Madurai “The Temple Town” formerly known as (till 1949) Madura is the oldest city of south Indian, located on the banks of River Vaigai. Legend has it that Shiva showered drops of nectar (madhuram) from his locks on to the city, giving rise to the name Madurai – 'the City of Nectar'. Ancient documents record the existence of Madurai from the 3rd century BC. It was the capital of the Pandyan kings from the 4th BCE to the 14th century CE. The city of Madurai has been constructed in the form of a lotus and is built around the Meenakshi Amman temple. It is said that the temple was plundered in the 15th century by the Muslim raider Malik Kafur who looted the temple of its valuables. Restoration was undertaken by the Nayak ruler Vishwanatha Nayakar around the 16th century. 

 It was Vishwanatha Nayak who rebuilt the temple in accordance to shilpa shastra. The main tourist attraction of Madurai are Meenakshi Amman temple, Thirumalai Nayak Mahal, Vaigai Dam, Alagar Koil, Samanar Hill, Gandhi Museum, The Koodal Azhagar Temple, Mariamman Teppakulam, Pazhamudhir Solai, Tirupparankundram Murugan temple, St Maryês Cathedral, Banana Bazaar, Old Flower Market and Goripalayam Dargah.