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Madurai

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Madurai
Madurai
city
Map
Government
 • MayorThenmozhi Gopinathan[2]
Population
 (2001)
 • Total922,913
Websitemadurai.nic.in

Madurai pronunciationⓘ (Template:Lang-ta, IPA: [mɐd̪ɯrəj]) is a city and a municipal corporation situated on the banks of the River Vaigai in Madurai district in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The city is also known as Madura (pronounced as Ma ju ra) and as Nan mada kudal (the original name). The city of Madurai, with a population of 922,913 according to the 2001 census, is the administrative capital of Madurai district.

Madurai was the capital city of the Pandya kings of South India. Madurai's cultural heritage goes back 2500 years and the city has been an important commercial center since as early as 550 C.E.

In legend, the original town of Madurai was destroyed by a tsunami in ancient Lemuria (continent). The new city was home to the last Tamil Sangam in the early part of last Century. The great National Poet Subramanya Bharathi worked as a Tamil language pandit/ teacher in Sethupathy High School in Early 20th Century . There is a village town in the neighbouring District of Dindigul called Vada Madurai and another in a neighbouring District called Mana Madurai in Sivagangai District.

Geography

Satellite image of Madurai agglomeration

Madurai, with an area of 52 km² (now extended up to 130 km²)[3] is located at 9°56′N 78°07′E / 9.93°N 78.12°E / 9.93; 78.12.[4] It has an average elevation of 101 meters above Mean Sea level.[5] The climate is dry and hot, with rains during October-December. Temperature during the summer reaches a maximum of 40.0 Deg. C. and Minimum of 26.3 Deg. C. During winter the temperature reaches a maximum of 29.6 Deg. C. and a minimum of 18.0 Deg. C. The average annual rainfall is 85 cm (850mm).

Demographics

Vegetable vendor in Madurai

As of 2001 India census[1], the city of Madurai had a population of 922,913 and the urban area 1,194,665. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Madurai has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 74%. In Madurai, 10% of the population is under 6 years of age. There are 968 females per 1,000 males.[6]

Population decline:[7]

Year Population Type Source
1991 940,989 census official
2001 922,913 census official
2007 1,300,998 calculation

Landmarks in the City

Meenakshi Amman Temple complex

Meenakshi-Sundareswar Temple

The Meenakshi-Sundareswarar temple, which stands today as one of India's cultural and architectural landmarks, was originally built by the early Pandya King Kulasekara. The ancient city of Madurai was supposed to be laid out in a lotus-like formation with the temple at the center and streets and main thoroughfares layered one after the other in a concentric fashion. Legend has it that on the day the city was to be named, Lord Shiva blessed the land and its people while divine nectar showered on the city from his matted locks. The city hence came to be known as "Madhurapuri" meaning "The City of Divine Nectar". It is likely a late legend attempting to Sanskritise the otherwise Dravidian derivative of 'Madurai'.

Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal

This is a palace complex constructed in the Indo-Saracen style by Thirumalai Nayakar in 1636. This palace is a national monument and is now under the care of the Tamil Nadu Archaeological Department.

The original palace complex was four times bigger than the present structure. It was divided into two parts, namely Swarga-vilasa and Rang-vilasa. In these two parts, there are royal residences, theater, shrines, apartments, armory, palanquin place, royal bandstand, quarters, pond and garden. The ceilings are decorated with large paintings showing Shaivite and Vaishnavite themes.

The portico known as Swarga Vilasam is an arcaded octagon wholly constructed of brick and mortar without the support of a single rafter or girder. The stucco work on its domes and arches is remarkable. The gigantic pillars and structures represent amazing architectural mastery. The courtyard and the dancing hall are the center of attractions. There are around 248 pillars each 58 feet tall and 5 feet in diameter

Furniture and utensils used by the kings have been exhibited inside the palace. The palace is equipped to perform light and sound shows depicting the story of Silappathikaram in both Tamil and English languages.

The palace has featured in many films such as Bombay, Iruvar, Guru and Jodi.

Alagar Koyil

Alagar Koyil, about 25 km from the city is a holy shrine. The place is surrounded by hills. The principal idol represents lord Kallalagar. The Tamil new year festival called Chittirai Thiruvizha has been celebrated for centuries in this temple. In the entrance of the Alagar kovil one can notice Badhri Narayanan temple, built like Badrinath near Mount Kailash(North india). The principal idol represents Vishnu in a meditative posture and is flanked by Nara-Narayan.

The Lord Kallalagar visits the temple in the eve of the Chittirai festival, one of the famous festivals in Tamil Nadu. He starts the journey from the Alagar Koil crossing the Badri Narayanan Shrine.[1] During this time, he visits Vandiyur, near the Vaigai River, on the eastern outskirts of Madurai. It is believed that he realizes that he is too late for his sister's wedding, so refuses to cross the river and returns disappointed to Alagar Koil.

Gandhi Museum

The museum houses precious informations about Mahatma Gandhi and most importantly it showcases the original blood stained garment of Gandhi when he was assassinated by Ghotse. The other piece of the garment is kept at Gandhi Museum, Delhi.

Kazimar Periya Pallivasal

Hazrat Kazi Syed Tajuddin who came from Oman during late 12th century, got this land from the king Ku Pandiyan and constructed the mosque which is the first ever Muslim place of worship in Madurai. All his descendants (Huqdars - Share holders of that mosque called Syeds) have lived in the same locality for 700 years, and managed the mosque since then. Syed Tajuddin was appointed as Kazi of the sultans, and till now his descendants who live at Kazimar street, Madurai are appointed as Kazis to the Govt. of Tamil Nadu. All syeds belong to the Sunni sect of Islam with Hanafi school. Most of the descendants of Kazi syed tajuddin are shadhilis (shazuli) and follow the Sufi order Fassiyatush Shadhiliya

Thiruparankundram

Thirupparakundram exhibits the religious harmony as of the people of Madurai. Lord Murugan married Deivanai at Thiruparankundram Murugan Temple, also is the first among the Six Holy Abodes of Murugan (Arupadai Veedu, literally "Six Battle Camps").[8][9]

A very famous Islamic Durgah (Shrine) is located at the top of the hill where the Grave of an Islamic saint Hazrat Sulthan Sikandhar Badushah who came from jeddah during the Mid 9th century is found. irrespective of religion people from all parts of Tamil Nadu and from Kerala visit this Durgah and especially people who visits Ervadi Durgah in ramnad district are supposed to visit this durgah. There are lot of poems written in the praise of Hazrat Sultan Sikandhar badhusha by Syed Abdussalam Ibrahim Saalim Hazrat the third in the list of Madurai Hazrats. People who come here with a wish, see it answered in a very short period of time and hence He is also called with a name Mustajab ad Du'aa Sikandhar Badhushah.

Thus with a famous Temple and a famous Durgah, Thirupparankundram stands for the religious harmony of madurai.

Transport

Ox cart

Madurai is well connected by air, rail and road. The railway station is one of the busiest in the country and has computerized reservation counters. Madurai division has repeatedly got the award for best maintained station in Southern Railway.[10] The railway station code for Madurai junction is MDU. Madurai has twenty bus stands[citation needed], which cater to the needs of the people: Central bus terminus at Central bus stand (North) the second biggest bus stand in South east Asia after Koyembedu,Chennai, Palanganatham (South), Arappalayam (West), Periyar (Central) and Anna Bus stand (East). The major bus stand is at Maattuthavani, from where many buses all over the country operate round the clock. Bridges have been constructed across the Vaigai river to connect Madurai at various points. Flyovers have been constructed within the city to overcome traffic congestion. The Golden Quadrilateral and the four lane highway to Chennai make Madurai well connected. Madurai Airport is approximately 13 kilometers from the Madurai Railway station, and currently has connectivity to Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai. Jet Airways, Air Deccan, Paramount Airways and Indian Airlines are the only airline operators. International flights from Madurai to Colombo, Singapore and Gulf countries plan to start their service this year.

Airline-From Madurai Service to
Indian Chennai, Mumbai
Paramount Airways Chennai,Bangalore
Jet Airways Chennai
Air Deccan (Kingfisher) Chennai, Bangalore

Software Technology

Software Technology Parks of India, an agency of the Government of India, has authorized the below companies as IT parks in Madurai:[1]

  • AJ Square Consultancy Services Pvt Ltd
  • Alfa websolutions
  • Honeywell Technology Solutions Lab Pvt Ltd

Education

Madurai is home to the Kamaraj University. The City has Medical College, Agricultural College, Law College and many Engineering, Arts and Science Colleges. Madurai has many reputed Schools, Polytechnics and ITIs.

Madurai Kamaraj University

The Madurai Kamaraj University (1966) situated in Nagamalai Pudukottai, has 18 schools, which in turn is made up of 72 departments. It pioneered the concept of Distance Education throughout India, and its Directorate of Distance Education currently boasts of a student strength of about 130,000. Several other Arts and Science colleges are present in and around the city, affiliated to Madurai Kamaraj University. It has departments where one can study traditional beliefs, legends, customs, etc., as well as intricate technologies like Geo Informatics, Bio Informatics and beyond. A complete academic pride for Madurai.

Colleges

Madurai is home to some of India's oldest institutions. Colleges include:

Schools

Schools in Madurai are either run by the Tamil Nadu Government or Government aided or are run privately.

  • HDI Jain Matric HSS
  • MNU Jayaraj Nadar HSS
  • Indira Gandhi Memorial Matriculation Higher Secondary School
  • Dolphin Matriculation Higher Secondary School
  • YWCA Matric HSS
  • Ramachary Memorial Matric HSS
  • Arul Malar Matric HSS
  • APT Dorairaj Higher Secondary School
  • Sethupathi Higher Secondary School
  • Union Christian Higher Secondary School
  • Madura College Higher Secondary School
  • The OCPM Girls Higher Secondary School
  • Sourashtra Higher Secondary School
  • St.Mary's Higher Secondary School
  • Sourashtra Boys Higher Secondary School (this school is more than 100 years old)
  • St.Britto Hr.Sec.School
  • St.Joseph's Matric HSS
  • Saracens Matriculation School
  • Ayira Vaisya Higher Secondary school,
  • Velliambalam Dolphin Matric HSS
  • Rotary Laharry Mat.hr.sec.school,
  • TV Sundaram Iyengar Higher Secondary School, Laksmipuram
  • Sivakasi Nadar Matriculation and Hr.Sec. School, Ellis nagar
  • S.D.H.Jainvidyalaya
  • SBOA
  • Seventh Day Adventist
  • Mary Ann Matriculation Higher Secondary School
  • VHN Higher Secondary School
  • TVS Matriculation Higher Secondary School
  • Jeevana School
  • Vikasa School (Madura Coats)
  • Capron Hall Girls HSS
  • Cathy Matriculation Higher Secondary School
  • Mangayarkarasi Girls HSS
  • Sirumalar Girls HSS
  • Mahatma Montessori Matriculation Higher Secondary School
  • VMJ Higher Secondary School
  • Thiagarajar Model Higher Secondary School,
  • Tagore Vidyalayam Matriculation Higher Secondary School,
  • Lakshmi School [ICSE],
  • Sourashtra Girls Higher Secondary School,
  • Prasana Venkatesware Matriculation Higher Secondary School,
  • Nirmala Girls Higher Secondary School,
  • MRR.MAVMM.Matriculation Higher Secondary School,
  • Two Central Schools, one at Narimedu (started in 1966) and the other at Thirupparankundram (started in 2004).
  • Gurukulam High School, Subramaniapuram
  • Zion Good Shepherds Marticulation Higher Secondary School

Personalities in Madurai

  • Mr M.K.Alagiri, South Zone Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam Chief
  • Bharat Ratna MS Subbulakshmi
  • Vidhya Shankar, Biblical archaeologist

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Census March 1 2001
  2. ^ "First woman Mayor for Madurai". The Hindu. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessmonthday= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Madurai General Information". Retrieved 2008-06-15.
  4. ^ "Maps, Weather, and Airports for Madurai, India". Falling Rain Genomics, Inc. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
  5. ^ "Madurai Corporation - History". Madurai Corporation, Government of India. Retrieved 2008-06-15.
  6. ^ "Women Development" (PDF).
  7. ^ World-gazetteer.com
  8. ^ "Tirupparankundram". Retrieved 2007-05-26.
  9. ^ "The first Aru Padai Veedu". Retrieved 2007-05-25.
  10. ^ "Elegant ambience". The Hindu. October 16, 2004. Retrieved 2007-03-09.


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