Madurai: Madurai's historic Tirumalai Naik Palace is open to visitors for free this World Heritage Week. The Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department has announced free entry until November 25, giving the public a chance to explore one of the city's most iconic landmarks.Built in 1636 by King Tirumala Nayak, the palace once sprawled across an estate four times larger than what survives today. A tourist guide said the palace has 248 pillars and is expected to see more crowds during the weekend.One section of the palace is closed for maintenance, but visitors from across continents say the parts that are open are captivating enough, and they would love to return when the restoration is complete. Mateyo, a tourist from Italy, said, "We chose to visit this palace because we had heard that it is a very famous and important palace. And the fact is that it is a very beautiful palace. Maybe we will come back here again to see the entire palace once their work is done." Monika, another tourist, said, "We love the people here and the place; we stayed very well here." Travellers from New Zealand and Australia described Madurai as a warm and lively city, appreciating its temples, food, and friendly residents. Many Indian tourists said they had seen the palace in movies and were amazed to see its real grandeur. For many, the free entry made the experience even more special. (with PTI inputs)
00:14Bathe in the soft morning glow, the Tirumalai Nayak Palace in Madurai rises like a memory carved in stone.
00:22Its arches, towering pillars and expansive courtyards have witnessed centuries unfold.
00:29Its spirit endures, drawing travellers, scholars and wanderers alike.
00:35And this week, there's an added reason to step through these historic gates.
00:41To mark World Heritage Week, the palace has opened its doors to the public free of charge,
00:47inviting everyone to rediscover the splendour of a bygone era.
00:52Free entry will continue until November 25th.
00:56Built in 1636 by King Tirumala Nayak, the palace once sprawled across an estate four times larger than what survives today.
01:06The palace is in 1636 by King Tirumala Nayak.
01:10This is the Italian architecture, Hindu Saracenic.
01:14Now it's Heritage Week.
01:16One section of the palace is closed for maintenance, but visitors from across continents say the paths that are open are captivating enough.
01:22And they would love to return when the restoration is complete.
01:37We choose to visit the palace because everybody told us that it's a famous palace, very important and effectively is a very beautiful palace.
01:47Maybe we will come back to see the whole palace after the works.
02:05And we are just starting to know Tamil culture because we are here just for two days.
02:10So we are starting to know now, but the great things that we see is the kindness of people.
02:18Everybody is kind with us, with the baby. We feel very good now.
02:25The palace is very, very beautiful. It's bigger and we love to come back when the work's ended and the palace is totally renewed.
02:39And we love these people and this place and we stay very well here.
02:45Beyond the palace, Madurai charms visitors with its lively streets and warm, welcoming people.
02:52Madurai, it's a beautiful city and we've really, really enjoyed it.
02:58We've just been to the temple, it's gorgeous and we've enjoyed street food and walking around the old town.
03:06Really beautiful, lovely to be here.
03:09We just love Madurai. We love the people. Everybody is smiling, everybody's happy, everybody's kind and welcoming.
03:17It's beautiful and the food is fantastic. So thank you Madurai for having us.
03:26The palace especially attracts domestic tourists who have seen it featured in several movies and the real thing they say is far more impressive than what they glimpsed on screen.
03:37Madurai Park is a very close to the house.
03:38Madurai Park is a very close to the house.
03:42The first time Madurai is coming here. The places are very nice.
03:45They say the entrance is free, but I don't know what the reason is.
03:49The view is a very close.
03:52The first place is a place for the house to be here, but the place is a place is nice.
03:59Nice.
04:00What are you doing?
04:01You're doing it?
04:02You're doing it?
04:03It's very cool.
04:04It's very cool.
04:05It's very nice.
04:06It's a nice architecture.
04:09It's a nice doing.
04:10There are a lot of people who have been here.
04:12We have to learn that you can take a tree.
04:13The house is in the history of the house.
04:15All the people in the park are in the house.
04:17We have to be here.
04:18The pillars are all yours.
04:20We have to look for the house.
04:22We have to look for the house.
04:24The first time Madurai is coming here.
04:26World Heritage Week, celebrated by the Archaeological Survey of India from November 19th to 25th every year,
04:53invites people to rediscover the stories behind India's most cherished heritage sites.
05:00And here in Madurai, the Tamil Nadu Archaeology Department is offering a rare opportunity to step into this world without a ticket.
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