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Madurai, also called the Temple City, is located in the state of Tamil Nadu. It is also one of the oldest inhabited cities of India. Apart from the Temple City, a few other names for the city are the ‘City of Four Junctions’, ‘City of Festivals’, ‘Athens of the East’ and ‘Sleepless City’, all pointing to one or other aspect of Madurai.
The name Madurai is supposed to have originated from the word ‘Madhura’ in Sanskrit, which means ‘sweetness’. The history of Madurai dates as far back as the 3rd century BC. The city finds mention in the works of Megasthenese as well as Arthashastra by Kautilya. Madurai was ruled by the Kalabhras until the 6th century, after which, it was subsequently ruled by many other dynasties, viz. the Pandyas, Cholas and Nayaks.
The British took control of Madurai in 1801, and it was then that it was made a part of the Madras Presidency. Madurai holds significance in India’s independence struggle as well. The city was home to leaders like NMR Subaraman, Mohammad Ismail Sahib and Meer Ibrahim Sahib. It was Madurai where Mahatma Gandhi decided to wear the loin cloth and shunned trousers as he was inspired by the agricultural labourers here.
Madurai is known to have a mix of cultures and religion, which is evident from the presence of many religious structures belonging Hinduism, Islam and Christianity. Some of the important religious structures of Madurai, which also serve as tourist places, are Goripalayam Dargah, Meenakshi-Sundreswar Temple and St. Mary’s Cathedral Church. Gandhi Museum is another tourist attraction of Madurai.
The Chithirai Festival, which will be celebrated in Madurai from April 22 to May 4, 2012, is a major tourist attraction. Organised every year at the Meenakshi Temple, the important facets of the celebrations include the coronation of Goddess Meenakshi; a wedding marked by rituals between the deities and the Chariot Festival. According to mythology, Lord Vishnu came to Madurai to attend the wedding of his sister, Goddess Meenakshi. But as he was late, he missed the wedding and became extremely angry, which is why he went back home. This legend has resulted in a grand procession that marks the end of the festivities where Lord Kallazhaga, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, is carried back to the temple.
http://www.holidayiq.com/destinations/Madurai-Overview.html
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