Madurai: India's "Memories"

The city of Madurai in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu is known by the nickname "Thoonga Nagaram," meaning "the city that never sleeps." This title is entirely deserved, as thousands of Hindu pilgrims flock to Madurai day and night to worship at its magnificent temples.

Madurai is a holy land for Indians.

City of temples

According to legend, there was once a farmer named Dhananjaya who lived on the banks of the Vaigai River. One day, while walking through the Kadambavanam forest, Dhananjaya saw Indra, the king of Hindu gods, praying under a white cypress tree. The farmer then informed King Kulasekara Pandiyan. The king ordered all the trees in the Kadambavanam forest to be cut down, and then built a temple with the white cypress tree at its center. This is the Meenakshi Temple, the "heart" of Madurai.

The Meenakshi Temple is dedicated to two deities: Meenakshi (an embodiment of the goddess Parvati) and Sundareshwar (an embodiment of Shiva). The temple complex features four large towers at the four corners, known as rajagopurams. There are also ten other towers, including five dedicated to Sundareshwar, three to Meenakshi, and two spires with golden finials called "gopurams." The towers and other structures within the temple grounds are elaborately carved. The exteriors feature murals and reliefs, while the interiors are inscribed with Hindu scriptures. The Meenakshi Temple is a sacred site for Hindu devotees, so visitors should dress respectfully and refrain from bringing cameras.

Large Hindu temples always have a lake (natural or artificial) for performing certain religious rituals and as an architectural highlight. Meenakshi Temple has Teppakulam Lake. Due to droughts, Teppakulam Lake has been continuously drying up in recent years and has become a cricket field. Only during festivals does the city government draw water from nearby rivers and lakes to fill Teppakulam. Next to the lake is the Vandiyur Mariamman Temple, dedicated to the rain goddess Mariamman. The best time to visit the lake and temple is during the Thaipusam festival (late January, early February), which celebrates the war god Murugan's victory over the demon Surapadman. At that time, Teppakulam Lake is filled with shimmering lanterns, and statues of the gods from Meenakshi Temple are carried around the lake.

The Thiruparankundram Murugan temple, located south of Madurai, attracts just as many pilgrims and tourists as Meenakshi. Legend says that Mount Skandamalai (behind the temple) is where the god Murugan defeated the demon Surapadman and married the goddess Devasena, daughter of the god Indra. Murugan is especially revered by the Tamil people, so the Thiruparankundram Murugan temple is never without worshippers. To avoid crowds and admire the temple's grandeur, visitors should walk about a kilometer along the main road starting from the temple entrance, thus appreciating the skill and devotion of the builders.

The 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, and he commissioned an Italian architect to design his palace. The Thirumalai Nayak Palace is a perfect blend of indigenous Dravidian architecture and West Indian Islamic architecture. Even the most experienced travelers are overwhelmed by the grandeur of Thirumalai Nayak, especially the 240 columns throughout the palace, each about two people's width in circumference. Thirumalai Nayak was once even larger and more magnificent, but many parts of the palace were damaged and destroyed during British colonial rule.

Meenakshi Temple amazes many with its splendor and magnificence.

If you're feeling tired after a long journey, consider taking a dip in Kutladampatti Falls. The falls and surrounding mountains offer a peaceful experience for visitors. The best time to visit Kutladampatti Falls is during the rainy season, from June to September.

Bananas are one of the staple fruits of Tamil Nadu state. The green market near Meenakshi Temple is the best place to buy bananas and other fruits and vegetables. Not far from there is the Puthu Mandapam indoor market, where most of the area's artisans are concentrated. The city of Madurai is famous in part for its durable copper or tin pots and pans.

Festivals take place year-round in Madurai. First and foremost is the Pongal festival, celebrating the new rice harvest and praising the sun god Surya, while also praying for a bountiful harvest in the following season. The Pongal festival lasts for three days, usually starting on January 14th or 15th. The name "Pongal" refers to the porridge made by the people from rice, milk, and brown sugar. Besides cooking and offering pongal to Surya, families also wash their buffaloes, paint their horns, and adorn them with garlands before parading them through the streets. Madurai also holds a buffalo race called jallikattu.

The Chithirai festival lasts 12 days, starting from the full moon of Chithirai in the Tamil calendar (between April and May in the Gregorian calendar). It's a time for people to worship the gods Meenakshi and Sundareshwar. The festival begins when the chief priest of the Meenakshi shrine hangs a flag on a pole in front of the shrine called a dhvajastambha. The main ceremony reenacts the wedding of Meenakshi and Sundareshwar. Legend says that to celebrate the wedding of the two gods, devotees also hold various festivities and dances. The most popular event is the chariot race held on the 11th day of the Chithirai festival.

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