Madurai is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in India, built around the magnificent Meenakshi Amman Temple. It's a city best explored on foot, through its temple corridors and bustling flower and spice markets.
Meenakshi Amman Temple
A vast temple complex with towering, intricately sculpted gopurams covered in thousands of painted figures — considered one of the finest examples of Dravidian temple architecture.
Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace
A 17th-century Indo-Saracenic palace known for its massive pillared courtyard and impressive dome, built without any supporting beams.
Gandhi Memorial Museum
Housed in a former palace, this museum traces India's freedom struggle and holds a blood-stained cloth Mahatma Gandhi was wearing at the time of his assassination.
Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakkulam
A large temple tank that comes alive during the annual float festival, when temple deities are taken out on decorated floats across the water.
Alagar Kovil
A hillside temple around 21 km from the city, dedicated to Lord Vishnu, set in a quiet forested area popular for a half-day trip out of Madurai.
