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Madurai:
The "Temple City"
was the capital of the Pandya kingdom but it was during the reign of
the Nayaks (10th to the 18th century) that the magnificent Meenakshi
Temple and other buildings were constructed. The Meenakshi temple is
a live temple and one can witness a morning Puja, or even a Hindu Wedding
Ceremony being performed. Visit the Madurai Temple, believed to have
33 million sculptures. The four corner gopurams are the most striking.
The Meenakshi Nayakkar mandapam hall has 110 pillars and a lamp holder
with 1,008 lamps. The Palace of Thirumalai Nayak is the most famous
king of the Nayak dynasty. It has a great audience hall, a three-sided
pavilion and a courtyard. Some of the original apartments still remain
with a small museum. Yet another Nayakar legacy is the Mariammam Teppakulam,
a tank which was fed from the waters of the river Vaigai, north of the
city. Experience the Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal for a Sound and Light
Show.
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