Madurai -- Poetic History

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Madurai -- Poetic History

Meenakshi and malligai poo -- Madurai is famous for both. This city,

dominated by temples, is the second largest in Tamil Nadu, and is an

easily accessible distance from Chennai. It has grown up on the banks

of the river Vaigai.

Madurai has a poetic history. Legend has it that the land where it

now stands was once a forest --Kadambavanam.

 

Once upon a time, circa the 6th century BC, a farmer came upon Lord

Vishnu worshipping a svayambhu (self-created lingam) in the forest,

and reported the matter to King Kulasekara of the Pandya dynasty, the

then ruler of the region.

 

King Kulasekara immediately had the forest cleared, and a temple

built at the site of the lingam.

 

A town was planned around it. At the time of the consecration of

the temple, Lord Shiva himself appeared to give his blessings.

Droplets of nectar, Maduram in Tamil, flew from Shiva's locks and

fell on the surrounding town - which was named Madurapuri, or the

Land of Nectar. In due course the name was shortened to Madurai.

 

The varied cultural influences have left their mark on this town.

Madurai also has a very special place in Tamil literature. The

epic "Silapathikaram" immortalises Madurai as the town which Kannagi,

in her fury at the injustice meted out to her husband wrongly accused

of having stolen the Queen's anklet, razed to the ground with the

flames that leapt from her eyes.