One of the most ancient and culturally rich cities in India, Madurai has a history dating back to 550 BC. Situated on the Vaigai River, Madurai has served as the administrative and commercial center for a long line of kingdoms and empires, most notably the ancient Tamil kingdom of the Pandyas.

Madurai has great import to the Tamil language as the seat of the Tamil Sangam, where great literature was produced by the gathering of poets and writers. Madurai is also synonymous with the magnificent Meenakshi Temple located in the heart of the city. The modern city is in fact built around the temple, which was first erected by the Pandyan king Kulasekara and dedicated to Lord Shiva and his consort in the form of Meenakshi.

As early as 300 BC, the Greek traveler Megasthenes visited Madurai and helped establish trade between the city and Greece. After its golden age under the Pandyas from the 6th to the 10th centuries AD, Madurai fell into the hands of the rival kingdom of the Cholas. It would be recaptured by the Pandyas in the 13th century AD, but would fall again, this time to the Vijayanagar Empire in 1371. Later, it would come under the control of the Nayaks who ruled it until the British captured Madurai at the end of the 18th century AD.

Its long and colorful history has infused Madurai with a culturally rich heritage rivaling some of the greatest cities on earth.