Madurai Hotels

The citizens of Madurai are very traditional and they adhere to their values and customs quite strictly. People believe in simplicity and hard work and they stay in unity and harmony with one another. Madurai folks are very friendly and hospitable. The traditional attire of the people here are Sari and Dhavani. The major religion of the city is Hinduism. Yet, people following other faiths like Jainism, Christianity, Islam, etc. too dwell in Madurai hand in hand.

Tamil being the state language is the major language used here. Tamil is spoken in its pure and original form in Madurai. Apart from Tamil, other languages spoken here are; Saurashtra, Telugu, Malayalam, Urdu, Kannada, Hindi and English. Special Madurai cuisine includes Paruthi Paal, Panangkarkandu Paal, Pongal, Jigarthanda, Chettinadu, Kuzhi Paniyaram, Appam, Kotthu Parotta, and all other South Indian food items like Idly, Sambhar, Medu Vada, Dosa, etc.

Madurai is a famous textile industry and it is widely renowned for Cotton, Silk, Batik, Sungundi, Sirai Maravuri and Naarmadi fabrics. Gold-bordered medium weight cotton saris with fine Zari and fabric painting are popularly known as Sungundi saris that make Madurai known far and wide.

Major mode of entertainment for Madurai people is cinemas. Madurai boasts of a rich cultural legacy which is represented by folk dance, village ballads, dramas, songs, old folklores, religious festivals and rituals. Madurai metalwork, wood and stones carvings, pottery, leather goods, carpets and patch work are appreciated world wide.

The most important part of cultural endowment of Madurai is formed by the festivals celebrated with unlimited zest and enthusiasm every year. The major festivals celebrated in Madurai include Pongal, Jallikattu, Chithirai, Festival of the Cradle, Avanimoolam Festival, Float Festival, Dance Festival etc.

Pongal is a three days harvest festival celebrated to thank the Lord Sun, the nature and the cattle who helped the people in getting a good harvest and made them prosperous. Bhogi is the first day of Pongal when houses are cleaned and decorated. Second day is the main day of Pongal when Sugarcanes and a sweet called Pongal, made from rice are eaten. The third day is known as Mattu Pongal when the cattle are worshipped.

Jallikattu is a sport organized mostly in villages as a part of Pongal celebration. This is a game of strength, courage and valor where the participant has to tame a wild bull.

Chithirai Festival, a ten days festival, is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Chithirai of Tamil Calendar (April or May). This festival is celebrated to mark the auspicious occasion of the wedding of Goddess Meenakshi to Lord Sundareswarer. A gold idol of Lord Azaghar, seated on a horse, is carried out in a procession from Azaghar Koil to Madurai. This symbolizes that the Lord Sundareswarer is going to Madurai for the wedding rituals.

Festival of the Cradle - In this celebration Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundarewarer after their wedding is taken to a mirror chamber in a procession and placed in a cradle for 9 days.

Avanimoolam Festival, celebrated in August or September marks the coronation of Lord Sundareswarer. At this time a play called ‘Lila’ is performed and the stories of 64 miracles of Lord Shiva are recited there. This festival is celebrated at the Sundareswarer Temple.

Float Festival is celebrated on the fool moon day of the month of ‘Thai’ according to Tamil calendar (Mid January – Mid February). This festival dates back to 17th century when it was first celebrated by King Thirumalai Nayak. This festival involves a boat ride to the Lord Vigneswara on his birthday.

Dance Festival is a 15 days festival which is organized by Tamil Nadu Tourism Department. Dancers from all over India take part in it and present various dance forms.