About Madurai
SONA Travels takes to the Madurai is one of the oldest cities of India, with a history dating all the way back to the Sangam period of the pre Christian era. The glory of Madurai returned in a diminished form in the earlier part of this millennium; it later on came under the rule of the Vijayanagar kingdom after its ransack by the ravaging armies of Delhi (Malik Kafur). During the 16th and 18th centuries, Madurai was ruled by the Nayak Emperors, the foremost of whom was Tirumalai Nayakar. The Sangam period poet Nakkeerar is associated with some of the Tiruvilayaadal episodes of Sundareswarar - that are enacted as a part of temple festival traditions even today.
The Sangam age or the Golden age of Tamil literature – produced masterpieces way back in the Pre christian era and in early 1st millennium . Madurai was the seat of the Tamil Sangam or Academy of learning. The entire city of Madurai, is built around the Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple – the temple par excellence. Concentric rectangular streets surround the temple, symbolizing the structure of the cosmos. SONA Travels makes possible to visit the place.
As early as the 3rd century BC, Megasthanes visited Madurai. Later many people from Rome and Greece visited Madurai and established trade with the Pandya kings. Madurai flourished till 10th century AD when it was captured by Cholas the arch rivals of the Pandyas.
The Cholas ruled Madurai from 920 AD till the beginning of the 13th century. In 1223 AD Pandyas regained their kingdom and once again become prosperous. Pandian Kings patronised Tamil language in a great way. During their period, many master-pieces were created. "Silapathikaram", the great epic in Tamil was written based on the story of Kannagi who burnt Madurai as a result of the injustice caused to her husband Kovalan. In April 1311, Malik Kafur, the general of Alauddin Khilji who was then the ruler of Delhi, reached Madurai and raided and robbed the city for precious stones, jewels, and other rare treasures. This led to the subsequent raids by other Muslim Sultans. In 1323, the Pandya kingdom including Madurai became a province of the Delhi empire, under the Tughlaks.SONA Travels can help to make a visit on Madurai.The 1371, the Vijayanagar dynasty of Hampi captured Madurai and it became part of the Vijayanagar empire. Kings of this dynasty were in habit of leaving the captured land to governors called Nayaks. This was done for the efficient management of their empire. The Nayaks paid fixed amount annually to the Vijayanagar empire. After the death of Krishna Deva Raya (King of Vijayanagar empire) in 1530 AD, the Nayaks became independent and ruled the territories under their control. Among Nayaks, Thirumalai Nayak (1623-1659) was very popular, even now he is popular among people, since, it was he who contributed to the creation of many magnificent structures in and around Madurai. The Raja Gopuram of the Meenakshi Amman Temple, The Pudu Mandapam and The Thirumalai Nayakar's Palace are living monuments to his artistic fervor.Madurai started slipping into the hands of the British's East India Company. In 1781, British appointed their representatives to look after Madurai. George Procter was the first collector of Madurai.
Madurai is famous for its temples.The Aappudaiyaar Koyil Tevara Stalam and the Koodalazhagar Divya Desam are the most important temples one should rarely miss to go. In the vicinity of Madurai is Tirupparamkunram, one of the 6 padai veedu shrines of Murugan (glorified in Madurai Sangam Nakeerar’s Tirumurugaatruppadai). Also in the vicinity of Madurai is Alagar Koyil, one of the prominent Divya Desam shrines of the Sri Vaishnavite faith.SONA Travels takes to this beautiful place.
SONA Travels are safe to use. There are also specific services available at night. Remember that in India everyone lives by asking each other for directions. The friendly people are often more than happy to help a foreigner find his/her way by giving directions. Most people speak the working national Language "English" , at bus stops don’t form a queue. Choose to wait and travel comfortably. Travel at night is also safe. So relax, forget your travel guide and discover a whole new culture of friendliness.
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About Palarivattam
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SONA Travels takes you to the Palarivattom is a place in the city of Cochin in Ernakulam district in the state of Kerala, India. It is an important commercial area. The place gained importance when The District Collectorate was shifted to Kakkanad. The location was so underdeveloped at the time shoppers had to go to Ernakulam for goods.
Palarivattom St. George Orthodox Valiyapally is situated at Palarivattom Junction in Cochin, near the IT hub of Kerala. The foundation Stone was laid in 1986 and consecrated in 1987 as a chapel of St Mary's Orthodox Cathedral, Ernakulam, with 145 members. On 1st April 1991 the church was declared as an independent parish. In 17 years the church had commendable growth in all activities and presently having 685 members. The church has been elevated as "Valiyapally" on 9th March, 2008.
There are several notable Temples, churches, and mosques in the area. The older of the temples is Raja Rajeswary Temple where the presiding deity is Jala Durga.It so happens there will always be a drizzle at the pakalpuram during the festival. The newer but more popular temple is Hari Hara Sudha Temple where as the name goes the presiding deity is Lord Ayyappa. Maha Ganapathy,Mahadeva,sree Parvathy, Lord Muruga,Hanuman,Navagraha and Nagaraja also are present in the temple There is a charming life size statue of Sree Narayana Guru in the compound. Another important center is the old Church of St John The Baptist which is located away from the main commercial hub. The nearest bus stop of the church is pallinada. The church has a wast compound and a good auditorium. St Martin de Porus church in the mainroad was recently renovated and has become an important landmark of Palarivattom. The new Mosque on the mainroad is unique in that women are allowed in for Namaskaram.
The prestigious Cochin Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium is on the border of Palarivattom. Actually the stadium is in palarivattom not in Kaloor.
Palarivattom is notorious for its traffic bottlenecks. The Cochin bypass road and Palarivattom Junction have to be crossed to reach town.
There is a Government run Yatrinivas for tourists. A major hotel is Hotel Renaissance on NH 47 and another major hotel is Alappat Residency on the MKK Nayar road are other places to stay.
The most important local roads are North Janatha and South Janatha roads.
The above and the beautiful places can be visited through SONA Travels.