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The highpoint of visits to temple cities is Madurai. Spread along the rocky banks of the river Vaigai in the state of Tamil Nadu, the modern industrial city's main claim to fame is as a temple town.
Whether you come by air, train or road, the first glimpse of the city that greets you are the magnificent gopurams of the Meenakshi Temple. The temple, spread across six hectares, is at the hub of all the activities in the city. The festivities, processions and grandeur of the temples attract tourist in the thousands every year.
There are several places of tourist attractions in Madurai, but it is the Meenakshi Temple that is the hub of activity. Located at the heart of the city, the Meenakshi-Sundareswarar temple has long been the focus of both Indian and international tourist attraction as well as one of the most important places of Hindu pilgrimage. It is the hub of the religious and cultural life of the city.
There are several places to see and visit near Madurai too. At a distance of 69 km, on the way to Thekkady, you will come across the Vaigai Dam. It is a beautiful picnic spot and is very popular with the tourists and locals alike.
The city of Madurai, especially the Meenakshi Temple, has an elaborate cycle of festivals. However, the most important and spectacular-the only ones to involve processions and rituals outside the temples-are associated with the annual cycle. The times and dates vary and are determined by the temple authorities. The most interesting feature of the festivals is the processions that are carried out along the routes. Elephants and musicians lead the processions, especially those for the major festivals.
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