Top Places to Visit near Madurai for an Exciting Vacation

Madurai is a prominent town in Tamil Nadu, known for its ancient temples, culinary heritage, and rich history. It is one of the oldest inhabited places in the state, which was once the Capital of the Pandyan dynasty. Also known as “Temple City”, its existence goes back to more than 2500 years. Upon visiting this magnificent town, you will witness the strong value system in people who are warm and welcoming. With many places to see near Madurai, you are in for a great vacation exploring various landmark spots:

Best Places to see near Madurai

• Meenakshi Amman Temple
• Azhagar Kovil
• Gandhi Memorial Museum
• Yanaimalai
• Vaigai Dam
• Athisayam
• Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam
• Pazhamudhir Solai
• Samanar Hills

Meenakshi Amman Temple

Meenakshi Temple in Madurai is one of the oldest temple complexes, and it has a history dating back to the 4th century CE. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva visited Madurai in Sundareswarar avatar to marry goddess Meenakshi. The Meenakshi Amman Temple is dedicated to the union of the god and the goddess. There are four huge gateway towers at the temple, which enclose columned mandapas, holy shrines, and sacred tanks. If you are looking for one of the most remarkable places to see in and around Madurai, Meenakshi Amman Temple must be on your list. The colourful paintings of celestial beings, divinities, and guardians at the gateway towers showcase the magnificence of the foregone era.

Azhagar Kovil

Azhagar Kovil is one of the most fascinating places to see around Madurai. It is a sacred temple of lord Vishnu (Paramaswamy) among the 108 Divya Desams. Located at a distance of 20 kilometres from Madurai, this temple is visited by Hindu pilgrims to pay homage to the deity Lord Vishnu. There are many annual celebrations hosted at the temple, giving the opportunity to witness the local culture and festivities. Six daily rituals are done at the temple. This holy place is an architectural marvel, which has giant halls with well-carved pillars. The traditional South Indian style architecture adorns the temple, which was built several centuries ago.

Gandhi Memorial Museum

The Gandhi Memorial Museum must be in the Madurai tour package for history lovers. Built inside the Tamukkam Palace, this museum was visited by many renowned personalities like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Jayaprakash Narayan, and Dalai Lama. The palace in which the memorial was built was once the home of Rani Mangammal of the Nayak Dynasty. The place served various purposes over the years and was finally gifted to the Tamil Nadu State Government to build a museum. Various activities such as weekly inter-faith prayer, scientific training of yoga and pranayama, and Gandhi Memorial lecture series are conducted at the museum. Visit here to get a glimpse of Indian history pre and post-independence. Special programs are conducted on important days such as Vinobha-Bharathi Day, Freedom Fighters Day, and Gandhi Birthday Celebration.

Yanaimalai

Yanaimalai is one of the best places to see around Madurai. Away from the hustle and bustle of popular tourist spots, this place gives you a breather from your packed schedule. You can plan a one-day trip near Madurai to cover this place. It has an interesting shape that looks like an elephant, hence the name “Elephant Hill”. It is an interesting place to visit if you are intrigued by ancient sculptures. Some of the main attractions of Yanaimalai are Shaivite and Vaishnavite temples, Jain sculptures, and various caves. There is ample greenery all around, which beautifies this well-preserved place. It is one of the protected monuments under The Ancient and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act. If you are fascinated by the tales of the past and the historical journey of Tamil Nadu, you shouldn’t miss out on this adventurous place.

Vaigai Dam

Vaigai Dam is built on the Vaigai River and can be visited on a one-day trip around Madurai. It is situated at a distance of 70 km from the city, which calls for a comfortable car drive to reach the place. Vaigai Dam has become one of the most popular and best places to visit near Madurai because of its beautiful amalgamation of natural and man-made beauty. You can spend hours admiring nature’s brilliance that is reflected in the dense greenery, and cascading river. Little Brindavan Garden is the ideal place near this dam to sit back and relax. It is a great place for family travellers as the garden has a play area, a musical fountain, and a sprawling area with flowering plants. Go for a picnic, capture some beautiful moments on your camera, and enjoy the pleasant surroundings to have a fulfilling day at the Vaigai Dam.

Athisayam

This is a fun place to go near Madurai for an adventurous break from temple hopping. Athisayam is a water and amusement park visited by numerous travellers for an exciting experience. The huge amusement park is spread across 70 acres and has more than 60 games, numerous water rides, and 7D theatres. Kids and adults love to spend hours going on various rides and have a gala time. Some of the popular rides at the amusement park include Crazy River, Aqua Bowl, and Dry Raft. You can take breaks between the enthralling rides to try some delicious food. Also, there is a recreational garden in the amusement park, which is a big hit among children.

Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam

Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam temple is yet another religious place to see near Madurai. It is a holy temple pond complex in the city, which is spread across 16 acres of land. It is interesting to know that this is the largest temple tank in South India. Frequented by numerous devotees every year, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vinayaka. There is an artificial island created in the middle of the temple pond complex with Maiya Mandapam. You can visit the place any time of the year. However, if you plan your trip in January or February, you can witness the Float Festival, which is celebrated at the temple on a full moon night. On this auspicious occasion, the temple complex is lit by thousands of lamps beautifying the place.

Pazhamudhir Solai

Pazhamudhir Solai holds a huge significance for devotees of Lord Murugan. It is a popular place to visit near Madurai to take the blessings of Lord Murugan and pray for the happiness and prosperity of friends and family. It is among the six abodes of the deity, which is managed by the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department. Surrounded by wilderness, the temple has traditional South Indian architecture. Here, the shrines of Lord Murugan, Valli, Devasena, and Ganesha are worshipped by the visitors.

Samanar Hills

For all adventure seekers, Samanar Hills is a nature playground. It has complex and beautiful rock formations in the ancient caves. It is believed that Jain monks and Tamil Brahmins used to live in these caves 2000 years ago. Many inscriptions, and carvings on cave walls prove this theory. These carvings enlighten the visitors about the lives and principles of monks followed back in the day. It is one of the best places to visit near Madurai for an enriching experience and to understand a bit more about South Indian history and culture.

Madurai is dipped in the glorious history, culture, and values of South India. It has held up to the traditions and practices of the older times that give it the unique identity of the “Temple Town”. There are numerous places to see near Madurai for a well-rounded vacation. Depending upon your travel plans, cover as many landmark places to take back precious memories of a lifetime.