20 Places To Visit In Madurai

Q: Can you suggest an itinerary for Madurai?

Day 1 - Reach Madurai by morning - noon. Have authentic South Indian breakfast/lunch . Visit the Thirumalai Nayakar Palace in the evening. Do try out the immensely popular Jigarthanda, which is a South Indian version of falooda. Day 2 - Visit the Koodal Alagar temple, St.Mary's Cathedral and other major places of worship. Have a South Indian thali meal for lunch. Visit the Meenakshi Amman temple in the afternoon. All temples are extremely crowded during the weekends. Try the delicious kothu parotta for dinner. Day 3 - Try to visit Pazhamudhircholai ( one of the 6 abodes of Lord Muruga ) if possible. Check out the Vaigai Dam. Experience the evening market in the city.

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Temple (7)
Hills & Valleys (2)
Religious Pond (1)
Tombs & Mausoleums (1)

1. Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple

Top Attraction 4.3 /5

1 km from city center

Temple

The Historic Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple is located on the southern bank of the Vaigai River, Madurai, Tamil Nadu. It is primarily dedicated to Parvati, known as Meenakshi, and her spouse, Shiva. That makes this temple different than the others is the fact that both God and Goddess are worshipped together.

Top Attraction 4.2 /5

1 km from city center

Forts & Palaces

Thirumalai Nayak Mahal was constructed way back in the 17th century. Several buildings and temples had been constructed by him in the region and they have all been splendid both in terms of construction location and spirituality.

Top Attraction 4.2 /5

60 km from city center

Dam

Vaigai Dam, a magnificent human-made structure, is constructed over River Vaigai near Andipatti, Theni District in the South Indian State of Tamil Nadu. Andipatti lies about 70 kilometres from Madurai and travellers on their way to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary often visit this massive and wondrous dam.

Top Attraction 3.5 /5

4 km from city center

Temple

Alagar Koil is an exquisite temple situated in the north east of Madurai. The temple is the rest place of Lord Vishnu and is the sacred place for several followers of Lord Vishnu in the region.

Madurai Travel Packages

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3 Nights / 4 Days

Madurai , Rameswaram & Kanyakumari Religious Tour Package

Madurai(1N) → Rameswaram(1N) → Kanyakumari(1N)

$136/person

3 Nights / 4 Days

Madurai Rameshwaram Kanyakumari Trivandrum Package

Madurai(1N) → Rameshwaram(1N) → Kanyakumari(1N) → Trivandrum(0N)

$ 170

20% off

$136/person

4 Nights / 5 Days

Trivandrum, Kanyakumari Rameswaram & Madurai

Trivandrum(1N) → Kanyakumari(1N) → Rameswaram(1N) → Madurai(1N)

$ 159

8% off

$145/person

8 Nights / 9 Days

Sacred Shores & Scenic Hills: Kerala and Tamilnadu Tour

Munnar(2N) → Thekkady(1N) → Madurai(1N) → Rameshwaram(1N) &rar...

$314/person

4 Nights / 5 Days

Spiritual & Heritage Trail: Thanjavur, Madurai, Rameshwaram, Kanyakumari

Thanjavur(1N) → Madurai(1N) → Rameshwaram(1N) → Kanyakumari(1N)

$161/person

3 Nights / 4 Days

Madurai , Rameswaram & Kanyakumari Honeymoon Tour Package

Madurai(1N) → Rameswaram(1N) → Kanyakumari(1N)

$113/person

View All Packages For Madurai

5. Meghamalai

85 km from city center

Hills & Valleys

Often known as the “High Wavy Mountains”, Meghamalai is a petit yet beautiful place located in the Western Ghats in the state of Tamil Nadu. At an elevation of 1500 meters, this place is a perfect getaway to beat the heat and enjoy some peaceful time relaxing amidst nature.

8 km from city center

Hills & Valleys

Located in Keelakuyilkudi village near Madurai, Samanar Hills or Samanar Malai is a beautiful hill rock complex which was originally home to Tamil Jain monks. The hill caves are a popular place of tourism and have elaborate carvings and drawings of the monks, on the interior walls. The spot also has a beautiful lotus temple located in the premises.

7. Gandhi Museum

Top Attraction 4.2 /5

2 km from city center

Museum

The Gandhi Memorial Museum serves as a remembrance and tribute to the efforts of our very own father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Established in 1959 in his cherished memory, eleven years after his demise, it is one of the few Gandhi Museums in the country.

Top Attraction 4.2 /5

1 km from city center

Temple

The Koodal Azhagar Temple is situated in the city of Azhaghar, the dazzling city of southern India. It is the temple of lord Vishnu with a magnanimous monument of lord Vishnu embossed in front of the temple.

10 km from city center

Amusement & Theme Park

Located on the Madurai - Dindigul National Highway near Madurai, Athisayam is a massive water cum amusement park. Sprawling over a vast 70 acres of land, the park boasts of a total of 40 games and 20 water rides. The park also has a 7D theatre, an eatery and a recreation garden for kids.

3.2 /5

4 km from city center

Temple

Constructed in the honor of Lord Vigneshwara, this divine temple is situated about 5 km from the meenakshi temple. It has a huge tank in the compound of the temple and holds the record of being the biggest tank in the region of Tamil Nadu.

3.2 /5

10 km from city center

Temple

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 carved in wood and marble and is a wonderful temple with giant steps in the front of it.

3.2 /5

8 km from city center

Temple

Tirupparankundram Murugan temple is one of the pilgrimage places in the southern India. The temple is an excellent master piece of art and is devoted to mother earth for the benedicts it has bequeathed on the holy earth.

13. Chithirai Festival

Fairs & Festivals

The Chithirai Festival, also known as Meenakshi Tirukalyanam, is one of the grandest temple festivals celebrated in Tamil Nadu. Held annually in the city of Madurai, this festival commemorates the celestial wedding of Goddess Meenakshi (an incarnation of Parvati) and Lord Sundareshwarar (Lord Shiva). Known for its vibrant processions, elaborate rituals, and cultural significance, the Chithirai Fes (Read More)tival draws thousands of devotees and tourists who gather to witness this spectacle of faith and tradition.

Church & Cathedral

St Maryês Cathedral is a gothic style catholic church situated in East Veli Street in Madurai. The striking architecture is a mix of European, Continental and Roman designs. The statue of virgin Mary installed inside is dressed in a saree. The church receives a regular influx of visitors all year long.

4 km from city center

Religious Pond

Vandiyur Maiamman Teppakulam is a tiny pond located near the premises of Vandiyur Maiamman Temple in mandir. •Teppakulamê literally meaning temple pond is connected to the river Vaigai through underground tunnels and its water is used for temple rituals. The pond also has a Mandapam in the centre with a Ganesha Temple and a tiny garden.

1 km from city center

Temple

Situated in the Mani Nagaram Main Road in Madurai, ISKCON Madurai is a revered Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and his consort Goddess Radha. The temple reverberates with mantras and songs at all times and devotees are fed with prasad. The premises also has a pure veg tiny eatery for the devotees and other visitors.

1 km from city center

Shopping

Banana Market in Madurai is a wholesale market for bananas situated in Rukmanipalayam. The place sells as many as 16 varieties of the fruit and is a hot trading place in the city. The bananas are brought early in the morning from the factory outlets and are unbranched from the branches to sell them to the local vendors.

2 km from city center

Mosque

Kazimar Big Mosque or Kazimar Periya Pallivasal is the oldest mosque in Madurai located near the Periyar bus stand. The mosque also holds significant religious importance and is visited by pilgrims from far and wide. With a space to accommodate close to 1500 people, the mosque also has an enchanting architecture with a magnificent maqbara.

1 km from city center

Tombs & Mausoleums

Goripalayam Dargah is also known as Hajha Syed Sultan Alaoudeen Syed Sultan Samsudeen Aouliya Dargah and is situated in Madurai. Done in green and white paint, the mosque has towering minars and a magnificent dome; and it houses the shrine of Hazrat Sulthan Alauddin Badusha and Hazrat Sulthan Shamsuddin Badusha.

26 km from city center

Waterfall

Cascading from a height of 27 m, the Kutladampatti waterfalls are nestled in Cholavantha village, 30 kms from Madurai. This artificial waterfall is extremely popular for its scenic beauty and makes for the perfect weekend getaway. The freshwater streams descending down the huge rocks, the cool breeze and the lovely ambience of the area make it a local favourite.

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FAQs on Madurai

What are the top sightseeing places in Madurai?

The top sightseeing places in Madurai are Meenakshi Temple, Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal, Vaigai Dam, Alagar Koil, Meghamalai, Samanar Hills.

What are the top restaurants in Madurai?

The best places to eat in Madurai are Jayaram Fast Foods, Emperor Restaurant, Surya Restaurant, Dhivya Mahal Restaurant, Taj Restaurant, Anna Meenakshi Restaurant. You can see all the places to eat in Madurai here

How can I commute within Madurai?

Local transport is by means of bus, taxi or auto-rickshaw. If wishing to visit nearby places, you can board a passanger train. However, remember to keep the train timetable in mind.
Read More

Can you suggest an itinerary for Madurai?

Day 1 - Reach Madurai by morning - noon. Have authentic South Indian breakfast/lunch . Visit the Thirumalai Nayakar Palace in the evening. Do try out the immensely popular Jigarthanda, which is a South Indian version of falooda.
Day 2 - Visit the Koodal Alagar temple, St.Mary's Cathedral and other major places of worship. Have a South Indian thali meal for lunch. Visit the Meenakshi Amman temple in the afternoon. All temples are extremely crowded during the weekends. Try the delicious kothu parotta for dinner.
Day 3 - Try to visit Pazhamudhircholai ( one of the 6 abodes of Lord Muruga ) if possible. Check out the Vaigai Dam. Experience the evening market in the city.

Places To Visit In Madurai

20 Places To Visit In Madurai

1. Madurai Meenakshi Amman Temple

2. Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal

3. Vaigai Dam

4. Alagar Koil

Madurai Travel Packages

Madurai , Rameswaram & Kanyakumari Religious Tour Package

Madurai Rameshwaram Kanyakumari Trivandrum Package

Trivandrum, Kanyakumari Rameswaram & Madurai

Sacred Shores & Scenic Hills: Kerala and Tamilnadu Tour

Spiritual & Heritage Trail: Thanjavur, Madurai, Rameshwaram, Kanyakumari

Madurai , Rameswaram & Kanyakumari Honeymoon Tour Package

5. Meghamalai

6. Samanar Hills

Top Hotels In Madurai

7. Gandhi Museum

8. Koodal Azhagar Temple

9. Athisayam

10. Mariamman Teppakulam

11. Pazhamudhir Solai

12. Tirupparankundram Murugan temple

Discover More About Sightseeing & Tourist Attractions in Madurai

13. Chithirai Festival

14. St Maryês Cathedral

15. Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam

16. ISKCON Madurai

17. Banana Market

18. Kazimar Big Mosque

19. Goripalayam Dargah

20. Kutladampatti Falls

Places To Visit In Nearby Places

FAQs on Madurai

What are the top sightseeing places in Madurai?

What are the top restaurants in Madurai?

How can I commute within Madurai?

Can you suggest an itinerary for Madurai?

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