Madurai
Granite temples, palm fringes and filter coffee. The food is older than most countries.
Madurai is South India's oldest continuously-inhabited city and the spiritual epicentre of Tamil Nadu. The Meenakshi Amman Temple — fourteen gopurams covered in 33,000 painted figures — is one of the visually densest religious complexes anywhere; allow three hours and bring patience. The temple is closed to non-Hindus in the inner sanctum but the outer halls are open. Eat your way through the Pudhumandapam market and the surrounding Tamil cafés (Murugan Idli Shop is the local Anthony Bourdain favourite). One full day for the temple, half a day for Thirumalai Nayakkar Palace and the Gandhi Memorial Museum. Pair with Rameshwaram and Thanjavur.
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Granite temples, palm fringes and filter coffee. The food is older than most countries.