1. Pay your respects at Sri Meenakshi Temple

One of the major attractions of Madurai is its ancient and magnificent Sri Meenakshi Temple. It is located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River and the architecture and sculptural work of the temple are so incredible, your mind will be boggled. As per legend, the king of gods, Indira, discovered the Suyambulingam (divine symbolic statue) at Kadambavanam, in Tamil Nadu. He took the lingam and enshrined it in Madurai. Thus, in the temple, you can see the Lord on the vehicle of Indira. Don’t be surprised if you see a temple elephant walking around blessing young children!

The temple has five entrances, though if you are carrying a camera and backpack, it’s better to enter through the main one as it’s the only one with a locker. Note that cellphones and cameras are not allowed inside, and proper respectful attire is required to enter. The temple is open between 5 am and 12.30 pm and then again between 4 pm and 9.30 pm. There are sections prohibited to non-Hindus, so ensure you either have a guide or are careful to read the many signs inside the temple. Be careful while selecting a guide as some may lure you into shops and alleys and are usually crooks.

Sri Meenakshi Temple

Address: Venmani Rd, Sellur, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625002

Website: Sri Meenakshi Temple

2. Admire the architecture of Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal

Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal was built in the 17th century, by King Thirumalai Nayak, who ruled the city during that period. This beautiful palace narrates the story of the dynasty and its presence in the city. The major feature of this palace is its gigantic marble pillars, which are hand-painted and make this palace one of a kind. A huge courtyard and simple dancing hall confer an astonishing experience.

Though only a small portion of the original structure remains, even seeing a quarter of the original palace will take quite some time. Entry to the roof and upper floors are prohibited but there’s enough to see on the main floor that’ll root you to the spot in some places. The cost of entry to the palace is 50 INR (0.80 USD) for foreigners.

Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal

Address: Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace, Panthadi 1st St, Mahal Area, Madurai Main, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625001

3. Know more about Madurai with the ancient story walk

Take this walking tour and learn about the historical significance of the city. This walk takes you on a historic trip, where, for around 2.5 hours, you will walk the lanes of Madurai’s history and separate the myths and facts of whimsical gods and extraordinary mortals. The walk begins at 7 am, from the Meenakshi Temple and takes you to the streets of a flourishing market town that has existed since the 2nd century BC.

Madurai Ancient Story Walk

Website: Story Walk Madurai

4. Learn about the Indian freedom struggle at Gandhi Memorial Museum

This museum was established in the year 1959 and is situated in the historic Tamukkam Palace, which belonged to Rani Mangammal of the Nayak Dynasty. The palace was built in the year 1670, and in 1955, 13 acres (5.3 hectares) of land was gifted to the All India Gandhi Smarak Nidhi, to establish Gandhi Memorial Museum.

Entrenched in history, the museum is a beautifully laid-out informative piece of India’s rebellion against British colonization. Starting from the days the British first entered India and devised a plan to rule the country, it maps India’s struggle under the East India Company briefly before delving deep into the rebellion of Indians starting with the 1857 mutiny. The last half-century before Independence is the densest part of the museum with Mahatma Gandhi’s contribution to the movement at front and centre of the museum. The museum also houses Gandhi’s bloodstained dhoti and a few other artifacts that are open at sporadic times. The museum offers free entry!

Gandhi Memorial Museum

Address: Tallakulam, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625020

5. Attend the rituals at Alagarkoil Temple and shrine

Spend a day in the divinity of Alagarkoil Temple and shrine and experience the holy rituals performed here, during the daytime. Visit the temple any time of any day and you will see something happening, here. The location of this temple is mesmerizing and the main tower has beautiful sculptures, depicting scenes from famous Indian epics.

Alagarkoil Temple and Shrine

Website: Alagarkoil Temple and Shrine

6. Visit the cave temple of Tirupparankunram

In the southwest of Madurai lies the fourth pilgrimage site of Lord Muruga, in a cave temple called Tirupparankunram. The temple is dedicated to the elements of earth and has special significance as it’s mentioned in the classical Tamil texts as the ‘Southern Himalayas’. It is believed that Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war and son of Parvati and Shiva, was married to Devasena, at this place upon the hill. Thus, people consider Tirupparankunram an auspicious place to visit to bring luck to their own marriages. In late March, a huge festival of marriage is celebrated here, with joy.

7. Witness the massive tank at Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam

Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam Temple is known for its humongous tank. The area of the tank and the island pavilion with a garden in the center is equal to the size of the famous Meenakshi Temple. According to mythology, the earth that was dug out from the tank was used to build the Tirumalai Nayakkar Mahal. Thus, the place was considered pious and was later converted into the Teppakulam tank. It was built by King Thirumalai Nayak and granite was used to build the stairs of the tank. The Float Festival is the main celebration of this temple, which is celebrated on a night of a full moon.

Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam

Address: Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam, Meenakshi Nagar, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625009

Website: Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam

8. Take in the charm of Pazhamudhir Solai Temple

Pazhamudhir Temple owes its popularity to its lovely carved and artistic architecture. This is a unique temple among Lord Murugan’s Aaru Padai Veedu temples, also known as his six holy abodes because it is the only temple where He graces the devotee with His consorts, Vali and Deivanai. It is believed that the Lord played with the Tamil poetess Avvaiyar here, asking her whether she would like cooked or uncooked fruit.

Pazhamudhir Solai Temple

Address: Alagar Hills R.F., Tamil Nadu 624401

Website: Pazhamudhir Solai Temple

9. Marvel at the carvings at Aayiram Kaal Mandapam Temple

Explore another masterpiece of the Pandian era. The Aayiram Kaal Mandapam Temple was built from a single rock in 1569 A.D. It is situated inside the Meenakshi Amman temple complex and houses 1000 pillars. The marvelous carvings and statues on the pillars will spellbind you and the intricate designs on each pillar will blow your mind. You will find a statue of Nataraja (the dancing form of the god Shiva) at the center of this hall and at the entrance and there is another beautiful statue of Ariyanatha Mudaliar (chief minister of the Nayak dynasty), seated on horseback.

Aayiram Kaal Mandapam Temple

Address: Srirangam Temple Elephant Shelter, E Uthrai St, Sriramapuram, Srirangam, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu 620006

Website: Aayiram Kaal Mandapam Temple

10. Soak in the history and culture of Madurai through a walking tour (from USD 33.0)

This 2-hour walk will give you a glimpse of the city like nothing else and you will get a chance to explore the local streets of one of the oldest Indian cities. On the tour, you will experience the ancient temples, sanctums, historical monuments and other beautiful sights. This tour begins at 8 am from the 2000-year-old complex of the Meenakshi Temple, mentioned above.

2-Hour Walking Tour of Madurai

Duration: 2 hours

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Feel exhilarated in Madurai

Witness the cultural and historical heritage of Madurai and soak in its old-world charm. It is going to rejuvenate you with the spiritual power that city life often takes away. Discover this lovely destination and use this list as a guide!