Tamil Nadu Tourism - Chidambaram

Chidambaram, a town with ancient temples and beautiful locales, is an important tourist destination in Tamil Nadu. The lovely town of Chidambaram is situated in the east-central part of Tamil Nadu state of southeastern India. It is located in the Coleroon River Valley on the Madras-Thanjavur road and rail system. Chidambaram is a place which must be visited as it has a lot to offer, ranging from its antiquity, cultural richness, festival traditions, architectural and sculptural splendor and love for music and dance, truly a perfect representation of the rich Indian cultural heritage. Chidambaram (also Thillai) literally means the sky permeated by an atmosphere of intelligence and wisdom.

Chidambaram is among the most venerated towns in the Southern India. The sacred city has some of the finest of the architectural marvels that its famous temples reflect. Among the most widely visited pilgrimage spots is the Natraja Temple that sprawls in an area of 40 acres in the heart of the city with the presiding deity being Lord Natraja.









¤ Tourist Attractions of Chidambaram

* The Nataraja Temple
The Nataraja temple is located in the center of the town and covers an area of 40 acres. It is one of the ancient temples of Tamil Nadu. The roof of the sanctum sanctorum is covered with gold plates. The deity presiding in this temple is represented by air, one of the five elements of the universe. It is also known as Akasa Lingam. The Eastern tower has a height of 40.8 metres whereas the Northern tower has a height of 42.4 meters. One of the special things seen here are the 108 Bharatha Natyam Dance gestures on the Eastern tower as well as on Western tower. Apart from these, the Sivakamiamman temple, the Sivaganga tank, the thousand pillar hall are other important features of the Temple.

* Vaitheeswaran Koil
This is a temple of Lord Siva and is situated down south of Chidambaram. The Vaitheeswaran Koil is famous for the Siva temple dedicated to the healer of all diseases, Vidyanatheeswarar and his consort Thaiyalnayaki. It is located around 24 kms away from Chidambaram. A bath in the holy waters of the Siddhamirtham tank within the temple complex is believed to be therapeutic. It is said to contain nectar which has curative powers. It is the place of one of the Navagrahas, Angarahan (Mars).

* Gangai Kondas Cholapuram
It is situated about 50 kms away from Chidambaram. Gangaikondas Cholapuram was established as a capital by Rajandra I, a mighty Chola King. He also built a temple of Lord Siva. This temple is famous for its massiveness and richly carved sculptures. There's big Nandi in front of the temple made of brick and mortar, a lion head well with a flight of steps leading to the water level and gigantic Dwarapalakas are the other highlights of this temple. Numerous beautiful sculptures can be seen on the walls of the temple and its enclosures.

* Natyanjali Festival
The Natyanjali dance festival at Chidambaram is famous for various dance performances by well-known dancers. It brings together all the renowned dancers of India. The enchantment and elation with which they dance can be seen in their eyes and evocative abhinaya performed by them presents an outstanding scene. These dances are supposed to be offered to Lord Nataraja. Many dancers feel privileged to be able to perform in the vicinity of the sanctum sanctorum of Lord Nataraja.

* Pichavaram
Pichavaram is situated 16 kms. east of Chidambaram. It is among the most eye-pleasing destinations with abundant and varied tourism resources. Pichavaram also has backwaters which are interconnected by the Vellar and Kollidam system. These backwaters offer an array of water sports opportunities like - parasailing, rowing and canoing.

* Kalvarayan Hills
The Kalvarayan hills are situated 150 kms. north west of Chidambaram on the western side of Kallakurichi Taluk. It is sprawled over an area of 600 sq. kms, located at a height that ranges from 315 mts. to 1190 mts. The climate at these hills is temperate, offering absolute serenity. There are two waterfalls and a botanical garden here. This area is the venue of a summer festival held every year in the month of May. It is an ideal place of retreat and peace. A nicely decorated botanical garden here attracts the eyes of the visitors. One can take a refreshing bath in the two waterfalls here. It is also ideal for trekking.

* Sri Mushnam
This place is situated in the northwest of Chidambaram. The big Vishnu temple of Bhuvarahaswamy here attracts the visitors. It is one of the eight Swayam Vyaktakashethra in the south.

* Melakadambur
Melakadambur is located in the west of Chidambaram. The temple here is of the Pala art. The Nataraja found in this temple dances on a bull and the idol belongs to Pala art.

* Sirkazhi temple
It is another Siva shrine, situated 20 km from Chidambaram. It is the birthplace of one of the top 4 Saivaite saints named Thirugnana Sambandar. It is believed that Goddess Parvathi breastfed the child Gnanasambandar as he was crying in the tank bund. It is inside the temple and is known as `Mulaippal Thirtham` (Breast Milk Holy Water). A festival in memory of this legend is celebrated here during the month of April.

* Thiruvenkadu temple
Thiruvenkadu templeThis temple is 28 km from Chidambaram. It is dedicated to Agora Virabadra, a fierce aspect of Siva and is also known as Swetharanyam. The image of Lord Siva in this temple is said to be unearthed here and it is an early Chola bronze. It shows Lord Siva as a nude mendicant with the writhing cobra clinging on his thighs. The image is now in the Thanjavur Art Gallery. This Budha (Mercury), one of the Navagrahas (nine planets) is said to reside here.

* Tirapunkur
In this place, Lord Siva`s mount Nandi is said to have moved a little away to obstruct the darshan of Lord Siva to Nandanar, the harijan devotee.

* Mayiladuthurai
This is a town, which can be reached by bus from Chidambaram. Here, the Dakshinamurthi shrine is very famous along with the God of wisdom, who sits in yoga pose on a Nandi. In the centre of the town, the Mayuranathaswamy temple can be seen. It is a Siva temple with an imposing nine-storeyed tower. The image of goddesses Durga here is very impressive. Here, the devotees severe their head as an offering to the deity.

* Vazhuvur temple
Vazhuvur temple It is also a temple near Chidambaram. Here, the presiding deity is called Krithivasa, one who wears the elephant skin. This is said to be one of the eight places where Siva danced to destroy demons. The dance hall here is called `Gnana Sabai` or Hall of Wisdom. There is a Yantra known as Vazhuvur Rahasyam (mystery) behind the Gajasamharamurthi.

* Perambur
It is a Subramania temple. The image of deity is of granite and beautifully carved with 6 faces in the pose of Samharamurthi. Numerous snakes abound this place, but no one has so far been bitten. The snakes just hiss at those who enter the Iluppai garden stealthily to steal.

* Therazhundhur
This is the birth place of Kambar, who wrote the epic Ramayana in Tamil. There is a temple of sculptural value here.

* Vriddhachalam
This place is well known for the Vriddha-giriswarar temple containing a big shrine. It has high enclosing walls and four tall gopurams. The mandapam of this temple is carved like a chariot with wheels and horses. There are also 24 delicately carved pillars with Yalis supporting the roof.

* Thiruppanaiyur temple
This temple contains palmyra tree as the sacred tree. As per the legends, the great Chola king Karikala was standing under a palmyra tree. He was then picked up by the royal elephant and taken to the palace to be crowned as king. Hence, it has become the sacred tree and the place also got the name Thiruppanaiyur.

* Engan temple
Engan temple In this temple, the most beautiful and captivating idol of Lord Muruga can be seen. Here, the idol of Shanmuganathar is carved with minute details like the ear holes are pierced to insert ear-rings. It is said the sculptor of this image cut off his right thumb to avoid carving another image superior to the Singaravelar. But in his dream, Lord Muruga asked to make another image at Ettukkudi. Then he blinded his eyes as it excelled Singaravelar of Sikkil. But, he had a command to commission another image at Engan. This time he took help from a woman to assist him. During the work, his chisel cut the finger of the lady and the blood fell on his eyes. He immediately got back his eyesight and he exclaimed 'Engan' (my eyes) and completed this superb idol. Hence, the place got its name `Engan`.

* Thiruchenkattankudi temple
It is famous for Asthamurthi Mandapam. The idol of Ganapathi here is said to have been brought from Vatapi of the Chalukyan kingdom after a voyage by Chola and installed here. Tiripurantaka and Nataraja in this temple are fine specimens of Chola art.

* Thiruvanjiam temple
The sandalwood tree of this temple is the Sthala Viruksha here. The examples of fine workmanship in this temple are the images of Durga, Bhairavar, Rahu and Kethu. During the Masi Dhasami festival in February-March, the deity Vanjinatha the deity is mounted on the Yama Vahana.

* Vidyapuram
Here, Rajaraja I built a beautiful Siva temple. The presiding deity of the temple is called Meenakshisundareswarar.

* Kali Temple
The northern end of the sacred city has Thillaikaliamman temple, another of the medieval architectural marvel and greatly flocked pilgrim spots. Kopperunjingan, who ruled between 1229 AD and 1278 AD, built the temple.

* Annamalai University
A hot center of Tamil learning, Annamalai University is a residential University founded by the Raja Sir Annamalai Chettiar. The university is also great centre of Carnatic music and offers educational facilities in various disciplines including Medicine, Agriculture and Engineering.