Visiting Madurai: the Meenakshi Temple, the palace and Alagar Koyil

The temple is the centre of the old city and the reason most visitors come. Give it an unhurried half day.

• The Meenakshi Temple stands on the southern bank of the Vaigai River and is dedicated to Meenakshi, a form of Parvati, and her consort Sundareswarar, a form of Shiva.[1]
• Its outer walls have four large gopurams, one facing each cardinal direction, and ten smaller ones. The southern tower is the tallest, at 170 ft (52 m).[1]
• The temple complex covers about 14 acres and includes a thousand-pillared hall.[1]

Both are a short drive from the temple and fit into the same day.

• Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal is a palace about 2 km south-east of the Meenakshi Temple, completed in 1636 under Tirumala Nayaka of the Madurai Nayak dynasty.[2]
• What remains is the main palace; the original complex was four times larger. It is now a protected national monument.[2]
• The palace of Rani Mangamma now houses the Gandhi Memorial Museum.[3]

With a car for the day you can add a temple outside the city.

• Alagar Koyil, a Vishnu temple, is 21 km north-east of Madurai at the foothills of Solaimalai.[3]
• Madurai is known for its jasmine, called Madurai Malli, which is traded at the city's morning flower market.[3]

• Start at the temple early in the morning, before the heat and the crowds build.
• Dress modestly for temple visits, and expect to leave footwear outside.
• A day rental keeps the car with you for the temple, the palace and Alagar Koyil.
• Check temple timings with the temple's official sources before you travel.