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Chidambaram, 58km south of Pondicherry is an important pilgrim centre for Shaivites and known for its famous Nataraja temple which was erected in the reign of Vira Chola Raja (927-997 AD). This great temple complex (covering an area of 40 acres) is one of Tamil Nadu's Dravidian architectural highlights. The Sabhanayaka Nataraja Temple has 4 gopurams, the north and the south ones towering 49 metres high. Two of the gopurams are covered with the 108 classical postures of Nataraja - Shiva in his role as the cosmic dancer. Other notable features of the temple are the 1000 pillar hall, the Nritta Sabha court looks like a gigantic chariot. The image of Natraja himself is in the inner sanctorum.Thillai KaliammanTemple was also built by the Cholas and is dedicated to Goddess Parvati. It is believed that a trip to Chidambaram is incomplete if both the temples are not visited. The town also has a hectic market and, based at Annamalai University’s centre of Tamil studies an the east, a large student population |
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The Natyanjali Dance festival is held for 5 days in February, dancers from all parts of the country perform here. Vaithisvaran Koil, 24 km from Chidambaram has a temple dedicated to the 'healer of all diseases'. This is believed to be the place where Lord Shiva treated Angaraka, the ailing god of war. Devotees offer gold and silver replicas of organs and pray for good health. Poompuhar, 40 km from Chidambaram, the original city was swallowed by sea built over 2000 years ago. Excavations reveal that the city of Puhar was well designed. Today Poompuhar's main attractions are a clean beach and an art gallery.Pichavaram, not far from Chidambaram is a tourist spot of an entirely different nature. Enchanting Pichavaram comprises 300 acres of mangrove forests criss-crossed by backwaters. A Marine Research Institute is situated nearby at Parangipettai (Porto Nova), a former Portuguese and Dutch Port. In this eco-paradise, T. T.D.C.provides facilities for water sports. The arignar Anna Tourist complex has cottage, a restaurant, a youth hostels and a boat house. |
| General Information |
Area |
58 Sq.Kms |
Altitude |
19.45 feet above sea level |
Season |
Throughout the year |
Languages |
Tamil,English,Telugu and Malayalam |
STD Code |
04144 |
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| Climate |
Summer – Max : 37.0 ºC, Min : 36.4 ºC
Winter - Max : 21.3 ºC, Min : 21.1 ºC
Rainfall - 85.5 cm average |
| How To Reach |
Chidambaram is 245 kms from Chennai and is well connected with several towns in the state. From here, there are bus services to Chennai, Pondicherry, Nagapattinam and Madurai. It is also connected with meter gauge rail link, main link going to Rameswaram via Kumbakonam, Thanjavur and Tiruchirappalli. The nearest airport is at Trichirappalli from where Indian Airlines connections are available to Chennai, Madurai and Sri Lanka. Umpteen buses ply daily to Chidambaram and via Chidambaram to various places. |
| Hotels in Chidambaram |
To cope with the influx of tourist and pigrims, Chidambaram abounds in budget accommodation, but there are few upper – bracket options beyond the Saradharam hotel.
Hotel Akshaya, Mansoor Lodge, Raja Rajan, Sabanayagam, Saradharam and TTDC Hotel Tamil Nadu,Hotel Saradha Ram, Star Lodge,Ramya Lodge,Kalyanam Boarding & Lodging,Shameer Lodge,M.A.T.Lodge,Everest Lodge,Vandayar Gateway Inn.
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