As early as 550 AD, Madurai was an important cultural and
commercial centre and engaged in trade with Rome and Greece. Not
surprisingly, it finds mention in the works of Roman and Greek
historians. Madurai was ruled by different dynasties throughout
its long history – the Cholas, the Pandyas, the Vijayanagar
Empire and later came under the Nayak emperors. It occupied the
pride of place during The Sangam Age or Golden Age of Tamil
Literature. It also played a prominent role during the Indian
Independence Movement. Today, Madurai is bustling metropolis. It
is very famous for its temples and attracts thousands of
pilgrims and visitors from all over the world. The mainstay of
Madurai’s economy is textiles and it contributes a major chunk
of Indian textile exports. Apart from textiles, there are a
number of other small industries like spinning, weaving, and
dyeing that contribute to the arts and crafts of the city. Its
gold bordered sarees with zari embroidery and fabric painting
are very famous. So do remember to