This is one of the best temple in India known as Meenakshi temple. The mammoth temple complex, the statues exploring the entire range of human emotions, everything here is larger than life. The Meenakshi temple complex is a city temple - one of the largest and certainly one of the most ancient. According to legend Madurai is the actual site where the wedding between Shiva and Meenakshi took place. The soaring and exquisitely carved towers enclose the temple dedicated to Meenakashi. The south gateway contains the twin temples of Shiva and Meenakshi and is about nine storeys high.
In the 14th century an invasion by Malik Kafur damaged the temple. In the same century Madurai was under Muslim rule for nearly fifty years. The temple authorities closed the sanctum, covered up the Linga, and set up another in the Ardhamandapa. When the city was liberated, the sanctum was opened, and, tradition says the flower garlands and the sandalwood paste placed on the Linga were as fresh as on the first day, and two oil lamps were still burning.
If you are on tour of Madurai then do not miss to visit at Ashta Sakthi Mandapa, Samagam Meenakshi Naicker Mandapa, Mudali Pillai Mandapa, The Golden Lily Tank, The Unjal And Kilikatti Mandapas.
But I think it is better to see the Major Festivels Celebrated at Madurai like Teppam Festival and Meenakshi Kalyanam Festival at Madurai.
How to Get there:
Air:
Madurai is connected by air with Mumbai and Chennai. Madurai airport is 10-km away from the city.
Rail:
Madurai has direct rail connections to Bangalore, Coimbatore, Kollam, Chennai, Rameshwaram, Thanjavur, Tiruchirappalli, Tirunelveli, Tirupathi and Tuticorin.
Road:
There are excellent roads connecting Madurai to all parts of South India. Madurai city has 5 Major Bus Stands- Periyar Bus Stand, Anna Bus Stand, Palanganatham Bus Stand, Arapalayam Bus Stand, Mattuthavani Bus Stand. From Madurai town buses, suburban buses, taxis, auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are available to reach the temple.
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