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MADURAI is the second largest city of Tamil Nadu and flying from Chennai to Madurai was a very smooth affair.

Staying at HERITAGE HOTEL, a sprawling 40-acre property built by Scottish handloom factory owners, was an incredible experience as the property speaks of the heritage and history and is well maintained under the supervision of General Manager R. Sridharan. Madurai dates back to 3rd Century BCE and is well known as the City of Temples and the City of Flowers and we saw ample evidence of that at every street corner. Ruled by Pandyas, Cholas and different sultanates, the city has many landmark temples, mosques and palaces and after being taken over by British East India Company in 1801 and declared as Madras Presidency, many historical buildings and institutions speak of British influence as well.

Perhaps the biggest landmark is MEENAKSHI AMMAN

 

STORY 3 ITEM 14 Photo 2TEMPLE, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati, spread over many acres and comprising many historic additions and temples by various rulers. The architecture is amazing and one marvels at the workmanship of those years as it’s believed to have been made many centuries ago.

Another inspiring landmark is THIRUMALAI NAYAK PALACE, which was built in 1636 and is now under the control of the Archeological Department of India, and attracts visitors from around the world. The property has a museum as well with some of the artifacts dating back to the 3rd and 4th centuries. Not many people know that MAHATMA GANDHI adopted the loin cloth as his mode of dress after seeing the poor Tamil workers and, hence, the city has one of the biggest museums dedicated to Gandhi Ji’s ideals and it’s said to have inspired Martin Luther King as well during his trip to the city and I would surely recommend a trip to GANDHI MEMORIAL MUSEUM. Vibrant

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bazaars with various street performers caught our fancy and I must say that the trip to Tamil Nadu’s second biggest city and one of South India’s prominent cities was worthwhile.