Madurai, Tamil Nadu’s cultural capital, is one of India’s oldest continuously inhabited cities It was renowned as the ‘Lotus City’ because it was designed and constructed in the form of a lotus and was dominated for the longest time in its history by Pandya kings. Meenakshi Amman Temple, dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi, is well-known in Madurai.
It is one of the most significant ancient monuments dedicated to Lord Muruga (Karthikeya) and is situated about 8 kilometers from the city on a hilltop. With trade ties to ancient Rome, the area has a rich cultural heritage. Madurai has heritage walks throughout the day, with bustling bazaars and fantastic street food. Madurai plays an important role in promoting the Tamil language and culture.
Madurai is however recognized as “India’s Sleepless City” because more than 30% of the population is sleep-deprived. This is due to the fact that there are always activities going on throughout the day and night. It is also referred to as “Thoonga Nagaram,” which translates to “The Ever-Awakened City.”
Best time: October to march