Madurai (Tamil: மதுரை and IPA: , is the oldest inhabited city in the Indian peninsula. It is a city in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and is the second corporation of Tamilnadu (next to Chennai). It is situated on the banks of the River Vaigai in Madurai district.The city is widely known as the Temple city, and is often also referred to as Koodal Maanagar, Cultural Capital of Tamil Nadu , Malligai Maanagar (City of Jasmine) Thoonga Nagaram (Sleepless City)and Athens of the East. With a city population of 1,108,755 according to the 2006 estimation ,it is the administrative capital of Madurai district.
Madurai was the capital city of ancient Southern civilization. Madurai's cultural heritage goes back 2,500 years, and the city has been an important commercial center and has conducted trade as far as Rome and Greece since as early as 550 B.C.E.Being the oldest inhabited city, madurai is famous for its diverse culture and religious harmony. The three religious heads famously called as Mummadha Thalaivargal (Leaders of The Three religion) strive a lot to keep madurai in peace.
The Aadheenam
This is one of the oldest mutt in India constituted during the period of Thirugnana Sambanthar.There are lot of immovable properties donated for this mutt, right from the day of its origin. The tradition of madurai Aadinam goes back to 1300 years and Thirugnana Sambanthar being the 1st Maga Sannidhaanam The Madurai Aadheenam. The mutt is headed by the Guru Maga Sannidaanam, The Aadinam of madurai. Though being a saiva, the Aadheenam is considered as the religious head of all Saiva and vaishanava hindus of madurai. The Guru maga sannidanam, Arunachalam Swamy is the present Aadinam and he is 292nd Aadinam in their genealogy. The present Aadeenam is very well versed in the Knowledge of Vedas, Quraan and Bible. The aadinam takes parts in all major festivals of madurai connected with Hindu religion and also in religious harmony meetings. Kumbhabishekams, Meenkshi-Shokkar marriage, Azhagar's entry into vaigai and other Hindu festivals in the city are headed by the Aadinam. The sitting Aadinam, during his life time appoints his junior, who succeeds him after his death.
The Kaziyar
Kazi, the jury and religious head of Muslims, in Madurai is appointed by Govt. of Tamilnadu. The tradition of Kazis in madurai goes back to 750 years. Syed Tajuddin was the 1st Kazi to the then Govt of Sultans. Till today, His descendants are appointed as Kazis to the Govt. of tamilnadu in madurai. Hazrat Moulana Moulvi.Meer Ahamad Ibrahim Rahmatullahi Alaihi (The first of Madurai Maqbara Hazrats), Moulana Syed Abdul Qadir Ibrahim, Moulvi.Syed Amjad Ahmad Ibrahim and Moulvi.Syed Abdus Salaam Ibrahim Saahib Hazrat are remarkable Kazis to the Govt. during their tenure. Syed Abdus Salaam Ibrahim, the 19th Kaziyar of Madurai, who was fondly called by the people as Town Kaziyar, Kazisaab, Town Kazisaab etc., is remebered for his simplicity and hardwork towards literal and economical empowerment of Muslims in the city. The present Kajiyar of Madurai Moulvi.A.Syed Kaja Mueenuddeen is 20th in the genealogy of Kaziyars in madurai, who is well known for his hard work towards religious harmony in madurai together with, The Aadinam, Kundrakkudi Adigalaar and the Arch Bishop. Apart from working for religious harmony, the present kaziyar also strives for Political empowerment of muslims of the locality. Kaziyar heads the prayers in Arasaradi, Edgah grounds on Eid ul-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Also,the Kaziyar heads the 23 days congregation of Aashura with sunni faith, during the Islamic month of Muharram. Almost all muslim marraiges in madurai are solemnized by the Kaziyar and disputes arising if any thereafter are solved by him. Most of the zikr majlis and urus festivals in reliable darghas are headed by Kaziyar or any other Moulvi from the kaziyars family.
The Arch Bishop
The tradition of Arch diocese of madura goes back to 70 years and the Arch bishop of Madurai diocese is considered as the head of Roman Catholic christians in madurai. The arch diocese of Madura was erected in the year 1938, and was renamed as The Arch Diocese of Madurai in the year 1950. The Suffragan Dioceses of Dindigul, Kottar, Palayamkottai, Sivagangai, Tiruchirapalli and Tuticorin comes under the jurisdiction of the Arch Diocese of madurai. Bishop.John Peter Leonard, was the 1st Arch Bishop of Madurai with whom the genealogy of Arch Diocese of madurai starts. Bishop.Marianus Arokiasamy, the 4th Arch Bishop of madurai is well remebered for his works towards the religious harmony along with The Aadheenam and The Kaziyar to keep madurai in peace when south tamilnadu was burning due to communal riots in late 1990s. Bishop.Peter Fernanado, the 5th Arch Bishop of Madurai diocese is the sitting Arch Bishop of Madurai, who presides prayer meetings on Good fridays,Ester, Christmas Day and New year. The Arch bishop blesses R.C.Christians on various occasions such as marriages and other ceremonies. Bishop.Christopher Asir who is the Arch Bishop of Madurai-Ramnad Diocese of CSI is the head of C.S.I. Christians in madurai.
