ABOUT CHIDAMBARAM:

• The famous Hindu pilgrim centre gets the name from two words – chit (truth) and ambaram (space), as Lord Shiva is believed to manifest here is the form of akasha (sky) lingam.
• The temple town was the glorious capital of Cholas from 907 to 1310. Who built the Natraja Temple during 9^th century in honour of their patron deity, Lord Shiva as Natraja.
• Best time to be here is during the 10 day car festivals held in the months of April/ May and December/ January.
• Natyanjali Dance Festival held on the auspicious occasion of Maha Shivaratri is another attraction of the town.

 

MODE OF COMMUNICATION:

• Airport: Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) Airport, Tiruchirapalli (Trichy) (TRZ), 168 kms away from Chidambaram town.
• Rail: Chidambaram Railway Station, Chidambaram, 1.5 kms away from Chidambaram centre of town.
• Road: Well connected by road.

 

SIGHTSEEING AT A GLANCE:

HOLY CENTRE	Natraja Temple   Thillai Kaliamman Temple   Thiruppallavaneeswaram   Sirkazhi   Vaithisvarankoil
MUSEUM & AUDITORIUM	Sillappathikara Art Gallery
BACKWATERS	Pichchavaram
HISTORIC SITES	Poompuhar
FAIRS & FESTIVALS	Natyanjali Arudara Darshan Aani Thirumanjanam Panguini Uthiram

For more information visit https://cuddalore.nic.in/tourist-place/chidamabaram/

 

ATTRACTIONS OF CHIDAMBARAM

 

Natraja Temple:

• Ancient temple complex dedicated to Lord Nataraja, the dancing Shiva, was built during the reign of Vira Chola Raja (927 – 997 A.D.).
• Huge complex is a masterpiece of Chola artistry and one of Tamil Nadu’s Dravidian architectural highlight.
• It has four exquisitely carved gopurams (gateways), the north and south ones rising to a height of 49 metres.
• East and west gopurams are adorned with intricately carved 108 classical postures (54 on each side of both) of Bharatanatyam dance.
• Temple is quite unique as it enshrines an idol of Lord Nataraja instead of the customary Shivalingam.
• It is distinguished for the five Sabhas or halls.
• Raja Sabha, a huge mandapam near the colonnaded Shivaganga Tank has intricately carved thousand pillars.
• The Deva Sabha houses temple bronzes and the Nritta Sabha is carved like a gigantic chariot and has a rich collection of sculptures.
• Chit Sabha or the ‘Hall of Bliss’ is the main sanctum, with an unusual hut like gold plated roof.
• Lord Shiva is worshipped here in the form of Akasha (Sky) Lingam and is therefore invisible.
• Kanak Sabha (Golden Hall), the fifth hall is considered to be the most important.
• It is said that Lord Shiva performed his tandava nritya (cosmic dance) over here.
• The ‘golden hall’ represents the golden hue of fire, which stands for purity and Lord Shiva (Nataraja) dance in unlimited space.
• Within the hall is a magnificent idol of Lord Nataraja.

 

Thillai Kaliamman Temple:

• Temple dedicated to Goddess Parvati was built by Kopperunjingam, who ruled between 1229 and 1278 A.D.
• It is said that a trip to Chidambaram is incomplete without a visit to this shrine.

 

ATTRACTIONS  AROUND CHIDAMBARAM

Pichchavaram:

• 16 kms away from Chidambaram town.
• Popular tourist site is famous for the beautiful backwaters interconnected by the Vellar and Kollidam system.
• Unique mangrove forests sprawling over an area of 28,000.
• It quite rare and among the healthiest mangrove occurrences in the world.
• Here is available various water sports facilities.

 

Poompuhar:

• 40 kms away from Chidambaram town.
• It was the ancient port town of the Cholas.
• Original town established over 2000 years ago lies submerged in the sea and is of great archaeological value.
• Excavations conducted here have revealed valuable information about the town planning, buildings, sculptures etc.
• Existence of ring-wells (Urai Kinaru) near the sea-shore, which have been described in the Sangam literature are quite interesting.

 

Sillappathikara Art Gallery:

• The 7 – tire building is of great sculptural value.
• Statues and sculptures exhibited here make it a perfect showcase of Tamil Culture.

 

Thiruppallavaneeswaram:

• Ancient temple is associated with Iyarppakai Nayanar and Pattinatthar.
• Hero and heroine of Sillappathikaram Kovalam and Kannagi were also born here.

 

Sirkazhi:

• 20 kms away from Chidambaram town.
• Temple town is famous for the shrines of Lord Shiva, known here as Sri Brahma-pureeswarar, Parvati (Goddess Tirunilai Nayaki) and the child deity Gnanasambandar.

 

Vaithisvarankoil:

• 25 kms away from Chidambaram town.
• It is famous for the temple of Lord Shiva in the form of Vaidynatheswar, the healer of all diseases.
• Waters of Siddhamirtham tank in the temple complex is said to have curative powers.
• According to mythological legends, Lord Shiva treated Angaraka, the ailing God of War over here.
• Devotees offer gold and silver replicas of organs and pray for good health.