#1 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

About Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple

At a distance of 2 km from Madurai Junction Railway Station, Arulmigu Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, also known as Arulmigu Meenakshi Amman Thirukkovil, is a historic Hindu temple located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the biggest and most popular temples in India, and among the must-visit places as part of Madurai tour packages. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi, a form of Parvati, her consort Sundareswarar, a form of Shiva and her brother Alagar, a form of Vishnu. The temple is theologically significant as it represents a confluence of the Shaivism, Shaktism and Vaishnavism denominations of Hinduism. It was shortlisted as one of the top 30 nominees for New Seven Wonders of the World. It is one of the the prime places of Pilgrimage in Tamilnadu. This temple is one .....

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#2 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

At a distance of 3 km from Madurai Junction Railway Station and 1 km from Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayak Mahal is an ancient palace situated in Madurai. It is one of the popular places of heritage in Tamilnadu, and among the major Madurai tourist places.

Thirumalai Nayak Mahal was constructed in the Indo-Saracen style by Thirumalai Nayak in the year 1636. After Independence, this palace was declared as a national monument and to date continues to be one of the spectacular monuments of Southern India. It is one of the must include places in Madurai packages. The original palace complex was four times bigger than the present structure. The palace was designed by an Italian architect.

The main palace is divided into two parts, Swargavilasa and Rangavilasa and only the Swargavilasa is survived today. .....

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#3 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

At a distance of 1 km from Madurai Junction Railway Station & 1.5 km Meenakshi Temple, The Koodal Alagar Temple, also known as Arulmigu Koodalazhagar Thirukoil, is another important temple in Madurai and among prime sightseeing to be included in your Madurai Trip. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, this temple is believed to be older than the Meenakshi temple. It is one of the important places to visit in Madurai.

A unique feature of this temple is the three different postures of the same God. The three figures of Vishnu are in standing, sitting and reclining postures. These three figures of the deity are known by three different names. The most venerated of the three figures is Lord Vishnu in the seated posture. The seated Lord Vishnu is locally known as Lord Koodal Alagar from whom the temple derives its name. The reclining idol is known as Sri Ranganatha. Sri .....

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#4 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

About Thiruparankundram Temple

At a distance of 8 km from Madurai Junction Railway Station, Thiruparankundram Temple, also known as Tirupparamkunram Murugan Kovil is a 8th century rock cut cave temple situated at Thiruparankundram. Dedicated to Lord Murugan, also known as Subrahmanya, it is one of the major places to visit as part of the Madurai pilgrimage tour. The Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple is recognized as one of the six revered temples of Lord Murugan in Tamil Nadu, that are collectively referred to as the Arupadaiveedu. These temples are regarded as the foremost places of worship for followers of Lord Murugan, with each temple possessing significant religious and historical value.

History of Thiruparankundram Temple

As per the historical records, the Murugan temple existed much before the 6th century. Initially known as the Kudaivari temple, it was established during the era of .....

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#5 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

About Alagar Koil

At a distance of 21 km north-east of Madurai, Alagar Koil, or Kallazhagar Temple is a beautiful Hindu temple situated at Alagarkoil village in the Madurai district of Tamil Nadu. Situated at the foothills of Alagar hills, it is one of the major pilgrimage sites near Madurai. It is one of the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is worshiped as Kallalagar and his consort Lakshmi as Tirumamagal. Here Lord Vishnu presides as Meenakshi's brother 'Azhagar'.

History of Alagar Koil

Alagar Koil Temple, with origins tracing back to the early Sangam period, is an essential destination for those embarking on a Madurai tour. This temple is celebrated in the Nalayira Divya Prabandham, a significant early medieval Tamil scripture composed by the Alvar saints between the 6th and 9th centuries CE. It holds a distinguished position .....

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#7 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

At a distance of 5 Kms from Madurai Junction Railway Station (on NH 49, towards the banks of Vaigai river), Vandiyur Mariamman Temple is built in the memory of Lord Vigneshwara. It is a popular temples near Madurai city.

It has a huge tank in the compound of the temple and is the biggest tank in the region of Tamil Nadu. The tank is filled with water all year long and the idol of the temple too was obtained from the bottom of the tank, while it was dug in the olden times and hence the temple was constructed at that place itself. So the tank gained its popularity since then and the temple too was constructed in its memory.

Float festival is conducted in the month of Jan/Feb in the tank in a colourful way, which attracts thousands of tourists.

Timings: 8 AM to 7 PM

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#6 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

About Srivilliputhur Andal Temple

At a distance of 80 km from Madurai and 100 km from Tirunelveli, Srivilliputhur Andal Temple is an ancient Hindu temple situated at Srivilliputhur in the Virudhunagar district of Tamilnadu. This is one of the popular pilgrimage sites in Tamil Nadu. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped as Vatapatrasayi and his consort Lakshmi as Andal. The temple is regarded as the one of the 108 divya desams of Lord Vishnu. The Rajagopuram at Srivilliputhur Andal Temple is 192-194 feet. It is one of the tallest temple gopurams in India and is also the state symbol of Tamil Nadu.

History of Srivilliputhur Andal Temple

Srivilliputhur Temple is intricately linked to the life of Andal, who was discovered beneath a Tulsi plant in the garden of the Vatapatra Sayanar Temple. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped as Vatapatrasayi and his consort Lakshmi as .....

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#8 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

At a distance of 23 Km from Srivilliputtur, 57 Km from Madurai, 88 Km from Tenkasi, and 98 Km from Tirunelveli, Sivakasi is a city in the Virudhunagar District of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the famous places to visit near Madurai.

The city of Sivakasi is renowned for its firecracker and match factories, which account for 70% of the nation's production. Additionally, the printing sector in Sivakasi contributes to 30% of the total diaries manufactured in India. The various industries in Sivakasi provide employment for over 25,000 individuals, with the estimated revenue from the firecracker, match-making, and printing sectors in the city approximating ₹20 billion (US$240 million).

Sivakasi was founded in the 15th century during the rule of the Pandya king Arikesari Parakkirama Pandiyan. Historically, the city was part of Madurai and has been governed at different times by the Later Pandyas, the Vijayanagar Empire, .....

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#9 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

At a distance of 10 km from Madurai Junction Railway Station, Samanar Hills is a rocky stretch of hills located near Keelakuyilkudi village in the Madurai District of Tamil Nadu, India. Also known as Samanar Malai or Amanarmalai or Melmalai, it is one of the prominent places to visit as part of Madurai heritage packages.

Situated at the intersection of NH-44 and NH-85, the Samanar Hills, characterized by their rocky terrain, begin near the village of Keelakuyilkudi and extend eastward towards southern Madurai. These hillocks are significant for housing numerous Jain and Hindu monuments. The Archaeological Survey of India has designated the Samanar Hills as a protected site. The name 'Samanar' translates to Jain in Tamil, while 'malai' means hill.

The Samanar Hills feature a range of monuments that date from the 2nd century BC to the 12th century CE. Among these, two notable collections of Jain monuments stand .....

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#10 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

At a distance of 13 km from Madurai Junction Railway Station, Yanaimalai is a protected monument and tourist attraction located in Madurai District, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the prominent places to visit as part of Madurai packages.

Yanaimalai, also referred to as Elephant Hill, is a significant historical site located in Tamil Nadu, India. This hill extends over a distance of 3 kilometers and rises to a height of 90 meters (300 feet). Its name is derived from the Tamil words 'yanai,' meaning 'elephant,' and 'malai,' meaning 'hill,' as its shape resembles an elephant in a seated posture, with the trunk positioned to the left and the body to the right.

This notable hill is believed to have been inhabited by the Tamil people, one of the oldest indigenous communities in South India, as early as the 3rd century BCE. At the base of the hill, two Hindu temples can be found: the Ladan cave temple, a Shaivite temple, and the Yoga .....

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#11 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

At a distance of 3 km from Madurai Junction Railway Station, St. Mary's Cathedral or Church of Our Lady of Dolours is a Roman Catholic Church situated on East (Keela) Veli Street in Madurai city of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the famous religious places to visit in Madurai.

St. Mary's Cathedral was constructed in 1841 under the guidance of Fr. Garnier. Initially, Fr. Garnier established a modest chapel on land acquired in 1840 by Fr. Bertrand SJ. The current edifice of the church was completed in 1916. In 1938, with the formation of the Madurai Diocese, St. Mary's Cathedral was designated as a pro-Cathedral, and the Bishop's throne was subsequently installed within the church. It was elevated to the status of a Cathedral in 1969, serving as the seat of the Madurai Roman Catholic Archdiocese.

The architectural design of this church reflects a harmonious blend of European, Roman, and Continental styles. .....

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#12 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

At a distance of 41 km from Madurai, the Sacred Heart Shrine is a Catholic church in Idaikattur in Tamil Nadu. It is one of the famous churches in Tamil Nadu, and among the top places to visit near Madurai.

The Sacred Heart Shrine, commonly known as Idaikattur Church, was established in 1894 by French missionary Father Ferdinand Celle, following the guidance of a French Anglican woman named May Anne. She had been afflicted by a severe illness which doctors weren't able to cure. According to the narrative, she devoted nine consecutive days to prayer for the Sacred Heart of Jesus and subsequently experienced a complete recovery. In gratitude for this miracle, she contributed 2,000 francs towards the construction of the Sacred Heart Church in Idaikattur. The church underwent further expansion during the period of British rule.

The church's architecture is remarkably captivating, attracting numerous tourists to the .....

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#13 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

At a distance of 1 km from Madurai Junction Railway Station, ISKCON Temple Madurai is a revered Hindu temple situated in the Mani Nagaram Main Road in Madurai. It is one of the must-include places in Madurai pilgrimage packages.

ISKCON Temple Madurai is devoted to Lord Krishna and his divine partner, Goddess Radha. This temple was founded by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), a global spiritual organization established by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhakti Vedanta Swami Prabhupada in 1966. Commonly referred to as Radha Mathurapati Temple, ISKCON Madurai was created to disseminate the teachings of Lord Krishna and to serve as a sanctuary for worship and spiritual education for devotees in the area.

The temple complex is designed in accordance with traditional Vedic architectural principles. The striking white marble statues of Lord Krishna and Radha are elegantly dressed in exquisite garments .....

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#14 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

At a distance of 20 km from Madurai, ISKCON Temple Madurai is a revered Hindu temple situated in the Mani Nagaram Main Road in Madurai. It is one of the revered Pigrimage sites near Madurai.

The Thirumohoor Kalamegaperumal Temple, also referred to as Thirumohoor or Tirumogoor Temple, is a significant Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is recognized as one of the 108 Divya Desams, where Vishnu is revered as Kalamega Perumal, alongside his consort Lakshmi, known as Mohanavalli Thayar. The temple has a rich history and was originally constructed during the reign of Pandyan King Sadaiya Varman Sundara Pandiyan. The current structure, which features various enhancements, was established during the era of the Madurai Nayaks. Inscriptions within the temple provide insights into its construction and history. The temple is currently overseen by the Hindu Religious and Endowment Board of the Tamil Nadu Government.

According .....

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#15 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

At a distance of 1 km from Madurai Junction Railway Station, Kazimar Periya Pallivasal or Kazimar Big Mosque is an old mosque situated near the Periyar Bus Stand in Madurai. It is one of the top religious places to visit as part of Madurai Leisure Tour.

Constructed in 1284 AD, Kazimar Periya Pallivasal, also known as Kazimar Big Mosque, stands as the oldest mosque in the city of Madurai, Tamil Nadu. This mosque was established by Kazi Syed Tajuddin, a descendant of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, who migrated from Yemen in the 13th century and was granted this land by King Kulasekara Pandiyan. Kazimar mosque was the first Muslim place of worship in Madurai, overseen by Syed Tajuddin during his lifetime and subsequently managed by his children and descendants for over seven centuries, continuing to the present day. The mosque is currently recognized as a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

This .....

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#16 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

At a distance of 2.5 km from Madurai Junction Railway Station, the Goripalayam Dargah, also known as Hazrat Sultan Sikandhar Badusha Shaheed Dargah, is a revered Islamic shrine located in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the top religious places to visit as part of Madurai family packages.

The Goripalayam Mosque is dedicated to Hazrat Sulthan Alauddin Badusha, a revered saint and warrior from Yemen who traveled to India to promote Islam. It is believed that the saint arrived in the area during the reign of the Pandyan king, Kulasekara Pandyan, at a time when the kingdom was suffering from a severe drought. The saint prayed for rain, and, in a remarkable turn of events, rain fell, alleviating the kingdom's plight and earning him the deep respect of the local populace. Hazrat Sultan Sikandhar Badusha is believed to have died as a martyr during a battle defending the city of Madurai.

According to historical .....

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#17 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

At a distance of 2 km from Madurai Junction Railway Station, Puthu Mandapam is located exactly opposite to the eastern side of the very popular Sri Meenakshi Temple in Madurai. It is one of the famous places to visit in Madurai as part of Tamilnadu Tour Packages.

Puthu Mandapam was established by King Thirumalai Nayakkar between 1628 and 1635 in honor of Lord Sundareswarar. Commonly referred to as Vasantha Mandapam, it was initially constructed as a summer residence for Lord Sundareswarar and his consort, Goddess Meenakshi. The term 'Pudhu Mandapam' translates to 'New Hall' in English, and it is of considerable historical and cultural significance.

Built on a platform, Pudhu Mandapam exemplifies remarkable Dravidian architecture, featuring elaborate carvings, grand pillars, and expansive halls. The structure measures 105 feet in width and 330 feet in length, comprising 124 pillars arranged in four rows. The pillars flanking .....

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#18 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

At a distance of 35 km from Madurai, Kutladampatti Falls is a serene waterfall located in the village of Kutladampatti near Vadipatti in the Madurai district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the must-include places in Madurai Adventure Tour.

Kutladampatti Waterfall is situated within a reserve forest overseen by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department. This waterfall descends from a height of approximately 27 meters (89 feet). Renowned for its picturesque scenery, it is actually an artificial waterfall that serves as an ideal weekend getaway from Madurai. One can enjoy bathing on the platforms under the cascade.

The freshwater streams flowing over the large rocks, combined with the refreshing breeze and the pleasant atmosphere of the surroundings, render it a favored destination among locals. The Tamil Nadu government has implemented various initiatives to promote this waterfall as a prominent tourist attraction. .....

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#19 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

At a distance of 4 km from Madurai Junction Railway Station, Gandhi Museum is a museum situated in Madurai. It is one of the popular museums in Tamilnadu, and among the prime places to visit as part of Madurai tour packages.

The Gandhi Memorial Museum in Madurai was established in 1959 as a tribute to the efforts of our father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi. It is one of the five great Gandhi Museums in the country which depict the life of the Father of the nation and India's freedom struggle from 1757 until 1947. Located in the heart of Madurai city, the museum is one of the best Madurai places to visit as it houses a wealth of remarkable mementoes associated with Indian history.

The museum building is a former 17th-century palace constructed by Nayak Queen Rani. Gandhi Museum comes under the Peace Museums Worldwide selected by the United Nations .....

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#20 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

At a distance of 12 kms from Madurai, Narasingam is famous for the Cave temple of Yoga Narasinga Perumal constructed in 770 AD by Madurakavi who was the minister of the Madurai King Paraanthaka Nedunchelzyan. The sculpture of Narasinga Perumal is carved out of the Aanaimalai Hill rocks. This temple is a good example of the cave sculpturing of the Pandya Kingdom. In front of this there is a stone temple for the goddess Sri Narasingavalli.

To the west of Narasinga Perumal temple, there is another cave temple constructed in 8th century AD by Pandia King. In this temple the deity Muruga and the goddess Devasena are seen. On the outer wall of this temple the sculptures of the cock and peacocks are formed beautifully.

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#21 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

At a distance of 23 kms north-east of Madurai (4 Kms from Alagar Koil), Pazhamudhir Solai is a beautiful temple created in the memory of Lord Subramaniya who is worshipped by several people in southern India. It has great sculptures of lord subramaniya encarved in wood and marble and is a wonderful temple with giant steps in the front of it.

People worship the temple by moving across the periphery of the temple a several number of times, with the hope that their wish would come true. It is the giant temple of Lord subhramaniya in southern India and one of the most beautiful too. It is located on the hills of Alagar koil.

Timings: Not Available.

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#22 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

At a distance of 70 km from Madurai, Vaigai Dam is a giant dam situated at Andipatti near Madurai. It is one of the popular places to visit during your Madurai Trip.

The Vaigai Dam is built in the year 1959 across the Vaigai River. The dam measures 111 ft in height and the total storage capacity is 6,143 mcft. Counted as one of the most famous tourist places near Madurai, the dam has been the lifeline of the agricultural lands in the districts of Madurai and Dindigul. It also provides drinking water to Madurai and Andipatti. Near the dam, the Government of Tamil Nadu has constructed an Agricultural Research Station to research on a wide variety of crops including cereals and pulses.

There is a beautiful garden known as Little Brindavan for visitors. The garden has a variety of exotic flowers and plants. It also harbours a musical fountain that .....

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#23 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

At a distance of 8 km from Periyakulam, 78 km from Thekkady, and 85 km from Madurai, the Kumbakkarai Waterfall is a scenic waterfall situated near Madurai. Located close to Madurai - Kodaikanal road, it is one of the popular waterfalls in tamilnadu, and among the must include places in Madurai tour packages.

Situated at the foothills of the Kodaikanal hills, the Kumbakkarai Falls cascades down from a height of about 87 feet in two layers. In the first stage, the water comes greeting the rocks that are given names of wild animals like elephant, snake, tiger to name a few. In the next stage, the water flows for a straight 0.5 km and then hugs the Kumbakkarai cascade. It is one of the most prominent Madurai sightseeing places.

Even though the waterfall is not as renowned as the other popular waterfalls .....

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#24 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

At a distance of 123 kms from Madurai, 22 Kms from Thekkady (via Gudalur & Karuna Muthevan Patti), 10 Kms from Kambam (via Suruli Patti) & 548 Kms from Chennai, Suruli Falls are situated amidst rich flora fauna and serve as a perfect picnic spot.

The falls originate from the Megamalai hills and descend from a height of 150 feet. They are surrounded by the astounding beauty of the dense forest. The best feature of Suruli Falls is that they are round-the-year Falls, best time is June to October.

The falls serve as the venue of Summer Festival, organized every year by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department. The Kailasanathar Temple Cave is also an added attraction of the place. There are also other 18 caves in and around the Suruli Falls. The Kailasanatha temple and Suruli Velappar temple are also nearby the falls.

The falls are reachable by road from Kambam and Gudalur towns. About 1-2 Kms trek through dense forest is required to reach the falls from nearest road.

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#25 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

At a distance of 95 km from Dindigul, 117 km from Madurai, 162 km from Munnar, 169 km from Coimbatore, 253 km from Ooty, 272 km from Kochi, 469 km from Bangalore, & 528 km from Chennai, Kodaikanal, also referred to as Kodai is a beautiful hill station in the Dindigul district of Tamilnadu. It is one of the best hill stations not to miss in a South India tour and among the top places to visit in Tamilnadu.

Often referred to as the 'Princess of Hill stations', Kodai is one of the popular places to visit in summer as part of honeymoon trip. It is situated at an altitude of about 7000 feet (2133 m) on the southern tip of the upper Palani hills. It has several scenic natural attractions which are enjoyed by its visitors and make it a popular romantic destination. Coaker's Walk, Silver Cascade, and Kodai Lake are among .....

Distance (From Madurai): 106 Kms
Trip Duration (From Madurai - Including Travel): 1-2 Days
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#26 of 26 Places to Visit in Madurai

About Palani

At a distance of 41 Km from Kodaikanal, 108 Km from Coimbatore, and 122 km from Madurai, Palani or Pazhani is a temple town located in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu, India. The town of Palani is renowned for Palani Murugan Temple or Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple. Dedicated to Lord Murugan, it is one of the six revered temples of Lord Murugan in Tamil Nadu, that are collectively referred to as the Arupadaiveedu and is an important pilgrim centre for Hindus that one must visit as part of Kodaikanal tour packages. Situated on a hill overlooking the town of Palani, the temple is visited by more than 7 million pilgrims each year.

History of Palani

According to the Sangam literature, Palani was recognized as the southernmost region of Kongu Nadu, and historical edicts refer to it as Vaiyapuri Nadu, governed by King Vaiyapuri Kopperumpekan. A significant clan that established itself .....

Distance (From Madurai): 122 Kms
Trip Duration (From Madurai - Including Travel): Half Day to Full Day
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Most Asked Questions on Madurai


  • What is the best season to visit Madurai?

    Madurai can be visited through out the year, however, Winter season from October to March is the best time to visit Madurai. January to February & April to May is the Peak season in Madurai and often hotels run full and tourist places are crowded.

  • How many days are required to visit Madurai?

    Madurai usually requires complete full day to visit the most important attractions. However, there are several wonderful places to visit around Madurai like Alagar Koil, Narasingam which usually take additional one day. Madurai can be mixed with near by wonderful destination like Thanjavur, Rameshwaram, Kanyakumari, Trichy and Chidambaram by adding few additional days to your trip.

  • What is the budget required to visit Madurai?

    Budget of Madurai trip depends on the trip duration and category of hotel you choose for your stay along with the kind of vehicle you prefer. Madurai tour packages offered by Trawell.in start from as low as INR 5000 per person for a 2D/1N trip and from INR 8750 per person for 3D/2N vacation.

  • What are some must visit places & things to do while visiting Madurai?

    Ensure to cover most important places to visit in Madurai like Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple, Thirumalai Nayak Mahal, Koodal Alagar Temple, Thirupparankundram Temple, Narasingam and Alagar Koil. If you have time, you can dedicate a day to visit near by places like Rameshwaram, Kanyakumari.

  • What are the things to buy in Madurai?

    Among the many attributes of the city that must be explored, shopping in the town is a worth having experience. Metal, bronze and aluminum vessels at Puthu Madapam, handicrafts at Avani Moola Street, variety of bangles at Bangle Merchants Street and Sungudi Sarees are the myst buy things in Madurai, known for its Jasmine flowers. Don't forget to try Palm heart from Street-side Vendors and Halwa wrapped on lotus leaf from Prema Vilas while in Madurai.