Madurai

MADURAI
Athens Of The East
1
INTRODUCTION
MADURAI , popularly known as the Temple city,
also called as ATHENS OF THE EAST, City of
Junction, City of Jasmine, CITY THAT NEVER
SLEEPS and City of four junctions.
Madurai is third major economic, industrial,

commercial, political centre and a major
transportation hub for the southern Tamilnadu.
The city is renowned for tourism, festivals and

vibrant cultural life in general and is considered to
be the states cultural capital.
2
LOCATION
Madurai is the administrative headquarters of Pandyan kingdom
The capital of the Pandyan

kingdom was initially Korkai,
around 600 BCE and was
during the reign of Nedunj
Cheliyan. Later moved to
Koodal.ie , MADURAI
The city is renowned for

tourism, festivals and vibrant
cultural life in general and is
considered to be the states
cultural capital.
3
HISTORY (1/2)
Madurai was originally a forest known as Kadambavanam. In April 1311, Malik Kafur, the general of Alauddin
One day, a farmer named Dhananjaya who was passing Khilji who was then the ruler of Delhi, reached
through the forest, saw Indra (The king of the gods), Madurai and raided and robbed the city for precious
worshipping a swayambhu (self created Lingam ) under stones, jewels, and other rare treasures. This led to
kadamba tree. Dhananjaya, the farmer immediately the subsequent raids by other Muslim Sultans. In
reported this to King Kulasekara Pandya. Kulasekara 1323, the Pandya kingdom including Madurai
Pandya cleared the forest and built a temple around the became a province of the Delhi empire, under
Lingam. A city was soon planned with the temple as its the Tughlaks.
centre. On the day the city was to be named, Lord Shiva is
said to have appeared and drops of nectar from his hair
The 1371, the Vijayanagar dynasty of Hampi
fell on the town. So, the place was named Madurai –
captured Madurai and Madurai became part of the
mathuram meaning “sweetness” in Tamil.
Vijayanagar empire
The Cholas ruled Madurai from 920 AD till the beginning The Nayaks paid fixed amount annually to the
of the 13th century. In 1223 AD Pandyas regained their Vijayanagar empire. After the death of Krishna
kingdom and once again become prosperous.During their Deva Raya (King of Vijayanagar
period, many master-pieces were created. empire)in1530AD,the Nayaks became independent
“Silapathikaram” and ruled the territories
4
HISTORY (2/2)
Among Nayaks, Thirumalai Nayak (1623-1659) was very Now after India’s independence, Madurai is one of
popular, even now he is popular among people, the major districts of Tamilnadu State. In 1984, the
since, it was he who contributed to the creation of many Vast Madurai district was bifurcated into two districts
magnificent structures in and around Madurai namely Madurai and Dindugul Districts.
and expanded the city. Thirumalai Nayak, built Nayak Subsequently in 1997, Madurai district was
Palace in 1636 with the help of an Italian Architect. bifurcated into two districts namely Madurai and
The Raja Gopuram of the Meenakshi Amman Temple, Theni Districts.
The Pudu Mandapam and The Thirumalai Nayakar’s
Palace are living monuments to his artistic fervor.
Nayaks ruled over Madurai and became weak after the

death of Tirumalai Nayak. Then Queen Mangamma,
a brave lady ruled Madurai for 17 years. Few years later
Madurai rulers tried to rule Madurai and they
wereineffective because British and French people laid
their foot strongly in the region. Madurai started
slippinginto the hands of the British’s East India Company.
In 1781, the British rulers appointed their
representatives to look after Madurai.George Procter was
the first collector of Madurai.
5
Places to visit in Madurai
1 Sri Meenakshi-Sundareshwarar Temple
2 Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace
3 Gandhi Museum
4 Azhagar Temple
5 Samanar Hills
6
1.
1 Sri Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Temple
The temple first came in to being 2000 years ago and was
substantially expanded during the regime of Thirumalai
Nayak(1623-55 AD).
Lord Siva in his incarnation as Sundareswarar and his

fish-eyed spouse, Meenakshi, are enshrined in this
twin temple
There are five massive gateways enclosing these two

shrines. Even a casual visitor is fascinated by the many
paintings and sculptures
A striking feature of the temple is the astonishing structure

know as “Ayiramkaal Mandapam” and each pillar features
high, ornate, bold sculptures .
Timings : The temple is usually open between 5am and

12.30pm and again between 4pm and 9pm
7
2.
2 Thirumalai Nayakar Palace
Thirumalai Nayak Palace is a The building, which can be seen today,

17th-century palace erected in was the main palace, in which the king
1636 CE by King Tirumala lived. The original palace complex was
Nayaka, a king of Madurai's four times bigger than the present
Nayaka dynasty who ruled structure The palace is located two
Madurai from 1623 to 1659, in the kilometres (1.2 mi) south east of the
city of Madurai, India. Meenakshi Amman Temple.
3.
3 Gandhi Museum
Gandhi Museum is housed in the Also can be seen are a gallery of relics,
old Palace of Rani Mangammal, Khadi and village industries section and
the Gandhi Museum depicts the South Indian Handicrafts section.
highlights of the freedom struggle
and contains a picture gallery of
the Gandhian movement.
8
4.
4 Azhagar Temple
About 21 Kms The temple is situated on The temple also contain

North East of a hill amidst panoramic some beautiful carvings and
Madurai, stands a surroundings. The shrine makes the visit rewarding.
celebrated Vishnu is know as Alagarkoil Palamudirsolai, one of the six
Temple dedicated and the hill , Solaimalai. abodes of Lord Subramaniya
to Lord Alagar is located at top the Hill
5.
5 Samanar Hills
Samanar Hills, also A few Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions These rocky hillocks are
known as Samanar have also been found at the top home to many Jain and
Malai , is a rocky of the Samanar hills, but their Hindu monuments.The hill
stretch of hills located translation is a secular has been declared as a
near Keelakuyilkudi language, and does not imply a protected monument by
village, 10 km (6.2 mi) definite connection the Archaeological Survey
west of Madurai city. with Buddhism, Jainism of India.
or Hinduism
9
Thank you
10

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MADURAI

Athens Of The East

Madurai is third major economic, industrial,

The city is renowned for tourism, festivals and

The capital of the Pandyan

The city is renowned for

Nayaks ruled over Madurai and became weak after the

2 Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace

Lord Siva in his incarnation as Sundareswarar and his

There are five massive gateways enclosing these two

A striking feature of the temple is the astonishing structure

Timings : The temple is usually open between 5am and

Thirumalai Nayak Palace is a The building, which can be seen today,

About 21 Kms The temple is situated on The temple also contain

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