On the banks of the River Vaigai, this ancient city of temples is one of the classic heritage sites of India. The seat of Tamil literature, Madurai has an endless list of myths, spiritual, historical and literary milestones to its credit. Madurai's historical Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple of Goddess Meenakshi (Parvati) and the celestial marriage - Meenakshi Kalyanam with Sundareswarar is the best and most astonishing example of ancient Dravidian temple architecture built by the Pandyan Dynasty. Its massive gopuras with complex carvings and mythological characters is mind-blowing. The Nayak rulers of Madurai reconstructed much of today's temple. The key sites within the Madurai Meenakshi temple complex are, Ashta Shakti Mandapam, Amman Koil, Kilikkutu Mandapam, Rani Manammal Mandapam, Mukkuruni Vinayagar and Ayirakkal Mandapam. Temple Festivals of Madurai Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple: Teppa, Machi Mantala, Kotaivasanta, Chittirai, Vasanta, Unchal, Ati Mulaikkottu, Avani Mula, Navaratri, Kolatta and Ennai Kappu. These annual festivals are conducted in a grand affair. Other shrines include Kochadai Aiyannar Temple, The Rajaya Sabha Nataraja Shrine, Tiruvaadavoor's Maanikkavaacakar Shrine, The Kallazhagar Temple, The Subramanya Tirupparamkunram Temple, Tiru Aappanoor's Aappudaiyaar and The Koodal Azhagar Temple are some of the holy shrines situated around the city of Madurai.