Madurai: “Memory” of India

Madurai is the holy land of Indians.

Temple City

According to legend, there was once a farmer named Dhananjaya who lived on the banks of the Vaigai River. One day, Dhananjaya was walking in the Kadambavanam forest when he saw Lord Indra, the king of Hindu gods, praying under the shade of a white sycamore tree. The farmer then informed King Kulasekara Pandiyan. The king had all the trees in the Kadambavanam forest cut down and then built a temple with the white sycamore tree as its centerpiece. That is the Meenakshi Temple, the “heart” of Madurai.

Meenakshi Temple is dedicated to two deities, Meenakshi (the incarnation of goddess Parvati) and Sundareshwar (the incarnation of god Shiva). The temple complex has four large towers guarding the four corners called rajagopuram. There are also 10 other towers, including 5 dedicated to Sundareshwar, 3 to Meenakshi, and 2 golden-topped towers called “gopuram”. The towers and other structures in the temple complex are elaborately carved. The exterior is decorated with frescoes and reliefs, while the interior is engraved with Hindu scriptures. Meenakshi Temple is a sacred place for Hindus, so visitors should dress modestly and not bring cameras when visiting the temple.

Large Hindu temples always have a pond (natural or artificial) to perform some worship rituals and as an architectural highlight. Meenakshi Temple has a Teppakulam pond. Due to drought, in recent years the Teppakulam pond has repeatedly dried up and become a cricket ground. It is only during the festival season that the city government brings water from nearby rivers and lakes to fill the Teppakulam. Next to the pond is the Vandiyur Mariamman temple, dedicated to the goddess of rain Mariamman. The best time to visit the pond and temple is during the Thaipusam festival (late January, early February), which celebrates the victory of the war god Murugan over the demon Surapadman. At that time, the surface of the Teppakulam pond is filled with sparkling flower lamps, and the statues of the deities in the Meenakshi temple are carried around the pond.

Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple, located in the south of Madurai, attracts as many pilgrims and tourists as Meenakshi. Legend has it that Skandamalai Mountain (located behind the temple) is where Lord Murugan defeated the demon Surapadman and married the goddess Devasena, daughter of Lord Indra. Lord Murugan is especially revered by the Tamil people, so Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple is never empty of worshippers. To avoid the crowds and admire the magnificence of Thiruparankundram Murugan, visitors should walk about a kilometer on the main road starting from the temple gate, thereby clearly feeling the ingenuity and devotion of the craftsmen who built the temple.

Thirumalai Nayak Palace was built in 1636 during the reign of King Thirumalai Nayak of the Nayaka Empire. The king was a great lover of art and architecture. He even invited an Italian architect to design the palace where he lived. Thirumalai Nayak Palace is a perfect combination of indigenous Dravidian architecture and Islamic architecture of West India. Even the most experienced tourists are overwhelmed by the grandeur of Thirumalai Nayak, especially the 240 pillars throughout the palace, each about two people's arms wide. Thirumalai Nayak used to be even larger and more magnificent, but many parts of the palace were damaged and destroyed under British colonial rule.

Meenakshi Temple leaves many people in awe of its magnificence and magnificence.

If you feel too tired after a long trip, go take a bath at Kutladampatti waterfall. The waterfall and the surrounding mountains always bring peace to the soul of visitors when experiencing bathing here. The best time to visit Kutladampatti waterfall is during the flood season from June to September.

Bananas are one of the staple fruits of Tamil Nadu. The green market near Meenakshi Temple is the best place to buy bananas and other fruits and vegetables. Nearby is the Puthu Mandapam, an indoor market where most of the craftsmen in the area gather. Madurai is also famous for its durable copper and tin pots, pans and utensils.

Festivals take place throughout the year in Madurai. The first one to mention is the Pongal festival, which celebrates the new rice and praises the sun god Surya, while praying for a bountiful harvest in the coming season. The Pongal festival lasts for three days, usually starting on January 14 or 15. The name “Pongal” refers to the porridge made from rice, milk and brown sugar. In addition to cooking and offering pongal to Surya, families also bathe their cattle, paint their horns and put garlands on them, and then parade them around the city. Madurai also holds a buffalo race called jallikattu.

The Chithirai festival lasts for 12 days from the full moon day of the month of Chithirai in the Tamil calendar (between April and May). This is an occasion for people to worship the goddess Meenakshi and the god Sundareshwar. The festival begins when the chief priest of the Meenakshi temple hoists a flag on the pillar in front of the temple called dhvajastambha. The main ceremony of the festival is to recreate the wedding of Meenakshi and Sundareshwar. According to legend, to celebrate the wedding of the two gods, the devotees also organize fun games and dances. Among them, the most attractive is the chariot race held on the 11th day of the Chithirai festival.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/madurai-ky-uc-an-do-655147.html