Madurai is situated on the banks of River Vaigai in Madurai district in the Indian state
of Tamil Nadu. Madurai boasts of a cultural heritage that goes back 2500 years and
has functioned as an important commercial center as early as 550 AD. Madurai was
the capital city of the Pandya kings of South India. Madurai is the second largest city
in Tamilnadu. Today the city of Madurai is the administrative capital of Madurai
district.
The origins of the city are cloaked in myth and little of its prehistory has come to light.
When Madurai steps into the limelight of history, namely through the sliver of
literature of the last Sangam (Tamil poetic conclave), it emerges as a confident and
sophisticated society, presupposing centuries of hitherto poorly documented
development. Nevertheless the city enjoyed its reputation as a magnet for literary
and artistic activity during the early centuries before and after Christ in what is called
the 'Sangam Age', named after the bardic conclaves which produced a copious
amount of sophisticated literature under the patronage of the Pandya kings. The
early history of the city, in fact at least until the 13th century A.D., is irrevocably tied
with the fortunes of the Pandya clan which ruled the far south of India with Madurai
as its capital. Megasthenes, the Seleucid envoy of the Mauryan court in Pataliputra,
bears witness to the greatness of Madurai in the 3rd century B.C. through his Indica,
albeit surviving as a fragmentary record in the writings of other classical historians.
According to the account Madurai was governed by a queen by the name of Pandeia,
the daughter of Herakles. He also makes note of the kingdom's wealth and like
Kautilya in the Arthasastra makes account of the rich resources much sought by
traders, namely gemstones, pearls and other rare organic produce. The Pandyas
and their kingdom are also noted in other early texts, for instance in several
recensions of the epics (Ramayana and the Mahabharata - though these may well
be later additions), in the work of the Sanskrit grammarian Katyayana, Ptolemy's
Geography, the anonymous Periplus of the Erthyean Sea and perhaps more
famously in the Ashokan edicts. Little note however has been made of the city's
customs and physical remains though. One interesting exception however is noted
by Megasthenes, namely that of individual households taking turns to supply the
royal house with necessities like clarified butter and grain. This practice must have
been ancient since it is confirmed by the later Tamil epic Silapadikaram. Tamil
sources themselves confirm the antiquity of the city.
According to a late text, the city played host to the Third Sangam, the first two being
held in coastal cities lost to the sea in distant memory. Whatever the case may be
the city of Madurai has been greatly remembered in popular memory for the
immense literary activity which produced some of the greatest bards and
epic-writers in literary history, ranging from figures like Nakirar of Sangam fame to
the late medieval child-poet Kumaragurubarar. It also hosted the literary conclaves
that produced the first Tamil epics Silappathikaaram and other literary masterpieces.
Underlying this literary activity was royal patronage and the Pandya kings were overly
enthusiastic in the promotion of literary activity, some of them being notable poets
themselves. Of course such literary and artistic activity (less attested for the early
period) presupposed prosperity which the city more or less enjoyed throughout the
ages with a few ruptures, the worst perhaps being the invasion of the Delhi
Sultanate and the brief iconoclastic rule of the Madurai Sultans in the late 13th
century. Besides literary prowess the city was also noted for its artistic activity
(especially well documented after the 5th century) and its role as a religious centre
both for the Brahmanic faith and Jainism.
PLACE TO VISIT
Meenakshi Temple - By far, the most common reason for visiting the city is
the 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.
Koodal Alagar Temple - Important Vaishnav Temple in the heart of the city,
one of the Divya Desams ( 108) . Worshipped by "Alwars - Vasihnav Saints ". Worth
to see and worship.
Thiruparnkundram - One of the important old Temple dedicated to Lord Muruga - Karthikeya. Carved on the hillock. Approximately 8 Kms from the city. First Arupadai Veedu
Alagar Temple - Another Vaishnav temple Alagar Koil, Famous for Chittrai - Summer Festival, 20 kms away from the city.
Pazhamudhir Solai - Near to Alagar Koil, important Temple for Lord Karthikeya on the hills , of course inside of Solai - jungle. One of the six important temple for Lord Muruga - Karthikeya.
Naickar Mahal - The remains of the palace of the 17th century ruler Thirumalai Naickar who contributed extensively to the Meenakshi Temple.Only a small portion of the original structure[which was four times as largeremains. There were originally two parts-Swargavilasa[heavenly pavilion],meant for the King,is 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.
Gandhi Museum - This museum, located on the north side of the river,
houses Gandhi's bloodstained dhoti and little else by way of artifacts. Those
interested in the freedom struggle, though, will be interested in the extensive text
housed here.
