CHIDAMBARAM | NATARAJA TEMPLE | PLACES TO VISIT & TRAVEL GUIDE TO CHIDAMBARAM

About Thillai Nataraja Temple

At a distance of 2 km from Chidambaram Bus Station, Thillai Nataraja Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located in Chidambaram town of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the ancient temples in South India, and among the must include places in Chidambaram tour packages. Also referred to as the Chidambaram Nataraja Temple or Chidambaram Temple, the temple is dedicated to Nataraja, the cosmic dance form of Lord Shiva. It is one of the five Panchbootha Sthalas of Lord Shiva, representing the element of space. Chidambaram, the name of the city literally means 'stage of consciousness'.

History of Thillai Nataraja Temple

The temple's origins remain shrouded in some mystery, but historical evidence suggests a Shiva shrine existed at the site well before the 7th century AD, when the town was referred to as Thillai. The Chola dynasty, who revered Nataraja as their family deity, significantly .....

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About Pichavaram

At a distance of 16 Km from Chidambaram & 217 Km from Chennai, Pichavaram is an exquisite coastal village in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the most picturesque places to visit near Chennai, and among the must include places in Chidambaram packages. Located between the Vellar estuary and Coleroon estuary, Pichavaram is well-known for its mangrove forests spread over 1100 hectares area. The mangroves of Pichavaram are considered the second largest mangrove forests in the world. Apparently, the forest has more than 50 islands of various sizes and 4,400 big and small canals. The trees grow in water that's 3 to 10 feet deep in different places. The conditions are quite hostile, as the sea's tides bring saltwater in and out twice a day, changing the salinity. Hence, the trees have unique root systems, with membranes that only allow fresh water to enter.

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About Gangai Konda Cholapuram Temple

At a distance of 42 km Chidambaram, 76 km from Thanjavur, and 110 km from Trichy, Gangaikonda Cholapuram is a historical town situated near Chidambaram in the Ariyalur district of Tamil Nadu. It is home to the magnificent Brihadeeshwara Temple, one of the three living Chola Temples in Tamil Nadu that were designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site, the other two being Brihadeeshwara Temple in Thanjavur, and Darasuram Temple. It is one of the popular heritage sites in Tamil Nadu. , and among the must visit places as part of Chidambaram tour packages.

History of Gangai Konda Cholapuram Temple

Gangaikonda Cholapuram was established as the capital of the Chola dynasty during the rule of Rajendra Chola I in 1025 CE, remaining the Chola capital for approximately 250 years. This site, of significant historical importance, marked .....

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About Thirukkadaiyur

At a distance of 23 Km from Karaikal, 23 Km from Mayiladuthurai, 44 Km from Chidambaram and 57 Km from Kumbakonam, Thirukkadaiyur is a popular temple town located on the east coast of Tamil Nadu in the Mayiladuthurai district. The town is primarily known for the Sri Amritaghateswarar - Abirami Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is recognized as one of the 276 Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and holds the distinction of being the 47th Shiva Sthalam on the southern bank of the Cauvery River in Tamil Nadu. Within this temple, Lord Shiva is revered as Mrityunjaya, the Conqueror of Death. It is one of the most popular pilgrimage sites in Tamil Nadu.

History of Thirukkadaiyur

Thirukkadaiyur Temple was established by the Chola dynasty in the 11th century CE. Inscriptions found at the site suggest that the main sanctum existed prior to the early 11th century but was subsequently .....

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About Mayiladuthurai

At a distance of 37 Km from Kumbakonam, 37 Km from Karaikal and 42 Km from Chidambaram, Mayiladuthurai, formerly known as Mayavaram or Mayuram, is a special grade municipality, and the district headquarters of Mayiladuthurai district in Tamil Nadu, India. Mayiladuthurai is known for the Mayuranatha Swamy Temple, among the must visit pilgrimage sites in Tamil Nadu. The temple is dedicated to Lord Mayuranathar, a manifestation of Shiva, and has given its name to the town. This temple is one of six temples that are regarded as equivalent to the Kashi Vishwanatha Temple in Varanasi. The other five Shivasthalams include Tiruvenkaadu, Chaayaavanam, Tiruvaiyaru, Tiruvanchiam, and Tiruvidaimarudur.

History of Mayiladuthurai

Often recognized as the entry point to the Chola temples, Mayiladuthurai serves as a significant historical and spiritual center, drawing both devotees and travelers who are .....

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About Vaitheeswaran Koil Temple

At a distance of 17 Km from Mayiladuthurai, 27 Km from Chidambaram, 54 Km from Kumbakonam and 94 Km from Thanjavur, Vaitheeswaran Koil is a temple town situated in the Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu. This town is renowned for the Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple, also referred to as Pullirukkuvelur. Among the must-include places in the Chidambaram pilgrimage packages, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped as Vaidyanathar or Vaitheeswaran, meaning 'God of healing', and it is believed that prayers to Vaitheeswaran can cure diseases. It is one of the Navagraha temples in Tamil Nadu associated with the planet Mars (Angaraka), and is the 16th temple of the 276 dedicated to Lord Shiva on the northern bank of River Cauvery called Paadal Petra Sthalams by the Tevaram hymns of 7th-century Saiva nayanars, the Tamil saint poets.

History of Vaitheeswaran Koil Temple

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At a distance of 40 km from Chidambaram, 40 km from Karaikal, 90 km from Thanjavur & 257 km from Chennai, Poompugar is a coastal town in the Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the major places to visit as part of Chidambaram trip.

Poompuhar was once a flourishing ancient port city known as Kaveri Poompattinam and was at its peak of glory under the earlier Chola kings. The River Kaveri is merging with the sea here. It was known as Puhar due to the exquisite beauty of the port town, and it later came to be called Poompuhar. Silappathikaram and Manimekalai, the Tamil epics, bring out the greatness of the city in some of the poems in Sangam literature.

It has now been established by marine archaeological research (conducted by the National Institute of Marine Archaeology, Goa) that much of the town was washed away by progressive erosion and floods. As per archaeological evidence found during excavation, this .....

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About Sirkazhi/Sirkali

At a distance of 20 Km from Chidambaram, 45 Km from Karaikal and 110 Km from Thanjavur, Sirkazhi, also spelled as Sirkali and Siyali is a municipal town in the Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu, India. This quaint town is adorned with numerous historic structures that span from the medieval era to the British colonial period. Among these, the Brahmapureeshwarar Temple stands out as the most significant. Commonly known as Sattainathar Temple, Vaitheeswaran Temple, and Kazheesirama Vinnagaram Temple, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, and is one of the must-include places in Chidambaram tour. Additionally, Sirkazhi is notable as the birthplace of the Shaiva saint Thirugnanasambandhar, the internationally acclaimed actor Sivaji Ganesan, and Padma Shri Sirkazhi Govindarajan, a distinguished vocalist in Carnatic music and a celebrated playback singer in Tamil cinema.

History of Sirkazhi/Sirkali

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At a distance of 2 Kms from Chidambaram Bus Station and 1.5 Kms from Chidambaram Railway Station, the Thillai Kaliamman temple is situated in northern end of the town. It was built by Chola King Kopperunjingan who ruled between 1229 AD and 1278 AD.

Once when Shiva and Shakti competed with each other in dancing, Shiva struck a fabulous pose, lifting his leg high. Shakti could not match that pose because of modesty, and so lost the contest. By the rules of the contest, the loser had to leave Thillai and reside outside. So Shakti moved to a location at the edge of the kshetra and a Kali Temple came up there. Thillai Kali is credited with curative powers and showers health and prosperity on those who worship her. The black Goddess Kali has a diamond on her forehead.

Annual Festivals are celebrated in the month of Vaigasi and Navarathiri festival is celebrated in the month of Purattasi.

Timings: 6 AM - 12:30 PM & 4:30 PM - 8:30 PM.

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At a distance of 40 Kms from Chidambaram, the Sillappathikara Art Gallery is situated in Poompuhar town.

The 'Magara Thoranavayil' at the entrance of the Art Gallery at a height of 22.5 feet imparts an imposing and beautiful look to the whole structure. It has been designed on the pattern of Magara Thorana Vayil, found in Suruli Malai Mangala Devi Koil. There is also an anklet shaped tank in the Art-Gallery. On this side of this tank are installed the statues of Kannagi and Madavi.

Scenes from Sillappathikaram, the Epic of the land have been given lively shapes in stones on the walls of the Gallery. These sculptures carved by the sculptors of Mamallapuram Art College remain the treasure house of Tamil Culture.

Timings: 8.30 AM to 8.30 PM. Entrance Fee - Adult: Rs 3 & Child: Rs 2.

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