Seat of Tamil Culture. Review on Madurai

Madurai is the seat of Tamil culture and civilization. It is famous for the Meenakshi Temple, Madurai Kamaraj University, Avinashalingam Home Science College ( Deemed University ), Gandhigram, now in Anna District, Dindigul, J. C. Kumarappa's Ashram at T. Kalupatti, and Rev. Keithan's Ashram at Batalagundu. It is also famous for Doas, Idli, Sambar, fruits, particularly grapes. Last but not the least it is the home of the famous TVS Company, whose R. Ramaraj is the owner of Satyam Infoways.

Everyday, the Meenakshi Temple attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over India. Its enormous Gopurams, covered with gaily coloured statues, dominate the landscape and are visible from all over Madurai. The Temple is named after the legendary daughter of a Pandyan King, who was born with three breasts. The King was told that the extra breast would disappear when she met the man she was to marry, and this duly happened when she met Lord Shiva on Mount Kailasha. Lord Shiva told her to return to Madurai, and eight days later arrived there himself in the form of Lord Sundareshwara to marry her.

Designed in 1560 by Vishwanatha Naik, the present Temple was substantially built during the reign of Thirumalai Naik (1623-55 AD), but its history goes back 2000 years to the time when Madurai was the capital of the Pandyan Kings. There are four entrances to the Temple, which occupies six hectares. It has 12 Towers ranging in height from 45 to 50 meters.

Madurai resembles a huge continuous bazzar, crammed with shops, streert marmets, temples and restaurants. There is an excellent Temple Museum.

The Gandhi Museum at Madurai is worth visiting. It was designed by the Shantiniketan trained artist J. M. Dutta, who lives in Gandhigram. He was my teacher when I was a student at Gandhigram in 1955.

The Madurai Kamaraj University conducts a Distance Education Programme in Tamil for non-resident Tamilians in Malaysia and Singapore. It is the only University in the country which has a Department of Science Communication, headed by my old friend Dr. Shanta.

Madurai is also famous for the Thevar community, from which my son-in-law, Dr. L. Raja is. My daughter, Kalpana, also a former student of Gandhigram, lives with her husband and daughter at Ambathurai.

Raja belongs to a village named S. Poddupatti, near Uslampatti in Madurai District. My darling grand daughter Kaveri belongs to Madurai District. Then what about me ? I also belong to Madurai.