Professional Documents
Culture Documents
TAMILNADU-A STUDY
CHAPTER-I
Introduction
Madurai, which is more than 2500 years old, was once the
mighty capital of the ancient pandya kingdom. This city has been
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1
A centre of leaving and pilgrimage for centuries,Madurai
is one of the most lively cities in south India It was originally known
madurai,it got the name koodl.literary evidences prove that the first
Madurai was devoured by the sea and what we now see is the second
aspects history, religion, art, legent, polity, learning and so on. It as the
city of elites and learned men, so it is aptly called the “Athens of the
East”.3
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2
Madurai is famous for pilgrimage centre. It’s main
attraction is the famous shree Meenakshi Temple in the heart of the old
seethes with activity from down till dusk and its many shrines attract
pilgrims from all over India and tourists from all over the world. On
any one day it’s been estimated that there will be 10,000 visitors here.4
beginning over 2000 years ago when it was the capital of the pandya
ambassador at the court o0f chandragupta Maurya .In the 10th century
AD it was taken by the chola emperors and remained with them until
only to lose it again in the 14th to the Moslem invaders under malik
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3
malik kafur set up his own dynasty here which ruled for a while
the nayaks who ruled from1559 until 1781 A.D.It was during the reigh
was built .5
India Company who took over the revenues of the area after the wars of
the carnatic in 1781.In 1840, the company razed the fort which had
previously surrounded the city and filled in the most. Four broad streets
the veil streets-were constructed on top of his fill and define the limits
small industries .It’s one of the south’s liveliest cities, yet small enough
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4
ORIENTATION
almost square enclosure marked out by the veli streets(south veli st,East
veli st,etc) on the south bank of the River vaigai.with in this area are
found almost all the main points of interest, the transport services,mid-
temple between North Masi street and south Masi street but
particularly along Town hall Road and west Masi street. The bus
station, railway station and GPO are all on west Veli Street as is the
Tourist office which close to the Hotel Tamilnadu near the junction
Outside this area, on the north bank of the River vaigai in the
5
Madurai is a fasinating,city a place of pilgrimage, joy and
elevation of 101 meters above mean sea level. The climate is dry and
with its famous textile mills, engineering industries and vast university
campus.
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7.Ratandeep,Tourist India Hospitality services,New Delhi,p.25
6
It covers an area of 22sq kms and contains a population of 10, 93,702.
85cms.8
DEMOGRAPHICS
females 49% Madurai has an average literacy rate of 79% higher than
the national average of 59.5% male literacy is 84% and female literacy
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9. Manoj.k,Op.cit,p.
7
CHAPTER-II
HISTORY OF MADURAI
HISTORY OF MADURAI
pliny (77AD) and Ptolemy (140A.D) have made references to this city
dancing as Nataraja with the right foot planted on the ground while in
silver hall.11
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8
Legends state that madurai was originally a forest known as
cleared the forest and built the temple and the beautiful city around it
,as laid down in the silpa sastras or the science of architecture .The
town is planned in the shape of coiled serpent and it is said that the
himself.
On the day the city was to be named lord siva is said to have
appeared.Drops of nectar from his hair fell on the town.hence the place
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9
Madurai’s history can be divided into roughly four periods, beginning
over 2000 years ago when it was the seat of the sangam literature as
perioch when it fell to the cholas, Madurai remained with the pandyas
until the decline of their empire. The 2000 year old region of the
nayaks marked the second golden era when art, architecture, and
dating all the way back to the sangam period of pre Christian era.the
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10
The sangam age or the Golden age of tamil literature produced
master pieces way back in the pre Christian era and in early Ist
The cholas ruled Madurai from 920 A.D till the beginning of the 13th
century.In 1223 A.D pandays regained their kindom and once again
silapathikaram the great epic in tamil was written based on the story of
Khilji.14
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14.S.Ravi,Op.cit,p.7
11
As early as the 3 rd century B.C Megasthanes visited
madurai.later many people from Rome and Greece visited madurai and
pandya.who was then the ruler of Delhi reached madurai and raided
and robbed the city for precious stones.jewels and other rare
12
was he who contributed to the creation of many magnificent structures
consistuencies
stalam and the koodalnagar Divya desam are the most important
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15.A.Rajayyan,History of Madurai,1996,p.25
13
Also the vicin city of madurai is Alagar kovil one of the
wood and then replaced by brick and mortar.At about 700 A.D.stones
four sides of the city-the Ayyanar koil in the east.vinayagar koil in the
south,perumal koil in the west and the kali kovil in the North.
The history of this city dates back to the 6 th century B.C.It was
the capital of the Pandyan Empire till the fourteenth century A.D.
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16.A.Rajayyan,Op.cit,p.26
14
Madurai is an international tourist centre.many Foreign tourist
available in madurai.17
III.LEGEND OF MADURAI
1812,Rous peter was the collector of Madurai.He treated the people .so
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17.S.Ravi,op.cit,p.3
18.T.G.S.Balaram Iyer,Describtion of Meenakshi Temple,Madurai,p.10
15
The girl disappeared.peter believed that sree Meenakshi had
precession.19
GARLAND OF MADURAI
contained in the early Tamil poem The Garland of Madurai said to have
poet describes the various regions of his kingdom and concludes with
most at least summar this part of the lovely poem,which has a realism
rare in the literature of the North. with images of the goddess lakshmi
safety and properity to the city it guards. It is a day of festival, and the
brave deeds, flying over the shops, which sell the gladdening today.
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19.T.G.S.Balaram Iyer,Op.cit,p.11
16
The streets are broad rivers of people, folk of every race,
wandering minerals.20
The people
The local Tamils are a majority but you may find a a fir
will find the people deeply religious, clinging with hide-bound tenacity
fully dressed in suit and tie for work, will still stop to look for
The culture
naturally.
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17
Even the himblest house-holder will welcome you with same simple
The Customs
religious rites into their day today living is not unusual.The door steps
are decorated with kolam or patterns made from rice powder or white
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23.V.meena,The Madurai,2005,p.2
18
The Life Style
among the lowest in the country,one can fulfill one’s needs within a
that if you lose your way ,you can be sure some one will be kind
The Language
The Religions
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24.S.Ravi,Op.cit,p.15
25.V.V.K.Subburaj,Op.cit,p.100
19
Places of Madurai
built by pandyas but the entire credit for making the as splendid as it is
to day goes to then Nayaks. The Nayaks ruled Madurai from the 16 th to
the 18th centuries and left a majestic imprint of their rule in Meenakshi
sullpted figures of Gods and Goddess. The four tallest Gouprams stand
one each side.26 The southern Gopurams is the tallest in the temple and
the only that may be claimed from a top of this50m (160ft) high
the two Viands (roof above the shrine) besides the four towering
gopurams on the counter walls of the twin temples, there are four
5sqft)
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20
If it had been completed it would have been the most
one way enter the temple through any of its five entrances in front of
the Twin Temple .This is the only entrance which is not surrounded by
a towering Gouprams.27
In this hall lord was once distributed to the devotes who came from far
off places. The sculptures on the Pillars here relate some of Lord Siva’s
thiruvilayadal.28
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21
He performed a number of Yoga’s (sacrifices made before a
occasion a three year old girl comes out of the fire and Malayadwajs
adopted her. But the girl had three breast and worried Malayadwaja
The Giri view unto a brave and beautiful princess she won
many battles field in Kailas AS soon as she saw him her third breast
disappeared and she recognized her divite consort for the princess
was none other than Siva’s were Parvathi After ruling over the
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29.S.Ravi,Op.cit,p.15
22
Walking westwards from the Astha Shakthi Mandapam
Enter the Meenakshi Naicher Mandapam. Each pillar in this Hall has
Proboscis. 30
goddess Paravathi eight feet height a Five Looded Serphant her had
from the Suns rain. Some consider the statue to be that of hunterss on
eight feet high. The hunter has majestic look. The Legends say that lord
Hunters and blessed a Villain who repented for his crimes of his
believed that these have statue receive the suffering of those who
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23
Temples Towers:
towers are the landmarks of Madurai. East tower (nine storegs) height
161. This Gopura has 1011 Sudhai Figures. South tower (nine storges)
height 1706. this tower has 1511 Sudhai figures west tower (nine
storyes ) height 163 .3. This towerhas 1124 sudhai figures lesser figures
Gopura:
Stuceo work:
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24
Ashtr sakthi Mandapam:
was once distributed to the devotes who came from for off places Next
hall used for shops and stores. This hall has a value Lamp Holder with
loss lamps which are lit on festive occasion and present a spectular
sighat.
Pandya a king of Madurai was Childless for 206 a long time. The
because he wanted an heir tothis throne on three year old ginee came
out of the fire and Malayadwaja adopted her but the girl had three
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32.Kannagi kalaivayendhan,Op.cit,p.207
25
The girl grew into a brave and beautiful princess she win
many battles by even fually lost her heart to Lord Shiva When shemet
him on thre battle Field in Kalias. As soon as she saw him her third
Meenakshi andsundaram
bath in the holy water. The area around this tank was the meeting
place of the sangam the ancient academy of poems. The history of the
sangam goes back to the days the academy judged the worth of
only there that did not link were considered worthy of attention.33
26
This academy judged the worth of anywone of literature
presented before it by throwing it into the tank. only those that did not
batteenif
Oonjal mandam:-
mythology.34
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34.G.Rupa,South India,Chennai,1995,p.72
27
Livy Tank:-
The area around this tank was the meeting place of the Tamui
those that did not sink considered worth of attention. This tank is
KilliKottu Mandapam
hindu mythology from here are can enter Meenakshi Santum sanctorum
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28
Having worshipped Meenaksi cross ever the
sundereswarar is closed to non hindus never the loss there is cef etonelt
the non hindu visitor the sanctum sanctorum also in the outer comidor
Kambathadi Mandapam
marks and the brilliant carryings of the feature on the right side are the
snake.
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36.T.G.S.Balaram Iyer,Op.cit,p.6
29
Gajasamdavamuruthy Temple.
the another pillan a prt from theses the ten avathar of lord Vishnu.37
Tamil nadu Archaeelogist Departement. It has fallen into run and the
present only the entrance gate and the main today but they’re well
worth a visit.
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30
The original palace compels was four times bigger that the
present structure, it was divided into two parts, swarga vilasa and
single rafteror grider. The stucco work on its domes and arenas is
mastery. The courtyard and the dancing hall are central attractions for
visitors. There are 248 Pillars each 58 feet tall and 5 feet tall and
English Languages.38
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31
The palace has been featured in many Indian films such as
Bombay Iruvar, Guru and jodi .The palace is open daily between 9 am
entertainment telling the history of the city with sound and colure
There are sound and light shows on the life of Tirumalai Nayakar
Silappathikaram.
tarrets border the garden of the island. In January , February the annual
who built this Tank man temple deities with silks and jewels, including
and sunderswarar are taken out an floats decorated with oil lamps and
flowers .
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39.k.R.Pod,Op.cit,p.86
32
This tank, several km east of the lot city covers an are a
and taken in Procession to the extant here they are pulled back and
forth across the water to the island temple in the centre of the tank
The festival attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over India. The
temple though tall Gouprams are absent the vimana called Ashtanga
41.Steven.J.Rosen,vaisanavi,New Delhi,1989,p.15
33
The Tamakam
the Mahal. The lotus hall here has a dome with ceiling, Shaped like
Goriplayam mosque
thing about it is that the dome which is 70ft in diameter and 20ft in
Gandhi Museum:
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42.K.karuppaiya,Op.cit,p.75
34
The drawingroom of the Tamukkam Bungalow which is
the assassination lot the father of ther Nashen “Mahatma Gandhi in the
year 1948 an appeal was issued to the public to varie funds to except
The rich and poor vivid with each other in contributing their
mute and this made Gandhi memorial trust New Delhi came in to
being the Gandhi memorial Trusts has allocated with the life of
Gandhi. The Gandhi memorial museum at madurai has been built and
organised by Gandhi.
35
There are sample places in southindia which are important in
place of this own it was in madurai in the year 1921 Gandhiji adopted
for the first time the line as his mode of dress which made him
1670 AD this latter was made under the occupation of the Nawab of
carnatic the east India company and a few others. Finally the palace
District collector of Maudurai it was in the year 1955 that the palce
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43.V.V.k.Subburaj,Op.cit,p.175
36
The personal receives Mansonpt;s books journals and
Government Museum
government Museum
performance.45
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45.V.V.K.Subburaj,Op.cit,p.177
37
Siddash ramam
classes and propagates the teachings of the crita and of the sages of
This ashramam was started in 1975 the temple is different from the
others by it’s unique feature. The height of the tower is 50 ft. and it is
a replica of the ganga devi temple built by Birla near ganga river at
Haridwar.
studies. This university was established in 1966 first in alagar koil road.
nagamalai hill.46
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46.S.Ravi,Op.cit,p.19
38
Agricultural college
more than 100 members of staff and 650 students. The campus 154.14
hectors in area is famous for it’s sylvan wealth the only glades being
the playgrounds.
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47.S.Ravi,Op.cit,p.20
39
VI Places around Madurai
Thiruparankundram;
Out of the six, two are near madurai the other padaiveedu is
times and one of the sangam poets nakkiran has sung a long poem
other temple new structures have been added later on there are a
Mangammal. In the decent from the mandapam are caves with images
etc.
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40
The sivathandavam is a masterpirece sculpture of the group and
Kallazhagar Koil
of wooded hill. “Azhagu” in Tamil beauty and true to its meaning thing
here is a thing of beauty a joy forever. The main deity is paraswami and
other temple having la gold idol made of pure gold. The ablution water
kms up on the hill the water of which contains cooper and iron
minerals.
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49.T.G.S.Balaram Iyer,Op.cit,p.2
41
The vimanam of this temple is called somaskanda vimanam
(tower over the sanetum) and a unique one of it kind the Kalyana
toto like the onw they wanted to shift at vellore to one of the museum
Pazhamudri solai
thickly shaded woods through which the rays of sun rarely peep in.
on the way there are several perennial spring and beyond the muruga
lord Muruga stands with his “vel” (spear) in his hand. The rains of a
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50.V.V.K.Subburaj,Op.cit,p.182
42
Thiruvengadam
river vaigai is the place where saivite supremacy over the jains was
into the stream sacred plam leaves on which are written hymns and if
the palm leaves do not sink or get carried by the running stream but
sail up stream the one who set lit sail is the winner. The palm leaves
of the jains were carried; away by the stream and the palm leaves of
the jains.
Thiruvadhavur
This place is about 9kms from melur near madurai one of the
pandya king. He built a temple for siva with the money he was
43
A miracle was performed by siva in which foxes were
transformed into horses and after they were taken by the king and
sent to the stables they again turned into foxes . 51The site of the house
northern side to banks of the river vaigai on the northern side to alagar
kovil. It is amids;t a cool coconut grove. The first idols that greet the
visitor here are that of lord ayyanar and his horse. The horse with this
Protrudicing teeth and bluging eyes and lord Ayyanar with fierce looks
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51.K.karuppaiya,op.cit,p.75
44
The preseding deity of this temple for creative comfort’s
promotions in job and for the ruin of their enemies one curious
practice in this temple is to cut a coin and offer it to the ideity to get
relief from being bullied by the mighty. A gunny bagfull of cut coins
to the teeth and seen standing at the breast of a horse with fierce
carved eighteen step’s are held in great reverenvce lby the devotes it is
claimed that not body will dare tell a lie at this spot the hill by the side
of the temple is about 300 meters. High and is famous for its holy
tradition this spring is said to have originated from the anklets at Maha
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52.V.V.K.Subburaj,Op.cit,p.184
45
Kalyana Mandapam
addition to the life –size sculptures of the kings who ruled over this
place there are many delicately carved idols relatings to the epics.
They are magnificent in concept and yet jewel like in the deticates of
the chisel. Some of them surpass the work manship found in similarly
Vaigai Dam
order to argument water supply a dam has been constructed across per
iar pf Kerala state and thewater from there is diverted through tunnels
to flow into the river vaigai. The height of the dam is to 6ft and its
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46
Cumbum valley
and various hills and estates. It is really the catchment area of river
everywhere.56 The chief attractions are the surul falls and Thekkady on
Surli falls
picnic spot though of lesser height than the courtrallam falls the water
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47
It is a fine place for bathing and arrangements are made for the
safetly of the Bathers There is a rope rail from damto moonaru for
about 50kms distance for the quick transport of tea leaves from the
estates.57
periar reservoir and dam spread over 729.29 sq.km. the animal
watchers nhave to go by a motor boat along the periar lake and watch
them on the hills surrounding the lake Many animals come for
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57.V.Meena,The Madurai,2005,p.25
48
The route rom Madurai to Kunmishi is self a picturesql ride
breathe the fragrance of cadamon and other spices that emanates from
the estates around Kumizhi is the border line and from there Thekkady
Excursions
braching climate have all made Kuttallam very popular with those on
electric projects.59
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58.V.Meena,Op.cit,p.26
49
Kodaikannal(120 km)
oppressive heat of the plains in summer its peace and quite unspolit as
yet by the commercalisation that has over –run other hill resorts
makes Kodai popular with city developers who simply want to get
lord is situated at the top of the hill at a height of around zoom (550 ft)
Chithirai Festival
celebrated.61
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60.R.Sashthiri,Op.cit,p.81
61.V.V.K.Subburaj,Op.cit,p.195
50
Legend has it that lord Vishnu as Azhagar rode on a golden
two idols of the couple is taken around the town to the tumal towers
pervades right through the day. The festival draws a mammoth croud
51
Govt chithirai Exhibition
The govt Chithirai Eshibtion held From April to june every year.62
specially constructed raft decorated with flowers and lights carries the
Vasantotsavam
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63...karuppaiya,Op.cit,p.82
52
Navaratri
and Kashi visa lakshi ) the dasara festivities are conducted in a grand
manne for 10 days.Devotes in lakhs for and hear throng the city .
Other festivals
the city) attracts people of all age groups and from different plces in
The park is scientifically designed and perfect during the summer heat.
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64.Ratandeep Songh,op.cit,p.215
53
Eco Park
illuminated optic fibe trees and luster to the beauty and Rajaji
Children’s park .City hostel several radio station like radio Mirchi
Hello F.M Suryan Fm Towers tht forms a landmark in the by pass road
It also has places to shop like spenccers daily Megamart café day
The sri sathguru sangeetha samajam holds regular music and dance
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65.S.Ravi,Op.cit,P.45
66.kannagi kalaivayendhan,Op.cit,p.208
54
Clubs
Auditorium
Libraries
Palkalai Nagar,Madurai
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67.V.Meena,Op.cit,p.30
Skating, Florists
55
Inside meenakshi Temple And at the entrance plenty of florists
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68.V.Meena,Op.cit,p.32
Chapter-IX
56
Accommodation Facilities
tourist lodges.69
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69.Devanesan,principles of Tourism,Marthandam,2001,p.156
57
Place to stay - Bottom end
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58
There are three hotels at the top of the midxle range.The hotel
lot of travelers.It’s less than five minutes’ walk from the railway
in standard to the prem Nivas and is just a low minutes walk from the
bus station.It has a choice of air The last of the three the hotel tamil
Madurai’s three best hotels are clustered together well out of the
best hotels are the Hotel madurai ashok,and the pandyan Hotel,both on
Alagar koil Road,Both are centrally air-conditioned all the rooms have
their own with hot and cold water 24 hours.both have their own
cheaper than these is the second state government operated is the Hotel
Tamil nadu.
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72.Ratandeepsingh,Op.cit,p.306
59
Having two different hotels with the same name is some what
Places to Eat
and west masi Street which serve thalis ,Masala dosa and coffee.some
of the best are the restaurants at the junction of Dindigul road and
west masi Street,the new Arya Bhavan on west masi street (air-con) and
another on Dindigul road about 200 metres from the junction with west
masi street.It only has a Tamil name ,but server the biggest masala dosa
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73.Andrew sanger,Op.cit,p.125
60
The indo-ceylon Restaurant,Town Hall Road,very close to new
card,as does the Taj restaurant,Town Hall Road.the sri Ram Mess
restaurant has excellent all you can vegetarian meals also them.The
noght out at the pandyan hotel where the jasmine restaurant has fairly
good food “ proper” service and décor and rather high prices.74
Transport facilities
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74.Andrew sangar,Op.cit,p.126
61
The adwent of the railways the xtriking advznces in road
Road Transport
62
Local Transport
Rail Transport
Bangalore,coimbatore,kollam,Chennai,rameswaram,Thanjavur,tiruchira
Tirunelveli-MaduraiExpress.
Air Transport
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77.K.Karuppaiya,Op.cit,p.188
63
Madurai is connected to all major centres in the country by express
trains.78
Travel Agencies
Shopping Facilities
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64
Shopping centere
road.
Handicrafts:
Department stores
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80.V.Meena,Op.cit,50
65
Conclusion
peoples visit the city.madurai is the Second largest city in Tamil nadu.It
and rare sculptures.It is one of the India’s most ancient cities for its
mandapam etc.
66