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Meenakshi Temple: Meenakshi Temple at Madurai is one of the biggest temples in India that extends over an area of 65000 sq. meters. The temple built over a period of 2000 years has 12 gopurams (gateways) of which the southern one is the tallest at 49 mts. All these gopurams have beautiful stucco work and are adorned with exquisite carvings & sculptures and gold plated vimanas. There are four massive gateways enclosing these two shrines- the Meenakshi Temple and the Sundareshvara Temple.

The Meenakshi Temple is supported by 64 bhootaganas, 32 lions and 8 elephants. The stump of the Kadamba tree under which Indra worshipped the Lord can be seen in the outer corridor.

An architectural master piece, the temple has the thousand pillared   hall or the Ayiramkaal mandapam. The hall has 985 pillars which feature high, ornate, bold sculptures that look life- like. Viewed from any angle these pillars appear to be in a straight line. In the outermost corridors are situated the granite musical pillars. When tapped, each pillar produces a different musical note and the hall resonates with the sound of this note. Located towards the south is the Kalyana Mandapa, where the marriage of Shiva and Parvati is celebrated every year during the Chithirai Festival in mid-April.

Temple Complex: The Madurai Meenakshi Temple complex is huge and has a Potraamarai Kulam or the golden lotus pond. It was near this pond that the Shiva Lingam worshipped by Lord Indra was discovered. Devotees are first asked to go around the lake before entering the main shrine.

The temple complex also has one of the five traditional dance halls where Lord Siva, in his form as Natraj danced. This hall is popularly referred to as the Silver Hall or the Velli Ambalam.

Temple Timings: 5.00 am to 12.30 p.m. & 4.00 pm to 9.30 pm

The Temple Art Museum: The museum is located in the famous 'Ayirangal Mandapam' (1000 pillared hall). The Temple Art Museum houses a good collection of objects relating to the temple art and architecture.

Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal: Just 1.5 km from Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal was built in 1636 by Thirumalai Nayakar. The Palace is known for its arches and the stuccowork on the domes. The Sorga Vilasam (Celestial Pavilion) measuring 75m x 52 m is a marvel of architecture in the sense that it is constructed entirely of brick and mortar without the support of a single rafter or girder. Other places worth checking out in the palace are the Entrance Gate, The Main Hall and the Dance Hall which were restored by Lord Napier, the then Governor of Madras in 1866-72. Palace timings: 9 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 5 pm
Check sound and light show held everyday. English - 6:45 pm; Tamil - 8:15 pm.

Alagarkoil: Situated 21 km away from Madurai at the foot of the panoramic Solaimala Hills is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is said that Vishnu came down to this place from Vaikunta to give away his sister Meenakshi in marriage to Sundareshvarar. This journey is also celebrated as a part of the Chithirai festival of Meenakshi Temple.

Other places of tourist interest

Mariamman Theppakulam, built in 1636 is a beautiful square tank located about 5 km East of Meenakshi Temple. Gandhi Museum housed in the 300 old Palace of Rani Mangammal contains a picture gallery of the Gandhian movement. Sri Aravindar Annai Trust and Meditation Centre is located 9 km south of Madurai. It is one of the oldest places of meditation in Madurai. Ramakrishna Mutt has a branch in Madurai where Yoga classes are conducted.

Thiruparangundram: Just 8 km from Madurai Railway Junction, lies the rock cut temple, which is cut out of a solid rock. The temple is one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanian who is said to have married Indira's daughter on this hill.

Megamalai: Megamalai is located 1500 m above sea level and is 130 km from Madurai. There are cardamom estates and tea plantations on the slopes of these hills. Wild animals like the sambhar, tiger, leopard, the gaur and the spotted deer can be found amidst thick vegetation. Transport is available from Madurai to Chinnamanur and from Chinnamanur to Megamalai.

Kodaikanal: The famous hill station - Kodaikanal - located at an altitude of over 2133 m in the Western Ghats is 120 km from Madurai. Read more on Kodaikanal

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary: Home to elephants, bisons, sambhar, the barking deer and wild boar, the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is an interesting place to visit. Read more on Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Vaigai Dam: This is an impressive dam on the Vaigai River, 69 km from Madurai on the way to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary near Andipatti and is an ideal picnic spot.

Madurai offers comfortable accommodation to tourists visiting the temple city. There are a number of hotels in Madurai. Stay options in Madurai include various luxury hotels, budget hotels and guest houses. Check hotels in Madurai.

By Air: The temple town is just 11 km away from the Madurai Airport.

By Rail: Being an important temple town, Madurai is well connected by rail to all major centers of the country by express trains.

By Road: Good motorable roads connect Madurai with the major cities of South India. The capital Chennai is 447 km, Coimbatore 227 km, Kanyakumari 242 km, and Rameshwaram 167 km away.
Check Driving Directions from Chennai to Madurai