Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
A popular event held in January/February on the full moon of the Tamil month of Thai,
when Meenakshi temple deities are taken on a tour of the town in elaborate procession
and floated in a brightly lit 'mini-temple' on the huge Mariamman Teppakkulam tank,
3km east of the old city. The evening culminates in Shiva's seduction of his wife,
whereupon the icons are brought back to the temple to make love and, in so doing, regen-
erate the universe (Meenakshi's diamond nose stud is even removed so it doesn't irritate
her lover).
Chithirai Festival
The main event on Madurai's busy festival calendar is this two-week event in April/May
celebrating the marriage of Meenakshi to Sundareswarar (Shiva). The deities are wheeled
around the Meenakshi Amman Temple in massive chariots that form part of long, colour-
ful processions.
TEMPLE FESTIVAL
Sleeping
Budget hotels in the central area are mostly dreary and unloved, but there is a big choice
of good and near-identical midrange places along West Perumal Maistry St, not far from
the train station. Most of them have rooftop restaurants with temple and sunset views.
HOTEL
$
Hotel West Tower
( 2346908; 42/60 West Tower St; s/d ?473/825, r with AC ?1238; )
The West Tower's best asset is
that it's very near the temple, but it's also acceptably clean and friendly.
TM Lodge
( 2341651;
http://hellomadurai.in/tmlodge
; 50 West Perumal Maistry St; s/d ?399/605, r with AC ?1294; )
The
walls are a bit grubby, but the sheets are clean. TM is efficiently run, even with a lift oper-
ator!
HOTEL
$
Madurai Residency
MAP
HOTEL
$$
GOOGLE MAP
(
438000;
www.madurairesidency.com
; 15 West Marret St; s ?2039-2518, d ?2398-2878, all incl breakfast;
)
The service is stellar and the rooms are comfy and fresh at this winner, which has one of
