Evening Ceremony at Sri Meenakshi Amman
Experience the fascinating ‘resting’ ceremony at the ornate and colorful Sri Meenakshi Amman Temple in Madurai. Accompanied by your local guide, traverse the lively town to enter the grand temple complex. Under the sunset glow, marvel at the twelve brilliantly decorated towering structures, each featuring an assortment of figurines – deities, demons, and mythical animals. Visit the magnificent hall of a thousand pillars, and soak in the splendid architecture around. As night falls, witness the centuries-old ritual that is religiously performed every single night – but only for the deities! Following a final worship session for the day, watch as the head priests and a train of devotees carry an image of Shiva (aka Sundareshwara) in a silver palanquin to his consort, Parvati’s (aka Meenakshi) shrine, to be kept together until the morning. Join the chorus of voices, while chants, music, dance, and purifying smoke fill the air. The divine beings are believed to rest together for the night, a tradition that is expected to maintain balance in the world. (Half Day; Time: 2100 hrs, Fridays at 2130 hrs; Duration: 2.5 hours; Shared Activity & Private Transfer; Notes: Non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the temple’s main sanctum, but can witness the ceremony from a gallery outside, Photography not allowed)
Marvelous Madurai Heritage Walk
Witness the beating heart of Madurai, a thriving market town since 2nd century BC! Discover more about its long history, and its journey as the center of power for many dynasties over the ages. Learn fascinating anecdotes and tidbits as you walk around – such as why a street was named after a man who razed a part of it to the ground! Also discover how the common cold shaped the history of this ‘lotus-shaped’ city, and a mere toad thwarted the mighty plans of a king – incredible stories await around every corner! While some of these tales are set a millennia ago, others are more recent, and they will keep you enthralled, located at the intersection of history and myth. As your walking tour proceeds, you will hear about fantastic tales of temperamental gods and amazing mortals, whimsical kings and landmark monuments, and uncover the true essence of this city. (Half Day, Time of Day: Morning, 0700 – 1000 hrs, or Afternoon, 1600 – 1900 hrs, Duration: 3 hrs; Private Activity & Transfers; Fitness Level: Moderate)
