On the day the city was to be named, Lord Siva appeared at the
ceremony. As he blessed the land and its people, divine nectar (Mathuram) was
showered on the city from his matted locks. The city was henceforth known as
Madhurapuri. Madhurapuri grew and prospered to become the capital of the Pandyan
Kingdom. It is referred to in the Ramayana and Kautily's Arthashastra.
Madurai Travel Guide: Madurai's
origin and name emerge from a misty and lovely legend. In a
forest
near a lotus pond, Indra, King of Gods, Worshipped Lord Siva as a Swayambu Lingam.
At this hallowed spot, the Pandyan monarch Kulasekhara built a great temple
and clearing the forest, he created a lotus- shaped city around the temple.
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Places
of Interest in Madurai: Meenakshi
Sundareswarar Temple, Koodal Alagar Temple, Vandiyur Kanmoy Tourist Complex,
Thirumalai Nayak Mahal, Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam, Gandhi Museum, Thirupprankundram,
Alagar Koil.
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Excursions in Madurai: Vaigai
Dam, Kodaikanal, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Megamalai, Suruli Falls, Viraganur
Dam, Kumbakkarai Water Falls.
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Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple:
The temple is dedicated to both of Meenakshi of the limpid fish-shaped eyes,
the lovely consort of Lord Siva; and to Lord Siva himself (Sundareswarar). It
is one of the holiest places of worship in South India, drawing thousands of
devotees everyday. It has also been the centre of Tamil culture, sponsoring
literature, art, music and dance over the countries. Legend has it that when
the third and the last Tamil Sangam (Academy of Tamil Literature) met at Madurai,
literary works were thrown into the temple tank, where a divine force caused
works of merit to float and inferior literature to sink.
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