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Madurai is the
third largest city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Located on the banks
of the river Vaigai, Madurai has been a major settlement for two millennia
and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. This
city was the capital of the Pandyan kingdom - initially at Korkai, around
600 BCE and later moved to Koodal (the present Madurai) during the reign of
Nedunj Cheliyan I.
Madurai is famous for its temples built by Pandyan and Madurai Nayak kings
in the Dravidian style of architecture. It is also one of India's most
outstanding Hindu pilgrimage centres. Madurai is also called City of
Junctions (Koodal nagaram), City of Jasmine (Malligai maanagar), Temple city
(Koil maanagar), City that never sleeps (Thoonga nagaram) and City of four
junctions (Naanmada koodal).
Madurai
Attractions
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Shree Meenakshi Sudareshwara
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.
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Thirumalai Nayak Palace
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. |
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Thirupparankundram
An Islamic Durgah (shrine) is located at the top of the hill, where the
grave of an Islamic saint Hazrat Sultan Sikandhar Badushah shaheed
Radiyallah Ta'al anhu, who came from Jeddah along with Hazrat Sulthan
Syed Ibrahim Shaheed Badushah of Madinah (now in Erwadi, Ramanathapuram
district) during the early 13th century, is found. |
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Kazimar Big Mosque and Maqbara
This traditional mosque (masjid) is located at the heart of Madurai
city, within 500 metres of the Periyar (Central) bus stand and within 1
kilometre South East of the Madurai Railway Junction. |
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Koodal Azhagar Temple
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. |
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