MADURAI -- THE ATHENS OF THE EAST

MADURAI THE ATHENS OF THE EAST

Madurai often known as the Athens of the East is situated on the banks of river Vaigai, in Madurai dist, Tamil Nadu state.
Madurai has history of 2500 years and has been the capital of Pandya kings of South India. Madurai has hoary antiquity blended with myth. In the early years of Christ there was trade between Rome and Madurai, and Augustus Caesar had entreated the traders from Madurai. Even roman coins have been found at the undisturbed coastal sites.
The city of Madurai was built around Meenakshi temple with rectangular streets named after the names of Tamil months.
Madurai is well connected by air, road and railways. The railways station is one of many busiest railways stations in India.
Madurai has India’s some of the oldest educational institutions. There are colleges of agriculture, medicines, and engineering.
Madurai has many trade streams, chiefly being agriculture based.
But there are some notable trades like fabric pained saris and exporting flowers particularly Jasmine.
Jasmines are exported to Middle East and Singapore where they are used to make perfumes.
But the history of Madurai shall remain half without the mention of Meenakshi Sundereshwar temple which today stands out as the landmark of Indian cultural history. The city itself has it flourishing business developed by tourists crowding to visit this temple. A visitor is fascinated by the paintings and sculptures in the temple.
The temple has the Hall of Pillars, when tapped the pillars give musical notes.