Tamil Nadu · Temple city · Heritage

Madurai

Madurai, one of the oldest cities in Tamil Nadu, is built around the Meenakshi Amman Temple. It is about 410 km from Mysuru, about 8.5 hours by road. Most visitors plan 1–2 days. Tamil Nadu Tourism recommends December to February, when Madurai is at its coolest, about 21-33°C.

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Why travellers go

The temple complex and the city’s palace and markets make it a cultural highlight of a Tamil Nadu trip.

Suggested time: 1–2 days
State: Tamil Nadu
Good for: Temple city, Heritage

Best-known sights in Madurai

Meenakshi Amman Temple: The great temple of Meenakshi and Sundareswarar at the heart of the city, with 14 gopurams; the southern tower is about 52 m tall. The Golden Lotus tank lies inside. Open 5am-12:30pm and 4pm-10pm; timings change during festivals.
Aayiram Kaal Mandapam (Thousand Pillar Hall): A hall inside the Meenakshi temple grounds with 985 carved pillars.
Thirumalai Nayak Palace: A palace completed in 1636 by Tirumala Nayaka, about 2 km south-east of the Meenakshi temple, protected by the Tamil Nadu archaeology department. An evening sound and light show tells the story of Silappathikaram in Tamil and English.
Gandhi Memorial Museum: A museum in the old palace of Rani Mangammal with exhibits and relics from the freedom struggle.
Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam: A large temple tank with a temple on an island in the middle; it holds water from about November to February and hosts the float festival.
Thiruparankundram: A hill about 8 km from the city with a Murugan (Subramaniya Swamy) temple, and a dargah at the top.
Alagar Koil: A Vaishnava temple in the hills about 20 km from Madurai.
Samanar Hills: Rocky hillocks near Keelakuyilkudi village, about 10 km west of the city, with Jain and Hindu rock-cut monuments.
Koodal Azhagar Temple: A Vishnu temple in Madurai noted for its architecture.

How many days do you need in Madurai?

Plans for one, two or three days. A starting point only, not a Travel Trendzz package.

One day

Meenakshi Amman Temple in the early morning
Aayiram Kaal Mandapam (Thousand Pillar Hall)
Thirumalai Nayak Palace
Gandhi Memorial Museum
Evening darshan at Meenakshi Amman Temple

Two days

Day 1: Meenakshi Amman Temple in the early morning, Aayiram Kaal Mandapam, Thirumalai Nayak Palace, Sound and light show at the palace
Day 2: Gandhi Memorial Museum, Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam, Thiruparankundram

Three days

Day 1: Meenakshi Amman Temple in the early morning, Aayiram Kaal Mandapam, Thirumalai Nayak Palace, Sound and light show at the palace
Day 2: Gandhi Memorial Museum, Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam, Koodal Azhagar Temple
Day 3: Thiruparankundram, Samanar Hills, Alagar Koil

How to reach Madurai from Mysuru and Bengaluru

From Mysuru

By road: About 360-390 km, about 6-7 hours of driving.
By train: A daily train runs from Mysuru Junction to Madurai Junction (the Mysuru-Tuticorin Express, 16235/16236), about 13 hours.
By bus: Direct buses run from Mysuru to Madurai, about 10 hours.
By air: Go by road to Bengaluru and fly to Madurai Airport at Avaniyapuram, about 12 km from the city.

From Bengaluru

By road: About 435 km, about 7 hours, on NH 44 via Hosur, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Salem, Namakkal and Dindigul.
By train: Express and superfast trains run from Bengaluru to Madurai Junction in about 8-10 hours.
By bus: Buses run from Bengaluru to Madurai; the trip takes about 8-10 hours.
By air: Madurai Airport has domestic flights to Bengaluru, Chennai and other cities; it is about 12 km from the city.

Road times are approximate; check current timings for trains and buses before you travel.

Best time to visit Madurai

Tamil Nadu Tourism recommends December to February, when Madurai is at its coolest, about 21-33°C. March to July is the hottest stretch, with highs of 36-38°C. Most rain falls with the north-east monsoon from October to December.

Month	Weather and what to know
Jan	Warm and dry, about 21-31°C Float festival at Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam is usually in the second half of January; Jallikattu is held around Pongal.
Feb	Warm and dry, about 22-33°C
Mar	Hot, about 23-36°C
Apr	Hot, about 25-37°C Chithirai festival runs from mid-April into May.
May	Very hot, about 26-38°C Hottest month (IMD normals). Chithirai festival and Meenakshi Thirukalyanam.
Jun	Hot and mostly dry, about 25-36°C
Jul	Hot and mostly dry, about 25-36°C
Aug	Hot, some showers, about 25-36°C
Sep	Hot, showers, about 25-35°C
Oct	Warm, wettest month, about 24-33°C About 143 mm of rain from the north-east monsoon.
Nov	Warm and rainy, about 23-32°C About 136 mm of rain.
Dec	Pleasant, about 22-31°C

Tips for visiting Madurai

Visit the Meenakshi temple early in the morning or in the evening; it closes from 12:30pm to 4pm.
Non-Hindus may not enter the inner sanctums of the Meenakshi temple, and mobile phones and cameras are not allowed inside.
Watch for touts and pickpockets around the temples, especially in crowds.
During the Chithirai festival (mid-April to May) the city is extremely crowded; plan stays well ahead.
Madurai is hot for most of the year; plan outdoor sights for early morning and evening.

Photos

Gopurams of the Meenakshi Amman Temple rising above Madurai — Photo: Ashwin Kumar from Bangalore, India, CC BY-SA 2.0

Travel Trendzz packages that include Madurai

Prices are given on request; the team sends a quote for your dates and group.

Madurai & Rameswaram Pilgrimage4 Nights / 5 Days · pickup from MaduraiPrice on request Madurai, Rameswaram & Kanyakumari5 Nights / 6 Days · pickup from MaduraiPrice on request

Questions about Madurai

What is the best time to visit Madurai?

December to February is the best time to visit Madurai, as recommended by Tamil Nadu Tourism. These are the coolest months, about 21-33°C. March to July is very hot, with highs of 36-38°C. October and November bring the most rain, while April-May has the crowded Chithirai festival.

How far is Madurai from Bengaluru and Mysuru?

Madurai is about 435 km from Bengaluru, roughly 7 hours on NH 44 via Salem and Dindigul. From Mysuru, it is about 360-390 km. A daily train runs direct from Mysuru to Madurai in about 13 hours, and Madurai Airport has flights from Bengaluru.

What are the Meenakshi temple timings?

The Meenakshi Amman Temple is open from 5am to 12:30pm and from 4pm to 10pm, according to the temple's official site. It is closed in the afternoon. Timings can change during festivals. Phones and cameras are not allowed inside, so plan to leave them safely before you enter.

How many days are enough for Madurai?

Two days are enough for Madurai. Spend the first day at the Meenakshi temple, the Thousand Pillar Hall and Thirumalai Nayak Palace, with the evening light show. On the second day, see the Gandhi Memorial Museum, Teppakulam and Thiruparankundram. Add a third day for Alagar Koil and Samanar Hills.

Does Travel Trendzz have a package for Madurai?

Yes. Madurai & Rameswaram Pilgrimage (4 Nights / 5 Days), Madurai, Rameswaram & Kanyakumari (5 Nights / 6 Days) are published Travel Trendzz packages.

Places near Madurai

Published package

Rameswaram

Pilgrimage · 1–2 days

Published package

Kodaikanal

Hill station · 2 days

Thanjavur

Chola temples · 1 day

All Tamil Nadu destinations · All South India destinations · See all tour packages

Sources

Facts on this page were checked against these sources in November 2026. Rules such as entry passes, timings and road closures change, so check before you travel.

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Last updated 12 November 2026