Vernacular Studies - Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
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Madurai, the third most populous and oldest city in the south-central Tamil Nadu was earlier known as Madhura located on the Vaigai River, about 30 miles (48 km) southeast of Dindigul. The history of ancient times of Madurai runs back to the Pandya Kings which was later conquered by Chola, Vijayanagar dynasty. And as time passed by it became the center of the civil disobedience movement against the British Raj.
The Madurai city is a major transportation hub for southern India, with road and rail lines radiating from the city. An airport is also present just south of the city providing both domestic and international flight services.
The architecture of Madurai is notable as Dravidian architecture is significant throughout the city.
Meenakshi temple in Madurai is a primary example of Dravidian Architecture ( in simpler words a style of Hindu architecture common in the south part of India). Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple was built by King Kulasekara Pandya (1190-1216 CE).
The history of the Meenakshi temple is quite interesting, the temple is dedicated to the goddess Meenakshi, the consort of Lord Shiva
The temple city of India, Madurai is home to the largest temple complex in Tamil Nadu, the Meenakshi Amman Temple, popularly called just the Meenakshi Temple.
In this city everything revolves around the Meenakshi temple, it is said that people wake up the prayer hymns from the temple and not with nature's call.
The temple comprises 985 sculpted pillars and is adorned with exquisite murals that celebrate the ethereal beauty of princess Meenakshi and the scenes of her wedding with Lord Shiva, it is quoted that each pillar outshines the other in terms of detailing and intricately beautiful designs.
Today Madurai is one of the commercial centers in India and Modernity has reached the place in no time but the inhabitants had made it a point to not lose the culture and tradition irrespective of all the development generative projects.
The geography of Madurai is notable too as it adds to the rich heritage. It has an average elevation of 101 metres and the city of Madurai lies on the flat and fertile plain of the river Vaigai, which runs in the northwest-southeast direction through the city, dividing it into two almost equal halves. The Sirumalai and Nagamalai hills lie to the north and west of Madurai.
Madurai, the city that never sleeps.
- Anonymous
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