THE ROLE OF RELIGIOUS HERITAGE IN GROWTH OF TOWN – MEENAKSHI TEMPLE (MADURAI)

One of India's historic temple cities, Madurai is located in the state of Tamil Nadu and has been inhabited for two millennia. In terms of area and population, it ranks third in the state and is the second-largest city overall. Despite this, the city's economy and population are declining. The city's boundaries were extended to include the entire urban agglomeration in 2010. However, there are still discrepancies between the newly amalgamated neighborhoods and the old city even after 9 years of integration. Due to the town's rich cultural legacy, the spatial split in the delivery of basic services and the features of a diminishing metropolis have posed significant obstacles to the path of sustainable development. In this study, the growth of the town as a result of the presence of the Meenakshi Temple is discussed in relation to the town's history, population, economy, and infrastructure for health and education. It also provides details on the particular difficulties it has to deal with. In this research paper, we'll talk about how religious legacy contributes to a community's development and the distinctive effects it has on the town's environment, economy, and social-cultural features. One of the crucial elements in a town development is tourism. Both inbound and outbound tourism can take many different forms. But in India, pilgrimage tourism is a long-standing industry that is a major contributor to national income and a number of positive sociocultural, economic, and environmental effects. Key Words: religious Heritage, Tourism, Economy, Culture, Ancient city.