Madurai Rameshwaram Kanyakumari Kovalam Tour Package

Madurai Rameshwaram Kanyakumari Kovalam Tour Package

A few centuries later saw the developments of the Vijayanagar kings at Srirangam, close to Tiruchirapalli, and Madurai, 150 km (93 miles) to the south. Temples now had to support an increasing number of social functions. For marriages, for example, the 1,000-pillared mandapams (pavilions) were added. The gopurams were made taller and water tanks were also introduced.

Although each temple town has a distinct character, they share common elements. Processions of the god or goddess are accompanied by the loud temple ensemble of nagasvaram (a long oboe with a piercing tone) and tavil (barrel drum, played with a stick in the left hand and fingers clad in plaster "thimbles" on the right). The music from the procession is considered very auspicious. The overpowering fragrance of incense and jasmine and marigold garlands, the sight of hundreds of slippers piled up outside temple gopurams and the thousands of pilgrims pressing forward for a better view of an idol being paraded on a palanquin are common to all temples during festivals. Visitors should note that many Tamil temples forbid non-Hindus to enter the inner sanctum, although they are usually free to wander around the rest of the complex.