Madurai is one of the oldest cities of India and was ruled by Pandya kings over most of its history. The city is famous for is rich heritage and promoting Tamil language through "Sangams". The city has been in existence since about 4th century B.C and is mentioned in ancient texts of Greeks, Romans and Arabs. The Meenakshi Amman temple situated in the heart of the city is famous, and there are a number of temples in and around the city. Madurai is famous for its "Chithrai Festival" which takes place during mid April-May, when millions pour into the city for the carnival. Madurai is also famous for its yearly bull run "Jallikattu" which coincides with Pongal festival in the month of January. Madurai is also an important transit point for travellers bound south and also a local commercial hub. http://wikitravel.org/en/Madurai