Madurai

One of South India's most historic pilgrimage cities, bustling Madurai is renowned for the magnificent Meenakshi Temple, which can attract up to 15,000 visitors on one day alone. The temple complex has sections dating back as far as 2,000 years and is one of the country's most dramatic displays of Dravidian architecture.

How to Get There
Madurai has flights from Chennai and Mumbai, and is also accessible via bus and train (from Chennai, there are several daily trains to Madurai and a staggering 40 daily buses). The long-distance bus hub is Madurai's Central Bus Station, located a few miles northeast of the old city precinct.

How to Get Around
Autorickshaws, taxis, and city buses are plentiful, but it's relatively easy to explore central Madurai by foot.

Attractions
Most travellers visit Madurai solely to see the exceptional Meenakshi Temple complex, which, apart from its architectural splendor, is an auspicious Hindu pilgrimage site. The temple's gopurams (soaring gateway towers) display intricately carved, often curious, depictions of Hindu deities, animals and celestial figures.

The Gandhi Memorial Museum, located in a former palace, has an admirable exhibition chronicling India's independence movement (spanning 1757 to 1947). An item of clothing (replete with blood stains), said to have been worn at the time Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated, is on display here.

Places to Eat
To admire the temple while you dine, opt for one of the rooftop restaurants located on West Perumal Maistry Street.

The Surya Restaurant is on the rooftop of a hotel and has sweeping views over Madurai. The menu offers a range of multicuisine vegetarian dishes. Hotel Supreme, 110 West Perumal Maistry Street.

Living up to its name, the Temple View restaurant whips up flavorful vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian, continental, and Chinese fare; its Indian food is the pick of the bunch. Hotel Park Plaza, 114 West Perumal Maistry Street.

The multicuisine Mahal cooks up an appetizing assortment of North Indian and continental food at very reasonable rates; a travelers' favorite is the prawns masala. 21 Town Hall Road.

Places to Stay
Budget offerings in Madurai are uncomfortable, so it's preferable to settle on middle- or upper-end accommodations.

The colonial-themed Taj Garden Retreat is Madurai's premium place to lay your head—if you don't mind staying a few miles out of the heart of the city. The property is set in well-manicured gardens and has a range of luxuriously appointed rooms, all in soothing, earthy tones. Facilities include a swimming pool and beauty parlor. 40 TPK Road; tel. +91 (0)452 237 1601; e-mail retreat.madurai@tajhotels.com.

The large, well-kept Hotel Supreme is one of the best mid-range options, with pleasant rooms that enjoy more natural light than most other hotels. Many of the more expensive rooms come with private balconies and views over the temple. Go up to the rooftop restaurant for some of the best views. 110 West Perumal Maistry Street; tel. +91 (0)452 234 3151.

One of the town's better mid-range possibilities, the Hotel Chentoor, has comfortable, if slightly boxed-in rooms—consider paying a bit more for one of their larger rooms. 106 West Perumal Maistry Street; tel. +91 (0)452 235 0490; e-mail chentoor01@sancharnet.in.

For More Information
Madurai Tourist Office 180 West Veli Street; tel +91 (0)452-2334757.