Thirumalai Nayak is the notable King of Madurai Nayaks and the architect of present-day Madurai. He moved the capital of the dynasty from Trichy to Madurai in 1634. He had constructed various important structures like Madurai Palace, Pudumandapam, South Tower of Meenakshi Amman Temple, Mariamman Tepakkulam and many Choultries, which stands testimony till date. He was a political genius, man of diplomacy and a patron of art and culture. Religious harmony thrived during his regime, He combined Meenakshi’s celestial wedding of Saivate rite and Alagar festival of Vaishnavite rite and created the Chithirai festival. Thus, ending the long rivalry between the two rites. He rendered support to the Jesuit missionaries and Christianity. More than all Thirumalai Nayak will be remembered forever as the key architect of Madurai.