19 Top Tourist Places to Visit in Chidambaram

At a distance of 2 km from Chidambaram Bus Station, Nataraja Temple is an ancient Hindu temple located in Chidambaram town in 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 Thillai Nataraja Temple, the Nataraja Temple is dedicated to Nataraja - Shiva as the lord of the dance. It is one of the five Panchbootha Sthalas of Lord Shiva, and it denotes the Skies. The temple has mythical roots and a Shiva shrine existed at the site when the town was known as Thillai. Chidambaram, the name of the city and the temple literally means 'atmosphere of wisdom' or 'clothed in thought', the temple architecture symbolizes the connection between the arts and spirituality, creative activity, and the divine.

The temple was constructed during the 10th Century .....

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At a distance of 16 km from Chidambaram & 217 km from Chennai, Pichavaram is an exquisite coastal village near Chidambaram in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the 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 .....

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At a distance of 42 km Chidambaram, 76 km from Thanjavur, 110 km from Trichy & 268 km from Chennai, Gangaikonda Cholapuram is a historical town situated near Chidambaram. It is one of the popular places of heritage in Tamilnadu, and among the must visit places during Chidambaram tour.

Gangaikonda Cholapuram became the capital of Cholas during the reign of Rajendra Chola I in 1025 CE and served as the Chola capital for around 250 years. This historical town is home to the renowned Brihadeeswarar Temple. It was built by Rajendra Chola I, the son and successor of Rajaraja Chola. This temple is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Great Living Chola Temples'.

Rajendra Chola I has established this temple after his great victories in Northern India. He was originally called Madurantakan and assumed the title of Rajendra during his coronation and continued to rule along with .....

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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 Nagapattinam district. The Amritaghateswarar - Abirami Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is the most famous temple in Thirukkadaiyur.

The presiding deity of this temple is Sri Amirthalingeswara and his consort is Sri Abirami. Thirukkadaiyur is one of the 8 Veera Sthalas, where Yama was clashed with Lord Shiva. It is believed that this is the place where Lord Shiva protected Markandeya, son of Mrikandu, from Yama. The scar caused by the Yama's rope is visible on the Linga during abisheka times.

The temple was built by Chola kings in 11th century in the traditional Chola architectural style. Spread over 11 acres, the temple has great architecture and has five enclosures, huge towers and spacious mandapas. Based on the inscriptions .....

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At a distance of 37 km from Kumbakonam, 37 km from Karaikal and 42 km from Chidambaram, Mayiladuthurai is a town and headquarters of the Mayiladuthurai Taluk in Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu. Mayiladuthurai is known for the Mayuranatha Swamy Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. This temple is one among the six temples which are compared as equivalent to the temple in Varanasi. The other 5 Shivasthalams are Tiruvenkaadu, Chaayaavanam, Tiruvaiyaru, Tiruvanchiam and Tiruvidaimarudur.

This temple was reconstructed with stone in 10th century during the period of Sembiyan Mahadevi. However, the renovations from the 19th century have destroyed some of the older structures and the inscriptions. Some of the stone sculptures of Vinayakar, Natarajar, Dakshimamurthy, Lingodbhavar, Brahma, Ganga Visarjanamurthi, Durga and Bhikshatanar from the period of Sembiyan Mahadevi have been well preserved.

The main diety is in the form of lingam .....

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At a distance of 17 km from Mayiladuthurai, 27 km from Chidambaram, 45 kms from Karaikal, 54 km from Kumbakonam and 94 km from Thanjavur, Vaitheeswaran Koil is town in Nagapattinam district which is famous for the Vaidyanatha Swamy Temple. The temple is also known as Pullirukkuvelur.

Vaidyanatha Swamy and Thaiyalnayaki are the presiding deities of this temple. The Selva Muthukumara Swamy shrine here is also considered to be of important. There are Shiva lingas said to have been worshipped by Rama, Jatayu, Skanda, Surya and Angaraka. It is believed that Rama and his brother Lakshmana cremated the vulture king Jatayu who was killed by Ravana when he tried to prevent the abduction of Sita at this place. There is a pond at this temple called Jatayu kundam.

It is one of the Navagraha temples associated with the planet Mars (Angaraka). According to legend, Planet Mars was once afflicted with leprosy and was cured by Vaidyanatha .....

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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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At a distance of 20 Kms from Chidambaram, 45 kms from Karaikal and 110 Kms from Thanjavur (located in Nagapattinam district), the Bhramapureeswarar temple in Sirkazhi is build by the Chola kings of Vikrama Chola, Kulottunga II and III in 10th Century.

The Bhramapureeswarar is a vast temple complex with 3 different Shiva Shrines known as Bhramapureeswarar shrine, Thoniappar Shrine and Sattainathar/Vatukanathar Shrine. The Bhramapureeswarar shrine is housed in the lower level. The second level houses Periyanakar with Periyanayaki on a 'Thoni'(boat), hence the name Thoniappar (The boat symbolizes that Thoniappar helps people cross their sea of birth). The Thoniappar shrine on a mound west of the central shrine, and the Sattainathar shrine in the second floor reached from the southern prakaram of the Thoniappar shrine by a flight of steps.

The famous Thirumulaippal Utsav is held every year during Chithirai month.

Open from 6 AM - 9 PM.

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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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At a distance of 150 kms from Chidambaram, Kalvarayan Hills are spread over an area of 600 Sq.kms. These hills offer a temperate climate and quiet solitude with an altitude ranging from 315 meters to 1190 meters.

Kallakurichi is the down hill ofKkalvarayan Hills. Vellimalai, which is top hill of the kalvarayan hill, enrooted to Gomugi Dam. There is a botanical garden on the hills. There are two waterfalls here. The Periyar Falls is just 16 kms from Gomugi Dam and 12 kms from Vellimalai and another falls is Megam Falls is 5 kms from Vellimalai. The area is ideal for those interested in trekking. Before going on a trek carry a sleeping bag, drinking water, warm clothes, medicines and any food supplies for an emergency.

A summer festival is also held in the month of May every year. Oct - Dec is the best time to visit this place.

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At a distance of 4 km from Chidambaram Bus Stand, Sivapuri Uchinathar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Sivapuri in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the must-include places in Chidambaram pilgrimage tour.

Popularly called Thirunelvayil, Sivapuri Uchinathar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, known here as Uchinathar. This temple is recognized as one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and ranks as the third Shiva Sthalam situated on the northern bank of the Cauvery River in Chozha Nadu (Vadakarai). The presiding deity is honored in the 7th-century Tamil Saiva canonical text, the Tevaram, composed by the revered Tamil saint poets known as the nayanmars.

According to legend, saint Thirugnanasambanthar resided in Thiruvetkalam, a nearby Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalam, from which he visited various temples. During one such visit to this temple, he was graciously offered food .....

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At a distance of 3 km from Chidambaram Bus Stand, Tiruvetkalam Pasupatheswarar Temple is a Hindu temple located inside the Annamalai University complex in Chidambaram. It is one of the prominent religious places to visit as part of Chidambaram Tour Packages.

Tiruvetkalam Pasupatheswarar Temple is a revered site dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva, worshipped here as Pasupatheswarar, alongside His consort, Nalla Nayaki. This temple is recognized as one of the 276 Devara Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams and is the second Shiva Sthalam located on the northern bank of the Cauvery River in Chozha Nadu (Vadakarai) after Thillai Nataraja Temple. It is believed to be over 2000 years old, originally constructed by the Pallava kings and later renovated in 1914 by Peddha Perumal Chettiar of Kanadukathan. Historically, this location is known as Moonkilvanam.

According to Hindu mythology, Arjuna, the Pandava prince from the Mahabharata, .....

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At a distance of 15 km from Chidambaram, Achalpuram Shivaloka Thyagarajar Temple is a Hindu temple located at Achalpuram in the Mayiladuthurai district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the prominent places to visit in Chidambaram.

Achalpuram Shivaloka Thyagarajar Temple is a revered site dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is venerated here as Shivaloka Thyagarajar. Renowned sages such as Vashishta, Kakabujandar, Viswamithra, Jamadagni, Dhurvasa, Brigu, and Manthatha are said to have been granted a vision of Shivalokam (Kailash darshan) following their intense penance at this location hence the deity of this temple is honored as 'Sri Shivalokathyakar.' This temple is recognized as one of the 276 Paadal Petra Shiva Sthalams, glorified in the early medieval Tevaram hymns composed by the Tamil Saivite Nayanar Tirugnanasambandar, and it is the 5th Shiva Sthalam situated on the northern bank of the Cauvery River .....

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At a distance of 10 km from Chidambaram, Bhuvanagiri Raghavendra Swami Temple is a sacred shrine located in the small town of Bhuvanagiri near Chidambaram. It is one of the many temple situated in and around Chidambaram as part of Tamil Nadu pilgrimage tour.

Bhuvanagiri is recognized as the birthplace of the esteemed Saint Sri Raghavendra Swami, attracting numerous devoted followers who come to receive the blessings of their revered Guru. He is also regarded as the incarnation of Prahlada, a renowned devotee of Lord Vishnu. Born in Bhuvanagiri in the year 1595, Sri Raghavendra Swami was celebrated as a distinguished scholar and a talented musician during his lifetime, later becoming a prominent philosopher of the Dvaita Philosophy established by Sri Madhavacharya. The residence where he was born and raised has since been transformed into a temple in his honor.

Initially known as Venkanna, Raghavendra spent .....

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At a distance of 47 km from Chidambaram, Silver Beach is a serene beach situated in Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu. Situated on the southeast coast of India, it is one of the famous tourist places in Chidambaram.

Silver Beach ranks among the longest beaches in Asia and is the second longest along the Coromandel Coast, following Marina Beach in Chennai. The beach derives its name from the shimmering waves that gently lap at the shore. It remains largely unspoiled by urban hustle, making it an ideal destination for those seeking relaxation and serenity.

The beach is flanked by coastal erosion formations and picturesque palm trees. To the south lies the South Cuddalore Bay area, which resembles a distinct island. The backwaters that separate the main beach from this island-like feature provide a secure environment for various water sports. Additionally, a mangrove forest can be found on the western side .....

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At a distance of 23 km from Chidambaram, Samiyar Pettai Beach is a serene beach situated at Samiyar Pettai village in Tamil Nadu. Situated near Parangipettai, it is one of the famous popular beaches to visit near Chidambaram.

Samiyarpettai Beach is drawing a significant number of tourists due to its tranquil environment. The beach is adorned with golden sands, crystal-clear waters, and verdant surroundings. Spanning approximately 2 kilometers, it offers ample space for visitors to unwind, stroll, or partake in various leisure activities such as swimming and sunbathing.

Samiyarpettai Beach serves as an ideal destination for individuals seeking peace and relaxation. Guests can bask in the warm sunlight while enjoying the calming sounds of the waves lapping against the shore. The beach also provides stunning vistas of the Bay of Bengal, with its vast waters extending to the horizon. It is an exceptional location for witnessing sunrises, as the horizon presents a breathtaking view .....

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At a distance of 20 km from Chidambaram, Parangipettai Beach is a stunning beach situated near Parangipettai in the Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the famous popular beaches to visit as part of Chidambaram Leisure Tour.

Parangipettai Beach also referred to as Porto Novo Beach or Puthupettai Beach, is a tranquil and pristine place that provides visitors with a distinctive and rejuvenating experience. This beach is distinguished by its extensive expanse of golden sands, crystal-clear waters, and gently swaying palm trees. It serves as an excellent retreat for individuals seeking to escape the frenetic pace of urban life and enjoy moments of solitude.

The beach boasts a rich historical background that traces back to the colonial era. Notably, the Battle of Porto Novo occurred in 1781, involving the forces of the Kingdom of Mysore and the British East India Company, during the Second Anglo-Mysore .....

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At a distance of 35 km from Mayiladuthurai, 43 km from Thanjavur, 54 km from Karaikal, 65 km from Nagapattinam, 72 km from Chidambaram, 105 km from Trichy, 129 km from Pondicherry, 235 km from Madurai, and 282 km from Chennai, Kumbakonam is one of the ancient temple town located amidst the two rivers Cauvery and Arasalar in Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. Kumbakonam is one of the top places to visit in Tamilnadu, and among the popular places to visit near Chennai.

Kumbakonam is known for its temples and mutts (monasteries) which are the main highlights of Kumbakonam tour packages. The name Kumbakonam in English means the Pot's Corner. In the olden days, it was called Thirukudamookku and it is also popularly called Kudanthai now. According to history, Kumbakonam dates back to the Sangam period and was ruled by the .....

Distance (From Chidambaram): 72 Kms
Trip Duration (From Chidambaram - Including Travel): Full Day
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