Madurai
We spent the following day wandering around Madurai’s delightful
maze of narrow lanes. Being the second-largest city in Tamil Nadu,
Madurai had traffic to match. Moreover, the town was known as
Temple City, and filled with pilgrims, making the congestion even
more horrendous.
We planned to explore the famous Meenakshi Temple, constructed
between 1190 and 1216 CE and an important pilgrimage site. Sadly,
the main temple complex was being renovated, and although one
could enter, the exterior was covered up. The complex, nevertheless,
remained imposing due to its sheer size.
Madurai – Tiruppattur – 70 km
Shortly after leaving Madurai, our path turned off the highway and
followed a considerably smaller road toward Tiruppattur, believed to
be more than 1,600 years old. The route led past a bird sanctuary
and paddy fields, giving the ride a tranquil feel. It’s always a pleasure
to be away from the highway and traffic. Here, one can enjoy the
countryside and the hills around town, which are famous for their
sandalwood, whose oil is the essence of my favourite perfume.