We recently visited Madurai and sharing some important places to visit at Madurai. We have both temples and food joints to visit in Madurai (Madurai famous food is covered in the end of this article).
Pazhamuthir Cholai
One of the Arupadai veedu of Lord Murugan; its in a small hill; It is said that Lord Murugan appeared before Avvaiyaar here and Avvaiyaaar asked him " Sutta pazham vendumaa? Sudaatha pazham vendumaa?". Its a nice small temple; We have Free dharshan as well as Rs 100 Darshan; In Rs 100 Darshan we can sit before Lord Muruga and pray for sometime peacefully.
Rakkaiyi Temple
This place is above Pazhamuthir Cholai and there is sacred water coming here; people take bath in this water; or take it and splash few drops in their head.
Kallazhagar Temple
This is just in the footsteps of Pazhamuthir cholai. Kallazhagar is the Perumal and said to be the brother of Lord Meenakshi. The Chithirai festival in Madurai is very famous and Azhagar gets into the Vaigai river which is watched by lakhs of people every year. Legend says that when Azhagar came for his sister's marriage - he got delayed and waited near Vaigai river; the same ritual is followed here every year.
Thirumohoor Kalamegaperumal Temple
This place is also closer to Kallazhagar temple; A very quiet and ancient temple. One can visit it when going to Pazhamuthir cholai
Yoga Narasinga Perumal Temple
Another temple closer to Kallzhagar Temple. The shrine here is Suyambu. We can feel very good positive vibes while visiting here.
Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple
A world famous temple and now devotees throng through out the year. One can visit in the early morning to avoid crowd and for peaceful dharshan. Special dharshan is available. Mobile phones are not allowed; we need to deposit them outside; A very beautiful temple and statutes telling so much of stories; Worth spending 3-4 hours atleast here to know and marvel at the scupultures
Thirupparagundram Murugan Temple
Another Arupadai Veedu of Murugan; out of 6, two temples are in Madurai itself. Its in outskirts of Madurai & a very crowded temple; Also one need to mandatorily get into lot of steps and we need to wait in the steps in the queue. But it is worth the wait and a very ancient and great temple.
Thiru Malai Naicker Mahal
It is in the heart of the city; Built by Naicker - where the king along with his wives lived. Only half of the place is available now; Other half is destroyed by the king's grandson- he is said to have carried those materials to Trichy to build another fort. Later in the British period, they tried to safeguard whatever is available and Archaeological department is taking care of it now.
The building is so huge and without even a small crack even today. The roof is so tall, probably they wanted good ventilation, light and breeze. There were beautiful drawings in the roof; we wonder how they would have done it at such a height and it lasts even today.
Light show at Mahal is quite famous in the evenings, but from 2023, it has been stopped.
FOOD SHOPS TO VISIT
Madurai is very famous for food shops - sharing some of them.
Vilakku Thoon Famous - Jigirdhanda
Best and authentic Jigirdhanda; there are so many shops with the name “Famous Jigirdhanda”; but you need to have Jigirdhanda at this very shop; It is close to the four way signal in that area and always crowded. You can bring it to your home also and they will do wonderful packing with ice and give.
It is one of the best Jigirdhanda you can ever have and not to be missed.
Visalam Cofea shop
A very small coffea shop - but proper filter coffea; Worth visiting.
Amma Mess, KK Nagar
Wow.. those who love Non veg- should not miss this shop. Kari Dosai, fish kulambu, Chukka Varuval are famous items to try out here; Many cine actors have visited this shop and photos of them is seen; Vairamuthu photos are more- may be he visited here many times.
We were also told that Konar Mess is very famous for non veg too. People need to wait for about 45 min to have food in Konar Mess during week ends. Similarly Kumar mess is also famous for Non veg.
Sree Prema Vilas Sweet stall
They have many branches and the one closer to Meenakshi amman temple (Opposite to Thanga Reegal theater) is the biggest one. Halwa is the most famous item here; They give hot Halwa for Rs 20 (May be 50 gram)
Problem is we finish it so soon and ask them for the next one; Halwa from here is something which you can certainly buy for your home and relatives.
