Pasumalai - Madurai Tourism

About two or three miles south of Madurai, lies a small hillock called Pasumalai or ‘Cow Hill’. During the mid 19th century, the American Madura Mission is said to have arrived in Madurai & it is said that they had a great influence on the village atop this hill. They even started the American college here although later it was moved to Goripalayam.

During the end of the 19th century, the entire area of Pasumalai was under the influence of the textile giant, Madura Mill. Soon a proper road was laid & a large house was built on top of the hill. This was then the residence of Madura Mills Scottish managing director. Pasumalai is also one hill that is mentioned repeatedly in the mythological stories about Madurai. The grand villa was first inhabited by Sir William Harvey & other officials of the mill.

Later, Martin Henry, the managing director of Madura mills (1970’s) decided it was to large for a household. He converted the property into a school exclusively for the children of the Madura Mill employees. Vikaasa School as it was called, also outgrew this property & was moved to a more central location in Madurai.

In the 1980’s the Taj Group of Hotels converted this property into a modern hotel, which still maintins its old world charm. The guests at the Hotel today can still enjoy magnificent views. One can even go to the Taj for dinner or even tea and be enthralled by the views of a sprawling city at the foot of the hill.