Madurai: The Athens of the East

By Narayanamoorthy Nanditha

Here is a map. Take it. I give it to you so we can explore together, the city of Madurai in the southern state of Tamil Nadu in India. It is situated on the banks of the Vaigai River. It’s a beautiful river. You can see it from here, can’t you? The city is called the Athens of the East sometimes. Why, you ask? Owing to its beautiful architecture, of course. Look around you! Can you already see the beautiful Dravidian architecture everywhere, and feel history sneak up on you? Every structure you see is more than 2000 years old. Madurai has been continuously inhabi...