<p>Madurai is one of the oldest cities of India, with a history dating all the way back to the Sangam period of the pre Christian era. The glory of Madurai returned in a diminished form in the earlier part of this millennium; it later on came under the rule of the Vijayanagar kingdom after it’s ransack by the ravaging armies of Delhi (Malik Kafur). During the 16th and 18th centuries, Madurai was ruled by the Nayak Emperors, the foremost of whom was Tirumalai Nayakar. The Sangam period poet Nakkeerar is associated with some of the Tiruvilayaadal episodes of Sundareswarar - that are enacted as a part of temple festival traditions even today. The Sangam age or the Golden age of Tamil literature – produced masterpieces way back in the Pre christian era and in early 1st millennium . Madurai was the seat of the Tamil Sangam or Academy of learning. The entire city of Madurai, is built around the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple – the temple par excellence. Concentric rectangular streets surround the temple, symbolizing the structure of the cosmos.</p>
<p><b>Places to Visit: </b></p>
<p><b>Meenakshi Temple</b>, By far, the most common reason for visiting the city is the Meenakshi Temple, dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi (considered a form of Parvati) with a sanctum for her consort, Sundareshwarar (or Siva). Actually, historically, the Sundereshwar shrine is the larger and older of the two temple complexes. The complex itself is a splendid example of the south Indian Dravida architectural idiom. Four immense gopurams or temple towers crown the gateways at each cardinal direction, easily visible from a distance. Each tower is encrusted with more than a thousand brilliantly painted sculptures depicting an assortment of mythological and auspicious themes. It is traditional to enter through the south gopuram and, unusually, worship the Goddess before her consort. Inside the shelter for shoe-storage, offering baskets of coconuts, bananas and incense are available in addition to images of the Goddess for home altars.<b></b></p>
<p><b>Koodal Alagar Temple: </b> Important Vaishnav Temple magnificient, has three stairs of the lord posture. Sitting posture of the lord (Main moola deity), one level up is a standing posture of the lord, and the 3rd level up is the lying down posture of the lord. The temple is a spectacular one. It is located in the heart of the city, one of the Divya Desams ( 108). Worshipped by "Alwars - Vasihnav Saints ". Worth to see and worship </p>
<p><b>Thirumalai Nayak Palace: </b>East Market Street (Less than 2km south east of the Sri Meenakshi Temple). The remains of the palace of the 17th century ruler Thirumalai Nayak who contributed extensively to the Meenakshi Temple. Only a small portion of the original structure which was four times as larger remains. There were originally two parts-Swargavilasa heavenly pavilion, meant for the King's harem and housing the darbar court, and the ranka vilasa, which was for the servants. Currently, entrance to the roof is prohibited due the renovation work being carried out by the Archaeological Department. They claim to finish work in 6 months. There is a sound and light show in the evening (Both English & Tamil Version of the show). There is also a museum, which houses not only the original portraits of Thirumalai naicker, but also unearthed stine carvings of the 17th century, along with many sculptures of Hindu Gods like Brahma, Nataraja, Saraswati of the period.</p>
<p><b>Travel by Bus: </b></p>
<p>Madurai is situated on National Highways NH-7, NH-45B, NH-49. Almost all of them are presently being upgraded to multi-lane ways as part of National highway development program. Travel from Chennai and Bangalore will take approximately 8-10 hours. </p>
<p>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 (Ernakulam, Trivandram) and Karnataka(Bangalore, Mysore). There are lots of ordinary buses and many luxury ones too. </p>
<p>Madurai has several bus stands. Most inter-state and overnight buses terminate at Mattuthavani Bus stand. Private buses are found closer to the city center near Periyar bus stand. Ticketing and reservation facilities are available at the bus-stands.</p>
<a href="http://www.via.com/bus-tickets/Mumbai-to-Pune(Poona)">Bus form mumbai to pune</a>
<a href="http://www.via.com/bus-tickets/Bangalore(Bengalooru)-to-Pune(Poona)">Bus form bangalore to pune</a>
<a href="http://www.via.com/bus-tickets" title="Bus Booking">Bus booking</a> is fairly easy nowadays on internet. If you plan early you’ll get budget tickets online. For <a href="http://www.via.com/bus-tickets" title="Online Bus Booking">online bus booking</a> you can check different OTA’s website. Search best bus service, compare and buy cheap tickets.
<p><b>Places to Visit: </b></p>
<p><b>Meenakshi Temple</b>, By far, the most common reason for visiting the city is the Meenakshi Temple, dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi (considered a form of Parvati) with a sanctum for her consort, Sundareshwarar (or Siva). Actually, historically, the Sundereshwar shrine is the larger and older of the two temple complexes. The complex itself is a splendid example of the south Indian Dravida architectural idiom. Four immense gopurams or temple towers crown the gateways at each cardinal direction, easily visible from a distance. Each tower is encrusted with more than a thousand brilliantly painted sculptures depicting an assortment of mythological and auspicious themes. It is traditional to enter through the south gopuram and, unusually, worship the Goddess before her consort. Inside the shelter for shoe-storage, offering baskets of coconuts, bananas and incense are available in addition to images of the Goddess for home altars.<b></b></p>
<p><b>Koodal Alagar Temple: </b> Important Vaishnav Temple magnificient, has three stairs of the lord posture. Sitting posture of the lord (Main moola deity), one level up is a standing posture of the lord, and the 3rd level up is the lying down posture of the lord. The temple is a spectacular one. It is located in the heart of the city, one of the Divya Desams ( 108). Worshipped by "Alwars - Vasihnav Saints ". Worth to see and worship </p>
<p><b>Thirumalai Nayak Palace: </b>East Market Street (Less than 2km south east of the Sri Meenakshi Temple). The remains of the palace of the 17th century ruler Thirumalai Nayak who contributed extensively to the Meenakshi Temple. Only a small portion of the original structure which was four times as larger remains. There were originally two parts-Swargavilasa heavenly pavilion, meant for the King's harem and housing the darbar court, and the ranka vilasa, which was for the servants. Currently, entrance to the roof is prohibited due the renovation work being carried out by the Archaeological Department. They claim to finish work in 6 months. There is a sound and light show in the evening (Both English & Tamil Version of the show). There is also a museum, which houses not only the original portraits of Thirumalai naicker, but also unearthed stine carvings of the 17th century, along with many sculptures of Hindu Gods like Brahma, Nataraja, Saraswati of the period.</p>
<p><b>Travel by Bus: </b></p>
<p>Madurai is situated on National Highways NH-7, NH-45B, NH-49. Almost all of them are presently being upgraded to multi-lane ways as part of National highway development program. Travel from Chennai and Bangalore will take approximately 8-10 hours. </p>
<p>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 (Ernakulam, Trivandram) and Karnataka(Bangalore, Mysore). There are lots of ordinary buses and many luxury ones too. </p>
<p>Madurai has several bus stands. Most inter-state and overnight buses terminate at Mattuthavani Bus stand. Private buses are found closer to the city center near Periyar bus stand. Ticketing and reservation facilities are available at the bus-stands.</p>
<a href="http://www.via.com/bus-tickets/Mumbai-to-Pune(Poona)">Bus form mumbai to pune</a>
<a href="http://www.via.com/bus-tickets/Bangalore(Bengalooru)-to-Pune(Poona)">Bus form bangalore to pune</a>
<a href="http://www.via.com/bus-tickets" title="Bus Booking">Bus booking</a> is fairly easy nowadays on internet. If you plan early you’ll get budget tickets online. For <a href="http://www.via.com/bus-tickets" title="Online Bus Booking">online bus booking</a> you can check different OTA’s website. Search best bus service, compare and buy cheap tickets.
No comments:
Post a Comment