Around Madurai

Karaikudi

Located about 80 km. by road from Madurai is one of 77 villages and the region is called Chettinad.Chettinad is famous for its cuisine that is gourmet's dream come true. Visit to Chettinad Palace which was built in1912 with burma teak, granite pillars, stained glass, and important Italian tiles is a must. There are many other large houses like Chettinad mansion that can also be visited.Chettinad is also famous for unique handloom sarees,Antiques, old teak doors and furniture, old jewelry in gold and diamond. Silver and wood craft men can be seen at their best, working on many intricate ornamental pieces that are exported to all over the world. Tiles made in the village of Athangudi are famous for its unique patterns and are used in all the houses in Chettinad. They are very cool to walk on. Walls in the houses in Chettinad are finished with smooth plaster that is unique to this region. The Chettinad plaster is a mix of eggshells, egg white and microbalance

Kodaikkanal

Located 120 km from Madurai, Kodaikanal is one of the most beautiful hill stations in India located at an altitude of 2,133 m on the southern tip of the upper Palani hills in the Western Ghats. It is an ideal getaway for those craving an invigorating yet soothing holiday, away from the grind of the city and is dotted with wooded hills, picnic spots, panoramic views, pleasant walks and picturesque water falls.

Kodaikanal is also rich in flora and fauna and is blessed with the rare bloom of the highly elusive Kurinji flower that makes a dramatic appearance once in 12 years, making the hill slopes a blaze of purple. The Kurinji last bloomed in 1992.




       
 
 
 
 
 
 

Courtallam

Courtallam, the Spa of the south, is situated about 160km from Madurai on the western ghats near Kerala border. The waters of Courtallam are believed to have medicinal and therapeutical qualities as it flows through forests and herbs. The season period is between July and September during south west monsoon.
 




Trichy

On the banks of the river Cauvery is Tiruchirappalli, a city known for its educational institutions, industries, and temples. It is shortly called as "Tiruchi" or "Trichy".

Trichy is the district headquarters of the district of Tiruchirappalli and has its name for tourist attraction. The city is a thriving commercial centre in Tamil Nadu and is famous for artificial diamonds, cigars, handloom cloth, glass bangles and wooden and clay toys.

The most famous landmark of Tiruchirappalli is the Rock Fort Temple, a spectacular monument perched on a massive rocky out crop which rises abruptly from the plain to tower over the old city.



Thekkady

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is a spectacular 780 square kilometer wildlife and natural habitat for elephants, bison, gaur, sambhar and even tigers and is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India. The very sound of the word Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending spice scented plantations.

The entire district is picturesque plantations and hill towns that hold great opportunity for mountain walks. On motor launches from the Periyay Lake, one can view wildlife in its natural habitat. Elephants, Gaur, sambhar, Bear, tigers and even leopards come down to drink waters of the lake. Thekkady is located 140 km from Madurai.






Munnar

The jewel in Kerala’s crown, this green hill station perches 5,000 ft. above sea level, surrounded by the country’s highest tea gardens. Layer after layer of tea gardens, mountain mist, waterfalls and forest sanctuaries make Munnar almost surrealistically beautiful. The town gets its name from “ moon arra” which translates as three streams and the meeting place of these three mountain rivers, Muthirapazha, Nallathani, and Kundala., is where Munnar is built. Munnar is located 135 km from Madurai.

 


Kanyakumari

Kanyakumari or Cape Comorin, is located at the southern tip of the Indian Sub Continent at the confluence of the Bay of Bengal, the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. Kanyakumari is famous for its spectacular sunrises and sunsets, especially on full moon days. Kanyakumari is about 300 km from Madurai and about 80 km from Trivandrum in Kerala.

 




Rameshwaram

Rameshwaram, located 174 km from Madurai, is hallowed by the epic Ramayana. A devout Hindu who visits Varnasi is expected to visit Rameshwaram also for his quest for salvation. Rama sanctified this place by worshipping Lord Siva after the war against Rawana. Therefore, it is held sacred by Saivites (devotees of Lord Siva) and Vaishnavites (devotees of Lord Vishnu) as well.

Rameswaram Temple, perched on an island beach at the southeastern edge of India, is one of India’s four most important Hindu temples.Ramanathaswamy temple

is renowned for magnificent corridors, with massive sculptured pillars lining it. The corridor is 197 metres long East-West and 133 metres South – North. The temple was built from 12the century onwards by different rulers.
Today, Rameshwaram is one of the major marine food centres in the South, much of its fish and prawn catch being exported.

Dhanushkodi Island

The southernmost tip of the island was completely washed away by the 1964 cyclone. But the Kothandamasamy temple is still remaining intact. The boulders around the sea between Sri Lanka and this place, known as Adams bridge, are believed to be used by Hanuman to reach across Sri Lanka.

Haunting yet appealing, deserted but still full of life, eerie but fascinating – Dhanuskodi, the southern most tip of the island, is full of contradictions. Bow’s End (as translated from Tamil) is a sure delight if one has a penchant for blue seas, pristine white sands and ruins by the shore.Bordered by the Bay of Bengal and the Indian ocean, this ghost town is probably the most spectacular stretches in Tamil nadu. All modes of transport to Dhanushkodi stop at Moonram Chathiram. From here one hires a vehicle more suited to the sandy terrain to traverse the mud tracks leading up to the ruins, a 7km. Bumpy ride. The buildings that braved the fateful day still exist partly buried in the sand and partly weathered by the sea adding a mysterious beauty to the place.