Students going on a heritage walk during the World Tourism Day celebration in Madurai on Saturday.
| Photo Credit: G. MOORTHY
Madurai marked World Tourism Day 2026 with celebrations on Saturday, highlighted by a major heritage walk through the historic core of the temple city.
Minister for Energy and Law R. Nirmalkumar inaugurated and participated in the heritage walk, starting from the West Fort Gate near the Periyar Bus Stand.
The event drew the participation of around 200 college students from across the district.
The heritage walk offered participants a deep dive into Madurai’s rich architectural and cultural tapestry. The route covered several iconic landmarks – Kazimar Big Mosque, Sri Madana Gopalaswamy Temple, Sri Koodal Azhagar Perumal Temple, Sri Immaiyil Nannai Tharuvar Temple, Tamil Nadu Khadi and Village Industries Board (historic site where Mahatma Gandhi stayed), Rose Peter Cemetery, Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple and Pudhu Mandapam
Expert archaeologists Vedhachalam and Kannan guided the students and tourists, providing rich historical context and detailed narratives at each stop along the route.
Following the morning walk, Madurai Kamaraj University College hosted a special seminar and various competitions for history and tourism students, concluding with a certificate distribution ceremony for winners.
As part of the broader celebrations leading up to September 27, domestic and international tourists received traditional Tamil greetings—complete with tilak and sweets—across key transit hubs and landmarks, including the Madurai Tourism Office, Airport and Railway Station Information Centres, Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple information desk, and the Kalaignar Centenary Eruthazhuthuthal Arena.
District Collector Nishanth Krishna, Corporation Deputy Mayor T. Nagarajan, and Corporation Commissioner Gaurav Kumar, among others were present during the event.
Published – September 26, 2026 08:05 pm IST
