The name "Madurai" is said to be a corruption of mathuram, 'nectar', a name given to the city after a drop of nectar fell from Shiva's hair. Madurai is a temple town; everything physically, culturally and commercially revolves around its great temple, Meenakshi. The temple complex is one of the largest and most impressive in India and its soaring towers, the tallest over 48 metres high, are visible for miles around. The temple is dedicated to shiva, known here as Sundareswara, and his consort, goddess Meenakshi. Their marriage is celebrated during the ten-day Chithirai festival.

The Avanimoolan festival is another holiday in honour of Sundareswara's coronaton. One important feature of the temple is the Golden Lotus Tank. In the heart of the temple are the twin shrines of Sundareswara and Meenakshi. Not to be missed is the Thousand -pillared Hall, each carved with a dragon, although their symmetry has been somewhat spoiled by the presence of the worthwhile Temple Art Museum. A much-stressed feature of the group of pillars located near the museum exit is that they sound different musical notes when tapped. Madurai is also popular for its textile, and much of the activity around this industry.

A short distance from the temple is a palace named after one of the rulers, Thirumalai nayak. Constructed in the early 18th century, its Indo-Saracenic architecture and the sheer scale and grandeur of the huge arched passage ways, supported by the carved and painted pillars that surround the great courtyard full of trees, still impress.