Synonymous with Madurai is the Meenakshi Sundareswarar twin Temple, the pivot around which the city has evolved. The Meenakshi Temple complex is literally a city - one of the largest of its kind in India and undoubtedly one of the oldest too. The temple grew with the contribution of each dynasty and victorious monarchs, into an enormous complex extending over an area of 65000 Sq m. The temple first came in to being 2000 years ago and was substantially expanded during the regime of Thirumalai Nayak(1623-55 AD).

Lord Siva in his incarnation as Sundareswarar and his fish-eyed spouse, Meenakshi, are enshrined in this twin temple. There are four massive gateways enclosing these two shrines. Even a casual visitor is fascinated by the many paintings and sculptures. The temple forms the heart and lifeline of the 2,500-year-old city of Madurai. It houses 14 gopurams (gateway towers), ranging from 45–50m in height. The tallest is the southern tower, 51.9 metres (170 ft) high, and two golden sculptured vimanas, the shrines over the garbhagrihas (sanctums) of the main deities. The temple attracts 15,000 visitors a day, around 25,000 on Fridays, and receives an annual revenue of ₹ 60 million.There are an estimated 33,000 sculptures in the temple. It was on the list of top 30 nominees for the "New Seven Wonders of the World". The temple is the most prominent landmark and most visited tourist attraction in the city. The annual 10-day Meenakshi Tirukalyanam festival, celebrated during April and May, attracts 1 million visitors

A striking feature of the temple is the astonishing structure know as“Ayiramkaal Mandapam” or the Hall of Thousand Pillars and each pillar features high, ornate, bold sculptures that look life like. View from any angle these pillars appear to be in a straight line, an architectural masterpiece indeed In the outermost corridors are situated the matchless musical pillars carved out of stones. When it is tapped, each pillar produces different musical note.

Distance from Airport : 13kms 

About 1.5 Kms from the Meenakshi temple, this palace was built in 1636 by the ruler whose name it bears. The imposing edifice is famous for the “Stuccowork” on its domes and impressive arches. The Sorgavilasam (Celestial Pavilion), measuring 75m x 52m, constructed entirely of brick and mortar without the support of a single rafter or girder, is a marvel of indo-Saracenic architectural style. Among other striking features of the palace are the massive white pillars, several of which line the corridor that runs along the courtyard. Connected by high decorated arches, these pillars measure 20m in height and have a circumference of 4m. Elsewhere, there are polished black stone pillars of varying heights. It was King Thirumalai Nayak’s grandson who demolished much of the fine structure and removed most of the jewels and woodcarvings in order to build his own palace in Tiruchirapalli. (His dream never came true).  Thanks to Lord Napier, the then Governor of Madras, who partially restored the palace in 1866-72, and the subsequent restoration works carried out several years ago, today, we get to see the Entrance Gate, The Main Hall and the Dance Hall. There’s daily sound and light show in English at 1845 hrs and in Tamil at 2015 hrs. This half an hour show extols the virtues of King Thirumalai, particularly his passion for arts, his victories in battle and his love for his subjects.

Distance from Airport : 13kms

Gandhi Memorial Museum, established in 1959 and situated 15 km away from Airport, is one of the five Gandhi Sanghralayas (Gandhi Museums) in the country. This museum was inaugurated by the former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on 15 April 1959. It comes under the Peace Museums Worldwide selected by United Nations Organisation (UNO). The palace of Rani Mangammal was renovated and converted into the museum. The National Gandhi Museum has a very rich collection of original relics, books, journals and documents, photographs, audio-visual materials, exhibitions, art pieces and other memorabilia closely connected with Mahatma Gandhi, Kastur Ba and Indian Freedom Struggle. It is developing into a Resource Centre for the Gandhian and allied Studies and Research. It also processes the information, data, audio-visual materials, etc., for the use of different categories. 

Distance from Airport : 16kms

Located 21 kms northwest of Madurai is a Vishnu Temple on a picturesque wooded hill.Here 'Vishnu' presides as Meenakshi's brother 'Azhgar'. During the Chitrai festival in April/May, when the celestial marriage of Meenakshi to Sundareswarar is celebrated, Azhagar travels to Madurai. A gold processional icon called the Sundararajar is carried by devotees in procession from Azhagar Kovil to Madurai for wedding ritual.Palamudhirsolai, one of the six abodes of Lord Subramanya is on the same hill, about 4 kms. above. A natural spring called Nuburagangai where pilgrims bath, is located here.Alagarkovil, a village situated very near Madurai at the foot of the range of hills called Alagarmalai, is famous for its ancient . Vaishnavite temple, and the beauty of exquisite sculptures in the hall and other 'mandapams' of the temple. The temple is built on an extensive area in a very picturesque spot, surrounded by the ruins of a historic fort. The impressive main tower at the entrance, believed to have been built by the Pandyan Kings, has some beautiful sculptures depicting scenes from the epics. According to historical records, Malayadhwaja Pandyan, son of Kulasekhara Pandyan, who is said to have established the Pandyan kingdom, appears to be the earliest known monarch who patronised this temple. Jatavarman Sundara Pandyan, who reigned during the period 1251-1270 A.D., beautified the 'vimana' of the 'sanctum sanctorum' with gold plates. Later, during the reign of the Vijayanagar king Krishnadeva Raya, the temple was endowed with revenues from two villages for conducting regular festivals.

Distance from Airport : 33kms

Thekkady is located about 114 km from Madurai City and Madurai Airport,. Thekkady is located near to Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. The sanctuary is famous for its dense evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savanna grass lands. It is home to herds of elephants,  sambar, tigers, gaur, lion-tailed macaques and Nilgiri langurs.The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is spread across 777 km2(300 sq mi), of which 360 km2 (140 sq mi) is thick evergreen forest. The wildlife sanctuary was declared a tiger reserve in 1978. The splendid artificial lake formed by the Mullaperiyar Damacross the Periyar River adds to the charm of the park. The greatest attractions of Periyar are the herds of wild elephants, deer and bison that come down to drink in the lake. The sanctuary can be accessed through a trekking, boating or jeep safari. Thekkady is considered as a heaven for natural spices such as black pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, nutmace, ginger, and clove.

Distance from Airport : 168kms

Kodaikanal is a hill station city near Madurai. Its name in the Tamil language means 'The Gift of the Forest'. Kodaikanal is referred to as the 'Princess of Hill stations' and has a long history as a retreat and popular tourist destination. The 2–3-hour drive to Kodaikanal via the steep and winding Ghat roads from Batlagundu or Palani is a memorable experience. Kodaikanal has several scenic natural attractions which are enjoyed by its visitors and make it a popular romantic destination for newlyweds. Places such as Kodaikanal Lake, an artificial, roughly star-shaped 45 ha (60 acres) lake built in 1863, Bryant Park, a wonderfully maintained 20.5 acres (8.3 ha) botanical garden, Shembaganur Museum of Natural History, which holds outstanding taxidermy collection of more than 500 species of animals, birds and insects and a living collection of over 300 exotic orchid species and many more place are attracting people from all part of the world.

Distance from Airport : 133kms

A small Island and Major Pilgrim Centre which is situated in the Gulf of Mannar, at the very tip of the Indian peninsula. It is located on Pamban Island, also known as Rameswaram Island, and connected to mainland India by the Pamban Bridge. Together with Varanasi, it is considered to be one of the holiest places in India to Hindus, and part of the Char Dham pilgrimage. Some of the main attractions to visit are Ramanathaswamy Temple, Pamban Bridge and Dhanushkodi which is an abandoned town at the south-eastern tip of Pamban Island. The Island is 180 km away from Madurai Airport.

Distance from Airport : 160kms

Madurai Museum established in the year 1980 is located in the National Gandhi Museum Complex. The various sections in the museum deal with archaeology, anthropology, zoology, numismatology, botany and geology. The museum has a fine collection of antique Chinese ceramics, palm leaf manuscripts, bronze statues, urn burials, Palaeolithic, Microlithic and Neolithic tools, potsherds with graffiti marks and artefacts from various excavations. The beautiful building in which the Gandhi Museum is now located has an historical background. The building was known as ' Tamukkam Bungalow ' among the local people. The term ' Tamakkumu' or ' Tamagamu' is a telugu word meaning a 'summer house' or a building having a high roof supported by pillars without walls. The drawing room of the Tamukkam Bungalow which is constructed on the top of a square mound of earth about 5 metres high with a masonry dome of about 7 metres diameter was a great bulding. It is accepted as a building probably constructed by the Nayak Queen Rani Mangammal, as evidenced by a letter written to her in 1700AD. Training programs on Tanjore painting, Batik art, Taxidermy are conducted. In addition to this, special summer training camps on Tamil music,bharathanatyam, karate, yoga, varmakkalai, photography, glass painting, fabric painting and doll making are also conducted. 

Kutladampatti Falls is a waterfall located in the village of Kutladampatti near Vadipatti in Madurai district about 30 km (19 mi) northwest of Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. The waterfall is in a reserve forest managed by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department. The water falls from a height of about 27 metres (89 ft). Ashram is another place of attraction, located in the downhill. The Ashram is surrounded by mango farms and is a home for peacocks. The ashram also has various shrines and is a very good place for meditation and spiritual relief.

Majority of people are unaware of the Jain treasures in form of caves, stone beds, sculptures,  inscriptions and monuments built  during 6th, 7th & 8th century AD atop the hills around Madurai. There are 26 caves, 200 stone beds, 60 inscriptions and over 100 sculptures in and around Madurai. It was in Madurai that Acharya Bhutapali wrote the Shatkhandagama. This is also the site where Jain ascetics of yesteryear wrote great epics and books on grammar in Tamil. The Sittanavasal cave temple is regarded as one of the finest examples of Jain art.  It is the oldest and most famous Jain center in the region. It possesses both an early Jain cave shelter, and a medieval rock-cut temple with excellent fresco paintings of par excellence comparable to Ajantha paintings; the steep hill contains an isolated but spacious cavern. Locally, this cavern is known as Eladipattam, a name that is derived from the seven holes cut into the rock that serve as steps leading to the shelter. Within the cave there are seventeen stone beds aligned into rows, and each of these has a raised portion that could have served as a pillow-loft. The largest stone bed has a distinct Tamil- Bramhi inscription assignable to the 2nd century B.C. and some inscriptions belonging to 8th centuryB.C.  are also found on the nearby beds. The Sittannavasal cavern continued to be the “Holy Sramana Abode” until the seventh and eighth centuries. Inscriptions over the remaining stone beds name mendicants such as Tol kunrattu Kadavulan, Tirunilan, Tiruppuranan, Tittaicharanan, Sri Purrnacandran, Thiruchatthan, Ilangowthaman, sri Ulagathithan and Nityakaran Pattakali as monks. World standards, extraordinary architecture, innovative layouts, and well-thought execution make place a highly coveted point of tourist interest. Do not forget to carry your camera and capture special moments. samanar hills, Madurai is the sure way to refresh and relax after a busy weekday. Explore interesting themes, fabulous designs, colorful landscapes, amusing characters, ambient music, props and merchandise available in nearby stores- all at one place. Samanar hills, Madurai is the best way to have a memorable time with kids and family. So, enjoy a fulfilling outing at samanar hills in Madurai. Check it out

Madurai’s unique link with the jasmine probably dates back to 300 BC or earlier. There are extensive references to the flower in Sangam literature — the Tamil poems of the period 300 BC to AD 300,which are believed to have been composed or written at the Sangam or assembly of Tamil scholars, regularly held in Madurai during that period. One of the Sangam poems describes how Pari, a Tamil king, could not bear to see a beautiful and delicate mullai jasmine creeper lying on the wild forest floor. And he gifted his royal chariot to the plant so that the jasmine creeper could twine itself around it and rest more comfortably! The Jasmine is mentioned in old Hindu scriptures and also in ancient works like the Mahabharata. Madurai has emerged as a major market for the malligai grown in its neighbourhood, and has evolved into the jasmine capital of India. The plant thrives in areas around Madurai such as Aruppukkottai, Natham, Melur, Thirumangalam, Perungudi, Uthappanaickanur, Ammainaickanur and Nilakottai — places blessed with the moist, well-drained, sandy loam soil.

Kuttralam or Courtallam falls, Spa of South India, is situated (160km away from Madurai Airport) at a mean elevation of 160 m (520 ft) on the Western Ghats . Many seasonal and few perennial rivers such as the Chittar River, the Manimuthar River, the Pachaiyar Riverand the Thamirabarani River originate in this region. The numerous waterfalls and cascades along with the ubiquitous health resorts in the area have earned it the title the Spa of South India. It is considered as a 'medical spa' on account of the medical smell in the waters. There are a total of nine falls of which Peraruvi, Aintharuvi and Puli Aruvi being the most prominent. The falls is the most prominent tourist destination in the region and usually frequented by devotees of the Papanasanathar Temple and Sabarimala. The season starts with the South West monsoon from July to September. The Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) has a boat house that operates boating during season.

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam National Memorial is a memorial in memory of the late President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. The memorial is situated at Pei Karumbu, in the island town of Rameswaram, in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. This Memorial was inaugurated on the 27th July, 2017 by the Prime Minister of India. The memorial was built by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO). On display are the replicas of rockets and missiles with which Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam had worked with. Acrylic paintings about his life are also displayed along with hundreds of portraits depicting the life of the mass leader. There is a statue of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in the entrance showing him playing Veena (musical instrument). There are two other smaller statues of the leader in sitting and standing posture.

Theni district in Southern Tamil Nadu is a tourist attraction zone. Dams, Waterfalls, countless Pilgrim Centers with resoundig Cascades, Silver-Lined clouds resting atop green hilltops, sheer like rock faces and temples of antiquity with special tourist attraction are special features of this District. The hill consists of thick vegetation and perennial streams from the hills on the western side and cumbum valley in the Uthamapalayam taluk. Vaigai, Kottagudi, Suruliyar, Varahanathi, Manjalar, varattaru are the rivers that flow through this district. The important reservoirs in the district are Vaigai, Manjalaru dam, Sothuparai dam, Shanmuganathi dam, Manalaru dam and Melmanalaru dam. Theni district is the main route for the tourist bound from Madurai via Bodinayakanur, Munnar and Kochi and also to Thekkadi. This district is surrounded by the Western Ghats, with it green stretches of cultivated lands and tea gardens. Silk cotton, soft towels, coffee seeds, cardamom, Mango are the main productions of the District. This district is surrounded by the Western Ghats, with its green stretches of cultivated lands and tea gardens. Silk cotton, soft towels, coffee seeds, cardamom, mango are the main produce of the district. Vaigai Dam, Kumbakkarai Falls , Sothuparai dam, Suruli falls, Meghamalai etc are few important places to be visited in this district which are within 100km from Madurai airport. This district is surrounded by the Western Ghats, with its green stretches of cultivated lands and tea gardens. Silk cotton, soft towels, coffee seeds, cardamom, mango are the main produce of the district. Theni district is the 2nd ranked in ASIA on the Banana trading. It is known for the large-scale trading of garlic, cotton, cardamom, grapes and chilli. It hosts the second largest weekly market in Tamil Nadu and the fourth largest in South India. It is well-connected by rail and road to Madurai and by road to all the important cities in Tamil Nadu. The nearest airport is at Madurai. Cascades, silver-lined clouds resting atop green hill tops, sheer rock faces and temples of antiquity distinguish these places. 

Kanyakumari has been a town since Sangam period and is a popular pilgrimage and tourist destination. It is the southernmost tip of peninsular India, and is surrounded on three sides by the Laccadive Sea. Kanyakumari town is the southern tip of the Cardamom Hills, an extension of the Western Ghats range. The place takes its name from the goddess Devi Kanya Kumari, considered to be a sister of Krishna. Women pray to her for marriage. The goddess is believed to be the one who removes the rigidity of our mind. The temple here is a Shakti Peetha, one of the holiest shrines of the Mother goddess. Also nearby are eleven sacred theertham. The Thiruvalluvar Statuehas a height of 95 feet (29 m) and stands upon a 38 foot (11.5 m) rock that represents the 38 chapters of "virtue" in the Thirukkural. The statue standing on the rock represents "wealth" and "pleasures", signifying that wealth and love be earned and enjoyed on the foundation of solid virtue.The combined height of the statue and pedestal is 133 feet (40.5 m), denoting the 133 chapters in the Thirukkural The Vivekananda Rock Memorial is a popular tourist monument in Vavathurai, Kanyakumari, India. The memorial stands on one of two rocks located about 500 metres east of the mainland of Vavathurai, India's southernmost tip. It was built in 1970 in honour of Swami Vivekananda who is said to have attained enlightenment on the rock.

Tirunelveli one of the most charming places in Tamil Nadu is nearly 2000 years old. It has been glorified and also considered as the one of the beautiful city of the state which attracts lot of tourist every year. Tirunelveli situated on the banks of river Tamirabharani was once the capital of the Pandyas. The temples in Tirunelveli mostly belongs to the Pandya dynasty with excellent architecture and is even today very well preserved. 

It is also considered as one of the important pilgrimage centre towards the south of Tamilnadu. Apart from all this Tirunelveli is also home for natural wonders in its surroundings that attracts tourists from different parts of the world. The city is also famous for its reputed institutions and hence Palayamkottai is known as the "Oxford of South India". Tirunelveli is also known as the Halwa town.

Sivaganga town is located at a distance of 48 km (30 mi) from Madurai. Chettinad is the land of Heritage and devotion. Chettinad is the home of the Nattukottai Chettiars [Nagarathar], a prosperous banking and business community. It is also known for its local cuisine, architecture, and religious temples. Even today, much of Chettinad's daily activities are centered around the festivities of the temple. Vairavan Kovil, Iraniyur, Karpaga Vinayakar, Kundrakudi Murugan, Kottaiyur Sivan, and Kandanur Sivan temples are some important temples of this zone. Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary  is near Tiruppathur. The Vettangudi birds sanctuary is the natural Habitat of winter migratory birds. This is a safe place for roosting, breeding and feeding. There is a considerable diversity in their nesting and feeding behavior. This sanctuary is in an area of 40 hectares and covers the tanks of Vettangudi, Periyakollukudi and Chinna Kollukkudi villages in the area of operation. This Sanctuary is located near Thirupathur and Madurai.

Tuticorin or Thoothukudi is known as "Pearl City" due to the pearl fishing carried out in the town. It is a commercial seaport which serves the inland cities of Southern India and is one of the sea gateways of Tamil Nadu. It is also one of the major seaports in India with a history dating back to the 6th century AD. Tuticorin is an "Emerging Energy and Industrial hub of South India". Fishing, Pearl Harvesting, Salt Production are the main occupation of this area. This is also called as the Pearl City because of the availability of rich pearls under the sea here. The special feature of this town is the natural harbour. This port has a pre-independence significance : V.O.Chidambaram Pillai, popularly called as VOC , a noted freedom fighter, who set sail the first Indian ship from Thoothukudi to Colombo port, protesting against the British Supremacy. Apart from being a commercial Center, this is an exotic Tourist Attraction for its sunny and sandy beaches.Tiruchendur, Ettayapuram, Panchalnkurichi, Kulasekarappattinam, Manapad, Puliyampatti, Deivaseyalpuram and Korkai are few  religious and historically important places around this town.

Ooty called as queen of hill stations is located in the Western Ghats zone at an altitude of 2240 mtrs. It is the headquarters of the Nilgiri District, where the two mountain ranges meet. Udhagamandalam , popularly called as OOTY by the tourist, is the Queen of Hill Stations. Centuries ago this was also called as Oththai-Kal [single stone] Mandu [ Mund is a name of Toda Village]. The British started calling it as Ootacamund. Coffee and Tea Plantations and trees like Conifers, Eucalyptus, Pine and Wattle dot the hill side in Udhagamandalam and its environs. Summer temperature is maximum of 25 C and a minimum of 10 C . During the Winter it is minimum 5 C and a maximum of 21 C when it is slightly warmer. This area was inhibited by the tribals called TODA long before anybody could venture into this region. Curiously enough, this slice of paradise remained unknown even during the periods of the great Southern Dynasties. It was the Britons who ventured into the riches of the regions during early 1800’s. Development and modernization took after their arrival to Udhagamandalam. This was the Summer Capital of the Madras Presidency during the British Rule. Coonoor - 19Kms, Kothagiri - 31 Kms are the other smaller nearby hill stations.

Munnar is a town and hill station located in the Idukki district of the southwestern Indian state of Kerala. The Madurai airports is 165 km from Munnar. Munnar rises as three mountain streams merge  - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. 1,600 m above sea level, this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picturesque towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills in blue once in every twelve years, will bloom next in 2018. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, which towers over 2,695 m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekkin

Sirumalai is a dense forest region with a moderate climate throughout the year. With an altitude of 1600 metres above sea level, it contains diversified flora and fauna. The hill has 18 hairpin bends. On the 18th bend is a church and a view point of Dindigul city and the "Dindigul Rock Fort". The hill contains a small waterfall as well. The famous Sirumalai banana is slowly disappearing from disease, which scientists have been unable to prevent.Man-made fires on the hills have destroyed medicinal plants and threatened the fauna habitat. Fires are often set to promote vegetation growth used for animal fodder, clear land for cultivation, or improve access to timber