The gopurams of Sri Menakshi Temple surmount the silhouette of Madurai

Madurai is - as most of the big indian cities - not a very good place to spend longer time with a child. But if you want to see the amazing Menakshi Temple you can easily do so, even accompanied by children.
Despite it's size, the city is relaxed and makes a good place to stay for two or three nights. Children will enjoy the colourful activity in the temple - it's a temple sort of suitable to a visit with children.

Railway station and temple are in walking distance of each other. Between the two most of the hotels and restaurants are found. If you arrive by bus, you may end up in the newly built "central busstand" that is approximately 10km away from the centre.

The main activity in Madurai will always be to visit the impressive Sri Menakshi Temple. Besides that, there is not a lot to do with children in this town - at least nothing we know of.

Sri Menakshi Temple: Visiting the impressive Sri Menakshi Temple is a must in Madurai, and probably the reason for most to come here. The temple is colourful, full of life and worth an extended stay. More than 10.000 Pilgrim are said to move through the temple each day, so it's best to go in the morning or evening hours. Inside the temple you find the 1000-Pillar-Museum (adult 5Rs, child 2Rs, camera 25Rs), where you can find impressive statues.

Open: 6am to 12:30pm and 4pm to 9pm
Price: foreigners 50Rs, camera 50Rs

If you don't travel on a shoestring, accommodation with children is easy to find. The middle class hotels near the station are of excellent value and you get, for what you had to pay double the price in other cities. At least as long as you don't go for AC-rooms.

Hotel Supreme offers the best rooftop in town

Hotel Supreme: Hotel Supreme is one of best middle-classies around. Not so much because of the rooms that don't differ much, but because of the exellent rooftop-restaurant (see Eating section).

Address: 110, West Perumal Maistry St.
Tel: 0452 2343151, 3012222
Email: hsupreme@sancharnet.in
Website: www.supremehotels.com
Price: 600 Rs, 1180 Rs to 2050 with A/C

Hotel Chentoor: Of equal quality, with slightly smaller rooms is Hotel Chentoor, just a few meters down the the street. They have 24 hours-checkout.

Address: 106, West Perumal Maistry St.
Tel: 0452 3042222
Email: chentoor1@sancharnet.in
Price: 550 Rs, 1050 Rs with A/C

Places to eat are easy to find. You have the choice between a bunch of rooftop-restaurants on top of the middle-class hotels in Maisty st or one of ground-floor eateries in Town Hall Rd. The former ones definitely offer the better view in the evening.

Surya Restaurant: Surya Restaurant is definitely the nicest of the rooftops in evening times. North- and southindian food is excellent, service is quick, but stay away from the soups.

Address: Rooftop of Hotel Supreme
Open: 4pm to midnight
Price: mains 80 to 150 Rs

A good, shaded view is offered on top of Hotel Chentoor

The Emperor: The covered rooftop of Emperor Roof Garden restaurant offers the posibility to play with kids even during the hot time of the day - and, yes, they serve good food as well.

Address: Rooftop on Hotel Chentoor
Open: 6am to midnight

The Sky: Another rooftop with a nice view over the town. They serve an evening buffet there, but it is often surprisingly empty.

Address: Rooftop of Golden Park Hotel
Open: 6pm to 11pm

Anna Menakshi Restaurant: Anna Menakshi is one of the beautiful places, where you can eat a peaceful thali from a banana leaf. The food is traditional Indian and very good.

Address: West Perumal Maistry St

Sri Sabarees Restaurant : Sri Sabarees Restaurant serves excellent coffee and is always full of clients.

Address: West Perumal Maistry St

We found one surprisingly well-assorted supermarket:

College House Shoppers Shop: This supermarket offers a surprisingly vast choice: Italian Pasta, Nutella, Cockies of every kind - everything a child could miss after a long time of travelling abroad. And it stocks nappies in all sizes!

Address: Town Hall Rd

Madurai is very well connected by train, because it's on the main Kanyakumari to Chennai line. At least nine daily trains head for Chennai, the most attractive one being Vaigai Exp. at 7am (8h to Chennai, 5h, 109 Rs to Villupuram, from where you reach Pondicherry). Three daily trains leave to the south, the most convenient being Kanyakumari Exp. at 7:15am.
Most buses start from the Central Bus Stand, 6km northeast of the town (60Rs by rickshaw).