My trip to the Athens of the East

 On the night of December 23rd, 2023 I left to to yet another group camp. This camp was also organized by my teacher with whom I went to Srirangam in the year 2022. Then me and 2 of my friends talked in the bus a bit and I just dozed off.

The next day at around 5:30 AM we reached Fathima college at Madurai from where we had to take an auto to our Hotel. Then as soo as we reached our hotel, I just arranged my things and got ready for the next destination the ISKCON Thirupulai. There we had our lunch. Then we left for our 1st destination Nupura Ganga. 

It was quite a good walk up the hill to this ancient temple. This place is believed to have the sacred water flowing past the Nupur of Lord Vishnu. The meaning of Nupur is anklet in Hindi and Sanskrit. The sources of the water from the stream which the well is filled with stays a mystery. It is said that this water has the power to Kill any sort of virus and bacteria. 

Then we left to the Periya Alvar Thiruvarasu. This is nothing but a samadhi or where they went to heaven. Pery Alvar is one of the important saints in Hindhuism who are believed to be ornaments like the Conch, Padma, bow, and Crown of lord Vishnu.

Then we went to a temple in the middle of tall hills but was below them. It was a very hue but fortified temple. This is a Naraya shrine. He is the brother of Madurai Meenakshi. There are 8 AshtaDikPalaks in this temple which each pillar produces a different sound or musical note. Then we left back to ISKCON Thirupullai and went back to the room and had a good night's sleep.

The next day I woke up early in the morning got ready lightning quick and left for the Madurai Meenakshi temple. 

Last time I went to Madurai I did not tell or even talk much about it. Let me explain now.

Madurai is believed to be a very ancient town it has sources that state it is indeed the oldest city in India. These served as the capital for the Pandyas. One of the 3 powerful dynasties of south India in the 2nd or 3rd century. This Madurai gained all its importance for three important things. 1. Protection from invaders due to the Kodaikanal hills and 2. The rivers flowing in this region 3. The Madurai Meenakshi temple.A few drops of nectar (mathuram) from Lord Shiva’s hair are said to have fallen on the city, thus giving the city its name - Madurai.

The Pandyas worshipped her and became very powerful. This temple in history has had many attacks by the Sultanate of Madurai or the Bahamani Empire. This temple served as a symbol of Pandyas and their architecture for centuries. This temple does not have just one main deity but it is like an entire premises with 14 entrances with 4 made in pure gold. There is a Ganesha idol here The imposing idol of Mukkuruni Vinayagar was discovered on a path that lay between the shrines of the deities of Meenakshi and Chokkanaathar/Sundareswarar. The idol was discovered in 1645 when a tank was dug in the area. The tank is now known as the Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam. The next idol is a Shiva Linga. This came on top of the ground by itself. The last deity I have to talk about is absolutely, the Fish eyed Madurai Meenakshi. The sculpture is made from a hard-to-find non non-corrosive rock made of emerald-hued Jadestone. Its eye is made of emerald giving it a green touch. The last thing I would like to mention is that the temple is filled with optical illusions when you see up you can see a Shiva Linga and after moving a bit you see the other angle. That is the illusion on a 2d surface. Then there is a 1000-pillar Mandap which each pillar has a story to say. It's even believed that in this Mandap on full moon nights, celestial sounds are heard. Then coming back to the trip. Then we went to Kudal Azhagar Temple nearby.

After Darshan we went back to ISKCON Thirupulai had breakfast and we went to the house of the owner of Thangamayil Jewellery as my trip-mates sang a Kirtan there and we left back to the temple had a long kirtan session. After this I had my lunch and after than irtan session ended we went back to the room and took some rest and prepared to leave to a small temple attached to a Hil called Vedanaraya. This is the place where the idol of Ranganatha was kept for a brief period when there were attacks on Srirangam by the Northern empires. This place is on a mysterious Hill called Yanaimalai. There is a belief which is proved by the villages. Anyone intoxicated on any day comes near the hill a group of Hornets attack them. There is this small temple on one side of the hill and on the other side a Yoga Narasimha temple which has hits the main idol inside the hill.

Then we went back to temple for dinner and then the hotel for some rest after waking up we went to the Veda Narayana Temple on the other side of the hill and then we left to the palace of Thirumalai Naicker. He is one of the only Tamil Pandya Kings to defend and push back the forces of Mughals of North India without any Allies.

Then we left back for lunch and took some break at the hotel. Then we were all set for the next destination Thirumohur.

Mythologically this is the place is believed to be the place where Lord Vishnu took the Mohini Avatar. This is one of the only temples where you see the Feminine form of Lord Vishnu. This area even served as a fortress protecting the city of Madurai from invasions.

After Thirumohur we left back for dinner and back to the hotel then after rest, I woke up at 2:30 to leave for Rameswaram.

The first stop in Rameswaram was the ocean bath where everyone EXCEPT ME took a bath, but I took a dip. This place is Sethu Karai. The place where Ram did Dasharatha's last rites. This has a Hanuman temple just in front. There is a staircase formed in the ocean. Lastly, on this beach, you can find South Grass growing. Then after Sethukarai, we went to the Adijagannatha temple at Thirupullani. This temple is no different from Puri Jagannatha in Puri. This is one of the oldest temples. Lastly, this is the only temple where Ram was in a sleeping position.

We also went to the Kodanda Rama where we had lunch at.

Then we went to the huge Ramanathaswamy temple.

Then we left back to Madurai. At Ramnathpuram ISKCON we had dinner and we reached at around 12:15AM the Next day. 

That day I woke up late at 7. Then got ready quickly to go have breakfast. Then from breakfast we went to the ISKCON Goshala where we went for  a tiny trek, fed cows and spent some time. After this we went to the hotel room packed up everything there. Then we said goodbye to all the others in the camp with a lot of memories. Then we left back to Bengaluru in an AC Non-sleeper KSRTC Bus.

WAIT!!! I told you all about my trip but why is it titled as Athens of thee east.

Madurai is the City of Festivals, it isn't just vibrant streets and clanging temple bells. It's an ancient jewel, earning its title "Athens of the East" through time-worn tales. It has towering gopurams, like the Acropolis, piercing the sky, visible from every corner. Feel the pulse of a thriving intellectual scene, echoing Athens' philosophical fervor. Immerse yourself in the rhythmic chants and exquisite arts, reminiscent of Athenian festivals. From its rich cultural tapestry to its architectural grandeur, Madurai whispers the echoes of a glorious past, a true Athens reborn in the East.