Madurai

Understand

Madurai is one of the oldest cities of India and was ruled by Pandya kings over most of its history. The city is famous for is rich heritage and promoting Tamil language through "Sangams". The city has been in existence since about 4th century BC and is mentioned in ancient texts of Greeks, Romans and Arabs. The Meenakshi Amman temple situated in the heart of the city is famous, and there are a number of temples in and around the city. The "Maha Kumbabhishekam" of the temple was performed in April 2009 after the renovation (re-painting) work on the gopurams (towers) of the temple. It is usually performed once every 14 years or more. There are numerous remarkable sculptures on the gopurams and inside the premises of the temple. Look out for the "yaali", a mythical creature similar to a dragon on the pillars in the 'pragaram' of the temple. Also, keep looking at the ceiling to catch a glimpse of the beautiful ancient paintings that adorn them. Madurai is also an important transit point for travellers bound south and also a local commercial hub.

Festivals Madurai is famous for the Chithrai Festival which takes place during mid April–May, during the Hindu month of Chithrai, when millions pour into the city for the carnival. The main events are:

Day 1: Flag hoisting, official start of festival Day 8: Coronation of Meenakshi Amman Day 9: Procession of the goddess Day 10: Celestial wedding (Thirukalyanam) of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar Day 11: Chariot procession (Ther Thiruvizhah) Day 12: Float procession (Theppa Thiruvizhah) Madurai is also famous for its yearly bull run "Jallikattu" which coincides with Pongal festival in the month of January.

Getting there

Main modes of transport for travelers are by air and by train.

By plane 1 Madurai Airport (IXM IATA). served by domestic airlines and international airlines including Air India, Air India Express & SpiceJet. The flights connect mainly to Mumbai, Hyderabad, Delhi and Chennai, but there are few direct flights to other cities. There are flights to Colombo by SriLankan Airlines and SpiceJet, which also flies daily to Dubai. The airport is about 15 km from the city center off National Highway 47. It is best to hire a taxi from the airport from the counter in the arrival lounge or arrange for someone to meet you at the airport. For those who prefer to use public transport, you should take bus number 10A, which runs from the airport to the Periyar bus stand.

By train Trains are the major mode of entry into the city. 2 Madurai Junction railway station (Tamil: மதுரை சந்திப்பு தொடருந்து நிலையம்) is centrally located and many facilities are accessible from there. Madurai is well connected by trains to many parts of India like Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai (Bombay), and Delhi. A train journey from Chennai takes 8 to 10 hours and is the preferred railhead. Train tickets can be booked from Indian Railways' reservation centers or online from IRCTC. If you book through a travel agent, book through authorised agents only.

By road Madurai is served by National Highways NH-7, NH-45B, NH-49. Almost all of them are being upgraded to multi-lane ways as part of a national highway development program. Travel from Chennai and Bangalore will take approximately 8-10 hours. The city is well connected by buses to all major cities in Tamil Nadu via state government operated and private buses. Buses also ply from important cities in the neighboring states of Kerala (Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram) and Karnataka (Bangalore, Mysore).

By boat Madurai is inland, and the Vaigai River which used to be overflowing with water is now dry. However, the nearest ports for entry are Chennai (450 km) and Tuticorin (160 km).

Getting around

Getting around the city will be mostly by bus. The buses required to get around will all mostly be available in Periyar bus stand and you can also get an auto rickshaw (you should know to negotiate and bargain the cost of the ride) or a cab or rent a car.

By bus Local buses are run by the government and are safe to use. Travelling them is different as you get to see a lot of city while you are in the bus. However, they will be crowded during morning hours and evening hours as they will be crowded by the office-goers. Bus services are available even late at night, though the frequency is less. Carry proper change to buy tickets. The friendly people are often more happy to help a foreigner find his/her way by giving directions. Just thank them and carry on. There are no queues in the bus stop. It is better to be familiar of the bus numbers that go to the place you need to be but if you aren't, there is always enquiries in the bus stand which will help you (they will not be visible unless you look for them). You can ask the conductor of the bus, whether the bus you are boarding goes to where you need to go. If it is not the right one, he/she will help you. There will be different colors of the buses. Orange buses with yellow seats will be less crowded than the others. If buses are crowded wait for another. Keep a watch on your wallet. Madurai has 4 main bus-stands.

Periyar Bus stand - Exclusive local bus terminal, about 5 minutes walk from railway station. Commonly referred as "Periyar". Shopping Complex bus stand - Right opposite to Periyar bus stand, often referred by the same name. Private inter-city buses depart from here. Arapalayam bus stand - Some local buses and those bound west/northwest towards Theni, Dindigul, Coimbatore, Palani, Kodaikanal, Salem, Erode, Batlagundu or Vaththalakundu, Periyakulam depart from here. Mattuthavani Integrated bus stand (now renamed as M.G.R Bus Stand) - Simply called Mattuthavani, and located in the outskirts about 10 km from Periyar bus stand. This is the location for long distance government buses and other places. Private buses also stop here. All the bus-stands are interconnected by buses or you can hire an auto. You should find out what the real fare is and be prepared to bargain.

By car It is as difficult to drive in certain cities of India like any other big city in the world, as traffic can be high and there needs to be improvement in the fineness of the roads too. Please see India article for more. However, taxis are abundant and you can book one from your hotel. Average car rental rate in Madurai to g

Buy

Madurai is a major commercial center in South India. The main activity is concentrated around the Meenakshi Temple. These are the places to visit for shopping, and actually many have specific markets for groceries (East Masi street), jewelry (South Avani Moola street), and electronics (Town hall Road). Madurai is famous for cotton Sungidi Sarees (Hand Loom), Brass works, Tanjore Paintings, Handicrafts and antiques (check out the Khadi bhavan near Periyar bus stand). Pudumandapam is a small market place (about 500 years old) of sorts, where you can find tailors, books, handicrafts and bronze items in quaint shops. Handloom cotton sarees are available in co-operative stores (often a union of several weavers and/or looms) like Co-optex. When you don't see a price tag on the item, don't give whatever the trader tells you. ATMs of most nationalized banks are available in the city. There are private bank ATMs too. ATMs accept standard Visa, Mastercard, and Cirrus cards. There are many retail stores in the city and almost all of them accept cards (credit and debit). Major banks accept foreign exchange, and you can walk into any branch to inquire. You will also find money exchangers in mid and high range hotels. The area around railway station also has commercial money changers available. With all of this, banks are highly advisable.

Eat

The cuisine of Madurai inherits the true taste of Tamils. If you are a lover of non-vegetarian food, restaurants like Kumar Mess and Amma Mess are a must try. A handful of dished are exclusive to Madurai, such as Paruthi Paal, Jigarthanda, Panangkarkandu Paal and chettinadu varieties like Appam (goes well with Mutton Paya), and Kuzhi Paniyaram. There are a lot of restaurants but any guy from college knows how to have the best dinner at one of the "evening mutton stalls" for a pittance. The strong aroma of eye watering dishes is not for the faint-hearted. The next morning you will be reminded of your spicy escapades into culinary discovery. If spicy hot is not your cup of tea, your starting point should be with "Kotthu Parotta" without the gravy, chilies, or chili powder or pepper mixed in it. The music of the Kotthu ladles drumming on the flat hot plate of a charcoal-fired barbeque is nirvana to a hungry man's ears. Google maps contains information about popular times and wait time for most of the well-established hotels so be sure to check before you plan your visit. You can't go wrong with the top 3.

Kumar Mess, branches in Tallakulam, Townhall road (best ambience), Bypass Rd and near Mattuthavani (opposite flower market). Well known in the city with authentic chettinad cuisine. Might be crowded at times, but the food is well worth it. Try their Mutton Briyani, Kola Urundai (Mutton meatballs) and Mutton Chukka. Their Parotta (flatbread) is super soft and goes well with Nattukozhi kolumbu (you typically get chalna as the side, but do ask for Nattukozhi kolumbu). They serve an Indianised version of Chilli chicken (super spicy and hot even by Indian standards) which is unlike the ones served elsewhere. If you are on the adventurous side, try Brain roast (roasted lamb's brain - Madurai special), Kadai (Quail - a small bird) Chops, Crab (ask for the meat only version). Murugan Idly Shop, branches in West Masi Street and Thalavoy Street. Known all over the state of Tamil Nadu, their super soft Idlis (rice cakes) are not to be missed. Served with an array of sides, these Idlis are heavenly. They are so in demand that Murugan Idly shop has opened branches in the UK and Singapore. Hotel Sree Sabarees, Town Hall Road. A very popular dining place for dosas and uthappams. It is very nearby to the Madurai Railway Junction. If you head towards the Town Hall Rd from the Railway station, the hotel is situated nearby the second 4-road intersection. This is one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Madurai. No special dishes as such but a good place for a filling meal.

Drink & nightlife

Try the tender coconut drink. The tender coconut drink is sold by roadside sellers on their tricycles parked under the shade of a tree. Tea shops are always around the corner. Madurai is famous for its unique drink "Jigarthanda". Try having Jigarthanda from the "Famous Jigarthanda" store in the Vilakkuthoon ( This shop is on the way from Meenakshi Temple to Thirumalai Nayak Palace, (to be precise, famous jigarthanda, No.94, East Marret Street). Alcohol is served in up-market hotels and it is advised to avoid other places for a drink.

Saraswathi Mess, Town hall Rd (near peruma Teppakulam). Jigarthanda, Corner near Vilakkuthoon, No 94, E Mart St, Kamarajar Salai, Industrial Estate, ☏ +91 90479 88767. (updated Oct 2022)

Sleep

There are many hotels around railway station, particularly on the streets coming off West Tower St as you walk away from the station and towards the temple. The more luxurious ones are situated a little further from the station.

Budget Hotel Vijay, 122, TPK Road (900 m from Railway station), ☏ +91 452 2336321, +91 9443312021, [email protected]. Check-in: 24 hr, check-out: 24 hr. 75 furnished rooms with LCD TVs. HI Hostel (Hostelling International / Youth Hostel Association of India) (Youth Hostel Madurai City), BBC Building, 33 / 61B Dhanappa Mudali Street, ☏ +91 452 - 3256671-2347217, [email protected]. Sree Devi, 20 West Avani Moola St (Near Shri Meenakshi-Sundareshwarar Temple), ☏ +91 452-2600883, +91 452-2347431. Check-out: 24 hours. Located next to the temple, their a/c double rooftop rooms have matchless view over the western gopuram. They don’t have an in-house restaurant, but they will order in food and beer for you. Great location and lovely view of temples from the roof. Not so clean and don't provide soaps and towels. Blankets at extra cost which are OK. single: ₹450. College House (Near Railway Station). Also a popular landmark. A no-frills, neatly maintained place. M.M Lodge, Town Hall Rd (Opposite to Railway Station), ☏ +91 9791392717. ₹200. Hotel Sethu Tower, 35 Nanmai Tharuvar Kovil St (No Nethaji Road), ☏ +91 452 2343326. TM House, Perumal veli street. Claims to be cost effective, safe & comfortable. Hotel Aarathi , +91 0452 2331571 / 2336341. Just behind the Koodal Azhakar Temple. Safe & comfortable. You can enjoy good viewing of the pictorial temple towers from the room or roof top of the hotel. Hotel Pearls, West Pedrumal Mainstry St (5 minutes' walk from the railway station), ☏ +91 452 2341566. ₹800. (updated Apr 2015)

Mid-range The Madurai Residency, 14-15, West Marret Street (close to Meenakshi Amman temple, the railway junction, Periyar bus stand and the Madurai bazaar), ☏ +91 452 4380000, +91 452 4380647, [email protected]. A fairly decent mid-range hotel. There are 74 spacious rooms. It has a multi-cuisine restaurant, a roof top restaurant and a bar. Meenakshi’s Sunshine Hotel, # 14 Meenakshi Mission Road, Lake Area (Outside Madurai, 10 minutes by auto rickshaw), ☏ +91 452 4524444, [email protected]. Check-in: 24 hours, check-out: 24 hours. The Sunshine Hotel has good size well designed rooms, well laid out, working lifts, working fast Wi-Fi and good room service. The restaurant is not bad, but the room service has a much better choice and is reasonably priced. The incl

Go next

Madurai is an ideal hub for touring the extreme south of India. Most places are accessible within a day's travel by bus or train. Prominent destinations near Madurai include Kodaikanal, Munnar, Rameswaram, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari, Thekkady and Kuttralam. On the way from Kodaikanal to Madurai, you can visit many important historical places of interest and picnic spots near Vaththalakundu like Manjalar Dam, Siddhar Malai, Peranai dam. There are also many temples like Sendrayaperumal Temple in Old-Batalagundu, Anjaneyar Temple in Anapatti, Kamakshiamman Temple in Devadanapatti, Kasi Visalakshi-Vishwanathar Temple in Kunnuvarankottai or Kannapatti.

Palani - Palani Andavar Temple - Famous temple of Lord Murugan or Karthik Also refer Dindigul, Dindigul district and Batlagundu or Vathalagundu on the Madurai-Kodaikanal road