The sree meenakshi sundareswarar temple the sree (sri) meenakshi temple is lkm from the railway station, and is one of the most beautiful temple complexes in india. It was built in the 17th century-and, according to official figures, is 254m x 237m (833 x 777 ft). The temple on the southern side is to sree meenakshi, the consort of shiva, and was blessed by the other shiva (lord sundares-warar). The tallest of the five towers is on the southern side and is covered with 1,000 figures. The festival of chithirai celebrating the marriage of meenakshi and sundareswarar is held in april/may.
Non-hindus are allowed to visit most parts of the temple - open 5am-lpm and 4-10pm. You can also visit the temple for a 5rs fee between l-4pm, and you are only allowed to take photographs during this time. A camera fee is included in the 5rs. Take a flash!
The 55m high southern tower can be climbed between 6am and 5.30pm for ire. It offers a view of the temple complex and madurai (no railing!).
The temple art museum (open 6am-8pm) is also interesting - entry fee 50rs and 5rs for cameras. The museum is in the hall of 1000 pillars -with almost 1000 pillars, three are missing.
Now and again at lunchtime, two elephants complete with mahout go through the streets on a begging tour. Whatever people can spare, coins, notes, fruit etc, are collected by the gentle thick-skinned animals, who give the articles up to the mahout and then rest their trunks on the forehead of the giver in a gesture of thanks.
Related Travel Information
Usually they cover the following:
Thirrupparankundram temple, perumal temple, sree meenakshi temple, thirumalai nayak palace, gandhi museum and the vishnu temple alagar koil, 21km 13 miles) to the north-east.
Hotels between the railway station and the sree meenakshi temple.
Saraswathi lodge, town hall road, ph 25 873, singles 3ors, doubles 4ors.
Hotelragu, ph 34 566,23 town hall road, singles 35rs, doubles 555rs all rooms with bath. Good value. :-"'.;
Uma lodge, west perumal maistry street (street albng the side of the town hall), ph 26 621, singles 25rs and doubles 45rs.
Senthill lodge, 8-9 north chitrai street, ph 32 384, singles 3ors and doubles 4ors (with bath 5ors).
Lodge saravana, 16/11 north chitrai street, ph 27 293, singles 20 rs, doubles 4ors (with bath 5ors), triple with bath 6ors.
Natraj lodge, very beautiful, clean, some rooms have a view of the temple complex. Roof terrace. Doubles cost 35rs. (petra z.)
Tourist bungalows, west veli street (opposite express bus stand),
Ph 31 435, singles 6ors (with air conditioning loors), doubles 85rs (with air conditioning 165rs). Very nicely situated as far as transport is concerned, but otherwise it doesn't have much to offer. Own restaurant.
Tm lodge, 50
Madurai is 100m above sea level, and has a population of 100,000. It was founded about 2,500 years ago and is one of the oldest towns in india. The main drawcard is the sree meenakshi temple. In 1840 the english levelled the walls of the old fort which then surrounded the town. Four streets, the veli streets, were built on the rubble, and still mark the former boundaries of the town.
Hotel rooms in rameswaram are scarce and often shabby. It may be worthwhile paying a few rupees more and staying at one of the newer hotels, like the alankar or maharaja's. They operate on the 24 hour system.
Rickshaw drivers await the arrival of tourists. The trip to a hotel costs about 8rs.
The railway retiring rooms at the station don't give a bad impression.
On the way to the temple is the shabby lodge michael at 34 varthagan street (singles 18rs, doubles 35rs, on the veranda 8rs).
There are numerous budget hotels around the temple like the sree mahalakshmi lodge, 41a south car
