Madurai, commonly known as 'Temple City' is a district in Tamil Nadu, India. This city is well known for its rich culture and heritage in contrast to its counterpart, Chennai. The city is always busy and one could eat a very big meal for 24 hours in a day. This city is also nicknamed as 'City for insomniac'. Now let me guide through the key attractions and must-dos at this city.
Reaching here:
There are three ways to reach Madurai
1. A direct flight from most of the major cities in India is available.
2. You can take a bus from major cities in India to Madurai.
3. You can take a train from major cities in India.
Honestly, the best and the cheapest way is this :
a) If you are from outside of Tamil Nadu, India then take a flight from your origin to MAA (Chennai International Airport). From Airport, take a metro train to Koyambedu Bus Terminus aka CMBT and then take a bus to Madurai. Please avoid direct flights to Madurai since this is costly as well as the airport is quite far from the city.
Estimated Costs : (All in INR)
Flight- 3000
Metro - 40
Bus - 510
Total - 3550
Average train/bus travel time is 9 hours from Chennai
b) If you are in Tamil Nadu, take a bus/train to Madurai and it costs less than 600 INR.
Hotels:
There are pretty good hotels around Madurai. It is the paradise for food lovers. Madurai has god number of vegetarian and non-vegetarian hotels.
You must try the following dishes at the following places.
Madurai Jigarthanda - Famous Jigarthanda, Vilakuthoon
Rose Milk and Badam Milk- Lakshmi Milk Garden, Near Periyar Complex bus stand
Mapillai Juice - Nainar juice shop, Opposite to Periyar Complex Bus stand
Ice Creams at Igloo Ice cream Parlour
Vada at all corners of Madurai
Coffee at Visalam Coffee shop
Sweets at Bombay Sweets
Halwa at Lala Kadai
Milk Peda at Pechiamman Milk stall
Sandwich at British Bakery
Midnight Dosa Shop at Guru Theatre
Egg + soya fry at Arapalayam
Sabrish Hotel, Temple City Hotel, and Ashoka Hotel - Vegetarian
Aiyappan Dosai Kadai for 74 different types of dosai
Custard fruits at Arockyam
Butter Bun and Badam Milk at PTR Tea Stall
Nagapattinam Alwa Kadai, Near West entry
Kumbakonam Degree Coffee, Shivaji Coffee Works
Tea and coffee at Tantea, Mattuthavani
Try the following Non-Veg dishes at Madurai:
Briyani at Panamarathu Briyani Kadai and Arasamarathu Briyani kadai
Bun Parotta at K.K. Nagar Signal
Mutta Parotta, Kothu Paratha, Chicken Paratha, Mutton Paratha, Ceylon Paratha and other Paratha Varieties
Sea food varieties at PSA FISH STALL
Mutton Varieties at Aatha Kadai, Ellis Nagar
Chicken Varieties at Surya Hotels, SS Colony
Must visit at Madurai:
1. Meenackshi Temple
2. Madurai fort- West Entry
3. Koodal Azhagar Temple
4. Thiruparangundram and Swamimalai Murugan Temple
5. Thirumalai Nayakar Palace
6. 1000 kaal mandapam
7. Vaigai Dam
and other places as contributed by our other Wanderers.
Ping me for any clarifications.
© Foodophilic