Things to eat and visit at Madurai, India

Madurai, commonly known as 'Temple City' is a district in Tamil Nadu, India. This city is well known for its rich culture and heritage in contrast to its counterpart, Chennai. The city is always busy and one could eat a very big meal for 24 hours in a day. This city is also nicknamed as 'City for insomniac'. Now let me guide through the key attractions and must-dos at this city.

Reaching here:

There are three ways to reach Madurai

1. A direct flight from most of the major cities in India is available.

2. You can take a bus from major cities in India to Madurai.

3. You can take a train from major cities in India.

Honestly, the best and the cheapest way is this :

a) If you are from outside of Tamil Nadu, India then take a flight from your origin to MAA (Chennai International Airport). From Airport, take a metro train to Koyambedu Bus Terminus aka CMBT and then take a bus to Madurai. Please avoid direct flights to Madurai since this is costly as well as the airport is quite far from the city.

Estimated Costs : (All in INR)

Flight- 3000

Metro - 40

Bus - 510

Total - 3550

Average train/bus travel time is 9 hours from Chennai

b) If you are in Tamil Nadu, take a bus/train to Madurai and it costs less than 600 INR.

Hotels:

There are pretty good hotels around Madurai. It is the paradise for food lovers. Madurai has god number of vegetarian and non-vegetarian hotels.

You must try the following dishes at the following places.

Madurai Jigarthanda - Famous Jigarthanda, Vilakuthoon

Rose Milk and Badam Milk- Lakshmi Milk Garden, Near Periyar Complex bus stand

Mapillai Juice - Nainar juice shop, Opposite to Periyar Complex Bus stand

Ice Creams at Igloo Ice cream Parlour

Vada at all corners of Madurai

Coffee at Visalam Coffee shop

Sweets at Bombay Sweets

Halwa at Lala Kadai

Milk Peda at Pechiamman Milk stall

Sandwich at British Bakery

Midnight Dosa Shop at Guru Theatre

Egg + soya fry at Arapalayam

Sabrish Hotel, Temple City Hotel, and Ashoka Hotel - Vegetarian

Aiyappan Dosai Kadai for 74 different types of dosai

Custard fruits at Arockyam

Butter Bun and Badam Milk at PTR Tea Stall

Nagapattinam Alwa Kadai, Near West entry

Kumbakonam Degree Coffee, Shivaji Coffee Works

Tea and coffee at Tantea, Mattuthavani

Try the following Non-Veg dishes at Madurai:

Briyani at Panamarathu Briyani Kadai and Arasamarathu Briyani kadai

Bun Parotta at K.K. Nagar Signal

Mutta Parotta, Kothu Paratha, Chicken Paratha, Mutton Paratha, Ceylon Paratha and other Paratha Varieties

Sea food varieties at PSA FISH STALL

Mutton Varieties at Aatha Kadai, Ellis Nagar

Chicken Varieties at Surya Hotels, SS Colony

Must visit at Madurai:

1. Meenackshi Temple

2. Madurai fort- West Entry

3. Koodal Azhagar Temple

4. Thiruparangundram and Swamimalai Murugan Temple

5. Thirumalai Nayakar Palace

6. 1000 kaal mandapam

7. Vaigai Dam

and other places as contributed by our other Wanderers.

Ping me for any clarifications.

© Foodophilic