Madurai :

The city has not one but several streets called Mahal Theru numbered 1 to 8 named after Thirumalai Nayak Mahal. All the streets from Manajanakara Theru lead to Nayak Mahal, a standing testimony to the architectural mastery of the Madurai Nayaks.

An important landmark in the city, Nayak Mahal was constructed in 1636 by Nayak King Thirumalai Nayak who ruled Madurai between 1623 and 1659. It is an architectural wonder which attracts tourists from all over the globe. In its glorious days, Nayak Mahal was four times bigger from what is remaining at present and extended up to Manajanakara Theru in the city.

According to archaeologists Mahal Streets were once part of the Nayak Mahal which was left to ruin before the British took measures to conserve the remaining structure in 1866. C Santhalingam, a retired archaeologist from city said present day Mahal streets were once upon a time the western part of the Mahal. “The palace was huge and extended up to present day Manjanakara Theru. Nayak rulers moved their seat of power to Trichy after Thirumalai Nayak and demolished the major portion of the Mahal to construct a palace there. The remaining portion fell apart over the ages. Even today many houses on Mahal streets dilapidated pillars which were once part of the Mahal,” he said. Later British used some portions of the Mahal as government offices and Lord Napier played a crucial role in renovating and conserving the present day Nayak Mahal, he said.

K Mohan, 65, a resident in New Ramnad road and student of Thiruvallurvar Mahal High Sec School near Nayak Mahal recalled his student days in these streets. “In those days, the Mahal functioned as district court and there were not many restrictions to enter inside. As children we used to play around the palace during lunch break since drinking water was available inside. Some of us used to act as guide for visiting tourists and earn some pocket money,” he said. Mahal Streets was the hub of textile industry in those days since most of the residents were of Sourastran community who are generally expert weavers. They used to dry their yarns in these long lanes and there were also many paper and printing units functioning in Mahal streets”, said Mohan. Now the streets look different as many previous residents have shifted to other parts of the city and other industries and shops have cropped up.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Madurai / TNN / July 28th, 2014