I loved and love Thirunagar to that extent. Though located only 8 kilometers (approx. 5 miles) away from the heart of Madurai city, Thirunagar is actually in its outskirts.
Thirunagar is isolated from other places by shallow water bodies which gather water only during monsoons. This small township is unique in lot of respects.
First of all, the language - You will find Tamil being spoken to perfection to an extent, missing the real-Madurai dialect. A well-planned township and one of the first for its times. Based on a central park, Thirunagar consists of parallel avenues with lamp-post medians and almost no dead-ends. One would opt for a two-wheeler or a car only out of necessity.
The town-bus service can be called as luxury with the ease of approaching, the frequency and the access to any part of Madurai. You want anything and you get it right there.
The one thing that Thirunagar has no match, at least when compared to the places I have travelled across in India, is the life you find in it. You might find something similiar, but not to this lovable extent, in villages where one single community of relatives live. But with people from all walks of life and related neither by blood nor by religion or caste, this is sheer wonder.
Being part of this small township for almost thirty years I knew each and every person over there, leave alone the streets, stops and stones.
With no industries around Thirunagar or Madurai, one is forced to move out of his favourite dwelling. But anyone who has tasted Thirunagar once in his life would vow to return to this haven to lead his peaceful retired life.
Come, experience Thirunagar!
