STATES AND UNION TERRITORIES OF INDIA
TAMIL NADU
Places near Madurai
Koodal
Azhagar Temple
This ancient Vaishnavite
temple is situated to the west of Madurai. Lord Vishnu is seen in
three postures - The main idol is seen seated. In the Ashtaanga Vimanam
the Lord is seen reclining (Palli konda Perumal) & in the standing
posture (Surya Narayanan) in the next level - each depicted one above the
other. This temple is adorned with beautiful sculptures.
Thirupparankunram
In this place
located 8 kms south of Madurai is the 6th century rock-cut temple dedicated
to Lord Muruga, one among the six abodes (Arupadai Veedu) of Lord Muruga.
Murugar married Deyvayanai, the daughter of Indra here after killing the
asura king Surapadman. There are separate shrines dedicated to Shiva,
Ganapathy, Durgai, Vishnu and other deities.
There is a
tomb of a Muslim saint Sikander atop the hill.
Azhagar
Koil
This
temple is located 18 kms from Madurai at the foot of a hill. The
Lord here is Sundarajar. Azhagar is taken out in procession during
the Chithirai festival to the river Vaigai to participate in the marraige
cermeony of Meenakshi Sundareswarar.
Pazhamudhirsolai
This temple is
located on a hill adjacent to Azhagar Koil. This temple is one among the
six abodes of Lord Murugar. A natural spring called Nuburagangai
is located here.
Periyar
Wildlife Sanctuary (Thekkadi)
This sanctuary
is located 140 kms from Madurai. The Periyar dam was built towards
the end of the 19th century. The lake is at an elevation of 2700
ft. Wild animals like the elephant, gaur, sambhar, tigers can
be seen roaming freely. coming to the lake.
Kodaikanal
This hill resort
is about 120 kms from Madurai, set at an altitude of 2,133 mts.
Details
Vaigai dam
(69 kms), Suruli Waterfalls (130 kms), Kumbakkarai waterfalls (85 kms)
are other interesting places to visit.
Places
of interest in Madurai
|
