diary of a vampire lover: Madurai, the Temple Town

The train pulled-off at Madurai station at 6AM. Being on the train, we could already hear the devotinal songs played in the temples. Getting down, we headed for the auto-stand and reached the Hotel, Madurai Residency in a few minutes.

The Hotel was very welcoming. In the reception, there was a large painting, depicting Jallikkattu (game of taming a wild bull), temples, Madura malligai and many things. We had our room on 4th floor. We took rest for sometime. The hotel room was so convinient and compact and after sometime, we got ready for the Tour.

We hired a car and headed for Azhagar Kovil (kovil means temple). The drive took nearly an hour and I was dozing in the car.

Looks cool right?? Got this great snap on the way to the temple. Must be some statue of a temple.

After an hour or so, we reached Azhagar Kovil. The sun was beaming strongly and it scorched my bare feet. The temple was very beautiful and it was located in a mountain area. It was completely madurai, full of rich tradition. There were innumerous road stalls selling many fancy items lik bangles, earrings etc. on the way to the temple. Monkeys were seen wherever we went. The idols of Gods were looking very beautiful and it was a sight to my sore eyes. In Japan, you never get to see all these.....

Shading my eyes because of the scorching sun.....

Not only the Azhagar Kovil, we visited many temples, rich in architecture. I do not actually remember how many temples we visited as I am writing about it after a month.

That evening we planned to visit the famous 'Meenakshi Amman' temple. On the way, we bought jasmine (you would know why, if you were a South Indian). The scent was sooooo sweet and kind of breath-taking. Madhura Malligai rocks!!

We went to the temple by a cycle-rickshaw and wow! It was sooooooooooooo exciting!!! We reached the temple - at last! The temple was so vast, large, extravagant, beautiful, rich with tradition and and you name it.... Fortunately it wasn't that crowded on that day. And we could see many foreign tourists. I was eavesdropping the tour guides who were explaining about the temple's history and architecture to the tourists.

The main tower

The temple tower was very very very beautiful.... It was covered with dark clouds hovering on its top (later on, it rained). I don't know how to put it into words. The place was like heaven (I haven't been to heaven yet... lol), with no trace of foreign tang (I mean, the ambience). It was purely a classical traditional INDIAN place.

This is the Golden Lotus Tank. Actually, it's supposed to be filled with water. Anyway, water can't survive in an Indian summer season. The air was filled with the strong scent of holy powders.

Coming to the main point, we had a good Dharshan of both Meenakshi Amman and Shivan. Foreigners and non-Hindus were not allowed inside the sanctum.

One of the major reasons why I like Indian temples is that it is full of gorgeous rich paintings. But the thing is that, you got to know the whole history, geography, civics & grammar of the temple, then only you can know what the picture conveys. Well, am not an expert in all these. Anyway I could figure a vague meaning out of it.How is that?? Can you notice the Jasmine on my hair?? I just fell in love with it....