary. The flight journey might be quite tedious since it takes more than 18-20 hours to reach Calgary from India. Make sure you pack everything that you need to be comfortable on your flight to Calgary. You can book a hotel in Calgary that is closer to the airport so you can avoid the commute or to catch an early flight. It will be quite easy and convenient to get a cab from the airport or to book a car rental service. The airport staff is pretty helpful and will give you certain tips to explore the city if at all you ask them about it. In case you missed out on some last-minute shopping, you can always buy souvenirs and gifts from the duty-free shops at the airport.

  About Madurai Airport

The Madurai Airport is touted to be a customs airport that majorly serves the city and its neighbouring districts in Tamil Nadu. It is located close to State Highway 37, which is about 12 km from the Madurai railway station. The airport stands at the 32nd position as the busiest airport in India. This includes in terms of passenger handling as well as aircraft movement. Established in 1957, the airport was originally used as an airfield by the Royal Air Force of the British during the Second World War, back in 1942. Later after independence from the British, the airport chartered its first passenger flight which was a Fokker Friendship aircraft that followed the Madras - Madurai - Trivandrum - Madurai - Madras route. This took place in 1956. The airport soon found recognition for being one of the 35 non-metro airports chosen for modernisation. Much recently, the airport received a revamp from the government as a new integrated terminal building was constructed. Madurai airport also has international flights that fly to Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

About Madurai Airport Terminals

The Madurai Airport has two terminals placed in an adjacent direction to connect the old and the new unified terminal. The integrated terminal is presently being used for all domestic and international activities. Meanwhile, the old terminal has been reserved as a Cargo Terminal. The growth in the demand for flights to and from the Madurai International Airport, there are plans to separate the two terminals into individual domestic and international. The terminal with the area of 189,000 ft has the capacity to handle about 250 passengers on arrival and departure. The airport's parking bay can accommodate 375 cars and ten buses. The new terminal also includes features such as 16 check-in counters along with 12 immigration booths. There are two security counters, too, with five customs counters. The new terminal also entertains two lounges for passengers, a VIP lounge managed by AAI and a CIP lounge (Commercial Important Persons) handled by the Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry. There are three aero-bridges too.

About airport authority

The Madurai Airport is owned and operated by the Airports Authority of India. The AAI is a statutory body that ensures to handle the infrastructural development, maintenance and management of various airports, including the Madurai Airport. Much recently, the airport proposed to create a new terminal building specifically for the Madurai International Airport, as the airport has been witnessing an increase in passenger traffic. The new building will also have a control tower and plans to erect seven new aprons at the Madurai Airport. This is due to the airport's current capacity to handle only 250 passengers at their arrival and departure halls at once. A proposed site is going to extend the runway to 12,500 ft, enabling the efficient functioning of overseas services. Work to extend the airport has already begun with plans to disconnect the Ring Road at the Mandela Junction and divert the route to Perungudi and Avaniapuram, which would eventually connect to the Tuticorin Road.

Top airlines flying from Madurai Airport

Madurai Airport is one of the small airports in the state of Tamil Nadu. As the airport does have two adjacent terminals, one is for the domestic, and the other is for international airlines. There are only two international airlines that fly from Madurai Airport. The Srilankan Airlines, which flies to Colombo–Bandaranaike and SpiceJet, which flies to Dubai-International, are both available at the Madurai airport. Air India Express also has a flight to Singapore, available at Madurai Airport. Aside from these three airlines with cities to international connections, the rest of the airlines are domestic. Domestic airlines such as Air India, Air India Express, Alliance Air, IndiGo and SpiceJet, fly from the Madurai Airport. The airlines connectivity is a little limited as they only fly to cities such as Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Tiruchirapalli and Hyderabad.

Facilities at Madurai Airport

Airport lounge – The airport has a few lounges including a retiring room for passengers who are waiting due to a layover. Madurai Airport also has a lounge called the Golden Chariot Lounge. It is essential for passengers to get access to hang out at the lounge space. The same can be availed through membership programs.

Foreign exchange – The foreign exchange counters are available at the arrivals of the international terminal. The counters have been placed to enable passengers travelling from abroad to exchange currencies and even make money transfers.

Restaurants and cafes – There are a few restaurants and cafes available in the premise of the airport. There is a dedicated food court present in the departure while the arrivals section has small food joints. These include some local food establishments which service tea, coffee and other beverages. Similarly, the airport also has restaurants and joints such as Subway, KFC, to name a few.

Baggage – Madurai Airport provides excellent baggage services. These include provisions of trolleys, baggage wrapping services and storage facilities. As Madurai Airport has flights connecting to domestic and international destinations, they have proper facilities to help ease the transit. You can get your bags wrapped in plastic. This would ensure that the luggage is not mishandled or the contents are affected. Trolleys are available at all intervals until the security check.

Smoking room - Smoking is prohibited in the airport, and hence, the airport has installed dedicated smoking lounges. The smoking room is available in the domestic terminal's Gate 6. Lighters and cigarettes can also be found at the terminal.

ATMs - ATM kiosk of Indian Bank has been placed in the airport's entrance. As the airport caters to domestic and international flights, the ATM kiosks would help withdraw money and exchange currencies.

Medical services - In order to help out with emergencies, the airport has installed medical rooms and services. There are first aid centres in the airport and details on the same can be received at the airport. The terminal manager would be the best to guide the passenger through the process. Pharmacies are also installed at Madurai Airport to help with last-minute medical purchases.

Special assistance - Madurai Airport provides special assistance for passengers who need the same. There are trolleys and wheelchairs available at the airport that the passenger can avail. In fact, it would be best to inform the airline beforehand to avail the services. The airport will provide staff to help passengers travel within the airport and even help them with the check-in and security check procedures.

How to reach Madurai Airport

Madurai Airport has excellent connectivity with buses operated under the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC). There are many routes that directly connect to the Madurai airport. In fact, Madurai Airport is known to be one of the few airports in the country that has dedicated government transport services to enable connectivity. Within the city, you will find bus stops with regular buses to help reach Madurai Airport. You can find them at the Periyar Bus Stand, Thirupparankundram, Arappalayam, Krishnapuram Colony, Mattuthavani and Park Town. Plus, these buses have services at the most convenient timings. It is considered to be one of the best ways to reach Madurai Airport.

Another convenient way to reach Madurai Airport is by hailing a taxi. Prepaid taxis are available in the city. The city of Madurai has prominent call taxi services that operate within the city as well as to the airport. These taxis also have services that traverse to neighbouring cities from Madurai. Auto-rickshaws are also considered to be one of the easiest and affordable means of transport to reach Madurai airport. They are widely available within the city to the airport. However, the only concern here is to ensure that you can haggle with the rickshaw. The auto rickshaws do not function on the meter system, so a fixed price needs to be agreed upon with the drivers before you start the journey.

About Madurai

Formerly known as Madura, the city of Madurai is recognised as one of the major cities in the state of Tamil Nadu. In fact, it is actually known to be a cultural capital of the state and is the third largest city after Chennai and Coimbatore. Madurai is also known to be the hub for Tamil Sangam, a congregation of Tamil scholars which is held in the city on an annual basis. Madurai has seen some flourishing history with several big empires taking leadership. The city was ruled by Pandyas, Madurai Sultanate, Madurai Nayaks, Cholas, Vijaynagar Empire and British East India Company, to name a few.

The city's major highlight is the famous Meenakshi Temple as well as the Tirumalai Nayak Palace. These two historical monuments have played a vital role in shaping the cultural heritage of the city. Apart from the historical sites, Madurai also has essential educational institutes run by the government. Madurai Medical College, Madurai Law College, Homeopathic Medical College and Agricultural College and Research Institute are some of the important educational institutes.