Madurai as "KADAMBAVANAM"

KADAMBAVANAM - PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE

Tamil Literature refers to Madurai as "Kadambavanam" but today less than 20 Kadamba trees are found in the city.

It is narrated in the legend that Madurai was originally a forest known as Kadambavanam. One day, a farmer named Dhananjaya who was passing through the forest saw Indra (The King of the gods), worshipping a Swayambhu (self created Lingam) under kadamba tree. Dhananjaya, the farmer immediately reported this to king Kulasekara Pandya. Kulasekara Pandya cleared the forest and built a temple around the Lingam. A city was soon planned with the temple as its centre.

It's said that when king Kulasekara Pandiyan was on the lookout for an ideal place to establish the capital city of his kingdom, he stumbled upon a forest of Kadamba trees. And that's exactly where he constructed Madurai with the Meenakshi temple at its heart. The Tiruvilaiyadal Puranam refers to the city as "Kadambavanam" and even today, one can find Kadamba trees dotting the Aadi streets inside the temple complex; a big tree stands right behind the imposing West Tower.

"It's not without reason that the Kadamba tree is reversed as the Sthala vriksham of the temple," Due to its religious significance, the tree is seen in Puttu Thoppu, Kadambeeswarar temple near Girder Bridge and other places connected to the legend of goddess Meenakshi, barring which only few trees stand in Ellis Nagar, Madakulam and Reserve Line on New Natham road. 

The Sangam age poems vividly describe the tree that finds mention as maravam. A song in Paripadal - 'Urul inar kadambu' - documents the ball-like blossoms of the tree. 

Revival of Kadamba trees

Madurai green, an NGO working for nearly two decades has planted over six lakh saplings so far. "Kadamba trees are found only as small patches in the forests. And, to revive them, they have been planting 1000 Kadamba and Marutham trees annually for the past three years. These are native trees to the region and both have medicinal value,". Even home makers and children are enthusiastic in knowing about the flora and fauna. At this rate, they are sure to bring a positive change,".

 
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