Madurai Meenakshi Temple
The twin temple of Meenakshi- Sundareswarar alias Madurai Meenakshiamman kovil which lies in the heart of the city, near Chithirai street is one of the most important tourist landmark of Madurai city. The temple on the southern side is dedicated to the fish eyed Goddess Meenakshi, the consort of Lord Sundareswarar (Shiva) and the other to Lord Sundareswarar himself. This temple complex which is about 258mts in length and 242mts in breadth is surrounded by five highly decorated gopurams (towers). The temple is an excellent example of Dravidian architecture and the major highlight is the 'Hall of a Thousand Pillars' known as Ayiramkal Mandapam, built around 1560. This hall, adorned with 985 elaborately carved pillars, is a museum of icons, photographs and illustrations. Among the mandapams, the Kambattadi Mandapam is outstanding for its excellent sculptured representations of the manifestations of Shiva on the pillars. The temple can be visited from 5:00AM to 12:30PM and 4:00PM to 9:30PM. Read More>>

Sri Koodal Alagar Perumal Temple
Koodal Alagar Temple located near central bus stand 2km west of Madurai is one among the 108 Vaishnavaite shrines, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. This temple is believed to be older than the Meenakshi temple and here Vishnu appears in three poses sitting, standing and reclining, each being depicted one above the other.

The uniqueness of the temple is its sanctum sanctorum built in three floors in the shape of Astanganga vimanam with lord Vishnu in his three poses known by three different names. The idol of the main deity Koodal Alagar is in the sitting position and is the most revered shrine of the temple. The altar of the Vishu in his reclining pose, known as Sri Ranganatha is just above the altar of Koodal Alagar. The idol of Sri Surya Narayana Perumal , i.e Vishnu in standing pose adorns the temple.

Other attractive features of the temple is the musical pillar, intricately carved wooden panels and ornamental windows. There is an attachment of  Navagraha (nine planets) in this temple. The monument of the Lord Vishnu is carved in front of the temple.

The two major festivals celebrated here are the 10 days long Car festival in the month of Vaikasi and the 10 days long float festival in the month of Maasi on Star Makham. Lord Alagar's procession on a gold horse chariot to the bank of Vaigai river to participate in his sister's (Meenakshi) wedding is one of the most interesting event of the float festival. Besides these festivals, several minor festivals are also celebrated here. 

The worshiping time of the temple is from 05.30 AM to 12.00 PM and from 04.00 PM - 09.00 PM. 
Contact Address : 
Sri Koodal Alagar Perumal temple,
Madurai - 625 001
Phone : 0452 - 2338542
E-mail : Contact Now

Tirupparankundram Temple
The small town of Tirupparankundram sometimes known as Thenparankundram, located 8 Kms South of Madurai Railway Junction, is renowned for its 8th century rock cut cave temple dedicated to Lord Murugan (Subrahmanya), the second son of Shiva. Tirupparankundram Temple alias Murugan temple, one of the six abodes, is considered as the first and foremost temple of Lord Muruga. Several myths and legends are associated with this temple and one of them says that it is at this place that the Lord Muruga defeated the demon Surapadman and got married to Deivayani (daughter of Deivendran).

The Tirupparankundram shrine, having 48 artistic carved pillars, is a large rectangular chamber excavated into the huge main rock. The sanctum sanctorum is constructed by a combination of nine minerals called Navabashana and has the statue of lord Murugan carved in his standing position. Apart from the main sanctum, the temple also has the shrines dedicated to Durga with the figures of Ganesh and Subramanya on either side, Vinayaka, Shiva and Vishnu. Daily six poojas are performed here. The main temple festival Panguni Uttiram is celebrated in the month of March. Thai Poosam, Kanda Sasthi, Agni Nakshatram, Vaisakhi Visakham and Tirukkarttikai are the other festivals celebrated here. The shrine is being visited by thousands of devotees throughout the year and is considered as an ideal place for wedding especially during the time of the Panguni Uttiram.

Beside the Murugan temple, there is also a Muslim Shrine dedicated to Sikandar (al-Sikandar or Alexander the Great) who was a friend of Murugan.

Alagar (Azhagar) Koil
Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, Alagar temple located in a scenic surrounding at the bottom of Alagar Hills (Solamalai) is about 21 Kms North East of Madurai. Here the Lord presides as Meenakshi's brother and according to Hindu Mythology, Lord Vishnu came to this place from his heavenly abode to give away Goddess Meenakshi in marriage to Lord Sundareswarer.

Sometimes referred as southern Tirupati, this ancient temple is known for its mandapams, gopurams, 2000 year old Sudarsana-chakra and a beautiful stone carved statue of Lord Vishnu called Kallazagar. The main tower at the entrance of the temple that has some beautiful sculptures depicting scenes from the great Epics, is believed to have been built by the Pandyan Kings. The temple contains two idols of Lord Vishnu. The main idol kept inside the sanctum is called 'Paramaswamy' and the processional idol which is made of pure gold called Alagar alias Sundararajan is opened only once a year at the time of Chittirai festival.

A shrine dedicated to Kalyana Sundaravalli, consort of Alagar, is located in the southern enclosure and another shrine of Andal is in the northern side. Besides these, the temple has many other shrines including that of Vinayaka,Yoga Narasimha, Siva, Bhairava and Subrahmania. A small stream, Silambar flows through the western side of the Alagar temple. The river is said to be very sacred and could match the holiness of the Ganga.

Chittirai festival held in the month of April / May is the most important among the various festival celebrated here. During the festival the processional idol of Alagar is taken from the kovil to Vaigai river, halting at various places, on the way to participate in the celestial wedding of his sister, Goddess Meenakshi. Aadi Perukku and Panguni Uthiram are the other festivals celebrated at the temple.

Pazhamuthircholai (Pazhamudhir Cholai) Murugan Temple
Dedicated to Lord Subramanya (Vel Murugan), the beautiful Pazhamuthircholai temple is situated about 19 kilometers from Madurai and 4 Kms above the Azhagar temple. This temple, on the solaimalai hill also known by the names Vrishabhadri or Idabagiri, is one among the six abodes of Lord Murugan. Here Murugan is worshiped along with his companions Valli as Iccha Shakti and Devayani as Kriya Shakti and he himself is worshiped as Jnana Shakti. The idol of the lord in the standing posture with a single face and four hands is kept between the statues of his consorts. The Vel of the lord made up of stone is of special significance and is worshipped with a great veneration by devotees.

A natural spring called Noopura Ganga with a temple dedicated to Raakkayi Amman is located at the top of the hill. Pilgrim to the Pazhamuthircholai temple take a dip in this small, sacred spring which is said to have originated from the anklet of Tirumal or Lord Vishnu. It is believed that the devotees who visits this shrine is blessed with wealth and health. The Silambar river that flows near by the temple gives an atmosphere of calmness and privacy. The Jumbu fruit tree by which Avvayar had an encounter with Lord Murugan is still found near the temple. In the temple premise, there is a rose apple tree (sthala vriksha) and the fruits of the tree will ripe only during Skanda Sashti festival.