Abstract

Madurai is also known as the Cultural Capital of Indian State of Tamil Nadu. Madurai is situated on the strategic southern part of Tamil Nadu near the Bay Of Bengal. The District of Madurai is bounded by Theni in the west, Sivaganga in the east, Dindigul in the north, Virudhunagar in the south and small parts of Tiruchirappalli in the northeast. Madurai district is witnessing a very hot and humid weather throughout the year and considered as hottest district of tamilnadu as well hottest city. Indian is a country with great and densely populated urban centres/ cities.Most of our cities have great traditions, history and heritage behind them.The history of Indian urbanisation starts in the subcontinent from the Indus Valley Civilisation and has come to a point of great development for the cities or urban centres that has/been developed in India with great emphasis and attention given for infrastructural development suited for the people who live there.Yet there are certain cities or urban centres that preserve or still carry on the heritage and rich cultural history that it had in the past,one such city is MADURAI OF TAMIL NADU. Madurai is known for its culture, heritage, and Historical past and is known in different names like Athens of the East, Thoonga Nagaram (City that never Sleeps), Naan maada koodal (City of Four junctions), Malligai Managar (City of Jasmine),Koodal Managar (City of Junction) Koil Nagar (Temple city). Madurai is the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu and the administrative headquarters of Madurai District. According to the 2011 census, it was the third largest city in Tamil Nadu after Chennai and Coimbatore and the 44th most populated city in India. Madurai is located on the bank of River Vaigai. Madurai has been a major human cultural settlement for over two millennia. Madurai is the place where The Sangam Councils were gathered. The recorded history of the city goes back to the 3rd century BC. Madurai as a city was mentioned by Megasthenese and Kautilya. Madura has a long history and remnants of human settlements and Roman trade links dating back to 300 BCE. These facts and legends about the city are mostly proved from excavations by the Archeological Survey of India. The city has a great history in antiquity Madurai has been ruled by the Pandyas, Cholas, Madurai Sultanate, Vijayanagar Empire, Madurai Nayaks, Carnatic Nawab, and the British East India Company. Madurai is one of that few cities that still preserve its history, tradition and heritage still in this modern world as a modern city.

Keywords